starsailor70

Here is another very good interactive map: https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=3.58&lat=46.0357&lon=18.2110&state=eyJiYXNlbWFwIjoiTGF5ZXJCaW5nUm9hZCIsIm92ZXJsYXkiOiJ3YV8yMDE1Iiwib3ZlcmxheWNvbG9yIjpmYWxzZSwib3ZlcmxheW9wYWNpdHkiOjYwLCJmZWF0dXJlc29wYWNpdHkiOjg1fQ== At my end, I am willing to put up with some LP, but Los Angeles, California, is a lost cause (Bortle 7-8 skies). As you can see on the map above, it is as bright as one can imagine. Even a subjective look above at night nets less than probably a dozen stars, and there's no way to dark adapt the eyes (at least where I live). In times like these, I really do feel good for those among you who have observatories built in your yard. I personally have to drive at leat two hours to good Bortle 2 or 1 skies; would definitely be more accommodating of LP if I had an observatory in the backyard. Then I would be able to try out filters over time rather than spend it packing for 2-5 hour drives to a dark site. That said, Death Valley and Mojave are pristine observing spots and I am grateful to know those areas still exist out in this neck of the neighborhood.

Excellent, that's what I was hoping for. It's a great product and the smoothness of the focusing is something else. Thank you.

Thanks for chiming in Mike. I do not think it is "broken" and share you view that this is how it works, given that it focuses fine with no problems whatsoever. But the knobs can keep turning even if the thumbscrews are tightened and I guess I need to get used to this.

Hello Stargazers, Am relatively new here, so I am posting some questions regarding the GSO focuser recently purchased for my Celestron C6R 150mm refractor. The purchase was for a new item, not a second-hand item. After installing the GSO, upon trying out the main focuser (not yet the fine focuser on the right side) I noticed that even with the focus lock thumbscrew tightened, the focuser can still turn (see attached a diagram from the site I purchased the focuser). Trying another mode, I loosened the focus lock thumbscrew but tightened the tension of the tension control thumbscrew instead and still the focuser was able to spin. Coming from a rack and pinion focuser, the focuser will not be able to move if the the lock thumbscrew is tightened. Now, with both loosened, the drawtube can of course move back and forth as I turn the focuser and the fine focuser. But tightening any of the screws, or both, will still allow the focuser knobs to turn even though the drawtube stays put. In other words, the focuser knobs can always turn even with one or both thumbscrews tightened. Is this normal? Thanks for any inputs coming this way. Sincerely, Jack

Thanks for your inputs. I use binoculars with my spouse and for her it works great. However, I can never fully merge anything I look at, in spite of perfect focus, and some folks from the searches I have done have noted that if you are unable to get an image to merge with a binocular, then it will be difficult to do so with binoviewers. I have yet to be able to verify this as I have yet to make it out to any star parties lately to see how well binoviewers work. Maybe I will start with less pricey units and see how they perform. For now, I have been using an eye patch, intermittently switching between eyes when I view. Surprisingly this reduces much eye fatigue. I never view without them.

Hello Stargazers, Aside from first post to say hello over a year ago, this is my first ever question on this forum, yay! Do many members here use binocular viewers? I have a wonderful achro that I use for deep sky (Celestron C6R at 150mm f/8) and over the years it has been a wonderful companion. Rather than let it gather dust when I one day get myself an apo, I was hoping to diversify its use by getting a bino viewer. I hear pros and cons, the former being that you get a super 3d experience; the cons are that it weighs the end down further, somewhat dims the object being viewed, as well as requiring the viewer to have two identical EPs for viewing sessions (I don't mind the first and third conditions, however). Thanks for your input in advance.

Thanks for your well wishes good people. Hoping to see you on all our different forums. ✌️🤓✌️

Hello Everyone, Am new here and just joined yesterday. Looking forward to hearing what our friends across the pond have to say about viewing. Am returning to the hobby after a few years' hiatus and should hopefully be able to offer my 2 cents on reflectors and refractors (but will likely have more questions than answers :0) Many thanks to you, your site, and clear skies. starsailor70