From: "Dan Chaffee" 
To: 
Reply-To: "Dan Chaffee" 


>As for folding a refractor when you dealing with a 5-8 foot
>tube it one  thing not to fold it but
>when its a 8-10 /f15 at 120-150 inches fold for an
>amatuer is almost a  necessary but minor evil.

>Unless you have a permanent observatory to leave it in
>which most of us
>don't.

Joe,

Yes, I do have an observatory, but the 'fractor isn't in it
--yet. My 7" f18 refractor weighs 33 lbs and can be placed
on or removed from the 8.5' high equatorial head in about 1.5 minutes. When
it rains I pull the scope and put a tarp over the mount. End of story:-)

...No, it's not intended as a "star party" item...

Dan

--- BBBS/NT v4.00 MP