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Date: 05 Aug 2007 14:35:54
From: beowulf@nowhere.net
Subject: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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What would be the best type of telescope (dob, catadioptric,
newtonian) to buy and use for someone who with back pain issues (me)?
I have to buy a scope, I do not want to be using a scope where I am
constantly bending over from standing position to look in an
eyepiece-- my back would go out and I would end up paralyzed on the
ground at 2am with mosquitoes chomping at my veins. Sitting in a
chair would be helpful. Or else if standing, do tripods raise a scope
so I can remain standing at 6 ft 4 inches and look in an eyepiece
without bending over much?
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Date: 06 Aug 2007 14:47:30
From: Jim Dubya
Subject: Re: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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I would recommend a "Proctoscope". They are available in all sizes.
"beowulf@nowhere.net" <r.oelerich@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1186324554.157151.175220@o61g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> What would be the best type of telescope (dob, catadioptric,
> newtonian) to buy and use for someone who with back pain issues (me)?
> I have to buy a scope, I do not want to be using a scope where I am
> constantly bending over from standing position to look in an
> eyepiece-- my back would go out and I would end up paralyzed on the
> ground at 2am with mosquitoes chomping at my veins. Sitting in a
> chair would be helpful. Or else if standing, do tripods raise a scope
> so I can remain standing at 6 ft 4 inches and look in an eyepiece
> without bending over much?
>
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Date: 08 Aug 2007 14:32:19
From: Jim Dubya
Subject: Re: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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"Jim Dubya" <jimdubya@nospam.com > wrote in message
news:SFMti.32392$TW6.24348@newsfe06.phx...
>I would recommend a "Proctoscope". They are available in all sizes.
>
> "beowulf@nowhere.net" <r.oelerich@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1186324554.157151.175220@o61g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>> What would be the best type of telescope (dob, catadioptric,
>> newtonian) to buy and use for someone who with back pain issues (me)?
>> I have to buy a scope, I do not want to be using a scope where I am
>> constantly bending over from standing position to look in an
>> eyepiece-- my back would go out and I would end up paralyzed on the
>> ground at 2am with mosquitoes chomping at my veins. Sitting in a
>> chair would be helpful. Or else if standing, do tripods raise a scope
>> so I can remain standing at 6 ft 4 inches and look in an eyepiece
>> without bending over much?
>>
>
>
You should also consider a Sigmoidoscope as they have a longer focal length
than a Proctoscope and therefore are much better for observing Uranus.
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Date: 08 Aug 2007 16:12:25
From: Howard Lester
Subject: Re: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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"Jim Dubya" wrote
> You should also consider a Sigmoidoscope as they have a longer focal
> length than a Proctoscope and therefore are much better for observing
> Uranus.
You have them backwards. The former is a lot "faster" with its short focal
length.
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Date: 06 Aug 2007 21:48:45
From: Sam Wormley
Subject: Re: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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Jim Dubya wrote:
> I would recommend a "Proctoscope". They are available in all sizes.
>
> "beowulf@nowhere.net" <r.oelerich@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1186324554.157151.175220@o61g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
>> What would be the best type of telescope (dob, catadioptric,
>> newtonian) to buy and use for someone who with back pain issues (me)?
>> I have to buy a scope, I do not want to be using a scope where I am
>> constantly bending over from standing position to look in an
>> eyepiece-- my back would go out and I would end up paralyzed on the
>> ground at 2am with mosquitoes chomping at my veins. Sitting in a
>> chair would be helpful. Or else if standing, do tripods raise a scope
>> so I can remain standing at 6 ft 4 inches and look in an eyepiece
>> without bending over much?
>>
>
>
:-o
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Date: 05 Aug 2007 16:04:51
From: beowulf@nowhere.net
Subject: Re: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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On Aug 5, 10:06 am, Chris L Peterson <c...@alumni.caltech.edu > wrote:
> I think the most comfortable is probably an altaz mounted, short,
> rear-port scope like an SCT or Mak (with a diagonal). These are easy to
> use from a chair, especially as the variation in eyepiece height is
> fairly small. Dob-mounted Newts aren't too bad, although the range in
> eyepiece position is much greater, so you need an observing chair with
> more adjustment range, and you'll find yourself moving it around more.
> Of course, a small refractor is comfortable as well, but I assume from
> your list of choices that you are considering larger aperture
> instruments.
Thank you. And yes I am going to budget for a large aperature if
possible, because I see myself trying astrophotography at some point.
I like the idea of a SCT/Mak and then sit in a chair. Maybe even in
the cold of winter somehow run a cable to control it and a CCD with
USB through a window/? to control the scope and CCD from inside in a
warmer room. But of course outside when it is nicer. But up here in
northern MN the nights can get bitterly cold in winter. Nice aurora
borealis sometimes though.
> If possible, I'd recommend attending a star party where you can try out
> a range of scope types and get a sense of what works best for you.
I am going to try to find one.
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Date: 05 Aug 2007 11:24:30
From: Chris L Peterson
Subject: Re: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:04:51 -0000, "beowulf@nowhere.net"
<r.oelerich@gmail.com > wrote:
>Thank you. And yes I am going to budget for a large aperature if
>possible, because I see myself trying astrophotography at some point.
>I like the idea of a SCT/Mak and then sit in a chair. Maybe even in
>the cold of winter somehow run a cable to control it and a CCD with
>USB through a window/? to control the scope and CCD from inside in a
>warmer room.
It is not difficult to set up an SCT (or other computerized mount) and
CCD camera so they can be operated remotely- especially if "remote"
means someplace close by so you can deal with any minor mechanical
issues that arise. I normally operate my LX200 and ST8i camera from a
separate building, about 20 meters from the observatory. It gets pretty
cold in the Colorado Rockies, too!
_________________________________________________
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
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Date: 05 Aug 2007 09:06:27
From: Chris L Peterson
Subject: Re: type of scope for back-pain issues?
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On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 14:35:54 -0000, "beowulf@nowhere.net"
<r.oelerich@gmail.com > wrote:
>What would be the best type of telescope (dob, catadioptric,
>newtonian) to buy and use for someone who with back pain issues (me)?
>I have to buy a scope, I do not want to be using a scope where I am
>constantly bending over from standing position to look in an
>eyepiece-- my back would go out and I would end up paralyzed on the
>ground at 2am with mosquitoes chomping at my veins. Sitting in a
>chair would be helpful. Or else if standing, do tripods raise a scope
>so I can remain standing at 6 ft 4 inches and look in an eyepiece
>without bending over much?
I think the most comfortable is probably an altaz mounted, short,
rear-port scope like an SCT or Mak (with a diagonal). These are easy to
use from a chair, especially as the variation in eyepiece height is
fairly small. Dob-mounted Newts aren't too bad, although the range in
eyepiece position is much greater, so you need an observing chair with
more adjustment range, and you'll find yourself moving it around more.
Of course, a small refractor is comfortable as well, but I assume from
your list of choices that you are considering larger aperture
instruments.
If possible, I'd recommend attending a star party where you can try out
a range of scope types and get a sense of what works best for you.
_________________________________________________
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
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