Just Sharing Some Recent Images From The Dwarf II (for now)

Just Sharing Some Recent Images From my observatory Dwarf II!

There will be lots of images accompanying my upcoming review of The Dwarf 2 smart telescope...So, I thought I'd share a few now:

What can I say about The Dwarf II? This tiny device produces amazing results!

Affordable, smart telescopes, like The Dwarf 2 - Have changed the hobby of Astrophotography forever!

Galaxy M33 - Directly out of The Dwarf 2 - Zero Processing

The same image - With some processing in PixInsight

Please keep in mind: These images of DSO's, captured by The Dwarf 2, really don't require much post-processing. In other words, you certainly don't need to use expensive software like PixInsight. 

In my experience, some minor post-processing in free software Apps like: Paint.net, Gimp, and especially Siril - allow you to achieve excellent results! And, with less of a chance of "over-processing". Which it seems I may have been on the verge of doing, with the example above, of M33.

Also, the more time you dedicate to capturing images of each object, the better they'll look. The examples here, were very short duration sessions. None of them were much more that 100 images of 15 seconds each.

The following image of The North American Nebula, was accomplished with under 30 exposures:

The North American Nebula NGC 7000 - Straight out of The Dwarf 2 - Zero Processing.

Same image - With minor processing in PixInsight.

Some might be surprised to learn, that The Dwarf 2 was able to image a nebula as small as The Iris - Shown in previous post (below). But, this little unit continues to surprise me. 

The raw image of The Iris Nebula in particular, would benefit from some post-processing... It was taken with The ZWO Duo Band Filter attached. I bought my filter from High Point Scientific. I've ordered from them before, and they have great customer service. I bought my 10" Apertura Dobsonian from them, a couple of years back. And, this Duo Band Filter arrived very quickly.

Until next time,

Clear skies!

Bought A New Scope - An Apertura 10" Dobsonian - Read All About The Experience...

Customer Service...Yes, It Still Exists Folks! ;)

Honestly, over all the years I've been into (and sometimes temporarily out of) this wonderful hobby of Astronomy, I have had the good fortune to purchase many optical instruments.
And frankly, the experience hasn't always been pleasant.

I know that we can all relate. I've purchased high-end (sometimes referred to "Alpha") optical instruments from several of the big camera stores... Hint: NYC
I would choose these places because of their low prices; and sometimes, because I happened to be working in the vicinity.  

Now I just happen to not be in the mood to rant or "bash" any of these places of business, so I'll just say that buying experiences there were..."cold".
However, to save my fellow hobbyists from truly awful experiences - I will flat out tell you to avoid "discount camera shops" located in Brooklyn, NY. Specifically:

Focus Camera
Abe's Of Maine

If you order anything from either of those places, chances are the experience will all but twist your guts. Trust me.
And just for any readers who are new to buying optics in general - Here's a list I stumbled upon, where the author has made an effort to warn the public of scam artists.

Okay, enough of that! I was beginning to feel like a needed a shower or something.

On to the good news - "Yes, Virginia, there is a great place to order telescopes from!"
(paraphrasing a Christmas movie here)
And it is High Point Scientific

I have no affiliation with High Point Scientific; I'm just a satisfied customer who happened to recently order a scope from them, and their customer service was both refreshing, and impressive. And I just thought I'd share my recent experience, so that my fellow hobbyists can know - That they are one of the good guys. 

I usually try to keep my posts brief, but allow me to start from the beginning...
Don't worry! I believe that many will find this story interesting!

Well, I'd decided to sell all of my astrophotography stuff, and buy a telescope. These dark (Bortle 4) skies warrant the acquisition of a good telescope just on sheer principle. Coincidentally, my fascination with planetary nebula has been increasing as of late.
Now, I realize, that (probably about 99.5% of the time) people go in the opposite direction - typically, selling a visual observing instrument in order to fund their foray into astrophotography. And many times, a hobbyist will all but completely leave one hobby for the other. 
 I ordered a new Apertura 10" Dobsonian telescope, along with an additional eyepiece. 
Just click the links above, if you're interested in seeing additional details about them.

I went for The Apertura, because the last Dobsonian telescope I owned was an Apertura 8" "Tweaker's Special" - It was awesome. It had factory-installed flocking - Unfortunately, those special packages are no longer available, but I digress...

Unfortunately, while assembling the base, I was unable to complete Step 7 -

The Bottom Base Plate was damaged. The nut which the Axle Sleeve goes around was not installed correctly (at the factory).

It prevented me from inserting the Axle Sleeve. I made some minor attempts to repair/correct - But all was in vain.

The damaged part remained unaffected, and I didn't want to risk actually damaging it.
I should reiterate - This was just a minor mishap on Apertura, and had nothing to do with High Point Scientific or UPS.

So, I informed High Point Scientific via e-mail, and later sent a couple of pics I took, illustrating the specific problem.
However, even before receiving the photos (of the off centered bolt) they were on it! They promptly set the ball in motion, to get a replacement Base Unit out to me - It arrived the very next day.
In fact, I had the damaged one packed-up and ready to swap for the new one when the UPS Driver arrived. Could it possibly have gone any smoother than that?
And that night, I was back up / scope assembled - and completely operational. It's just been a really long time, since I've had the pleasure of experiencing such swift, and competent customer service. 

Everyone I spoke to over the phone there, was helpful, polite, and accommodating. All-in-all, they went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. And you just don't see that very often these days.

In fact, I have some additional examples to share, demonstrating their great customer service; so I may be adding some more stuff to this post soon.

So, I was the owner of their 10" Dobsonian, and it was pretty impressive, for the short time I owned it. As some readers of this blog (or my Bat Detector Review blog) may recall, I happen to be disabled. Among the issues I cope with, are 8 damaged spinal discs (inoperable). So, unfortunately, I quickly discovered my mistake of choosing such a large/heavy scope as my primary observing instrument...

I listed the 10" Apertura Dob on CraigsList, and eventually had a serious buyer. The scope has now changed hands, and it's found a good home. It will also be used by Cub Scouts, etc. 

This allowed me to purchase a pair of high performance ED Apo binoculars, which will be my main observing instrument going forward. I'm looking forward to writing about them here, in an upcoming post. 
As of this writing, they still haven't has first light - Because the weather refuses to cooperate. 

Clear skies! 

Some Awesome Links - For Online "Window shopping"

As is my custom, I am sharing some Web Links which I enjoy. I'll also add some of them (the "must haves") to a new permanent Link List.

So, in no particular order, here are some links:

Oberwerk - This link will bring you straight to the 'Astronomy (Mounted)' section of their lovely site - Which, if my estimate is correct, is exactly where you'd want to be! Simply lovely instruments, which any binocular astronomer would be thrilled to use.

I mean, would you take a look at this beauty? 

Link

What I would really love to see, is a nice, thorough, review of this intriguing new instrument! 

One of the things which I've always greatly admired, is the fact that Oberwerk checks the collimation of each binocular before shipment. Using extremely rare and expensive equipment, I might add. I've ordered a pair or two myself over the years. And it's always been a wonderful comfort knowing this. Never had a problem.
Excellent prices, on binoculars which are built to last a lifetime.

High Point Scientific I've been spending some time admiring the scopes on this site as well. Large selection, from scopes for Kids, to serious instruments. Great prices, and - They have a Pay Over Time option! 
They offer the Apertura branded Dobs (of which I had an 8" ver. once). I really liked that scope! Here are a few sketches I made using it:

 M57 The Ring Nebula, 8" Dobsonian telescope at 120x magnification

 NGC457, open star cluster.
A quick pencil sketch, using 8" Dobsonian reflector telescope, in Bronx NY.

Sadly, I was forced to sell the Apertura Dobsonian, when my Sister-in-law moved to a smaller place (with no back garden).

Teleskop Service In Germany. Now, if you live on this side of the pond, you may be wondering: "why would I want to order an instrument from Europe?" Let me tell you, I've been lusting over the unique binoculars they offer for years!
Have a look, to see what I'm referring to... Several of the pairs they offer have interesting specifications. And I've always been intrigued by the pair featuring built-in nebula filters.

OPT Corp Another Dealer of astronomy equipment, with a large selection and very good prices. 

Orion Last, but not least is a place which everyone is familiar with. Very nice selection of instruments. Their easy Payment Plans are what I find most attractive. I wish more dealers offered similar, easy, payment plans.
The selection of binoculars, well-suited for astronomy, is what keeps me going back.
Frankly, I'm surprised I hadn't already shared the links above...since these days, I spend a lot of my free time, admiring the lovely binoculars - Looking forward to the day (~January) when I'm able to order one :) 

Clear skies!