Shimrod

3 hours ago, Rob Astro said:

The only thing I have moved is the Faststar as I had to take it out when changing to Bob's knobs. My issue is finding a professional service provider, I'm happy to pay if it gets the OTA back to as new alignment and collimation.

 

Orion Optics offer the sort of servicing you are asking about, but you may want to read elsewhere on here about their customer service before sending anything off to them.

https://www.orionoptics.co.uk/servicing/

First time I've looked at their website in a while, and they have an announcement they have closed their warehouse in the Netherlands and pulling out of Europe. The reason given is supply chain issues have meant the operation is no longer feasible. 

website:  https://uk.telescope.com/home.jsp

1 hour ago, edjrgibbs said:

Thanks, yes there is. I’ve got an issue connecting to my az gti and want to see if flashing it with an older firmware version sorts the problem. 

I've sent you a PM with the 3.20 firmware attached. It is the AZ/EQ version, I don't have a copy of the standard 3.20

3 hours ago, JamieQ said:

Thank you! Indeed there would be great potential for casual use with binoculars, though I have yet to try it—the next starry night I will for sure.

 

The only thing missing is a binocular mount that could be attached to the handles for larger binoculars. I'd certainly buy one of these chairs if they became available.

1 hour ago, StevieDvd said:

I'm in a small quandary.

Having sold the main parts of an EdgeHD setup (OTA & Reducer already sold), I was planning to have a bash at using the remaining tripod/mount/starsense camera as a goto with a refractor for quick EAA sessions.

Now I'm thinking whether to pass them on to someone who may appreciate them more.

If I sell the Celestron Starsense camera with it's handset that would leave the mount to be used wirelessly or the buyer would need to find a handset. The Starsense only works for a Celestron (the adapter to use it with a skywatcher are almost impossible to find).

So the question is whether to sell as one so I can clear it out.

• As selling the camera would need the handset to work, leaving the mount/tripod without a handset and harder to find a buyer for? 
• Would an Edge mount/tripod be an upgrade for a Nexstar SE user - it has wireless built in and has in built rechargeable battery?

Need a few nudges to help me decide the best path.

Thanks

Steve

Assuming when you say Edge mount you are referring to an Evolution mount, it would probably be an easier and quicker sell if you sold the Starsense camera and handset with the mount.  Selling separately you could probably raise a bit more cash though.

1 hour ago, Heids said:

Good advice, thank you

If you want to put a handle on your SCT, you could consider fitting another dovetail to the top of the OTA then getting a handle something like this - Baader Handle

It's not cheap though, and the bag suggestion from Elps may be the cheaper option.

There is also a cheaper suggestion for a handle here, if you don't mind drilling a couple of holes:  

5 minutes ago, Heids said:

Thanks all

Yes I have a dew shield, and will be deploying it. 

The size of the OTA and my stature is the issue. I am 5’6” in my garden crocs and if I am hugging the OTA it’s awkward and I won’t be able to see the steps which will add to anxiety about navigating the steps. Maybe I need to practice with the mount and the OTA together as the carry handles on the mount are useful, but still quite heavy (I am a strapping lass, but still). If the manufacturer says don’t split OTA and mount unless you have to then I don’t want to on a regular basis. I will fit the straps and see how I feel about that from the risk POV and then I may well invest in the handle. Transporting mount and OTA together would be optimum, from the sounds of things.

Could you make a ramp for your steps and move the ota/mount on a small trolley? Ramp wouldn't need to be anything fancy - you might bet away with a small piece of plywood if the steps aren't too steep - you'd just need to shape the edges so you don't have to bump the trolley up a 'lip'

On 16/07/2022 at 20:30, A_N_other_beginner said:

Hopefully I'll be forgiven for going off topic, but these forums have never seen me wrong in the past when I've been looking for advice all things optics related.

I'm fortunate enough to live relatively close to a venue that has a fair few airshows, and it's not uncommon for the aircraft concerned to pass over or near my house. That said, they'll often then circle around a couple of miles away. I've got a pair of 8x42 Helios Mistral WP3 (which were bought for astro use, and are brilliant.) But they don't have quite the reach to be as useful as I'd like. So a spotting scope seems like the next sensible jump. A lot of the aircraft are pootling along at sensible speeds so tracking shouldn't be a major issue, my eldest was quite comfortable doing so handheld with the binoculars - but I'll be using the spotting scope with a tripod.

That said, I don't have a huge budget. So my options are restricted. Could anyone steer me towards something that will be a step-up on the 8x42's for around the £100 mark? Absolute top end budget would be £150. And I've no issue going second hand, albeit preferably from somewhere like the classified section on here.

How much reach do you need? Would a 20x pair of binoculars do instead - although you would need to mount them on a tripod. I am thinking something like this at £139: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-binoculars/opticron-oregon-observation-20x80-binoculars.html although you may be able to go up a level if buying second-hand. 

Alternatively, if you already have a small refractor, have you considered getting a 45 degree erecting prism diagonal? This would turn your telescope into a spotting scope.

48 minutes ago, Nigella Bryant said:

I've already provisionally booked for the 2026 and 2027 total eclipses, lol 

I fancy Iceland for 2026 - although it will probably be cloudy. I'd base myself in Borgarnes which gives a few more options for moving up and down the west coast depending on weather.

On 11/07/2022 at 20:36, TBRHussaR said:

Hi Guys, I was wondering - do these Binos break down at some point, and what is the life expectancy of them? Ive seen some used ones on eBay but theyre not cheap !!!

 

Many thanks

A

I'd assume the binoculars use the same IS system that is found in Canon lenses. While it is something that may fail one day (a mix of mechanical and electronic components), I have some Canon lenses that are 15 years old and none of those with IS have failed so far.

43 minutes ago, StevieDvd said:

 

The mount & camera are showing the latest version but I can't find the Handset version number on the Celestron site.

Good news it all seems to startup and get to the alignment prompt but have to do a setup outside to fully test.

Or am I worrying needlessly and all is good?

Thanks

Steve

Last time I checked, the firmware versions on the celestron website were out of date, so don't be surprised if your firmware erosion is not listed 

I've never had a problem using CFM for updates so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

37 minutes ago, peabrain said:

thx for the input
ATM im shooting a redcat 51 with either my asi533mm or nikon z7ii, and plan to incremental go up to max 1000mm. (next scope will be 500-650mm iguess)
currently i have a tablet windows surface pro with me so no issue there, and i plan to use the bluetooth goto function and guide via the tablet.

the northern danish skies are not the best so super high precision i dont think would matter to much up to that FL.
 

I am very interested in the new wave of harmonic drive mounts, but I'm sticking with my current gear for at least a couple of years to see reviews and also what turns up from the likes of Celestron and Skywatcher.

If I had to choose between one of the two now, I would probably go with the Ioptron simply because they have a history of building mounts, and the AM5 is (as far as I know) the first mount built by ZWO. If there any teething issues I'd expect them to be more likely in the ZWO model.

50 minutes ago, knobby said:

Hi all, due to an ageing body (mainly back) I'm in the process of planning a lighter rig.

I've been using my AZ-Gti for a few years now but miss the ability to do any planetary imaging with it.

I've sold my HEQ5 and C8 Edge as I just can't set it up without suffering the next day or 3 😞

Budget around £2700 plus whatever I can get for the AZ-Gti so I'm probably looking at a used Mak or maybe even C925 SCT.

All suggestions welcomed 🙂

 

 

I'm not sure I understand the logic of selling an 8" Edge but getting a heavier and larger 9.25 SCT. Was it the mount rather than the OTA that is causing the issue? I've no experience of it, but if needing something lightweight for planety the Stellalyra 6" Classical Cassegrain might be a good choice, or for lighter still the Stellamira 80ed F10 refractor. 

1 hour ago, F15Rules said:

We'll, that's interesting..the first and obvious benefit of these new binoviewers is that unlike the Baader Maxbright II's,  they're not made of Unobtainium!👍

 

With the latest price rise, these Stellalyra binoviewers are also nearly £100 cheaper than the Baader set as well. 

I'd be interested to know how they perform with bright objects - a thread on here reported relfections with the Technosky version, but I have read some versions perform better than others - possibly due to different mirror coatings.

On 20/06/2022 at 18:54, Neil H said:

The WO binoviewer I think on a tight budget comes in on top it  can get me started as it is a complete package if I go the other way I still need to get one of two eyepieces so I can use it so cost jumps up 

There's a used WO binoviewer package at Cambrian photos for £179:  https://www.cambrianphoto.co.uk/collections/used-binoculars/products/used-william-optics-binoviewer-complete-package

1 hour ago, Neil H said:

Yeah I looked at them, the same as the Orion , so do Orion make them for Stella lyra or stella make them for Orion , still feel WO are better starter kit as they have a good 20mm eyepieces the eyepieces alone are £74 each 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-Premium-Linear-BinoViewer-Telescopes/dp/B07CG8GBL8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=W5BGFPP8U25X&keywords=binoviewer&qid=1655669120&sprefix=Binov%2Caps%2C476&sr=8-4

Available from Bresser as well, although both Stellalyra and Orion versions are cheaper. They all look exactly the same unless there is some difference in quality of the mirrors.

https://www.bresseruk.com/Astronomy/Accessories/Eyepieces/BRESSER-BinoViewer-Deluxe-1-25.html?listtype=search&searchparam=binoview

2 hours ago, Swoop1 said:

The time has come to start dreaming about new shiny.

I will be looking for a refractor for use as a travel scope and an AP scope.

Has anyone got any experience of the RVO range of doublets and if so, what do you think?

Thanks,

Matt

There's a couple of reviews on the Sky at Night magazine website: RVO Scope reviews

36 minutes ago, ONIKKINEN said:

the 678 looks like it could be a good all-rounder for guiding lunar and planetary. For guiding needs to be binned but the read noise is very low so no problem, for planetary and lunar the 2 micron pixels sound very enticing.

Damn it ZWO, dont announce these things when im broke!

Prices are already on the FLO website as well - the 678 is £319

22 minutes ago, MonsterMagnet said:

First post but here we go.

I have my main scope but we often go on holiday and it would be nice to have something small (hand luggage preferably) to take with me.  We are off again to somewhere where the skies will be dark and the wine plentiful in 6 weeks time and I would like to get a small Maksutov before then - realistically for hand luggage I don't think I can go above 70mm.

I've done some research but it's slim pickings for advice in this area.  At the moment the main choices are:

Svbony SV41:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Svbony-Maksutov-Multi-Coated-Waterproof-Telescope/dp/B07GN9LL61

Celestron C70:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-52238-Mini-Spotting-Scope/dp/B001MUHQBI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I am not that concerned about the eyepiece with the telescope, I would be looking to swap it out for something I already have be that individual ones or my Baader Hyperion Zoom.  The lack of a finder scope isn't a huge problem either, I can make a simple one or attach a purchased one.

Has anyone had any direct experience with either of these scopes?  Any advice around image quality or portability?  Anything else I should consider in this type of range?

Thanks.

MM.

Quite a big discussion on the Svbony mini-mak in this thread:  

On 04/06/2022 at 13:11, Jiggy 67 said:

So I found this. Appears to be exactly the same as the Astronomik version but half the price. Did a bit of research and it returns the camera to its pre-modded state but can be removed for Astro…..best of both worlds. Warning though for those considering it as well, it will not work with EF-S lenses as these lenses invade the space inside the camera, occupied by the filter. My camera (250d) is not on the list of compatible cameras but I can’t see why for the life of me, that it won’t work so fingers crossed. Thanks to @Dan_Paris for pointing me in the right direction 

https://www.365astronomy.com/optolong-owb-ccd-(original-white-balance)-clip-filter-for-canon-eos-aps-c-cameras?search=optolong&page=2

 

I would guess the list of cameras is just not up to date -  it looks like it stops somewhere around 2015

16 hours ago, baggywrinkle said:

I decided to start using the Evolution wifi connection via Skyportal to control the mount when I am doing solar viewing.

The hand book states you should see a wifi link showing 'SkyQlink xxx' on the mobile you are using to connect, however mine shows 'Celestron  G8 ' and refuses to connect. Anyone else seen this?

I have the Skyportal software on my samsunsung phone and it is the updated version.

I have a skyportal wifi module for my AVX - the naming of the wifi connection is Celestron ### so I would guess the Evolution hand book is just out of date. 

I've never had any problems connecting to mine - but it is the external module. You might want to check the version of firmware in your Evolution mount - looking at the history there have been some fixes for the wifi module -  Celestron Firmware update history

45 minutes ago, Skyline said:

One pic, you can guess the rest.  But I will reveal this to you, the telescope is very chunky. 😁

More then my expectations. 

I'm going to say Evolux 62

On 19/05/2022 at 14:48, alecras2345 said:

What can i do to enjoy astronomy?  I can't go outside stargazing and it's more often than not cloudy at night,  so it seems i can only enjoy astronomy online somehow.    What can i do to enjoy this hobby, what websites can i go on aswel as to learn about astronomy?   I thought maybe if i fancy stargazing one evening, opening stellarium and learning names of stars and learning what galaxy is in what constellation .   I don't know that was a thought, but using stellarium isn't live.   As regards to online telescopes  i dont want to pay 50 pounds.    What other sites could i use please not just for online telescopes?   Is using online telescopes a must? I feel i can't do astronomy unless its via the internet.

Ash

Are you able to use binoculars through a window? I appreciate this may give you a limited field of view,, but if you turn the lights out in the house you could explore the nightsky that way. I will sometimes do this if I happen to notice the sky is clear on the way to bed. A small telescope on a tripod used in the same manner may also be a possiblity - there have been a couple of threads on here from people who observe through a window from a flat (and I think one person used a velux window in an attic roof.

Clouds are the bane of astronomy in the UK and sometimes patience is required - that's why binoculars are handy - no set up time required!

26 minutes ago, tompato said:

I think even the version of Skyhunter without the iPolar is listed on Altair Astro for £475 - although it is sold as a kit with a tripod, extension and counterweight. So in all likelihood it is going to be more expensive.

I mean hopefully they do sell it without the tripod and extension pier, but I don't know. It does officially support EQ mode, so there is that to consider as well.

It'll be interesting to see some reviews once it is actually out.

I would expect this to be sold as 'mount only' given they have an optional carbon fibre tripod upgrade on the Skyhunter webpage https://www.ioptron.com/category-s/255.htm - although there is no separate listing for mount only at the moment. 

They still ship the counterweight with the AZ only version but it's not clear whether you this is optional for AZ mode (I have seen reports of people exceeding the weight limit of the AZ GTI by balancing the scope).

In the UK it looks like it will be 50% more expensive than the AZ GTI (although FLO have said expect a 5-10% price rise on Skywatcher kit soon) - the convenience of the internal battery and possibly better durability of a metal case may make the ioptron a better option as a travellers portable mount.

21 minutes ago, Miguel_EA1HTA said:

Hi all,

 

Considering only visual needs for an Alt-az mount, what do you think about these two mounts?

Who should behave better?

Which controller system do you think it's better, the Synscan (v5) or the NovaController (#8410) ?

 

    

 

The AZ-GTI is a known quantity with a lot of happy users (and a few who've reported issues)  - have a read of the thread here: 

 I'm sure the skyhunter will be fine, but it's a new mount with no release date, reviews or feedback yet. If budget is an issue, the AZ-GTI is likely to be cheaper as the Skyhunter comes with an ipolar (costs nearly the same price as the AZ-GTI mount by itself).  Neither comes with a hand-controller as standard, and both will be the same price.