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I don't claim to have knowledge about all the equipment available these days. However, I recommend these firms predicated on my dealings with them:
- Anacortes Telescope & Wild Bird - I've purchased multiple telescopes and accessories through this firm; a recommended vendor and nice people.
- Astrodon Tru-Balance Filters - I use Don's balanced filters with my STL-11000M camera in Luminance, Red, Green, Blue and Hydrogen-alpha. Don is a good man and pleasure to do business with.
- Astro Accessories by Robin Casady - Robin manufactures accessories of the highest quality. I use his saddles, side-by-side plates and stainless steel weights. Nothing but the best from this firm and Robin is extremely knowledgeable...
- Astro-Physics - If you're into astronomy you know about Astro-Physics - some of the finest equipment available anywhere worldwide. Nice people, excellent products; I use their optics, mounts and accessories.
- Astromart - Not exactly a vendor or business, but an exceptional venue for buying and selling astronomy equipment of all types. I've certainly used the services of Astromart over the years. One problem until recent history has been that I only buy, don't sell much...
- B&H Photo & Video - Everything & anything related to video, cameras, digital lab equipment, etc. is available from B&H. An absolutely dependable firm.
- Finger Lakes Instrumentation - FLI provides CCD cameras, focusing systems and accessories that are well known and received among imagers. I use one of their newer focusers the PDF (Precision Digital Focuser) and this is set up on my Takahashi FRC-300.
- Imaging Spectrum Inc. - A Texas based digital imaging products and supply firm. This is where I purchased my Epson 4000 printer & stand; all my ink, paper and supplies are ordered through ISI. A great firm to do business with, competitive pricing in the marketplace and no shipping charges on supplies.
- KEH Camera - Another quality photographic firm selling new and used equipment. I've had great luck with KEH and recommend this business
- Kendrick Astro Instruments - Kendrick sells a variety of products that have been well received by the astronomy community. I use their dew heaters and standard controllers and have done so for years. Good equipment and it works.
- Losmandy Astronomical Products - Manufacturer of good quality mounts, dovetails, accessories and frontrunners in the development of the Gemini Goto System. I use Losmandy universal plates on all my refractor tube rings so everything is interchangeable on my systems.
- Mountain Instruments - Manufacturers of outstanding German Equatorial Mounts. Service before & after the sale provided by Larry Meyers is second to none. Larry's MI-250 mount & MI-8P pier are excellent; if you're in the market for mounts in this payload class, do yourself a favor and call him. Not a long lead-time on the mounts either - you may even obtain one in your lifetime...
- Particle Wave Technologies - Creators of the Monolith Support System - the portable pier that I use. You'll view photographs of my Monolith where my field set up is being discussed on my website. This is one fine pier constructed from the finest materials and methods. I believe the Full Index Adapter (FIA) on my Monolith may be one of the greatest inventions of my lifetime. Thanks Shahin...
- PreciseParts - Need specialized adapters or custom parts? Ashley Stevens of PreciseParts has my highest recommendation for his promptness, knowledge, quality work and professionalism. Trust me, well planned out custom adapters can save you money. Send Ashley a sketch and he'll make it happen. Check out his site to learn what he can do.
- Santa Barbara Instruments Group - SBIG Astronomical Instruments produce some of the finest CCD cameras available today. I use their STL-11000M CCD now and have owned/used several other products provided by this firm.
- ScopeGuard - Don Holcombe of ScopeGuard is one of my personal hero's... The quality of his cases remains unsurpassed. I really appreciate that he will customize any case you need, a true attribute when keeping the plethora of accessories and adapters organized. I can't say for sure, but Don may have kept me from getting kicked out of the house due to having so much astronomy gear around all the time...
- Texas Nautical Repair - The United States importer of Takahashi telescopes, mounts and accessories. If you have Takahashi questions you, or whoever you ask, will eventually be speaking with Art or Fred at TNR.
If you'd like to see some personal links to friend's of mine, check out this page.