dweller25

It’s a great looking mount but boring triangles may function better 

As already mentioned,  a 6” SCT with GOTO meets most of your requirements - apart from the price.......

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/se-series/celestron-nexstar-6se.html

1 hour ago, johninderby said:

Here you go. Like this handle as it can be shortened if needed by removing one end a cutting down the tube.

https://www.wdscomponents.com/en-gb/tubed-handle-front-mounted-black-wds-8517/c-404/p-920

Thanks John 👍

On 14/05/2019 at 10:14, johninderby said:

One of my chief complaints about new scopes is the usual lack of a carry handle. They should at least offer them as an option. So I fit them myself. So much easier to fit an OTA to a mount when you can hold it with one hand leaving the other free to tighten the saddle clamp. 

Hello @johninderby

I like the bridge handle on your black Mak - can you please let me know where you got it from ?

** found it - WDS components **

19 hours ago, Jonny_H said:

I have attached a photo of the old and new scopes in the hope that it will put my question into context.  The old original scope is the 'frosted' finish and the new replacement has the 'mirrored' finish.

Thanks,

Jon

You do right to send the first scope back - it’s stands out as very different to normal.

Well Andrew ...... 🤣🤣

I am experimenting with it on the front of a 6” Classical Cassegrain, purely to cool the primary quickly before viewing.

In late February it took a 35 minute cool down time using the fan to get a star plus diffraction ring showing steady at x464.

This could be a cheap and non invasive option........

I had a Mewlon 210 and a carbon fibre OMC200 Deluxe with 1/10th wave optics, did not keep either as they were rather slow to cool down.

Now have an Intes Micro 715 Mak with built in cooling fan that pulls air from the front of the OTA across the primary getting rid of the boundary layer - works very well and gives super sharp views.

8 minutes ago, Mike JW said:

So my ideal planetary/lunar/doubles scope would be a quality (1/8 or 1/10 wave), 8"aperture and f10 - does such a scope exist?

@Mike JW

Mewlon 210 would be close ?

I do sketch and think a driven mount is vital for high powers.

An un-driven mount for low power may be fine, particularly if used with a wide angle eyepiece.

Nice scope

Spot on 👍

SKywatcher 80ED v Scopetech 80 F/15

That would be an interesting shootout ........

Hello @wookie1965

Yes the seller on UKastrobuysell did describe it as an EQ6 tripod but the photos he sent you may show it’s not so sadly it’s a case of caveat emptor.

Perhaps this seller should be avoided in the future.

The price you paid was reasonable and you should be able to sell it as an EQ5 tripod at the same price you paid and then just chalk it down to experience.

Good luck and clear skies.

30 minutes ago, robbo007 said:

Do you have the link to download SkyGlobe V3.6? 

Thanks,

Here you go ......

https://vetusware.com/download/SkyGlobe 3.6/?id=8767

V3.52 here

https://archive.org/details/SkyGlobe_1020

2 hours ago, GlenM said:

I had the opportunity to stock these from Barry, but I was getting close to retirement. A mistake on my part for sure.

 

Stay safe,

Glen.

 

@GlenM You should start up again 😁

I think I read somewhere that the optimum magnification of a telescope is it’s diameter in mm x 1.1, above that no more detail can be seen.

Having said that I have used my 128mm scope at x280 on Mars when it was high 😁

A bigger mirror has more surface area than a smaller one so will collect more light ( or water )

So at the same magnification the image in the bigger mirror will appear brighter

Skyglobe v3.6 can still be downloaded if that helps

She has a good 5” setup already 👍

Moving forwards as she wants to observe nebula I would  suggest moving to a simple Dobsonian type mount and putting the funds into a bigger mirror - a useful step up in aperture would be 8”

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html

The 10” version would be even better.......but they are quite heavy.

As you are in the US the Orion brand is an equivalent.

Take a look at this ......

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/skywatcher-explorer-130p-synscan-az-goto.html

It’s cheaper than the Celestron you mentioned.

The Skywatcher P150i would need a smartphone or tablet for goto.

Both are quite capable.

Possibly this ???

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi-alt-az-mount-tripod.html

14 hours ago, dave armeson said:

Be interesting  how it’s compared Optically with my “Svetlana” - Intes Micro 815 deluxe Maksutov Cassegrain 1/9.5 wave optics with a system Strehl of.0985

Thought you sold it ???

On 03/05/2020 at 02:27, BernardH said:

Hi, forgive my ignorance and stupidity, but i love my toys. i am looking for a telescope and i think i have decided on a Celestron 9.25 Nexstar evolution. i am moving to Saudi Arabia, so it will be used in the desert, so i think its a fairly self contained and usable unit to put in my car, drive in to the desert and set up. I would also like to take pictures, i have a great nikon DLSR camera but have heard i might be better buying a CCD camera and fortunately have the cash to fund all this. Because of the move i will be starting from scratch so i have three questions

1. your experience of this telescope?

2. what should i buy as accessories to make this work well

3. Camera?

i will appreciate any advice and bear in mind im thick

thanks

Bernard

Just get a 911 Turbo S and stop dreaming about telescopes 😂😂😂😂

Strap is a very good idea - I’m guessing you have a big metal screw in the ground ?