ED Splitter

I have the 100ED. It was the first scope that i bought. I had a good but limited budget that had to include a mount. It is good value, the extras are worth a few hundred pounds, which makes the scope appear good value for money. The 28mm let is ok and I’m in no real rush to upgrade it. I considered a similar scope like you but the budget couldn’t cope. As said in previous response, if you have those extras already then they hold no value and inflate the scope price to potentially diminishing returns. I will say the scope is no slouch and has wowed C127 users who got me into astronomy with views of the moon and planets. It is slow and long, that may hinder photography if that’s your thing. I’m purely visual so it doesn’t bother me. If you want to travel with the scope you may consider overall size for dark sky viewing. One further good point for the ED is that it cools down very quickly. There’s a good overview of the scope by Ed Ting on YouTube, he’s probably reviewed your other choice as well. best of luck with your purchase. Don’t think you can go wrong with either.

Not sure what I’m admiring most, your doors, the scope or the view. how long does the scope take to cool down?

Interesting thread. I think the more we pollute our view of the stars the more we loose a natural connection with science. in terms of a move to better lighting, similar to the approach of nuisance rather than astronomy, you’re better going after improvements for reasons of ecology. The leds used are near white light in spectrum and disrupt birds, bats etc. New developments near roosting or foraging corridors are required to install lighting schemes that don’t disrupt these animals night time foraging. Ecology and astronomy interests would make good bedfellows.

Nice. Any chance of a quick user report on this. Curious about click lock as I improve my eyepieces the load gets heavier and I have noticed some drift in thumb screw lock. Wonder if click lock would address this.

Great write up. Thanks for sharing.

Hello and welcome. How are the clouds doing where you are?

Oh yes, evenings start and end with the zoom now. I was a bit skeptical about buying one. Then a large number came up on eBay and one at a very good price. I checked FLO reviews and the one that sold me was the one that referenced it as being a good hunting eyepiece. I would never have found M2 without this zoom. It was my first proper eyepiece, moon views are spectacular and convenient. Will not hesitate on baader for future purchase.

Great write up. What mount set up are you using? I’m after a dark sky rig as a project, not as luxurious as this scope wise but I am a bit stuck on mounts. thanks.

Playing catch-up. I managed to get out on Tuesday. Saturn was the main draw as I could see it over the neighbours garage at11:20pm. First time seeing it this year. Great viewing conditions, first time using a mk4 baader zoom on planets using my SW100ed. Wish I’d bought one sooner. 8mm was plenty and to my eye I could see the Cassini division and an accompanying moon. I tried a vixen ssv 5mm but the atmosphere was a bit wobbly. If Saturn was higher 5mm might have been ok. Whilst I waited for Jupiter I hunted and found M2. Easier to hunt with a zoom, haven’t quite mastered the swapping of eyepieces with those pesky barrel safety cuts. Later on saw Jupiter and 4 Galilean moons and Andromeda. Whilst waiting for my first ever view of Mars I cruised through the night sky just noodling around when the patio doors opened and I looked to see my wife standing there asking me if I knew what time it was. Genuinely thought it was approaching one am. I was told in no uncertain terms it was after two… eek. Time flies and all that. Anyway being on borrowed time and all I picked up the scope and I know what you’re thinking but no I didn’t go inside I scarpered down the bottom of the garden where I knew I could spot Mars on the other side of the neighbours garage. It was orange and blurry and lacked any detail at all but it was my first sight of Mars through a telescope and it was glorious. I finally did it. Only Mercury left to get on my planetary bingo card. Anyway couple of minutes on Mars and I called it a night/morning. 4 hours later I was woken up by 4YO, took a day to recover. Only just been forgiven and then today I new eyepiece arrived… Mars part 2 coming soon. ps. Hope these rambly posts are acceptable and if not that they are at least entertaining.

Playing catch-up. Two new to me eye pieces. only managed first light with baader zoom, incredible views of the moon, Saturn, Jupiter and a fuzzy Mars. Plays well with a BST 2xbarlow.

Many thanks all. Fingers crossed for clear skies.

Hi all, Been lurking for sometime but thought I would join the community and say hello. I got my first scope last November as a big anniversary number ticked over on the birth certificate. My interests are visual only and inspiring my children about the universe. I look forward to talking to you all about my various degrees of astronomical ignorance. Thanks.