jamesc96

Is the comet visible with the moon being what it is at the moment? Or are all these sightings after moonset.

View of Mars last night at approximately 10pm (Ireland)

Also keep an eye out for local astronomy events and just use the same location at a different time

I've just started, but looking at light pollution maps and then finding mountains/hiking routes within dark spots. I've found that popular mountains for hiking often have a car park nearby and these are perfect to observe from. They are normally without street lights and no one is around at night.

I've accepted portability is more hassle than it's worth. I've just bought the skywatcher steel tripod. I might cut down the legs at some point but not for a while. All the portable tripods suggested arent much narrower than it and that was my main gripe. Thanks for all the suggestions I'll definitely keep them in mind if I ever get a lighter scope.

Update I would not recommend a cheap tripod for this setup. It is far too unstable and flexible to be used. The heritage 150p + az5 is too heavy. Unusable once any breeze picks up (never ending wobbles). The vibrations from using the slo-motion controls weren't awful though. Maybe on an perfect night it would be passable but how many of those are there? I've now forgotten about portability and have bought a skywatcher steel tripod and will just have to deal with the size/weight. Maybe I'll cut the legs down a bit in future if I find that it is steady enough already to risk doing that.

That tripod looks very aesthetic when cut down! Do you think it would be able to deal with higher magnification at all? I am not very fussy. I know 3+ seconds to steady is generally considered poor, but my current photo tripod takes infinity seconds when the winds pick up even a little.

This is a good idea. The steel tripod would still be no good though since its width is also a problem for me. How have you found the AZ3 tripod? It seems to get a lot of stick here but looks like it could pack down quite flat.

Im very keen on observation at both high and low power so maybe I will give the mini a miss.

I tried a skywatcher steel tripod today at my local store but it was way too big to load on the bike. So the small tripods are my only option. I'll have a look at the leofoto now. I've been looking at manfrottos too since everyone recommends them but I'm not sure if I'll gain much more stability over my own cheap camera tripod. My original (simplistic) thinking about the berlebach was that wood = stable/no vibration but I guess there's more factors to consider than just that.

I see now, it is definitely a more reasonable size but the load capacity goes down from 15kg to 5kg according to their website.

I didn't see a large version, I'll look now. The one that's selling in my location is the one that has a max height of 36cm

I have an az5 mount

In what way wouldn't it work? I really have to emphasize the size of my chair, it's about 20cm from the ground. Edit: nevermind, just seeing your other reply now

Has anyone experience with using a berlebach Mini with a reflector? They are much cheaper than the larger versions. I have a heritage 150p reflector and need a very portable tripod (traveling by motorbike). Since I use a short camping chair when viewing I was thinking the berlebach could be perfect. Additional info: The weight of my scope + mount + eyepiece would be roughly 6.5kgs

An update on this for anyone who might need it in the future. Ive only tested in daytime so far due to weather but I've noticed that there is considerable flex in the tripod legs when doing anything with the scope (focusing/moving). The scope will wobble fairly aggressively for about 5 seconds at 150x. This does not seem to be a issue with the tripod weight as the feet do not move, but simply flex in the cheap tripod legs themselves. Once a target is located and adequate focus is found (this part is difficult due to the wobble), I can use the slo-mo controls and the problem is reduced significantly. Maybe 2-3 seconds wobble and not nearly as violent. With practice maybe even less. I believe the issue is manageable and is worth the portability I've gained. However I would DEFINITELY not recommend a similar setup without slo-mo as it was the lifesaver here. I'm very very glad I did not go for the AZ4. I will update again as soon as I get a chance to track Jupiter or Saturn!

It looks like the key word is ED. Searching "ED Eyepiece 8mm" for example shows up a few different brands like TS and also Artesky which looks identical too. Thanks!

Are there any other alternate brandings for the Starguiders? I'm located in Ireland so would like to know of alternatives that are easier to ship here than the BSTs.

Hi All, It seems clear that the 8mm is the most worthy of the lot and that a larger 32mm plossl is worth it too. If I had my way, based on what's been said I would buy a 8mm, 12mm and a 18mm (the very helpful @Tiny Clanger messaged and recommend the 18 for the heritage & DSOs) and also a 32mm plossl. However, I've found an online sale of the the 8, 15 and 18 together for a very good price so I am going to snap it up and see how I get on! I was extremely tempted by the Nirvana's after the suggestion of @wulfrun . But unfortunately can't justify the cost right now and would like to steer clear of Barlows for the moment. Maybe next year. Thanks everyone!

Hi, I recently purchased the skywatcher heritage 150p and would like some help choosing new EP sizes. I have only tested in daylight so far at distant objects due to weather. The stock 25 seems fine, but the 10mm seems very difficult to use. It is impossible for me to get close enough without my eyelashes touching the glass (even though it says long eye relief on the eyepiece?). Since they are affordable and well thought of here I'd like to try the starguiders. Should I just buy a 10mm to replace the stock, or buy an 8mm and/or 12mm due to their great reviews. I'm asking here because I have no clue about what eyepiece models/sizes work well with a particular telescope. EDIT: I already have the 5mm BST ordered for planetary, it just hasn't arrived yet. Thanks!

If you haven't tried the BBC sky at night magazine I think it's laid out very well and consistently has interesting articles that aren't too scientific. A great amateur mag altogether. It also has a brilliant pull-out sky guide.

I plan on being seated on a not-so-tall camping chair while observing so this gives me hope that the cheap option will work. The central column will definitely not be raised and the legs barley extended like StarryEyed said would help. Plus I already have 10kg+ worth of weight (my camping pack) that can be added to the hook or separator. Everything is ordered now and I'll give an update on how I get on in a few weeks!

I've decided to test out the cheaper setup but I feel like you will be correct and I won't have a great time, especially because I want to spend some time on planetary views with higher mags Better to lug a heavy tripod and have good results than to have an easy hike but be disappointed later I'm sure.

The ota weight of the heritage is already 3.6kg so it will probably be too heavy based on what you've said. I might try it anyway and see how it goes since I will likely be buying the SW steel tripod and az5 separately. Ill just hold off on the tripod until I've tested the setup. Thanks!

Hi, New here so hello to everyone :) I'm wondering if it is the weight of aluminum tripods that make them unstable or simply the design itself? I am asking because I own a cheap camera tripod that allows the adding of additional weight via a hook underneath. I am getting a skywatcher heritage 150p very soon and looking to get an AZ5 (mount only). My thinking is the tripod normally supplied with that mount may be no better than my own that can be weighted. I have two main considerations. 1) Weight/portability as I will be hiking with the setup. My tripod is very light and compact. 2) $$$ (this is not as important as weight or performance though) Finally, the tripod looks to have a 1/4" screw. Am I correct in assuming I can buy a 3/8 adapter and an AZ5 will fit? Thanks!