d-s-m

Thanks for the replies everyone, you've helped put my mind at ease about this 😉 @Kev M I got a Skywatcher Heritage 150p 😀 and now I'm already looking at modifications and eyepiece upgrades 😄

@geordie85 @Andy ES unfortunately turning up before it gets dark isn't going to possible until later in the year, as it's already dark by 4pm here, and I don't finish work until 5pm and still have to get home, cook dinner, walk the dog...etc. @Gfamily I already thought about the interior light, and mine can be switched so that it doesn't come on when the door is open. @Sunshine yes I thought about switching the car lights off, but wouldn't that be a bit dangerous? Especially if it's a place that is very dark. I guess half beam would be a good compromise, but still has the potential to spoil other people's night vision.

So I recently got my first telescope, and have just been using it in the garden so far. But now I'm thinking about getting out to some local stargazing spots such as nature reserves, remote car parks....etc. But I'm slightly concerned about spoiling the night vision of any other potential stargazers that might already be there when I arrive by car with the lights on, as I assume that most people will set up in the car park?

I just cut the end off an old black sock and wrapped it around the light with an elastic band, nicely diffused now!

@Broadymike I'll try that, but slightly concerned it might end up melting due to the heat from the light? @LaurenceT I actually bought it from eBay so not sure if I can return it as it works fine, but it's exactly the same as the one in the Amazon link. Really wish I'd have bought a smaller one now, but a number of reviews said it was "ideal for astronomy" which made me think it be a good purchase. @Carbon Brush thanks for your reply, I have actually already posted a thread in the welcome section a few weeks ago. Changing out resistors is a bit beyond me, so think I'm just gonna bite the bullet and buy a smaller one. @spacehopper that one you linked looks very similar to the one I've got? I'd be concerned about having the same problem with that one. @Louis D thanks for the link, yes it does seem like the single banded ones in that list are less powerful than the type I have, which makes them better for astronomy.

So I bought one of these red head torches - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07SQQ7DCV/ref=sspa_mw_detail_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw Problem is that it's too bright, even on the lower setting. I was thinking of sticking something over the end to diffuse the light, but not sure what would be best. Anyone have any ideas?

I recently purchased a pair of 10x50 binoculars and as soon as I looked through them for the first time, I immediately thought "I need to get a telescope!" So I'm currently spending a lot of time reading reviews and old forum threads on various telescopes, but still not sure what to get! Hopefully I can figure it out by time these heavy clouds disappear 😉