Great story, Jay. BTW, how do you like the Stratus? A 17mm & 21mm are the main lenses I use (as a 2" in a 2" diagonal). When you can catch them on sale, I feel they are one of the better lenses available for the money. 73, lh On 4/18/2012 6:34 PM, Jay Eads wrote:
I understand both points of view. I've always used my Pentax XW's since I've had them. Last Halloween I had the 10 inch dob in the front yard and was showing the moon and later Jupiter when it came up. Conditions allowed for a wonderful view using my Pentax XW 7mm and boy was I busy that night! One couple came up with their young son, I'd say a 2nd grader, and they looked and then the boy hoped up on the step stool and after several seconds bent over, we all thought he was really seeing some stuff. I went to look and the lens and the top of his eyepiece was in his mouth! They whole thing and if you know how big a 7mm Pentax XW is, you know that boy had a HUGE mouth. I quickly had him remove his mouth, and reassured the parents it was okay and then took the eyepiece into the house after putting the 17mm Stratus in the eyepiece and my son running the scope. I cleaned up the 7mm and no damage was done and it survived quite fine and gives outstanding views to this day. Needless to say, I am more careful with kids looking in the eyepiece now.