Re: Sky & Telescope is now starless?
- From: wsnell01@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 03:58:43 -0700 (PDT)
On Apr 1, 5:46 am, "jonisa...@xxxxxxx" <jonisa...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
On Apr 1, 3:28 am, wsnel...@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Mar 31, 6:24 am, Davoud <s...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
tony flanders wrote, inter alia:
Just to take one example, is the star system absolute or relative to
the category? Suppose you're rating optics. Even with the best mirror
in the world, a 6-inch Newtonian cannot deliver as sharp an image as a
6-inch APO, because of the central obstruction. If you measure optics
relative to the theoretical limit for the aperture, then all APOs that
aren't outright defective will end up with 5 stars. while the world's
best Newtonian will end up with 3 or 4. If you measure relative to the
class of instruments, then is it fair to give the same rating to a
Newt and an APO of the same size?
IMO, yes, if it is clear--and it should be--that you are comparing
Newts to Newts and refractors to refractors
Likewise, when Gary was reviewing the 6-inch Starblast, should its
star rating be skewed to account for the fact that it costs less than
many eyepieces? Regardless of which way you answer that question,
you're going to confuse and/or alienate many readers.
IMO, yes, if it is clear--and it should be--that he is comparing
Starblast performance to that of 'scopes of similar price and design
and not to TV Ethos eyepieces.
One never sees Consumer Reports downgrade an HDTV for lacking certain
features that a toaster oven has.
I usually just read between the lines and draw my own conclusions. I
once saw a review in one of the astro mags of some contraption that
didn't seem to have any noteworthy features so I figured it was a
piece of junk. I also read a review that offered faint praise for
some new line of eyepieces.
Here's my two cents...
These days the magazines are at a definite disadvantage in doing
reviews of new equipment. Their lead time is at least a couple of
months so by the time a review has been commissioned, completed and
published, they have been beaten to the punch by the internet
websites. Reviews and discussions will have already dissected the
equipment for all to see.
That also goes for support and problem solving. Often the solution to
problems with products of all kinds comes from discussions found in
various forums rather than the product manuals or the manufacturers'
Websites.
.
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