PatrickO

Welcome!

I was just thinking of starting a post saying the same thing. I'm almost getting to the stage of selling everything 

The unpredictable nature of the weather doesn't help. Couple of weeks ago forecast was saying 2-3 clear hours. No sooner than i got everything outside and aligned and it started raining.

If I were to work out the hourly use cost of my kit I'm sure it would be cheaper to go on a world cruise 😅

Awesome! I love simple, inexpensive solutions that work and solve a real problem. 

 For lunar observation do you find an erecting diagonal preferable?

I'm fairly new to astronomy and lunar observation appeals a lot. Just wondering how more experienced observers do it.

Thanks, Patrick 

25 minutes ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

What exactly is the problem here? I have the same mount, and it isn't limited in how near the zenith it will go. The qualifiers are that being an alt-azimuth mount it does not behave well at the zenith, and you have to set the OTA correctly in the dovetail (i.e. as far forward as it will go) and not have overlong trains of equipment attached to the visual back.  Note that there is a software limiter that can be set to determine how close the mount can approach to the zenith,

You need to tell us your budget. 

Swapping the C8 SE for the CPC800 will give you a sturdy GoTo mount that, with its built-in GPS, is quicker to align, once you have the outfit assembled and in position.  It is heavy, though...  Much better all-round than the C8 SE, asides from the weight.

Adding the Starsense Autoalign system to the C8 SE will make it quicker to setup. I have Starsense on my C8, forming a quick to deploy and align outfit I can carry outside in one piece. 

I'm using a Meade 8" LX 90 which is pretty much the same size as the Celestron 8se. Also using a 120mm refractor. I find they are both limited as to how high they will point. I do use 2" eyepieces which perhaps adds to the problem.

I'd like a mount I can put different OTAs on.

I've thought about the CPC800/925, but then I'd need another mount/tripod for the refractor and SWMBO already feels telescopes take up too much room in the house.

58 minutes ago, Stu said:

What level of budget do you have Patrick? That will help others advise better.

I don't have a specific budget, but like everyone I prefer not to spend more than necessary.

My interests are visual observation and occasional planetary/lunar photography. Not planning any DSO photography.

I'm presently using a Celestron C6/8 mount, but it limits how near the zenith I can go.

My scopes are a 120mm achro refractor and a 200mm SCT. 

I'd like a sturdy GOTO mount with a very quick/easy alignment. I'd prefer to avoid polar alignment.

I'm thinking of the Ioptron AZ Pro, but would appreciate your opinions.

Any suggestions or advice gratefully received.

1 minute ago, Knighty2112 said:

If you go into Utilities menu you can change the speed of scrolling in Scrolling Text. Try that and slow it down to its slowest speed and see if that works better to read.

 

Thanks!

I have a Celestron Nexstar 8se. I find the hand controller display difficult to read when it's scrolling. When the display is static it's fine, but when it's scrolling the letters are jumbled up and almost impossible to read.

Is this normal or is my hand controller faulty?

Thanks, Patrick 

I have the Celestron Omni 2x Barlow lens.

For planetary imaging with a Meade 8" SCT and ZWO ASI224MC camera, what would I have to spend to get a substantially better Barlow?

Also, should I be thinking of an Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector?

Many thanks, Patrick 

Thanks for that. TBH I don't think it answered my question.

Is there such a thing as a MIRROR erecting diagonal or is it only prism?
Thanks 

Anyone tried this diagonal and able to comment on how it compares with more expensive erecting diagonals?

Astro Essentials erecting prism 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/astro-essentials-90-amici-erecting-prism-diagonal.html

12 hours ago, paulastro said:

If you mean  the William Optics 2inch 90 deg one (listed on 365 Astronomy) at just over £200, Ive had one for some years.  I bought it used, then it wasn't available again until comparatively recently.

It is MUCH better than any other I've used over the years (and I've tried and owned quite a few others) and can be used on powers up to around x125 (which others I've tried have not been able to do) and still have a good image. It gives a nice image  with good contrast and is very well made. I would recommend it if it's still of the same quality.

The best one is generally acknowledged as being the Badder/Zeiss 2 inch 90 deg version  that costs around £600!  FLO lists it but currently out of stock.  

This is the one I have

https://www.365astronomy.com/William-Optics-90-degree-Erecting-Prism?path=113_152_358

I'm thinking of the 1.25" one 

I'm looking for recommendations for a 90° 1.25" erect image diagonal for lunar observation with my 8" SCT.

I've read that the Williams Optics one is good. Has anyone experience of it? Or of any others you would recommend or avoid.

Thanks, Patrick 

4 minutes ago, inedible_hulk said:

My Celestron one, which looks identical, takes three GP189 (LR54) batteries.

Thank you. I'll order some LR54s

9 minutes ago, Skipper Billy said:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/723142-batteries-for-orion-10mm-illuminated-ep/

 

Thanks. Unfortunately, that looks like a different model.

Just now, Knighty2112 said:

Is there not a battery inside it already (although most likely flat) if you unscrew it and check?

Unfortunately, no battery in it 

13 minutes ago, Cornelius Varley said:

Illuminated reticule eyepiece.

Thank you.

Follow up up question. Does anyone know what battery it would take. It looks identical to the Star watcher and Rother Valley 12.5mm ones. The website doesn't mention battery size.

The Astro Essentials one which also looks very similar takes 3 LR54 batteries.

I got this with another purchase. Can anyone tell me what it is?  Thanks

I have a Meade LX90 8" OTA and I'm trying to decide on a eyepieces for planetary observation.  My budget is £200-300. I'd go higher if it would make a big difference.

My thinking at the moment is to get a couple eyepieces of around 8mm and 12mm. This would give magnification of around 250x and 167x.  I'm assuming it's going to be rare to be able to go over 250x

Alternatively, I could get a good quality 8-24mm zoom, which means I can adjust the magnification to get the best view at the time.

I'd appreciate advice on what you all think would be best.

Afternoon all

Please can experienced people suggest a simple-to-use goto alt-az mount for a Skywatcher Startravel 120. Purely for visual observation, mainly wide field. Fast set up is more important to me than accurate tracking.

OTA length 660mm, weight 4.1kg. I'm going to be using a 2" diagonal and eyepiece.

Many thanks for any advice.

1 hour ago, ONIKKINEN said:

I use those disposable hand warmer packets. Costs 2€ per night, buying heated gloves would only become cheaper after many years, maybe never since batteries dont last forever and it could well be the case that the gloves die before making up for their cost.

But i do have heated socks, which have proven to be a worthy investment.

What sort of heated socks?

Anyone using heated gloves? I find it's my hands get most cold.

Any recommendations for gloves?

15 minutes ago, Ibbo! said:

Yes I have one for the C11.

Works and I have had no problems except clouds.

Thanks!

That's a shame. I mainly wanted it to clear the clouds 😂