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The website is up! Sorry for the inconvenience. Best regards, Charlie Starks MarklessT Astronomics <http://www.marklessastronomics.com/> http://www.marklessastronomics.com Accessories for Obsession Telescopes and other Big Dobs

I recently attached a Skyfi wireless unit to my Obsession SC/AN and bought SkySafari6 Pro which can be run from a PC using an android app emulator like Bluestacks, or from an iOs device like an iPad/iPhone/Macbook. It is fun to see where the scope is pointing to real time on the planetarium program as the scope slews between targets, I am thinking of getting a Tablet stalk from Markless to keep it on the scope during observing sessions, placed next to my DSC stalk. I think that I would be limited by the internal battery run time of the iPad, and I would prefer to have power to the iPad routed through the scope power system so the scope can rotate in AZ without any wires getting tangled. Seems silly to mount a separate battery for the iPad when the scope has a power distribution system already installed. 1. Has anyone run an iPad or PC off a deep-cycle or similar battery from the Obsession power rail? 2. Should I be looking for a cigarette-lighter plug to lightning adapter, and replace the cigarette plug adapter with terminals that would fit on the power rails? 3. Should I be adding an in-line fuse? 4. How does a dummy like me know which wire is positive? At 15 years, my old deep cycle battery (55 amp hour Optima D34 yellow top, about 45 lbs) is on its last legs and needs replacement, I am thinking of building a battery box something like this but with different ports. 1. Does anyone have a DIY battery box plan that they like? 2. Are people using lead-acid deep cycle or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries to power their scope? 3. Do people not prefer to mess around, and just buy an off the shelf solution like this from Jackery ($1K for about 46 amp hours)? Thanks Greg

As promised, some tips on performing a star alignment using your Argo Navis on your Obsession telescope :- https://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au/forum/posts/list/78.page

In the old archives, there were two PDFs describing how to fix the collimation drift on UC: 1. someone had some kind of re-enforcing aluminum ring for the UTA 2. someone else had used some kind of carbon fibre rods to stabilize the focuser If anyone has those two documents, can they please re-post? Thanks Pawan

Hi everyone, hope you do well, yesterday night, having a chance to observe Mars with my classic 15, on a rather stable night, I had a very interesting experience. At first with full aperture, I had a very luminous image dancing a little bit on the edge with very luminous diffraction rays (rather large due to the planet being rather large too). I tried to close the aperture with a mask letting only a circular aperture decentered to be completely free on any obstruction. As you can imagine the diameter is around 6 inches (15-20%)/2. The scope became a 6 inches f 9 more or less 0% obstruction. I was observing with a ethos 8mm at x250 well beyond the theoritical ~300 limit for a 6 inches scope. The image became much darker (4 times less light incoming) but much easier to observe because of no diffraction rays at all and I have been able to spot more details and some very luminous spot at the pole of Mars most probably the very last remnant of the polar cap. I never had this kind of improvement before especially when observing planets like Jupiter or Saturn, I always preferred the full aperture view. Any comments of similar experience? Clear skies, Frédéric

Maybe I just missed the memo...... are the old Yahoo based archives totally gone or are they out in cyberspace somewhere?

Am I missing something obvious? I am viewing through my smartphone, so maybe that is part of the problem, after looking at the "manual" for groups.io, I don't see an intuitive way to upload photos or make an album easily here. It looks to me that the photos section is supposed to be populated by attachments only? Not a way to create an archive. Anyone? -Roger 18" Classic AN/SC/FSA www.astrocrumb.com

Hello! I am brand new to this user group. I have a UC18 and want to add a finder scope. Does anyone have suggestions for either the finder scope or on mounting it? Thanks! :) Steve

I live near DC and have owned an18UC for 11 years, happily commuting to dark sky sites 50 miles west of town to do my observing. I've had great success with the 18UC but am now looking for a property west of town and when I find it, I'm also considering getting a 25" Classic. Depending on the property, I might be able to keep the 25" in a garage or shed, and roll it out for use. But if not, I may need to set up some kind of observatory or roll away shed to house the 25". I'd like to keep it as simple and as small as possible. I don't want to undertake a major construction project. I just want to be able to use the scope with minimal fuss. I intend to use it visually - no astrophotography. I'm aware that there are some commercial off the shelf products out there, but am guessing that most of them are too small for a 25"? I'd appreciate hearing about what others have done. Sincerely, Bob Gardner

Good day. I hope all is well with you and yours. As Jupiter and Saturn take their majestic place in the evening sky -- and with Mars not far behind -- I am looking for a lightweight planetary camera that can be controlled with an iPad or iPhone and not a Windows PC. I want to use this on my Classic 18* Obsession from my moderately light polluted backyard in the Mid Atlantic. Years ago I had an inexpensive Celestron webcam and using the various programs on Windows achieved modest results on Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon. I have the ability to use my iPhone 7 mounted in an afocal position to image the moon but am looking for a higher resolution and higher sensitivity camera the size of an eyepiece. And then I want to be able to control the camera and collect the images (usually a video stream) on my iPad for later processing on my desktop Mac. I have hunted around the internet and CN but failed to find a solution. Any recommendations? Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my post. Regards, Rich

Hi Everyone, I have a Obsession 20" F5 which I have had for along while it doesn't get much used due its size meaning needing a 3 step ladder. I was thinking on converting it to a F4 or F3.5. I realize it will cost a lot of money but it is cheaper than new one of the 20" size. I have quotes for a F3.7 mirror for about 8k, a F3.5 for 7k and F4 for 6k. I would need new ota poles which I can buy from Obsession. Any words of wisdom and advice from the group. The main scope I use is my Obsession 15, which I love to use but the 20 does give some better views. David Brown email: bro061@...

Hello all, Does anybody have any information on a transport case for a 22in UC? I did a little search and it to get it on an airline flight I need to keep the outside dimensions of the case at or under 90 linear inches. Technically a cube of 30in would work but the depth of the storage case does not need to be 30 in. Of course I would take the mirror out and not transport it with the mirror in it. I have not found a Pelican case big enough. Military Hardigg cases are a various sizes but I cannot find one to fit my needs. Has anybody been down this rathole before? I have touched base with a few case manufacturers for custom built cases but all of them quote me at a price that I am not willing to pay (not quite yet), as I will have added costs for excess baggage with an airline. I am located in Southeast Texas. Okie-Tex and TSP would not be that much of a problem to drive the distance but the Oregon Star arty I am hoping to fly closer to it before getting a rental vehicle. Suggestions? Regards, Frank

Hello all, again, In response to Roger Greenwood's suggestion, here is the post that I placed on the old Obsession Yahoo Group today (July 30, 2020). Thank you for your indulgence! Greetings, Obsession Users, Greetings! It has been over a couples of years since I sent a general note on this group and I am not even sure if people are still receiving these emails [on the old Yahoo Group], but every year there are new Obsession owners who may not be aware of some of the ways to accessorize their new telescopes. So please excuse this brief intrusion. Most of the basic kits are still available, like the Fan Connection & Switch Kits (which preserve a switch on your Power Rail), and the Spider Wiring Kit to reduce your dependence on 9V batteries to power the Dew Guard on the secondary mirror. There are wiring kits for scopes without a ServoCAT and PGB, and wiring kits to get power transferred up to the UTA. And, of course, we still have the DSC Stalk for Argo Navis as well as one with a different shelf for the Nexus DSC. The Nexus Stalk is not on the website, so just ask about it when you email me. The Tablet Stalk is gaining in popularity, as well. After all, you need a place to put down the Tablet! There’s even a page just for UCs and a page showing a typical truss tube Dob’s electrical diagram and typical DC current requirements. And, many more items. Just one thing. My website hasn’t been updated since about 2015, so the prices are a little outdated. When you inquire, I will send an up to date quotation, so that you can decide. Looking forward to meeting your Obsession telescope needs. And now is a good time to get them before the fall rush! Best regards, Charlie Starks Markless? Astronomics http://www.marklessastronomics.com Accessories for Obsession Telescopes Obsession 20 #467

Hello everyone, I'm hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction. My AZ encoder continues to cause me grief. The original 4K encoder it self seems to be working. The two thumb screws on the mounting plate are loose. I use an NGC-MAX computer with the scope. Many times when I do the second star alignment I get error values of 2 to 4 making the calibration useless. I suspect the encoder gets stalled, or pinched, due to play between the AZ bearing and ground board. I've never been happy with the o-ring attachment method or the need to have the thumb screws loose. Has anyone else had this type of problem? If so what did you do to solve it? Is there a connection kit that uses a belt to connect the encoder and the AZ bearing? If so from who makes it? If I do update the AZ encoder it needs the o-ring notch in it, is there work around for that? thanks for taking a look, Joe

Since we've had so much recent traffic, let me try to continue it. Im in the market for a new telescope trailer. I've been doing my due diligence and researching different manufacturers and I've finally settled on a brand. I can't find exactly what i want and need so I'm going to have one 'custom made'. It'll be a regular 5x8 aluminum trailer with torsion axle with a few mods to make observing life comfortable. Here are my questions. 2 fold. 1. Does anyone have any experience with insulation in an enclosed cargo trailer? It's a cheap option and I'd probably do it. I just wonder what some other scope owners may have to say about it. Do it? Avoid it? 2. What are your "must haves" when it comes to a trailer? Options? Opinions? Thanks in advance and clear skies! -Dragan www.deepskyforum.com Sent from my Samsung Note 10+

Wow! That's the most new users I've seen come onto this group in one pass since it was created! Charlie: If I'd known you weren't here I'd have told you about it last year when you helped me get my scope updated. Welcome! Mark

Hi Everyone, I am glad to see that the Obsession User group is back up and operating. I use to love the old site it was great and had a lot of good information. My main telescope i use is he Obsession 15 classic I have had since 2006. i am looking to replace the DSC encoders the old 8192 encoders. Can any tell what brand or type they are and what would be a good replacement without having to modify the scope axis. Any help would be greatly appreciate. David Brown from Central Mass.

Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that the following files have been uploaded to the Files area of the [email protected] group. /Version 4.0 Locating ALT axis on Dobsonian.ppt Uploaded By: busy_sky_guy <busy_sky_guy@...> Description: Locating Alt axis on a Dobsonian v4.0 Scott Tannehill Cheers, The Groups.io Team