Joef

I’ve just recently bought the 72ED, my first refractor, so can’t compare to any others, but I was very impressed with it, I use it with my DSLR, no flattener or reducer, and got pinpoint clear stars to very near the edge. I was fortunate it came with a Bahtinov Mask, which really helps with the focusing. As I say, I’ve nothing to compare it to, but I’m very impressed with it. Good luck with your decision. 

I’m relatively new to this myself, having only got my scope in January, but if the skies are clear, I’ll be out, there is so much to see up there, agreed, the planets are not ideally placed right now but IMO one of the best ones is the Moon, and in the early days of the hobby, it is an ideal target, get you used to the scope, the eyepieces, and the way the mount works, I can spend hours just looking at the moon. As for DSOs, there’s a huge amount to see, Andromeda and Pleiades are so easy to find, and when you see them, you’ll get a huge buzz. My advice is start easy, and build up, those planets, stars, nebulae and galaxies have been there millions of years and will still be there later on in the year. Have fun. 

I use the Moon Globe App, simple to use, and informative., AND it's free.

On 13/01/2023 at 22:20, wookie1965 said:

Get yourself these use the front of the trunking wrap it around the ota then make a jubilee clip up. 

Make two and put one on the outside of your rings. 

You can then leave your rings loose and rotate the ota so the focuser is in a better position by doing this the ota cannot slip out of the rings and keeps balance. 

Hope this helps 

On 14/01/2023 at 00:24, malc-c said:

To elaborate a little on Wookies post . Here's a ring fitted to my 200P - just above the top mounting ring

Just thought I’d let you know, the jubilee clip mod works a treat, Thanks for the advice. 

10 hours ago, wookie1965 said:

Get yourself these use the front of the trunking wrap it around the ota then make a jubilee clip up. 

Make two and put one on the outside of your rings. 

You can then leave your rings loose and rotate the ota so the focuser is in a better position by doing this the ota cannot slip out of the rings and keeps balance. 

Hope this helps 

8 hours ago, malc-c said:

To elaborate a little on Wookies post . Here's a ring fitted to my 200P - just above the top mounting ring

I have these items on order now, should be a day or two. Thanks a lot. 

Tonight I had the first opportunity to get out with my new HEQ5 Pro mount and 200PDS. When you go from target to target the mount tracks fine, no problem there, but the way it moves, the eyepiece position obviously changes position, sometimes on the side, sometimes on the top, so the scope needs to be spun in its brackets, so you can look through the eyepiece comfortably. The questions are, is there a right or wrong way of doing this, if the RA or DEC moves, do you have to start from square one again, ie alignment, balancing etc. 

Tremendous job there, looks really good and solid. I think my other half would go Ape if I hit her with an idea like that. 👍

I’ve got the 12mm and 5mm BST E/p, I really like the 12mm, but just can’t get on with the 5mm, it’s probably just me and my eyes. 

Nice looking set up there Gary. 

That looks very impressive. 

Hello and Welcome to SGL. 

Hello and a welcome to SGL Denise. 

Welcome to SGL from a cloudy and rainy Scotland. 

Welcome to SGL. 

Welcome to SGL, perhaps 2 pairs of socks. 

Hi and welcome to SGL. 

2 hours ago, Sunshine said:

It seems Dave the cat doesn't care at all about your new scope, dewey the duck like it! CONGRATULATIONS!

I’ve just found out, the ducks name is Derek, and apparently we’ve had it a few years. 

10 minutes ago, Sunshine said:

It seems Dave the cat doesn't care at all about your new scope, dewey the duck like it! CONGRATULATIONS!

I didn’t even realise we had a duck, must pay more attention. 

7 minutes ago, Mandy D said:

Dave? I would say that Dave is the most uncat like name I have ever heard, but I know someone with a cat called Mandy Button Biscuit! Cool scope, though and awesome kitty.

Dave’s brother is called Dougal!! 

A 200PDS and a HEQ5 PRO, arrived Monday and yesterday, all I need now is some clear weather to try it out. Dave the cat has always been here. 

Fantastic Video, Thanks.

I replaced my stock eyepieces for BST Starguiders, a 12mm and a 5mm, I found them to be a big difference to the supplied eps, and wearing glasses found them to be ideal. 

Hello and welcome. 

Hello and Welcome. 

Hello and welcome, hope you enjoy.