Stargazing with Orion Telescopes

Solar Filter for 70mm Binocular

2011-02-15T11:45:00.013+08:00

Viewing with the sun with binocular? Why not? Mount a set of binocular solar filter, you will enjoy the solar image in natural colour.

Currently we have #7743 in stock. Orion solar filter includes three equidistant thumscrews, 4x 1/16" adhesive foam tabs, and 4x 1/8" adhesive foam tabs for customized fractin fits to your binocular. Each Orion filter is mounted in an aluminium cell that slide-fits over the objective lenses of the binoculars.

Orion full-aperture optical glass filters deliver superb views of the Sun, without risk to your eyes. Orion solar filters provide better contrast, a more natural yellow-orange color than blue - are more durable.

Turning your telescope or binocular to the Sun is fun and educational.

Drop us mails should you have any queries over the solar filter at sufen.cho@gmail.com.

Woow...sunspots!

2011-02-15T10:20:00.009+08:00

What a large sunspot!

It's been months I only observed a spotless Sun. According to Spaceweather.com, sunspot 1158 is growing rapidly! Have a closer look at this. I was excited when I was using my 60mm refractor watching it! 1158 is not alone but accompanied by a few smaller groups of sunspot.

If you have any telescope with proper solar filter, grab the opportunity in a sunny day for the sunspots group. As they will be available for few more days.

Be reminded that an eyewear solar glasses is inappropriate to install or modify on a strong light gathered telescope for solar image. A safety solar filter is needed!

Image courtesy Spaceweather.com

Total Lunar Eclipse

2011-02-14T22:00:00.007+08:00

The first lunar eclipse for 2011 occurs on 15 June 2011, from 1.24 am until 7am and the greatest will be at 4.12 am, is visible in Malaysia.

When the entire Moon passes through Earth penumbral shadow, this is "Total Lunar Eclipse".

Mark your calendar and plan ahead what you would do for this happening.

ORION StarBlast 4.5 EQ Reflector

2011-02-12T11:41:00.003+08:00

Wow... 5-star customer rating for this telescope!

I have to agree with the users of StarBlast 4.5 EQ telescope for the reliability and durability when they embark into the space journey with it. With 4.5-inch in aperture and 450mm in focal length, this setup is very handy and convenient to set up. No matter you have zero background of stargazing or telescope handling, you will find it user-friendly to get started.

The great thing is the included accessories are ultra wide field eyepiece 15 mm and 6 mm. Both good quality eyepieces enrich the observing activities whereas the similar aperture telescopes do not supply. Fast focal ratio telescope plays an important role in viewing deep-sky objects and yet the mid-small size does give a hand for users to practice observing in an easier manner.

StarBlast 4.5 EQ Reflector is a very popular model among beginning level telescopes. You'll never have enough with it when sky is clear for star-hunting.

This model will be available in stock in two more weeks. Please do check it out again with us.

A better glimpse with Orion ShoreView 10x42 Binoc

2011-02-11T15:26:00.010+08:00

Although a close-up view would reveal a detailed image, I always love to gaze the sky with binoculars. A decent binoculars produces a better field-of-view particularly it yields the field at 6 to 7 degrees. For stargazing, 7x50 is a preferred specification. Larger light gathering power for resolving dimmer stars and a wider field of view at 7-degree to accommodate an open cluster or large nebula. However, I am using Kowa 10x42 Roof binoculars. I love using this unit though it's been 6 or 7 years old.

Today, modern technology has made improvement for optical products with better coating or the lighter body and precision focusing mechanism as well. For binoculars, a higher quality one is generally with gas-filled for weather proof especially the fluctuating temperatures. Waterproof will be mostly applied to medium range.

I would like to share with you Orion ShoreView 10x42 Waterproof Roof Prism Binoc. This is with all-weather reliability for all kind of users, in day and night. ShoreView series is a fully waterproof binoculars deliver up-close views in any weather conditions. Its BaK4 prism is built for vivid and sharper views.

We love it due to the streamlined portability and the high performance for all-around use.

Product code: #9473 Orion ShoreView 10x42 Binocular

Portable equatorial mount for wide-field astrophoto

2011-02-11T14:58:00.008+08:00

We are pleased to introduce you this portable equatorial mount for wide field astro-imaging with up to 200mm telephoto lens.

The mount itself weights approximately 1.5kgs, without any ball head and tripod. Original set only comes with the mount itself, single axis drive w/hand controller and battery compartment. The motor is run by 12V battery. This mount is named Peter Pan EQ mount, by Taiwanese renowned astrophotographer Mr PK Chen. He had used the mount for star test and proven of the performance.

I understand a picture tells thousand words. However, I would like to post a local taken celestial image than others. Please be patient and will upload when the astrophotos are available taken by this mount.

This is trully a portable mount for season travelers who love to capture starry night. With this mount and 2 units of wide angle lens for milky way band would be significant. For a mountain climber cum star lover, this would be one of the loading stuff in the bagpack!

Peter Pan EQ mount is currently available at our store. The set is exactly the same as the display picture on the right top.

Practical telescope for first time users

2011-02-11T13:36:00.000+08:00

You might go through this telescope before in my shop: Bresser Skylux 70 AZ refractor.

No doubt the aperture is just as big as 70mm, slightly less than 3-inch. Although this is an entry level telescope, it's quite practical for first time users. In our country, there are many Chinese-made telescopes (of course China made, where else? I'm referring to the substandard ones) flooded in the market especially the roadside stalls. How do you differentiate the functionalities or optical performance of those telescopes with mine? Well, the design and outlook seem no big difference. But what my company provides are:

1) warranty

2) services

3) famed suppliers/factories

4) not "rejected" one

Choosing a telescope, aperture is generally the first thing. As said earlier, for first time users (who do not know how keen they are), this model could play a role to roll the users to try on different objects in either day or night. And I personally think this is good bargain as an outdoor equipment for a family when they hang out for nature. It's offered at RM699, complete with slow motion control mount and tripod, 3 powers eyepieces, finder scope and a software for beginners to learn about night sky navigation.

With this unit, your targets will be major planets (what are they? the major 5) and the Moon. If the sighting environment is dark enough, it's potential to explore star clusters.

For your information, Bresser is a German brand, selling optical instruments, including microscope.

New office and environment

2011-02-11T13:16:00.000+08:00

For those who know me, I should have them informed of my office's relocation before Chinese new year. I'm grateful to my friends and customers extending their helping hands during the relocation.

The office is indeed brand new. It's a new environment...totally new workplace to us., especially the atmosphere! From Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort, driving would take about 8km. The full address is as following: 43-1, Jalan TPK 2/8, Taman Perindustrian Kinrara, Sek 2, 47180 Puchong, Selangor. Please find google map below.

This is a light industrial area where is accessible by Bukit Jalil Highway heading to Puchong Jaya. If one is coming from Bukit Jalil or direction of TPM, keep all the way down until Giant Kinrara is seen. Drive 1 more kilometer up from Giant Hypermarket, take a left turning, with the signade "Taman Perindustrian Kinrara" and keep to the lane go straight. On your left, 2-storey shophouses in red and white paints are visible. And my unit is No. 43, first floor. Tex Cycle (factory) is opposite me. This factory is also marked in google (I think it's large enough not to be missed).

Here you are the location map:

View Larger Map

A new beginning

2011-02-11T13:08:00.000+08:00

There is nothing new to start a blog but a new beginning to me.

I wish to post information that is of use to the readers regardless of coincidently passing by or discovering this. I'm going to share stories of the local astronomy activities and the equipment I'm selling or using.

Wishing you excellent days for the year ahead and clear skies for all! Go greener, and we would be beneficial to enjoy a better and darker night sky!