John

What scope will you be using the eyepiece in ?

The GPD is a heavier duty version with higher load capacity. I recently had the GP mount and found that the Skywatcher EQ5 motor drives fitted straight onto it. I used this set: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/enhanced-dual-axis-dc-motor-drives-for-eq-5.html Not GOTO of course but at least you can plug an autoguider into it. This is less expensive but no autoguider connection: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-mount-upgrade-kits/dual-axis-dc-motor-drive-for-eq5.html These are a lot less expensive than the Vixen drive systems although the quality is less as well. They do work though. I did not image with the mount although I'm sure it is capable in the right hands.

I'd like to try one of those again. It's been a long time since FLO loaned me one to compare with the Nagler 31 and the UWAN / Nirvana 28mm - 11 years in fact During the intervening period Pentax / Ricoh have dropped the 2 inch XW's, the used prices sky rocketed, and then recently they re-launched them again ! If the time ever comes when I decide that I want to settle on a single range of eyepieces for all my scopes / needs, I strongly suspect the XW series would be "it"

I came across this one a while back: doublestarlist.pdf This database is good as well: https://www.stelledoppie.it/index2.php?section=1

I really like that minimal look. No fuss, no cables, just plonk it down and get observing

I used to worry a bit but I figure that these instruments are made to be used so the Tak gets lots of use. It's probably my most used refractor. It's not an ornament

I find that 200x - 250x is needed, if the conditions (the seeing) allows that to be used. Mars is very small now and getting smaller so seeing any details on it is pretty challenging. A cooled and colimated scope is essential and lots of patience !

The last couple of nights I've been out I've used practically all my eyepieces from 31mm down to 2.5mm. The range of targets seems to be hugely varied currently from tight double stars and fine lunar detail to expansive star clusters. I would say that the eyepieces that have seen most use in recent sessions are: - 13mm Ethos - 4.7mm Ethos - Nagler 2-4mm zoom - 7.2mm - 21.5mm zoom today for solar observing. When the galaxy hunting grounds of Leo and Virgo are on show then I may well find that a single or pair of eyepieces carry me through a whole session with my 12 inch dobsonian. Usually those are the 21mm and 8mm Ethos.

You are quite right. I tend to post quite quickly at times and my memory plays tricks on me sometimes NGC 7662 it is !

Took advantage of a nice sunny morning to get the Herschel Wedge on the Tak FC100-DL and to have a look at the Sun. There are 3 active regions currently on the disk as shown in the Solar Monitor white light image below. Although the sunspots associated with these are small they have some nice details when observed at higher magnifications. I found 125x worked quite well under todays conditions. I'm not a frequent observer of our nearest star but it's nice to be able to take a safe peek now and then and the solar activity does seem to be increasing again My rather basic mobile phone snap shows the refractor + diagonal view so E & W reversed compared with the Solar Monitor view.

I hope you enjoy the scope when you get it I had the Takahashi 6x30 finder with my FC100-DL when I bought it but though it is a wonderful finder, I find a humble 6x30 Skywatcher was much more comfortable to use. The seller should have told you about the crack in the eyepiece lens of that finder - it is quite a large one

Observed this one tonight with the ED120. That 20mm additional aperture makes a difference - got a clear split at 257x and 300x

You can see why some folks changed tack from planetary observing a few years back Still, I'm not a specialist so I'll take whatever I can get. Very useful chart Stu

I'd like to apologize for the above fib I got tempted by all those shiny things gleaming in the sky

It could be good here tonight but I'm not getting a scope out. It's a hobby and I've learned that I enjoy it much more when I don't feel I have to do it whenever it's clear. Takes the pressure off Have fun if you are out though

Yep, definitely

A few of the brighter nebulae will be visible but with the moon in the sky they will not be at their best by any means. Planetary nebulae seem to "survive" moonlight the best. The Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392) in Gemini is well placed at the moment. The Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) in Draco is also worth hunting down as is the Blue Snowball Nebula (NGC 2662) in Andromeda. During the late spring the Ring Nebula (M57) and Dumbbell Nebula (M27) will be on show of course and they are possible with some moonlight around. Currently well placed, the Crab Nebula (Messier 1) is a supernova remnant but it does not like a moonlit sky really. Messier 78 is in Orion and a reflection nebula but again, moonlight is not it's friend. If you want to go further afield there is NGC 604 which is an immense star forming HII region in another galaxy, Messier 33. The trick is to find M33 first though, and that is tricky with any moonlight in the sky. Nebulae are not the best targets in a moonlit sky but some are worth looking out

Some great detail there. You have caught the Hadley Rille and the Apollo 15 landing site on one of them !

So glad you are pleased with the scope. It looks just great on the AZ-4. Just the sort of setup that will get lots, and lots, and lots of use

Having fiddled around with mine all afternoon I've decided to live with the 40 degree AfoV. Assuming that the 9x magnification is correct that is a true field of 4.4 degrees which is usable combined with the reticules displayed by my Rigel Quikfinder. The problem I found is getting other eyepiece designs field stops anywhere near the focal plane of the finder objective. I can see why the manufacturer needed the odd low profile eyepiece attachment arrangement now.

Nice report and pics Paul The moon did look very nice last night as your photos show.

I use the Rigel and I've owned a couple of Telrads. The Rigel stays dew free a little longer in it's stock state and it's easy to make a simple dew cover for it from a small piece of cardboard. I had an add on dew shield / RA mirror attachment for the Telrads which was a bit of a fiddle but did work. Last night was quite dewy though. Even my primary mirror got fogged up at the end of my session, and that practically never happens here. I had to keep the optical finder capped when not using it to keep the dew at bay on that. I was playing with filters last night as well with my 12 inch dob, comparing filterless vs UHC vs O-III vs H-beta on Messier 42. Still think I prefer filterless on balance but it's interesting to see different portions of the nebula responding in different ways to the filters.

Good to see others are getting this one. I was going to try last night but the seeing went milky and my dob mirror (unusually) fogged up at about 1:30 am. I would have had another hour to wait and was struggling to see mag 9.5 galaxies under the conditions so I beat a retreat. Hopefully I'll get another chance over the next few days.

Glad you had a positive 1st experience. Sitting down when observing can help hold the eye position steady. Some people use a ironing seat or even a drummers stool.

I'm just having a look at my Celestron illuminated reticule RACI. I use this with my 12 inch dobsonian. Now I look at it the AFoV of the eyepiece is narrow - about 40 degrees I reckon, comparing it with a plossl. On mine the eyepiece optics are held in a section that screws up and down in a body which contains the element with the etched cross hairs on and which the illuminator illuminates though a side port. Is this like yours Michael ?