Review of telescopes

[Jim Fusco]

I have a suggestion that maybe interesting. How about a standard test made available and a spreadsheet chart to build a data base. To have a Resolving Power Chart or something like to be downloaded and printed. The chart would be placed at different distances by the tester to find limitations of optics, like chromatic aberration, resolving power. Basicly following a constant standard of requirements. Fit & finish 1-10, focuser, weight, length,$, ect. A collection of this data would make a great resource for all. From the review chart, a link to the testers postings, there the tester would maybe have pictures question and such. This would be great for new buyers. The web master might want to kill me but maybe it would be challenging. Anyway just a thought.

Jim Fusco

[BT Technologies]

Hello Jim,

We are going to implement a "review" section and will be adding this shortly to the site. This section will be divided by classification of the instrument. Mounts, APO Refractors, Astrographs..etc..etc..

It will be great to see peoples various opinions of the different types of astronomical eqpt in this section.

Originally Posted by Jim Fusco

I have a suggestion that maybe interesting. How about a standard test made available and a spreadsheet chart to build a data base. To have a Resolving Power Chart or something like to be downloaded and printed. The chart would be placed at different distances by the tester to find limitations of optics, like chromatic aberration, resolving power. Basicly following a constant standard of requirements. Fit & finish 1-10, focuser, weight, length,$, ect. A collection of this data would make a great resource for all. From the review chart, a link to the testers postings, there the tester would maybe have pictures question and such. This would be great for new buyers. The web master might want to kill me but maybe it would be challenging. Anyway just a thought.

Jim Fusco

[Jim Fusco]

Hi Brian.

What I see are reviews at other sites that seem to get lost and there is no basic test or rating system. Writing a review is good but is subjective to author skills and ways of being measured, besides being edited. If a simple test kit is provided, the tester could upload, or input the data.The first chart shows all scopes that were tested ( this can be added to by the author) and a average rating score. So then a person for a (example) 50mm Tasco would see the average score and click on the name. A new page would open, showing say 65, 50mm tascos refractors showing each one that was tested and a link to the forum where each scope could be discussed. I think more people would do this making this a valuable source for info. Anyway food for thought.

Jim Fusco