John

The Bresser 127L, like it's Meade forebears, has a push pull collimation system built into the objective cell design. Moonlite focusers come with tilt adjustment screws but I agree that most refractor focusers don't and need to be shimmed or have their attachment point screws tweaked if their optical axis is not square with that of the objective. The optical axis of the focuser is the first thing you check and, if needed, sort out in refractor collimation, before going on to check the tilt of the objective lens.

With my 12 inch I flocked a section of the upper tube wall opposite the focuser / behind the secondary and also about 18 inches of the bottom end of the tube immediately above the primary mirror. I also find using a light shield at the top end of the scope important in keeping unwanted light off the secondary and the inward end of the focuser when I'm using the scope at home where there are a few stray light issues. NB: Mine is not a GSO, sorry

I've collimated quite a few doublet refractors, including a Bresser 127L. If the star test is good then don't worry about it. If not then I'd be happy to post about the process. A well collimated laser collimator and a cheshire eyepiece are very useful tools to have during the process. Some refractors incorporate collimation adjustment in their objective lens cell design and some don't. The Bresser, as I recall, does, The Altair probably not although the mechanical tolerances of the Altair are likely to be higher which will, hopefully, mean that it's collimation will not need adjustment.

Great report and photo Dave Re: "The Propeller", I used to think I was seeing it as an asterism created by the star chains that appear to spread outwards from the core of the cluster but then I realised that the feature is actually created by dark lanes, ie: slightly sparser areas of the cluster and is rather off centre. I find it a lot easier to pick out with my 12 inch dob where the contrast and resolution of the cluster is that much richer and brighter.

But we all know how accurate quoted specs are, don't we A side by side comparison will show an AFoV difference but may well remain mute on the actual optical configuration. A nice little project for someone

Not unless you are really desperate to have the Bresser branding on it: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-eyepieces/stellalyra-8-24mm-1-25-inch-lanthanum-zoom-eyepiece.html

Here is my old WO one. Of course the glass types / coatings / baffling / field stop might be different now. Hope they are !

I'm sure it's pretty good (the advanced one). Like a lot or products that are coming out now, under various brandings, I feel that I've see it somewhere before I have one of the 2nd one that you link to at the back of my astro cupboard - mine is identical but branded William Optics. I've had it for years. The AFoV at the longer FL end of the version that I have is not 40 degrees though - not much above 30 as far as I can see.

With most of these wide angle, long eye relief ranges, the shorter focal lengths are the longest in physical size. Pentax XW's: With the ES 92 / 17mm (and the 12mm) it is not just the physical size - they are very heavy as well. I would not want to use an eyepiece heavier than the ES 92 / 17mm.

It would be very interesting to compare the 17.5 Morpheus with these:

I really must try a Morpheus sometime

I saw a couple last night, during the clear spells. The let down from these displays becomes an annual feature of this hobby I've found The surprise sporadic ones are generally more rewarding / exciting

These were my 1st half-decent eyepieces - .965 inch and I was very proud of them in the 1980's. Unitron's and Vixen's

There is one step between where I store my scopes (dining room !) and my observing spot (patio). The distance is just 3 metres so the short carry in 2 parts from inside to outside is quite practical. Once set up I can move all my rigs a short distance around the back garden in one piece to dodge trees / houses etc. If I stored my scopes in a garage / shed / conservatory which was level with where I observe I agree that some sort of wheels would be a good idea

What scope do you have on it ? If the tube is quite long, fore and aft balance is quite important to getting smooth elevation (altitude) adjustment.

Got clouded out here just before the transit action started. By the time I turned in it was clear as a bell again of course ! Glad some of you got some nice views though

Interesting idea but too much tech involved for me. The way I want to do things now (as I did last night) is with simple, un-driven alt-azimuth mounts, quick setup, look at stuff that I can find myself for as long as the conditions allow, than pack away quickly when done. Having been at this for around 40 years now I guess I have learned what makes it work for me as a hobby and I'm happy to stick with that now. Probably I am a "dinosaur". My wife and kids certainly think so

My best split last night was Zeta Hercules. 1.47 arc seconds but quite uneven brightness. I've been following it over the years and have seen the PA change noticably. It used to be an "on the edge" challenge for my ED120 but practice has made it a little easier now and the 130mm triplet gives an wonderful view of the pair. The seeing lower down was quite mediocre though. I'll have a look at Tau Oph next time out.

Similar experiences here with the gas giants Mark. Seeing could have been a bit better but still enjoyable. Clouded out now though so the transit of Io will have to happen with one onlooker less

Good seeing at the moment with the 130mm refractor again (1st time for a while actually ). Getting something similar again on Dubhe. 400x is holding up quite well. The "dome" of the secondary star on the side of the primary seems a distinctive mid-grey tone compared with the primaries pale golden (to my eye) tint. In terms of resolution I guess it's somewhere between "elongated" and "resolved" on the illustration below. "Partially Notched" perhaps ? Not a "split" though.

Generally clear currently but quite a lot of cloud masses billowing around the horizons. I'll make the most of the clear bits !. Seeing is steady. Transparency moderate.

No luck for you tonight ?

I thought the objective and coatings on the 1st generation TAL 100 (RT) were a little better than the later one that I owned but the early version focuser has limited travel and is 1.25 inch only while the later versions were a big improvement in that department. On balance I think the later version would be the one to go for.

Hoping that the sky stays clear for some gas giant observing later. TMB/LZOS 130mm F/9.2 triplet on the T-Rex mount:

I've just owned 2 Radians - a 4mm and a 3mm. This was a few years ago now. I enjoyed using them although I did find that the 4mm handling of off axis light when observing the bright lunar limb rather odd. They were sharp, well made and comfortable to use though.