Rob

Took delivery from the postie of my long waited (10 years to find) Meade 5000 SWA 40mm. With thanks to @coliea its a beautie!. Thanks ... Very happy. The quest continues for the remainder to be found.

Hi All, I'm looking for a flight style case with pick foam for my EP's. Can you advise one to go for. This will be for my SWA/UWA ep's, so large, but not massive. Thanks

Nice!. I bought the 10mm Celestron Luminos a few weeks back... really like it. Now thinking about the 31mm to join my SWA/UWA group

From Aunty FLO this week!. Very happy with this. Super bright in the scopes. Also picked up a Baader clicklock for the Bresser Hexfocuser which is a fantastic upgrade!.

Sure hope this thread helps others also. Its also interesting the backlash may not be apparent until a long tube or heavy scope is mounted like I have here. This will help tremendously with stability (as I'm a non/light imager). Rob

Very good video, thank you.

Thanks guys. Yes I have Astro Baby’s instructions to hand ( used to be a regular round here ) . Appreciate the comments Rob

All, looking for some help/guidance with regards to some play I have in my old HEQ5 Dec axis. Basically I’ve found that while the tube is mounted and locked you can rock it back and forth.. only a small amount, but it’s enough to annoy as I’m sure this is not helping with stability as my tube is 1.2m long!. I’m thinking maybe strip it down?. Or is something required to just be tightened up?.

Meade 5000 UHD Eyepiece Fresh in from the US. Looking forward to trying this version out!.

Wow this thread has indeed got me thinking of my list!... could take a while to work out.

Indication is May now

Very, very nice.. I do want one!!. I missed out on some Meade 3k Japans recently... GRRR. Enjoy it!

What a nice read with my Sunday breakfast!.. and his is why we do this!.. here's to many more enjoyable observing sessions. Thanks for sharing! Rob

My oldest eyepiece... Early 1980's - All glass optics made in Japan. My 127L loves it, very sharp!.

I've had the 150P and really enjoyed it. You need to look at budget & exceptions here. I would suggest replacing the stock EP's along with a nice Barlow to double them up!. As a jump you cant go wrong with BST explorers from First Light Optics. Good on the pocket, and a really nice step up!. Use them for a while, learn the sky and enjoy multiple objects... just have fun Best Rob

Just need to juggle Xmas eve dinner, presents & astro... not that hard (lol)

Looking very good for tonight!

Has to be my Meade 14mm UWA 5000 82 degree. Bought it 12 (ish) years ago from the USA v1 ep. I must have fully lucked out for once. So sharp in all my scopes. I had THE best views of Jupiter from this EP in my 200 spx Newt... staggering detail. Rob

15 years John... wow, time flies when your having fun!. Thank you for all you do here. Best wishes Rob

Excellent post @John its a real interesting one. I've also been a visual observer since 1985!.. I started out with a Patrick Moore book from the Science Museum.. years ago friends from over the pond suggested "Nightwatch' by Terence Dickenson. That opened my world!. I find in the last 10 years with the improvement of optics and telescope builds, all apertures have there place, and can certainly offer massive enjoyment in observing. All my scopes get frequent use on many targets. Rob

I have the 6mm SW.. would not part with it. Maybe lucked out, but its fantastic!. I've tried others (clones) and for me doe not touch it. As I say I bought it 12 years ago, so maybe the QC was higher back then??.. The SW version are great EP's

Luke.. Good to have you back here. We all take a pause, but we all return to this fabulous hobby at some point. Best wishes Rob

Great report Stu, thanks for posting. I'm hoping to get out to see Mars soon. Its been a challenging 7 months for me, but its reports like yours that keep me close to the action. Many thanks Rob

Well done. Nice work!

In fairness the SVbony 2" I have is optically very good, just quite heavy. I got it on Amazon in 2018 .. I think I paid £38 in a flash sale!. so cost to performance I cant fault it really...