Rob

All, I'd like to replace the mounting bolts on my HEQ5, could you advise what with & where to get them please?. I have a few reasons as to why : I find them a little fiddly, so would like nicer grips. And also a better (A2 Stainless if possible) quality bolt, mine are a little rusty.. I think also 2 different lengths may help as they are quite close together!. Cheers.. Rob

Thanks for posting this. Have listened to two episodes in the car. Really good stuff, and nicely narrated by Kevin Fong!. Regards Rob

MMMmmm. Parks Gold!. I miss mine

Human space flight is very costly and dangerous. A rover/prob is cheaper, more productive and better value for money. Out side of money, the main issue for human's to Mars is radiation and body wastage. It will be fantastic to see the next moon landing planned for within 6 years, also with a Female Astronaut!. I'm with you though.. we need to crack on as moon, Mars and beyond takes years of development. NASA can continue to throw probes out and prove a return on the money grants, but they need focus harder on the big projects!

Thats a fantastic image, thanks for sharing with us!. Sure the Planet detail is staggering, but detail in the moons just blew me away! Best Rob

With Planets so low currently. I've found 70 to 100mm APO is definitively pulling the best results (hence your 80mm test). Also agree the 6mm is pushing to hard on the 127! Rob

Nice!.. Thanks Stu

All above is a good reflection on the achromatic scope. And speaks the truth. That said I'm a firm believer in that there's a place for every scope within our hobby. Its basically down to the 'one device does not fit all!'. The views through my 127L of lets say M57 or M27 provide a fabulous contrasty, almost 3D feel to observing these types of targets. The rich black back drop of the dark sky, along with trying to pull an edge of colour. I really like sweeping the milky way too. I think there's a place!. Colour pull on Planets is also a wonderful thing. Rob

Nice report, thanks. I too can't wait for the planets to return high in the sky. The difference it makes is truly incredible. Rob

I've owned (and miss) my little 127Mak, really nice scopes. The cool down time for that scope is fine (1 hour 30 ish). I have used a 150mm version and to be fair the cool down has got to be near 2.5 hours!. I really did see the difference in the image with a full cool down. Fair to say I was located in the middle of the New Forrest at the time, and not in a time or City with an ambient temperature. Once cooled the views of Saturn were stunning! So I would definitely discount the 180 on the basis of cool down (certainly for me with a 2.5 hour cool down required) unless storing in a shed/out house. Besides the 150mm seemed such a great performer, and the additional money could as you say go towards the much needed dew shield etc. I also think if I owned 150 or 180. I'd have to mod the scope by adding rear vents to help. Rob

Welcome. And good luck!. As a guide the EXOS-2 mount with no motors new is £300. So if you do manage to grab this at say £140 ish you would have done well. Also EQ5 Enhanced dual drives should go on there at a later date!. Best Rob

For Info: The EXOs-2 is basically a Celestron CG5. Its has metal bearings on both axis, so it is slightly better than a EQ5 and hence the 13kg payload. You can also retro fit the Skywatcher EQ5 goto upgrade (only mod required is to change one fitting bolt on the RA). I have fully researched this in the past. Also. I'm with John here on the OTA. It may/will be poor, and poss unrsellable to be fair!. If it were me I'd skip it unless you could bag the setup for silly money!. Rob

Took the words right out of my mouth there!. Also its the old 'Buy cheap, buy twice!' which really makes no sense at all. Save, learn stuff with the 4se. Grab that HEQ5 to give you the base and work up from there. Rob

Andrew is very right here. Also one size scope does not fit all, especially with UK skies & seeing ability to be fair Rob

I have the 6mm and its surprising how good they are. Rob

It staggers me with these delivery situations!. I now have everything delivered to work.

Well as per usual, real life and Bills loom. I'm trying not to sell of too much kit. But a broken car and stressed fiances beckon. Now on another note I'm looking to produce a camera lens scope. I have a Takumar 70-150mm lens. I have done some research, ad purchased a T2 to 1.25" visual back from China for £5!. This will allow me to add a barlow, 1.25" diagonal for use as a scope. The lens has a 65mm front aperture, so hoping it may provide a decent travel scope!. More to follow on this mini project. Rob

Looking very good indeed. I'm enjoying the ride along. Thanks for posting. Rob

I agree Charl.. but wow. Its stuff of engineering dreams!. And looks so slick. The payload with no weights to boot. Its certainly a glimpse of the future

Seriously like the look of this!. I wonder who the stockist is for Europe/UK. I feel some saving up is in order. http://www.rainbowastro.com/new/theme/basic/content/product-135.php

Wow guys.. breath taking images!. really something. Best Rob

Really great project!. Now this is Astronomy.. The joy of modding and perfecting the equipment is a huge part of the hobby. I had a Helios 114 Skyhawk on a Eq1 around 25 ish years ago. That scope & mount gave me so much joy. It was the Cat Newt style also with the lens in the focus tube. I managed to mod it by retro fitting the mount head to some sort of survey tripod (I think it was?.. long time ago) This is indeed a very interesting thread. Thanks & well done so far Best Rob

What a beautiful setup. So jealous

Very nice indeed. All's well, that ends well. Enjoy it!