malgpz900

Yeah, tried that. Thanks for your suggestion.

Pros and cons of EQ over Dobsonian mounts. TIA Malcolm.

Might be better off starting your own post in the relevant section.

Yeah, knob comes off. Checked that first before I bought it. Thanks, Malcolm.

I've gone for the Lacerta dual focus upgrade. Thanks for all your suggestions. Malcolm.

Yeah that the one I've been looking at. Unfortunately I cannot get into the classifieds yet, I have enough posts. Malcolm

Thanks, which one did you go for?

Thanks, which on did you go for?

I've noticed quite a few discussion on upgrading the focuser to dual speed. What are your thoughts please? TIA Malcolm.

Think we have had 3 cloudless night skies since we bought our telescope. Got some good views of the moon. Upgraded eps, raci finder scope. Need some clear skies tonstart using it. Thinking of going to a meeting tonight of local astronomical club for their talk for begginers, should be interesting. Malcolm.

Welcome.

Yeah, that what I'm already using. OK on a hard surface, don't know what it will be like on grass. Probably over thinking a problem I may not have. I'll see how well the RACI finder scope works and take it from there.

Got it sussed with a bit of lateral thinking. Photos to follow.

I'm slowly going through the suggestions on various posts to improve use of our 8" dob. RACI finderscope on it's way, hopefully save our backs. Got some decent ep's, 2x barlow and moon filter. I've also seen discussions on raising the hight of the whole instrument. Some screwing 3 legs to the bottom plate of the lazy susan and some standing the whole unit on a water butt stand. I'm a bit reluctant to make any permanent alterations while it's still under warranty, but the water bases seem quite a bit smaller than the 52cm diameter of the base. At present OK with viewing on the patio, sitting on a workshop stool but concerned with how well the base would stand up to being positioned on wet grass and not having something to sit one. TIA, Malcolm.

Thanks. Got the phone apps Sky Walk 2 and Stellarium, also got the book Turn left at Orion. I think we just need to be patient and learn. Thanks, Malcolm.

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions. We did comment after buying the scope that we probably bought it at the wrong time of the year to expect good results. We will spend the time getting used to it, viewing the moon, in anticipation of the darker skies to come. Malcolm.

Yeah, on the UK light pollution map we are in Bortle 5 area. We did spend about 30 mins outside and our eyes did become accustomed to the dark. We are in the middle of an estate, back garden pointing south, with limited east and west viewing. I think it just down the wife being disappointed with searching stars, expecting better viewing. Probably because those who recommended did say they could see quite alot of objects that the huge telescope in the observatory could see. Dare say its all relative depending on the quality of equipment.

We think we identified Vega and Altair, but viewing was disappointing. Don't think we got anywhere near viewing DSO's. Malcolm.

Sky-Watcher 200P as recommended by staff at Kielder Observatory as a good starter telescope, two of whom own one. SVbony 8-24 zoom, 2x barlow & moon filter. Clear sky last night so was able to start viewing. Got some good views of the moon, the rest where just blurs in the distance, that was about it. Are we expecting too much from this set-up. TIA, Malcolm.

Went for the Svbony 8-24mm and Svbony 2x barlow. See how they go.

Contacted retailer, who said not to worry with it being to back of the mirror, non-critical for optics. Sending my photos to Sky-Watcher to get their comments. He did have a look at the one on display in the shop, which he recons is worse than mine. Watch this space. Malcolm.

New, contacted seller.

Arrived yesterday, building/setting up today. I've noticed surface scratches on the rear of the primary mirror. Acceptable?

Many thanks, plenty to think about.

Thoughts on zoom eyepieces please. Looking at options. Sky-Watcher 200P. TIA. Malcolm.