Astroscot2

Excellent image, what exposures were you using, Any filters?

Thanks Adam,

Ive assumed NINA would take control over these setting but as I discovered last night there are no option in NINA to enter limits - so makes sense, thank you .

Mark

Hello.

I hope someone using NINA may be able to assist me, Ive recently added a Pegasus Focuscube2 to my Esprit focuser and for a few nights it seemed to work OK giving nice V curves and sharp focus.

Last night I set up a sequence and let the software do its thing, I noticed that the autofocus position was showing ZERO even though I had not touched the focuser from the previous night, the auto focus routine started and stopped once the focus position arrived back at ZERO, one half of the V curve,  NINA shows the focuser as moving but it is not. I read somewhere this morning that Ascom prevents focusers going below position  0 as it believes this is the MAX in travel for the focuser?

I did not change or reset the focus position from the previous night, is there a setting in NINA or Ascom I need to select to ensure the focus position is being recorded by the software?  Hope to get this resolved soon as this is great piece of kit.

Thanks

Mark

Stunning!

20 hours ago, ONIKKINEN said:

Yes, found the same to be mostly true with mine (i believe they are the same in VX and CT models). Rotating the focuser 90 degrees and adjusting tension with the locking screw helped somewhat but i replaced it in the end.

I have the baader diamond steeltrack fitted. Buttersmooth action and cant make it flex without considerable misuse and violence involved. Very satisfied with it.

The main hole for the focuser drawtube is barely large enough to fit the BDS, but i enlarged mine a few mm to make sure its not sticking to the tube. Also had to drill 4 holes to fit the thing, but not really that difficult to do.

I'm patiently waiting on the BDS coming into stock in the UK  can't get one anywhere at the moment.

I'm normally a bit down about the shorter nights for imaging, only  10 weeks and it's too light for any imaging here, I'm looking forward to the longer days after the weather we've had this winter. Roll on spring.

Its a very nice image, would be interested to know which focuser you have on your VX8, the focuser on my CT8 is unusable for imaging due to flexure. 

On the other side of buying kit after a few drinks, I don't accept any offers on any kit im selling if the offer arrives in my inbox late Friday/Saturday  night.  I can pretty much guarantee the buyer backs out the next day.

48 minutes ago, Mike Read said:

LOL - Thanks. I gave mine to an expert to clean, centre and collimate - picking it up at the weekend.

Hello, can you share who the expert is.   I have optics needing cleaned too and for the life of me can not got anyone in the UK to look at it....

Nutters...

I'd be worried it acts like a giant sail, not sure how protected your garden is from your winds, currently looking into my garden and watching tree litter spinning around.

19 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said:

Which one have you bought…? Am looking for one myself…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124547008037

Should do the trick 

UVC lamp on its way.  

Will try optrep

 Thanks

Unfortunately Es is tied up with work  commitments,   I've reached out to RVO also,  SCTelescopes web site is not working, any other suggestions who could help?

Thanks Dave for the reassurance, could you PM with Es Reids contact info if you still have it.

Thanks Mark.

2 hours ago, ollypenrice said:

I hope you get it sorted and I'm sure an optical engineer could do so.  It's interesting that oil-spaced lenses are often regarded with suspicion but there are three here living permanently in observatories and none has had any problem, perhaps because the lens elements are necessarily sealed?

Olly

I wonder if I've just been really unlucky in this instance, never had an issue with mold on any kit. Owned an FSQ which lived in the Observatory for years with no issues.  

9 hours ago, Stuart1971 said:

Anybody know of a cheap UV light for killing this sort of mould, it’s worth having one in case this ever happens to any of my scopes….I guess a blast with it every now and then will not hurt and could stop it in its tracks if there is any sign…??

Rather than pointing at the sun..😉

I may need to, living in Scotland I won't see the sun till May.

12 minutes ago, rnobleeddy said:

I had an Espirit 100 that had almost the same pattern of mold.  I bought it like that for a reduced price. UV light was applied a few times and it didn't get noticeably worse during the time I had it. 

I recently sold it, and the buyer was confident it could be cleaned with the right expertise. 

So all is not lost! At the very least, apply UV, see if it affects your images, and don't panic.

Did the buyer say who he would use to clean the lens? Its a great scope and don't want to lose the use of it.

15 minutes ago, Doc said:

Is the scope stored in an observatory or shed when not in use? I have one of the early Esprit 120's but mine is kept indoors and so far I haven't seen no issues with mold.

Hello, yes stored in doors, I took it out of the observatory last May,  my plans were to fit an autofocuser and back on the mount last Aug,.  But I was enjoying using my other scope, Even when the scope was in the Observatory I use a dehumidifier frequently and dew heaters so the lens never got wet,  I've owned other refractors  and never had this issue.

Had another look ,  it is between the lenses.

The scope was stored indoors with bags of dessicant, this is why I'm so shocked. Does Es have a web site with his services, can't see anything online?

Hello Stuart, difficult to say where it resides on the lens, I'm reluctant to attempt to clean it from the focuser end, I wonder if Es Reid could sort this out?

I'm in total disbelief at what looks to be a mould issue on my esprit 120,  I took it off the mount last summer and packed if in its case with dessicant bags, today while fitting a auto focuser I took a peek at the lens and was shocked to see the image below.  Is this a loss or could it be sent for cleaning? Help...

Mark

I think its a great solution,  Looks an ideal design.  

2 minutes ago, tooth_dr said:

Is what I’ve printed what you’re after?