lvan

Buy the talentcell.

9 hours ago, Dave Matison said:

By booster, do you mean an extender?  Good idea. 

Sure, booster/extender/power line adapter, etc…

Try the HC in the aux and see if that works. Alternatively, consider a wifi booster.

With a wide range of affordable telescopes readily available, I feel the modern astronomer probably appreciates the idea of binoculars later in the hobby.

When flying abroad, the base flat packs easily and takes minimal space with check in luggage. OTA on board obviously. Got Heritage, can travel!

Oops, i see my suggestion has come a little late!

On 21/08/2021 at 18:12, MiladyB said:

I'm curious as to how people transport their dobs. 

I'm taking my Heritage 150p on a little trip and have been working out how best to secure and protect it in the car.

I've seen photos of the larger ones buckled in like passengers in the back seat.

I'm used to musical instruments being lugged around in padded or hard cases, so I was really surprised as a newbie that so many OTAs don't have them as a standard accessory!

MiladyB x

Wrap it in some hoodies or towels, use some socks in between the tube focuser if there's any play, put it in a back pack and find a spot to sensibly shove it amongst the luggage in the boot. You could always put it in a box if you're feeling overly precious.

Any newbie reading this thread will soon be uploading pictures in the "show us your frac" section!

On 28/09/2022 at 08:19, uk_friendly_fire said:

How do I reduce the brightness and see more detail. Is it a matter of increasing magnification or using a filter of some kind of both?

Upping the mag will do the trick. You're currently viewing at 20x, so the image will be very bright. A BST 5mm will put you at 100x which, should help significantly. Fwiw, i've been using an 8mm plossl with a barlow for planetary views in my 600mm length scope.

Wow, now you can tell everyone you've got a big one, bet the wife is chuffed to bits!

9 minutes ago, SthBohemia said:

OK  Ivan, I am simply a minimalist 

Me too, hence i also use 3 EP's and...a barlow! There, i said it!

A Heritage 130/150 is made for this. The collapsed tube of my 130p is 40cm long, 22cm at its widest point and 3kg's. It's the only time i use a backpack. You could also try transporting it in the original box if you had it.

Sorry if i missed it but what scope were you using?

Should've known better than to mention the B-word around these parts... I believe a barlowed 20mm plossl bests a 10mm regardless of scope type. A barlow can be the cornerstone of the budget conscious eyepiece collection. The addition of 2 carefully chosen ep's and a barlow will give 6 useful magnifications that cover all requirements from finder to planetary, with items available to purchase immediately, within budget. One can then work out what they do or do not like before any further expenditure. You don't have to pay the earth to view the cosmos.

9pm Tues. Vixen ED80SF on eq3-2 with eq5 tripod. Had to raise the tripod close to maximum extension to clear horizon. Still solid and sturdy, tripod upgrade win! Used the flip mirror diagonal in straight thru mode for comfortable viewing on garden chair. Viewed Saturn and Jupiter, sharp at 100x and ok at 150x. Used a wixey to adjust my alt and maneuvered above Mirach to view Andromeda first at 25x, then 50x. Nice.

As has been mentioned, firm fingers, maybe pliers with some rubber to cushion or a rubber mallet and a curved surface to gently bang against. You might find something around the house to use. You've got this! You can do this!

Considering you have an HEQ5 ,the danger with the 127 is it may not be "serious" enough for you and would only serve as a fund draining stop gap. People have used 3x barlows with their ed80's to great effect on planets. You could experiment with this in the meantime whilst you save for the right scope for you.

A collimation cap may be all you need. It's about a fiver and a good choice for a beginner.

I like the idea of a budget zoom but not with the 8se as the fov is narrow at longer focal lengths, which isn't ideal for this scope.

Nice scope! If i were you, i'd check out the Astro Essentials range on FLO and get the 32mm and 20mm super plossls as well as the barlow. 

This would give sharp views with good eye relief and useful magnifications of: 64x 81x 102x 127x 163x and 203x

The cost would be around £80 including shipping.

8 hours ago, Ags said:

What kind of telescope are you using?

Currently an ED80 f7.5, 200p f5 and 130p f5.

Since I seem to have accumulated numerous Super 25’s, I use them for daytime solar viewing.

I concur with the OP. I bought the ES24mm 68° that everyone raves about, it’s great but i don’t get more enjoyment than the basic 25mm that comes a scope purchase. I use the ES cause it’s there but I wouldn’t miss it. I once read that there are 3 categories when choosing an eyepiece: cheap, sharp, wide field. You can only choose 2.

On 17/09/2022 at 00:15, cajen2 said:

I think you'll find an Asterion EQ platform is now not in the running - they were made in the Ukraine and naturally supplies have run dry. I was lucky enough to get one of the last available.

Who knew?! Seems like most things of late. I had no idea they were such a manufacturing powerhouse!

@RobertI had a similar issue with his Skyprodigy which is the same class mount. I believe he replaced the motor for £40-ish and all good again, I assume it still is as it’s still listed in his signature. Maybe this is something you could explore.

On 14/09/2022 at 14:01, jjohnson3803 said:

I haven't done any, but I've been researching video observing for awhile.  My main reason, aside from horrendous light pollution at home, is that I don't want to deal with dragging out my laptop to observe.  I'm not inclined to deal with flats and darks and plate solving and yadda yadda yadda.  I'd like to just point my scope on a manual mount and see what the camera shows me. 

People have suggested nightvision devices to get enhanced realtime views, but the prices for NV are way beyond my hobby budget.

I'd probably go with one of the smaller Malincams since the Revolution II has gotten relatively poor reviews.

 

In the imaging section there’s a sub division for smartphones / tablets. Dudes are getting decent results with smart phones, some without tracking. Maybe check that out first.