smudgeball

I struck my formwork after a week.

I kept the outer damp with hose spray and cover prior to this.

It was fine when the frame came away.

Mine was for a pier footing so deeper than yours but it came out ok and I'm happy with the result.

Neil

And now with the Atik 460ex and remote focuser fitted

Here's mine

dslr at rear will soon be replaced by my new ccd

Neil

Hi

Had a "slack" dec worm gear so decided to give it a clean.

Thanks for the info and photos.

Did the RA as well, took a while to get the adjustment just right as you mention.

I think it's fair to say the components are of the mass produced variety.

So it takes a while to get everything just right

My main dec gear would bind a bit on the motor drive.

I ended up rotating the motor ninety degrees in its casing.

It then ran smoothly.

Patience and conservative application of lithium grease was the order of the day.

Working really smoothly now.

Thanks

Neil

Hi

I was in your same boat a while back and thought why are people raving about moving away from the handset and onto a laptop.

A friend of mine suggested using CDC with the proviso that it would be a bit harder than the likes of using stellerium, but the rewards when working correctly would be greater.

After many different attempts I bit the bullet (well @£40 more like an artillery shell) and purchased the shoestring astronomy usbdir cable.

It goes direct from laptop to handest socket on scope control box and works first time.

But as I mentioned, not cheap.

I'm now with some guidance starting to use a purely eqmod alignment from laptop for my viewing sessions.

It does take some getting used to, but in my opinion it's worth the effort.

Neil

Before you know it, kids toys will have "made on the moon" stamped on them

You know what that means... time for a bigger garden!

That's garden fever, please don't hijack this post

we need big aperture to make the most of it

Nooooo, compact and bijou !

Grab and Go SCT to run out the door !

I'd give em back...honest

I thought the old wives saying was

"feed a cold, STARVE a fever" ?

So you've all got it wrong.

Have nothing to eat for the next week and give me all your scopes for safe keeping

Cured

Neil

Hi

I know FLO get a lot of good reviews in this section, but I felt I had to add mine.

I ordered a fine tuning ring for my 13mm hyperion at 12:43 yesterday afternoon.

44 minutes later I had a second email stating that it had been dispatched !

The postman delivered the item at 8:05 this morning

All I can say is a big thanks to a company that puts this kind of effort in for its customers.

Neil

Hi

I was getting some great views of Jupitor with my Hyperion last night. With or without my 2 x barlow.

Was really comfortable viewing Saturn earlier in the year.

Although I'm not in the same category of scope as you.

9mm BGO is next on my shopping list.

Once I get the paper work signed in triplicate by the "accountant" and she says yes

Neil

The Hyperion's although good budget ep's

Budget ?

Awww come on

I fancy buying the 24mm to go with my "collection"

I'll back that up as well with DP's comments

2 Star Align is best especially when viewing is good.

Down side ?...well you have to know a bit about astronomy to line up your first star, but hey that's what it's all about.

You'll know when the scope slews to the 2nd star just how accurate your alignment will be.

Hope it's clear tonight.

Looking ok up here so far ??????????????

Hi

Only thing I would really add is try and go for stars as wide apart as possible.

I did a skyalign last night and chose three stars spread across the arc of my view from my back garden.

I was out for over two hours and hit every target I input in the hand controller.

To be fair I've had evenings when this hasn't happened, but a lot of people on hear strongly recommend spreading your alignment targets as much as possible.

I'm sure you'll get it working.

Regards

Neil

Hi

One thing I would say is their communications are far better than a few other astronomy goods dealers I have used.

They keep you informed especially if there is an issue.

I believe I've seen posts where they have advised a customer to go to a competitor purely because of stock availability issues at FLO.

Now that's a fair seller if you ask me.

I recently ordered an item from another supplier (no point in naming and shaming) but if I say that the item was in stock for immediate dispatch, the shrewd amongst you will work it out

Anyway, after ten days of waiting for the in stock for immediate dispatch item, I contacted them. Two days later I received a "generic" reply stating that the in stock for immediate dispatch item was in fact out of stock !!

Stock might be available in ten days time, did I want to wait ??

I decided to wait and twelve days later contacted them again to see where the item was.

The in stock for immediate dispatch item arrived twenty six days after I placed the order.

(not even an appology in the parcel)

So you could do far worse than click on that sponsor badge at the top of this page

Regards

Neil

Hi

Thanks for your hard work.

Have just downloaded.

Cheers

Neil

Hi

Ordered my telescope last Tuesday night.

I was kept up to date via email on the status of my order.

Dispatched Wednesday afternoon and arrived Thursday morning.

After unpacking I couldn't find the "free offer" eyepiece so contacted James that evening.

I got a swift response and one was sent out yesterday and arrived this morning.

I don't think you can really beat that kind of service.

As a result, I know where I'll be shopping for my next astronomy purchase.

Regards

Neil