Patbloke

Superb!!

I have an AVX mount and my first star shot is always a fair distance out... I always have to do 3 calibration stars before I get successful alignment. I use a 32mm EP to capture the star at first, then fine tune to centre the alignment targets on a crosshair reticule (red light) A great buy by the way!!! Don't throw your kit in the sea I felt the same the other night, when nothing went right out there in the dark... but the next night it all went lovely and I remembered why this hobby is so great

I have an Equinox Pro 120 it's an absolute beauty! you are giving it away at that price... Good luck - Perhaps I should buy it and make the worlds best pair of binoculars?

What a great DIY modification great work

Oh it appears that I am very lucky in that I do have a pair of Helios Apollos. It's not a gloat (it is) but a few thoughts - I've only ever used the filter threads a couple of times and it's not been something that I found mind blowing at the time so for me it's a 'nice to have' not essential in bins. Also as you are used to a 10 x 50 view, would it not be a good idea to get an available pair of 15 x 70's like a Celestron or Revelation for now so you can see if you like using them? For about £70 you can experience the wonders and then keep a look out on the pre used market. I found the so cal

I bought a really substantial tripod with a pistol grip head when I got my Apollos and I found it really uncomfortable to use with bins... handheld or monopod supported works for me. Check out BinocularSky website - Stephen Tonkin! loads of tips and reviews

This site is great for opinions and advice... There are ways to use binoculars that don't put stress on your arms. Nothing better than putting the blanket out laying back it gazing the universe, sitting in the garden chair leaning back and taking it all in. Don't be scared of the 15 x 70's the standard pairs aren't that heavy and the views are great Sometimes you just have to make the choice... if you keep the equipment in condition you can always sell and upgrade if you feel you need more

I love binocular viewing... Bins are always great to take travelling, easy set up and use to scan the skies My thoughts - 10 x 50 is a good portable size but 15 x 70 is what I found give the most pleasurable views. Nikon make great cameras and being brand loyal is good, so hopefully the bins would be great if you go that route. I've checked the price and for half that you could get a nice pair of Celestron 15 x 70s which will give more magnification and a wide field of view. As to whether they are available to buy at the moment, I'm not sure. I bought a second hand pair of Helios A

Hi I also use the joystick trigger ball head... but most of the time I use a monopod, sit back in the chair and rest the monopod on the floor by my feet... It's amazing the stabilising effect it has on my Apollos which are very heavy. I actually prefer the experience far better than using the tripod. Great for travel as well, (not that we can at the moment)

Just a thought - why not contact Moonlite? I spoke to Ron at moonlite@focuser.com a while ago when I had some questions about a moonlite and he was super helpful

Did you have the solar scope? I hadn't got out of my car and I was invited over to look through? Yes, it's a different Mrs nowadays... I'm looking forward to many more nights outside, and who knows one day maybe even another Star Party

Thanks for that advice... I’m not going to need much encouragement to leave the grass to be fair Its like a carpet right now

Dedicated to Nick (cotterless45) who has recently assisted me in getting back behind the eyepiece! Starting with a Skywatcher 114p I very quickly got the bug sometime way back when... Amazed at what I could see from as many dark sites as I could visit I was hooked. I very quickly moved on to buying great second hand equipment (almost every week) from this forum, eBay and AstroB&S I was even lucky enough to be persuaded with a mate to start a stargazing social club at work and use some of the club funds to buy a 200 Dob and a 200 motorised on an EQ5 and EP's. Unbelievable h

Inspirational as always Nick... That's the first time I can say for definite that I've seen the Mars polar ice cap! I loved dropping the Equinox onto the CG5 and going 'Old Skool' just moving the slow motion adjusters, hunting for targets (without a Telrad of course) As usual the banter was first class.... The fact I don't usually bother with a finderscope on my own AVX set up was a great source of amusement for you Your comparisons that followed (for what seemed like an eternity) were great... Oh Pats doing the tour de France this week - without a bike! Oh Pats going wat

Every visit he kindly offers me temporary storage space for it in his shed....