ismangil

And here's the link to buy AN June 2023 if you're not a subscriber https://shop.astronomynow.com/product/an-june-2022/ I just bought the digital version, and Ade's review of D2 is favourable:

"I consider the results, processed  with the freeware ASIStudio and  Siril, to be amazing given the  instrument’s small aperture and the  very unfavourable conditions. The D2 is one of the best conceived  and implemented imaging devices  I’ve encountered in a long while."

Also: Hi SGL, good to be back. It was D2 that just might tempt me back to stargazing!

Hey nice blast from the past... I participated  in this thread almost 9 years ago now 😮

I've sort of gone off stargazing, I still got all my stuff. Maybe I should resurrect it 🤔

Baz, 

This is a blast from the past. Nice reminder I was once up to 950 posts here! 

I only sold my 12mm BST to move to 82 deg :-)

Emailed RVO to recommend a 3x barlow, received reply a few hours later recommending Antares. Proceeded to order, with only £3 shipping, item arrived promptly the day after.

Recommended.

You shouldn't have to align if you only want to track. Just say "No" to the alignment query.

Evan

This is for AZ GOTO. Re reading page 12, it does mention auto tracking can be started by leveling ota, pointing it north.

Just a note on PAE - according to the manual, the data is stored even when you switch the mount off. However this is only useful if you park your scope and do not move it between session.

Probably worth clearing the PAE data as part I your alignment routine unless you have a permanent set up.

Clear skies

Paul

Now this I didn't know!

So it is true moving the scope in and out is really a hassle then.

And also I found out that to track you need to align first. Why couldn't it be like the autotrack version then?

Thanks to this thread, I can now report this works flawlessly with Skywatcher AZ GOTO:

Only one component needed to buy, the bluetooth adapter. The gender changer comes free with it. Cable is from the telescope.

However I do need to buy usb serial adapter as the bluetooth needs changing Baud rate and that can only be done using serial.

Is there an easy way to tell a good set from a bad set whilst in the shop?

Sent from tapatalk

Well you can open it in the car park, use the steps detailed above from Stephen website, then you can immediately come in again!

Very true about sky conditions. Even at a dark site if there is alot of moisture in the air DSO's are a nightmare. Aperture comes way behind dark skies and sky conditions. Everything is against us in this country, big scope or not!

Which is why, on the rare occasions of good seeing we need big aperture to make the most of it

Even if you avoid the Aperture Fever, look out for the following:

- Imaging Syndrome, also called Mount Madness where you will beg borrow or steal for 10,000 upwards dollar mount.

- Lens Disease in the refractor world, where you go for doublet triplet quadruplets

- Widefield Wobble, where the initial TV and the mention 100 degree view will make your skip a beat.

ha ha nice idea Perry but no time at the minute. funnily enough though I was talking about something similar with my father in law the other day so you never know......

Next best thing then, sell the plans!

Shane,

Resurrecting this thread...

I'm currently looking to buy a Dob mount for my recently purchased used OoUK Newtonian... The obvious choice of buying their £200+ mount does not appeal to me

If you supply these in kit form, I can probably do the assembling, gluing, tacking etc.

So how about it, sell these mounts!

I've recently come across this piece on the web written by Alan MacRobert from the well known and respected astronomy magazine Sky & Telescope. It is well worth a read if you are thinking of getting into the hobby - ideally before you leap in and buy a telescope :

http://www.wwnorton.com/college/astronomy/astro21/sandt/startright.html

This is a real gem of an article. I have followed this to the letter. I am now at no 6 and determined not to jump to no 7 until I know what I want out of a scope.