The sky cleared last night (6-10-08), so I opened the observatory and set up the dob with the new laser finder.
It worked like magic! Instead of a 40 minute search for M3 and then giving up, I found it in 2 minutes! No exaggeration!! 2minutes!! M92 (another first) 1minute!! I literally aimed the pointer at the approximate point in the sky indicated by my chart, and went right to the eyepiece! There it was!! Amazing. I also observed M10 (very nice), M12 (difficult but partially resolved), and M14 (the most difficult, maninly due to my chart reading errors--6 minutes!). M14 was very faint, and wouldn't resolve even at 120x. O'Meara says that is what I should expect....
All this, and with very poor sky conditions. Michigan, like most of the mid-west, has been pummeled by thunderstorms for a week. The ground is saturated with water so local humidity is very high. There is a ton of moisture in the atmosphere as well, so transparency was extremely poor. Visual limiting magnitude was about 2.5. (Seeing was only average). Even with 'good' skies in my suburban area, magnitude 3.5 is about the best I can hope for. The laser helped immensely navigating with few guide stars, especially in dim constellations (Coma Berenices!).
I discovered my core problem. As I suspected, with the LP in my area, all but the brightest globulars are invisible in the finder scope! I could see M13, M92, and M3. I could make out the suggestion of M10 with averted gaze. M12 and M14 were pure chart and laser work. But I got 'em!
With average and above average skies, I should get some good to excellent views of all of these objects. For now, I am very, very pleased with the laser, and my solving of this technical problem. Total new objects: 5. Total time searching: Under 15 minutes!--leaving me with much more time to observe. And no swearing--only "Oh, yeah! who's your daddy! You can run but you cannot hide! M12, Meet the globinator!, Oh, my God!" etc..etc... My return visits should cut this search time in half.
For 2 hours, I felt like the Master of the Universe.
My thanks to JJ for the laser advice. I have to say, it is the single best scope accessory inverstment I have made--until my Hyperions get here! I am probably going to put a lumicon bracket on a backordered further optical indulgence when it gets here....(more later-)
I have now passed my self-established standard for the proud title of:
Amateur Astronomer. (green).
While I am at it, I want to thank everyone who has helped me with my questions, gave advice, or just empathized with my frustrations the last 12 months. You've saved me much heartache. (But not much money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).
Peace and clear skies!!