Rob

Always wanted an orange tube C8. I did get a black tube starbright coatings one in the end, stunning!. Lets hope the APO will bring good weather with it. Best Rob

Oh yes!... nice all round setup there!.. congrats

Looking forward to the review on this!.. looks nice enjoy

@John Study more and understand what you viewing Rob!.. of course it is, very nice John! @InterstellarTim as mentioned the saddle upgrade is a must i Understand for the Skytee. Because the Eztouch had the built in vixen dovetail I didn't have worries about carrying the weight of my 127L. The down side was it used a standard bolt to clamp the dovetail bar whereas a nice ADM saddle clamp would not mark he dovetail bar and hold scope happily. Next take lots of time balancing the OTA, again a must. I feel its an enjoyable setup, easy to use and great observing to be had. I only changed to an HEQ5 as I love my RA tracking. Rob

With regards to the counter weight. When I had my William Optics EZtouch (AYO) I needed a counter weight for sure. I get the feeling the Skytee II is a little more beefy! mind you

Equally @John I'd love to fit a feather touch on mine. Did they make/supply the adapter?. I know it would be as much, if not more than the scope. But hey I do love me 127l (Sorry not wishing to hijack the thread.. just curios) Rob

My Bresser 127L arrived perfectly collimated. I've also never needed to collimate since.

My general goto re-grease is Superlube. However I would wait for another to advise specifically for the Skytee II. Worries me that its VERY stiff straight out the box TBH... If it were me I'd have it replaced??

I think its staggering what you guys are capturing with these lenses.. great work

Fingers crossed. I'm lucky enough to remember Hale bopp back in the 90's.. just waiting for another like that!. That was a true naked eye comet

AZ EQ6 sounds like a great plan. Would carry the C203 perfectly!.. You would have a fine Planetary setup there. Next stop .... eyepieces

I would also suggest a tracking mount also. Does not have to be goto. This allows not having to touch the scope/mount to often, and keep eyeballing the Planet. True Planet observation requires per-longed study at the eyepiece to squeeze out detail. Now I'm sure you may already be aware of this... so I'm not trying to offend here. You may also already have a tracking mount?. Just think it should be more considered than a manual AZ Rob

I use the extension for mine. To be fair the out lay is so worth it for comfy observing. I use a CG5 2" steel leg tripod, the EQ5 extension & HEQ5 on top. Sure I know that's not an AZ mount, but the setup copes with the 127L perfectly. The mount/tripod is so important. If its not right the experience will be so off putting which unfortunately happens far to often for folk. Rob

We all have them don't we!... take the positive of the Cat's Eye, sorry to learn about the spec's... grrrr Rob

Pleases me!. I like summer as long as its not too hot!. But winter for me is just fine... longer (earlier) observing, and a better nights sleep!

Nice Mark.. I did read through the same CN threads. I was intrigued about the dolland conversion also. Thanks for posting this Best Rob

A pristine Meade MA 9mm Made in Japan eyepiece circa 1985!. Been keeping my eye out for one of these for some time. There's a rumor that the 9mm works really well in long focal length achromatic Refractor's. Looks like first light could follow early next week. Anyway, so far really pleased with regards to its quality for the age of the item. Optics all lovely and clear, coatings look perfect.

I certainly would not entertain dismantling modern ep's, but like like you. When its Orthos, Modified kellners etc .. all standard stuff and worth while

Nice thread & good timing for. I have a Meade MA9 (series 2 - Japan made from 1985) due to arrive any day. I looking to fully service it as you have done here. Nice one... Rob

Thanks for the heads up.. lets hope so!

@Alan White Wow, that is mint. Good find!

@cloudsweeper Its a joy of scope isn't it! @wookie1965 What a journey for you, so glad your getting pay back for all your troubles. Yes the Meade AR127 you have there is one of the same. Enjoy! Rob

Always wanted a 5/6" Refractor. Funds are just not there for ED/APO of that size!. However, my 127L has satisfied this. I just love the contrast & inky black back drop. The mount side of things is absolutely correct. Its not just the scope your purchasing! (well in my case the scope was a Christmas gift) Then had to buy an HEQ5 to carry it! Rob

Buying and selling is part of it for me. That said over the time I've been in this Hobby (30 years). I've had fine buying & trying.. but my goal has been to settle on what works for me, then try to keep it!. Works most of the time, but temptation always knocks the door with new kit releases. I'm happy that I have an investment in kit. I'm with @stu mind.. I want to keep the balance of enjoyment with using it also, and not panic that I have too much money invested. Rob

Excellent responses here guys. Appreciate the time taken to add important input. Best Rob