Shimrod

....says the person who has never had a problem with Evri! It's unfortunate that the Royal Mail workers are on strike, but when normal service is resumed I've always found them to be much better than most of the courier firms.

I have the older (circa 2003) LX90 that I use for occasional visual viewing as it's much quicker to set up than by AVX mount. You've more or less described the same process I follow when I don't particularly need to use go to. This is what I do: 1) Set telescope level and north 2) Set date and time 3) Perform alignment procedure - but I don't bother trying to get it accurate - I just press enter as soon as it has finished slewing 4) Move telescope with handset to target The tracking isn't perfect at this point but it will keep the object in the eyepiece for quite some time

I could believe it as well - clear until late evening but when I go up in the night we were indeed under that bit of cloud in the North West.

That photograph looks so wrong...I really must put a strain wave mount on my Christmas list for next year. You must find it so much quicker to set up and tear down than a conventional EQ mount.

I hadn't come across these - I now have a new membrane on order!

I'm not sure that is a fair statement - they had some absolute disasters (the lx800 and starlock come to mind), but the lx90 and lx200 are no more or less reliable than other mounts. There are still plenty of 15-20 year mounts out there working fine. I'd agree that older electronics are the challenge - the handset on my 497 suffers from a sticky button and at some point is going to fail. Replacement would be searching the second-hand market for a replacement handset. I can control the mount by computer, but that goes through the handset as well (spot the weak point). So cheap and working (and test all the buttons) then worth a go.

You can order from Amazon UK (although it ships from Amazon US) and have delivery by December 16th - it'll cost around £20 more than FLO https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-Motor-SCT-EdgeHD-94155/dp/B07ZHXPQF6/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=celestron+focus+motor&qid=1670263747&sprefix=celestron+focu%2Caps%2C72&sr=8-1

Could it be the internal battery failing? I recently had to replace the battery in my laptop as two of the cells had failed and it was only holding a 25% charge - it could be something similar with the mount.

I use the glendale app on my phone (also available as a website - https://aurora-alerts.uk/). The person who runs it is based in Glendale on Skye, but it flags live reports from other users (along with photos) so you can get an idea of what is actually visible. In my case nothing, as it is wall-to-wall cloud here!

Sounds defective to me - have you checked the diagonal controls just to make sure it is a motor issue and not an app issue? I'd send it back if it is brand new rather than risk losing the warranty by opening it up. That's the battery for the phone, I would not expect that to have any impact on the mount performance.

I've had a look at your other post from early October in which you mention some kit already. It would be useful to provide some more information - any constraints on portability and whether you will be setting up each night. With your existing telescopes I might be inclined to focus on buying a new mount. The new strain wave mounts look interesting from a portability and payload perspective, and there is now a reasonable choice. You may also want to consider something like an Asiair Pro to help with the imaging. The only concern with this is that it will tie you in to the ZWO ecosystem of camera/focuser etc. but it does have the advantage of providing a system that just 'seems to work'.

If you don't have one, it is worth getting an illuminated reticle eyepiece - it doesn't have to be expensive - I have one of these: Svbony 12mm reticle eyepiece This will help ensure the alignment stars are centred in the eyepiece when setting up. It's amazing how far out you can be from centre - especially if using a wider eyepiece. If you pay the £12 licence fee for Sharpcap that enables the polar aligment feature that you can do with your camera -although I am not sure whether an ASI120 on a 8" SCT will give a big enough field of view for this to work. Be aware that the polarscope for the AVX (if you choose to buy one) has limited use because the altitude adjustment knobs prevent you from easily looking through it. I had one, tried to use it twice and sold it on. There is plenty of advice on this forum and elsewhere that you only need to be roughly level.

You can hear the pronunciation on this Svbony youtube clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdOe3Fvfokw I guess it is only difficult for those of us in the western world - Svbony is a Chinese company and its probably just the translation that is awkward for us.

But they don't make the same products. I'd expect to see different versions of any mount - certainly in the software and interface (I own both Celestron and Skywatcher mounts). While they own both brands they seem to run them as separate companies.

I've been fortunate enough to travel to Iceland several times, it is a fantastic place whatever the weather throws at you. Here's my list of practical tips to help you get around - please note that in February there can be a lot of snow and heading north (Myvatn, Akureyri) can be a challenge - expect to have roads blocked and detours because of bad weather. Even in October we have been stranded for a day in Akureyri because the passes out in both directions were blocked with snow. Iceland hints and tips Book accommodation outside large towns and settlements - you can then observe aurora without much travel! Street lights in Reykjavik and Akureri will prevent you from seeing aurora if you are in town. Check weather (and earthquake/volcano) conditions here: https://en.vedur.is/ Driving in Iceland It can be very windy in Iceland! Pay particular attention to the wind forecasts when you are in the south west, travelling towards Vik (or Vik to Reykjavik). The wind can blow the volcanic ash and sand strong enough to damage cars. Hire car companies offer sand and ash cover for this, but it is quite expensive (we paid £17 per day the first time we hired car). We now take out annual car excess insurance with Questar instead https://www.questor-insurance.co.uk/car-hire-insurance which is much cheaper. Outside of Reykjavik the roads are very quiet – even on route 1 you can drive for a while before you see another car as you head north. Iceland has speed cameras which are painted grey and hard to see so pay attention to the speed limit. This is normally 90kph outside built up areas (where it is 50kph). The traffic cameras are mostly found in Route 1 north to Borgarnes and to the west on the way to Vik. Icelandic drivers like to speed and tailgate, so don’t be surprised to find cars zooming up behind you and driving close for a bit before they pull out to overtake! The scenery can be spectacular in Iceland but avoid stopping (especially on route 1) until you can find a stopping point – there are a lot of laybys and picnic areas, especially in the scenic areas. There have a been a lot of accidents with cars getting rear-ended on the main roads. Iceland has a mix of tarmac and gravel roads, and some roads will change from tarmac to gravel – keep an eye out for the sign that indicates this and make sure you slow down before you reach the transition to gravel. You can find this and other signs on the https://safetravel.is/driving website. Some roads are marked ‘F’ roads. You need to check if your car is insured for driving on these roads – generally you need to have a ‘proper’ 4x4 car to go down these. The roads are gravel, may have big potholes and cross rivers. Some of these roads may still be closed as the inland mountain roads do not open until summer. Tolls – the tunnel from Reykjavik to Borgarnes (and vice-versa) is free, but the toll booths have not been taken down. There is a tunnel between Akureyri and Godafoss/Myvatn that reduces the journey time by 15 minutes. You can pay up to a day before and day after your trip https://www.veggjald.is/en/pricing The tunnel was built as the mountain pass is often blocked in winter – we have never used the tunnel – the pass route is quite scenic. Whale Watching It might be a challenge doing this in February - I expect the seas mostly to be too rough for the boats to go out. You may possibly manage this in Akureyri where the trip is in a more sheltered fjord. The main locations for whale watching are Reykjavik, Akureyri and Husavik. You can also do some whale watching trips from the villages on the road north of Akureyri on the way up to Siglufjordur. The main providers are: https://elding.is/tours/whale-watching for Reykjavik and Akureyri https://gentlegiants.is/ for Husavik If you go from Akureyri, you will sail up the fjord which is generally more sheltered and calm if you suffer any seasickness. We have found these to be very effective! https://www.boots.com/stugeron-15-tablets When booking whale watching, I would recommend take the first opportunity that comes along. It can seem calm on shore, but if there has been a storm a day or two previous, the seas might still be too rough for the boats to go out. You also want to check for any cruise ships docking the same time you are in the area – they will normally book up all the places on whale watching boats. Cruise ship calendar – Akureyri - https://port.is/cruise-ships-2/ Cruise ship calendar – Reykjavik - https://www.faxafloahafnir.is/cruiseships/index.php?l=en&w=csyear=2016#2016-9-27 Cruise ship calendar – Husavik - https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-husavik-iceland.html Eating and drinking This is expensive in Iceland! A main course for two is likely to be £50+ before allowing for any drinks. Most service stations (Oli and N1 are the two large chains) have diners attached to them and food there is reasonably priced although nearly always ‘something with chips’. Most places will also serve traditional Icelandic stew (lamb) and a vegetarian option (normally tomato). You can save on wine and beer by going to the duty free off licence in the airport - you will go past this on the way to baggage reclaim. Around Iceland the off-licences are called Vin Budin, are all state owned and only open for a few hours a day outside of Reykjavik. You can find opening hours and locations here: https://www.vinbudin.is/english/home/um_atvr/tabid-2338/visiting-iceland You will also find some very strong beers in these stores. The two main supermarkets are Netto and Bonus. You will recognise Bonus stores by the big pink pig logo! They are a good place to pick up snacks and try some local Icelandic treats. We like Skyr (a strained yoghurt), kleinur (donuts) and Icelandic chocolate. Liquorice is very popular in Iceland and you will often find it mixed with chocolate – Dramur and Apollo lakkris chocolate bars a good place to start! Safety The safety emphasis in Iceland is on personal responsibility, so in some places you will only see signs or roped off areas to mark where you should not go rather than large barriers. There are regular accidents with tourists ignoring these signs to get to the edge of a waterfall/cliff to get a photograph. Please be especially careful at Reynisfjara beach (near Vik) where large, unexpected waves have swept people out to sea. Music for the trip Here are some Icelandic musicians we like! https://olafurarnalds.com/ - you can hear (and see) some of his songs performed at different locations in Iceland here: https://www.islandsongs.is/ http://www.ofmonstersandmen.com/ https://www.asgeirmusic.com/ https://1860.bandcamp.com/album/sagan General Iceland Webcams: https://www.livefromiceland.is/ Traffic webcams: https://www.road.is/travel-info/web-cams/ Icelandic news and events: https://grapevine.is/ and https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/

...and all from Ioptron. Looks like they are really committing to this technology. I wonder when we will see the equivalents from Celestron and Skywatcher? Better still if the increased use of strain wave drives results in prices coming down a bit - I really like the idea of these small, high payload mounts but just can't justify the cost at the moment. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ioptron-mounts/ioptron-hae29-strainwave-azeq-mount.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ioptron-mounts/ioptron-hae43-strain-wave-azeq-mount.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ioptron-mounts/ioptron-haz31-alt-az-strain-wave-mount.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ioptron-mounts/ioptron-haz46-alt-az-strain-wave-mount.html

I use a cable like this for my ASI533 - nylon covered - although I have it in white* to make it easier to see in the dark. Alternatively you could have a look for silicone covered USB cables (there's plenty on Amazon) which retain flexibility in the cold. I have some Lynx silicone power cables which are definitely better than the plastic covered cables they replaced. *I bought white cables after a mishap with a cable snag pulled the camera out of the telescope and onto the floor. Also helps avoid trip hazard if you are running the cables some distance.

Interesting review - it doesn't fair so well against the Nagler 3-6mm. I know it's probably the closest comparison zoom but it does also cost around 3x the price of the Svbony. Ernest does mention that the eyepiece tested is pre-production so maybe the anti-reflective coating and polishing (two of his criticisms) will be addressed in the production model.

It's a listing from Lithuania and shipping from China - so more likely someone drop-shipping and gambling on availability. If they didn't have reasonable feedback I would have said scam.

In the case of the UK, given most goods from China are pricing in dollars, around 26% of the price increase is down to the weaker £. Add in increased shipping costs and it's not too difficult to see where the price rises have come from. In a period of high inflation, you might expect more people to be buying sooner rather than later to avoid further price increases.

Maybe it's just me, but that looks more like observing from a hot tub!

I have taken telescope sized camera lenses as carryon without any issue. I wouldn't expect a problem with a telescope.

These are guides for removing and putting back a corrector place. @Westmoorland needs a guide for replacing a broken corrector plate with a new one.

I've just checked - you can't buy kindle books through the App on iPhone and iPad either - you have to use the website. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GDZF9S2BRW5NWJCW

What device where you trying to buy from? If using the Amazon app on android, you can no longer buy digital content as Amazon have to pay 30% to Google (a condition of the Play store). The same may be true of Apple - however on that same device if you go to the Amazon website using the browser you can purchase digital content.