dweller25

That’s a great set of images 👍

I found my 10” Newt was slightly too bright for best planetary contrast so I bought this 50% transmission Neutral Density filter and it worked a treat….. Another option would be to buy a pair of adjustable polarising filters to fine tune the brightness…… https://www.firstlightoptics.com/moon-neutral-density-filters/astro-essentials-variable-polarising-moon-filter.html

That’a a good idea @Carbon Brush 👍

An interesting assortment of lenses

“The other option is a quality 2x Barlow with the ability to remove the lens group to attach directly to an eyepiece to give 1.4X or 1.5x. That gives me a range of powers with the eyepieces I already have” Yes, that that could be a better solution as long as your existing eyepieces have enough internal clearance to screw in the barlow lens group.

One major difference between the Swift and the C9.25….. The C9.25 will need at least 90 minutes to reach ambient temperature when you take it outside, the Swift will be good to go within 15 minutes.

I think you may be surprised by the results you get from the C9.25 on the Skytee - in a good way. Also you are just in time for the planet season to start - Saturn first then Jupiter. Make no mistake both scopes are excellent and I can even predict the first word you will say when you see Saturn 🙂

+1 for the 5mm Vixen SLV, although that will give you x300 and x560 in your SCT’s at native focal lengths - not many nights in the UK have seeing to support that ☹️ I prefer around x190 for Jupiter and Saturn and x240 for Mars.

Perhaps start with the manual so you can learn with it and then decide what you want to do next ? Also download “Stellarium” - it’s very good astronomy software that will help you get around the night sky

Mike, where do you live ? It may be an idea to reach out to a local astronomer or club to help you out

The C9.25 is too heavy for that mount. Did you read the reviews at the bottom of the link ?

The coatings are probably damaged beyond just cleaning

Point the binos to a bright part of the Sky (behind the Sun) to kill the fungus. The coatings are probably damaged beyond just cleaning.

You will have to learn how to collimate (optically align) the C9.25 for best results, this is best done at night when looking at a star - which is not often in our UK skies.

The Silver Russian lenses could be for a camera - I think i can see a focus distance scale on them

This at £369 then (but it does not track, the one above does) https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth-astronomy-mounts/skywatcher-skytee-2-alt-azimuth-mount.html

We all have to start somewhere 👍

It appears that both your dovetails are the Vixen type. The black knob against the orange disk is the focuser. As the C9.25 is the heavier scope you might consider this mount (it will also accept the Swift). https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-heq5-pro-synscan.html

Hello and welcome to SGL. You got an amazing deal for £151 or is it a typo ? A photo of the dovetail fitting on the bottom of the C9.25 would help. The Swift appears to have a Vixen type dovetail It may be worth going to your local astronomy club to get help setting things up. What is your budget for a mount ?

Anymore jokes like this and we will get frozen out

The Vixen GPDX just manages the FS128 but as already said it needs a sturdy tripod - I used a Berlebach UNI 28. I found that replacing the stock focuser with a Feathertouch reduced focus jiggles even more.

I’m using a Baader MK V binoviewer in my DZ with no issues 👍

Hmmm lets see… 2 x 26mm Celestron Plossls circa 1985 2 x Tal 25mm Plossls 2 x Televue 20mm Plossls 2 x 18 Fujiyama 18mm Orthoscopics 2 x 15mm Vixen LV’s 2 x 12mm Pentax XF’s 2 x 10mm Vixen LV’s 1 x 15mm Tal Kellner 1 x 12.5mm KK volcano top Orthoscopic 1 x 7mm Pentax XW 1 x 5mm Pentax XW Thats only 11 focal lengths 🤣👍

I very much think he’s correct 👍

I wonder if my superb 12.5mm volcano top Ortho would give the Tak 12.5 TPL a run for it’s money ? And “NO” @JeremyS I am not spending £200 to find out 🤣