A McEwan

1 hour ago, Highburymark said:

The AZGTI happily copes with the FC100s. I use mine with the Tak cradle and it’s fine. Rings would be lighter - some owners have 95mm Parallax rings I think.

This is good news! It's just the mount looks so...little! Still can't wait to try it out!

6 hours ago, happy-kat said:

How much does your tak with accessories weigh without any mounting adaptor?

Equipped with my usual diagonal, 13mm Nagler and mounting ring + dovetail bar = a hair under 4kg.

As above, sans ring = a hair under 3kg.

On 27/07/2019 at 20:17, johninderby said:

Maybe contact them direct and see if there is a better postage rate.

https://eyepiececaps.com/caps-for-eyepieces-5-or-10-packs/

Good idea. Done!    

Very elegant!

Thanks. It's really for reducing weight - or, is that necessary with the AZ-GTi? Was hoping some people using this combo would chime in?  I currently use the Tak clamshell for my AZ4 and GP, but it is heavy. It contributes a lot to the overall weight of the setup.

Ant

Hi,

I have seen a few pictures of Tak FC100 scopes on the Skywatcher AZ GTi mount, and with a heavy duty tripod it is reported as being fine. I'm in the process of putting this kit together (just waiting for a tripod adapter to arrive) but am wondering... what do people with such a setup use to mount the scope to the dovetail? I'm currently using a Takahashi cradle, but it's a heavy bit of kit. Does anyone use a different mounting option to reduce weight/bulk?

Ant     

On 26/07/2019 at 12:11, johninderby said:

Here you go. 🙂

https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-965-Caps-for-Telescope-Eyepieces/170289097809?hash=item27a6056c51:g:2FoAAOSwb69ZxsdM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/0-965-Plugs-for-Telescope-Focusers-Barlow-Lenses-etc/170289097813?hash=item27a6056c55:g:2YoAAOSwb69ZxsgA

Thanks John - but that shipping price....   😕  

I've had refractor lenses cleaned at Orion Optics UK. They did an excellent job.

This looks like a useful video, worthy of a watch!

59 minutes ago, lenscap said:

I think this is it;

 

Thanks - I'll have a read of this now.

1 hour ago, Alan White said:

Ant, it depends upon the car and how much you need the base reduced.
Didn't you have an MX5?  Would have to dismantle the scope tube to fit too if that's the case.
OOUK base, bolts together, well made, but expensive.
Good luck with an answer.

You are correct! But I now have a MUCH larger transportation space (Fiat 500 LOL!!!)    

Hi all,

I used to own a GSO 680 8" f6 Dob years ago and really enjoyed using it.

Now I'm thinking about the Skywatcher version and had a though...

The base was always a bit tricky to get into my car - doable, but tricky. Has anybody had any success with modding the mount to make it more portable? For example, building and modifying it in such a way as to make it semi-dismantleable in the field for easier transportation? Any suggestions appreciated.

Ant  

Hi,

Does anyone know where I could buy a few male and female type 0.965" eyepiece caps? I have a few eyepieces and diagonals that need to be better protected.

Thanks!

On 24/07/2019 at 13:47, iPeace said:

Don't recall ever having applied one myself, but I wouldn't hesitate to use for hiding paint damage, inferior brand markings, price tags from her, or anything to prevent taxation. One of my scopes - no longer with me - came with one very neatly applied and it was quite fitting.

I remember that! My ED80 has one now!

1 hour ago, jetstream said:

If it were me I'd go bigger than 5" or 6" aperture over your 100mm Tak. 8" minimum, 10" is better IMHO. Many have great luck with Celestron C8's, narrow FOV but nice aperture in a small package.

One thing is for sure- taking a 5" refractor over an obstructed 6" Mak or newt is the way to go on DSO... my reference point is from my current scopes 90mm thru 120mm fracs, 8" through to 24" dobs.

From my perspective a 10" f4.7 newt really starts to open up DSO, such as my VX10. Just my thoughts of course.

I realise that 8", 10" 12" and up are where DSO observing becomes meaningful / rewarding, but unfortunately I don't have storage for a Dob at the moment, and suspect the AZ4 wouldn't take an 8" OTA. I may be wrong on that though - if anyone can correct me?

Hi all.

I have my Tak FC100DF as a general all-round scope which I use for lunar, planetary, bright nebulae etc. I love it - it performs great on those objects and "brighter" Messier and NGC objects, but 100mm is still only 100mm and I'm thinking about getting an additional scope for DSO.

My situation really means that I'm limited to 6" Newts (ideally f5 or f6) or 6" aperture Mak or 5" refractor.

In my thinking, I've narrowed down a GSO 6" f6 Newt as one option, which I would mount on my AZ4.

BUT... I'm wondering if that will be enough of an aperture boost to start to get the kind of views I want, over the 100mm Tak. I know what 6" aperture can show, but it's several years since I owned a 6" Newt so can't really remember the sort of difference to expect. I used to own an 8" Dob, and I know that would be a worthwhile step up in aperture, but I don't have the space at the moment to store an 8" Dob.

My mounts are Vixen GP, AZ4, AZ3 and AZ-GTi, so nothing particularly "heavy duty" though they are all tweaked and I use Berlebach UNI-18 tripod and steel extension, so it is super stable in the tripod department. I guess what I'm looking for i something in the "medium aperture but lightweight" department that will offer enough of an advantage on DSO to be worth getting, while being manageable on the mounts I own! Or, it may be that this is not obtainable at the moment...

Did anyone get an answer about updating via mac?

Hi,

Is there an upgraded saddle available for the AZ4 mount?

Ant

1 minute ago, MSammon said:

Yes it will have to be fairly wide field. I need some eyepieces between 11-17mm so a couple in that range really but probably start with 13mm. Either a new APM Lunt or a Nagler used maybe. Thanks glad the Nagler performs well for you as I hear mixed reports with the eye relief but I don’t wear glasses anyway.

I do wear glasses, but always take them off to observe. Much simpler for me.

I have owned a Nagler 13mm T6 for many years, and it's one of the eyepieces I use in EVERY observing session and every telescope (apart from my Lunt). It is a superb performer, as you're probably aware, and very easy to use. It's just a great all-rounder.

I also used to own a Pentax XL14 back when I had a selection of the XLs (predecessors to the XWs). I actually can't remember any problems with it, but it was quite a long time ago. I enjoyed using the XLs and remember them being very comfortable and easy to use, with excellent clarity and sharpness.

Does it have to be wide-field? If not, a TeleVue 13mm "smoothside" Plossl is about as good as it gets at that focal length in terms of performance, and certainly in terms of bang-for-buck.

Good hunting!

Ant

Thanks for the replies. For the scopes I want to use with it, I think the AZ GTi will suit my purposes.

Cheers!

Ant

Ok, so - what scope do you have on your AZ GTi?

Also, what scope do you have on your Star Discovery mount?

This may help me with a purchasing decision.

😎

Brilliant info there JG777 - very useful. Thanks!    

10 minutes ago, johninderby said:

The Nirvana ES 16mm is a real bargain at the moment for a mere £85.00 from most UK dealers. Very, very nearly as good as the Nagler.

I have the 4mm, 7mm and 16mm and find them very nice to use. Prefer the new rubber eyecups over the old flat topped versions.

 

Interesting!  

6 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Ant

You sold it because you are an Astronomer and on the Merry Go Round of ever changing kit!

Funny how you return to old favourites though, sometimes an item is only truly appreciated when it’s gone.

 

True. One of my biggest regrets was the 90mm f6.6 Triplet Apo I sold.... another very sad story.