dweller25

I cannot find a way on my iphone, but you can on the Ipad.

Another fine image 🙂👍

Apologies to @laurent-rattini but sadly we need to be careful these days and welcome to SGL 👍

Hmm, new member, first post - dodgy download ?

I find it easier to use a motor driven scope to draw the planets so you can concentrate on seeing the details without nudging distractions.

The Starfield 102 looks like great value for money and I read that it was very close in performance to a 4” Takahashi. Would that be too big for you @Stu1smartcookie ?

If you want wide-field views would it be worth considering large observation binoculars ? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/observation-binoculars.html

Correct

I put an astrozap dewshield on the end of my refractor dewshield - seems to work. But a dewshield made out of a black camping mat would be just as good and cheaper.

That is superb Kostas, well done 👍

Hello Hayden and welcome to SGL, You managed to see Saturn which is great, it is very low at the moment but will improve. Jupiter will soon be very high in the night sky and will be a better sight. You could download “Stellarium”, its free and will help you find your way around the might sky. Clear skies…..

They are probably the same scope, no mention of glass type but they do look interesting. Your HEQ5 should be able to keep jiggles down when focusing the 1.1mtr long tube.

I do the same as a rule 🥳

As Peter says, it sounds like your focuser is not connected properly, no way would a plastic peg overcome the weight of the mirror when focusing. I see the supplier is now trying to help you so I hope you get the issue resolved 👍

That’s a good read 👍

My philosophy is to get it spot on, then there is no doubt the scope is performing at it’s best. HOWEVER , my scopes collimation was slightly off but performing well so I got it spot and the views……… were the same 🙂 Maybe its more important for imaging or short f ratios ?

Also Kenneth, Maksutovs are known to have a narrow field of view, could that be the vignetting you mentioned ?

Hello Kenneth and welcome to SGL. The focus movement change is far greater on a Maksutov than a refractor so it could be normal ? Perhaps you could take your scope to your local astronomy club and ask them to check it out ? Sadly it’s not unusual to get debris on the rear of the front lens, however the whole front section simply unscrews allowing you to use a blower brush to remove dust etc. You should not have to do this on a new scope but it could be worth trying as a last resort. Hope that helps.

I have tried all three, only the 4” refractor has remained. In my opinion a central obstructions does have an effect on the views. This has very good feedback from users…. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/starfield-telescopes/starfield-102mm-f7-ed-doublet-refractor.html

Excellent 👍

That’s what I said last year 🤷🏻😂

Greetings from just down the road 👍

Brilliant 👍

Excellent 👍

Also good cooldown is important to getting good sharpness, contrast and stability.