PatientObserver

On 09/05/2022 at 14:06, AdeKing said:

RAM mounts are heavy duty device holders for mountain bikes, quad bikes, 4x4, boats, etc I think.

RAM produce a really good modular system, for attaching almost any device to almost anything but quite bulky I seem to remember when I had one to hold a GPS on my mountain bike.

https://www.ram-mount.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=203_205

I'd guess that the holes in question are the ones either side of the threaded hole that the DSC Shelf ball joint screws into if that makes sense.

After reading this thread I decided to use RAM Mount parts to mount my cell phone to my AZ75 during observation sessions. It sure beats putting it in and out of my pocket all night. Thanks for the suggestion.

Wanted a lighter mount and tripod for a grab and go solution, but still wanted a geared center column, so I bought a Berlebach Report 322/KA (with the 40 mm column). I have a Super Mount S Mini on the way.

1 hour ago, Giles_B said:

How do you build up an account? I started an astro savings account, but I keep spending it before gets into 3 figures!

It helps to have "Patient" in one's username as a reminder.

4 hours ago, Hans Joakim said:

8 - the Pentax XWs (70 degree AFOV)!

Got the two grenades (30 and 40 mm) last, but find myself using them the most. Awesome for scanning the sky. The XW eye relief is also good for a glass wearer like myself.

I most recently bought the Pentax XW 30. Makes scanning the sky so much easier. Might not have needed the finderscope afterall. Will likely get the 40 mm eventually, but I need to build up the astronomy savings account again.

Currently own 6 Pentax XW and 3 Takahashi TOE. Hope to add the new Takahashi TPL line next month. That should do it for me until I get a binoviewer.

Here is the UNI 18K70 with a couple scopes:

On 18/06/2023 at 03:05, garryblueboy said:

I’ve owned several Mewlons a 250 and a couple of 210 over the years they are excellent scopes but the intes 715 deluxe beats them hands down in my opinion 

I had not heard of Intes Micro (likely because I have spent most of my time researching refractors). I will keep the brand in mind once I decide to purchase a reflector.

On 18/06/2023 at 03:37, MalcolmM said:

That's another nice looking scope. I'm glad I caught Takitis early on before knowing about all these other premium scopes; I struggle with too much choice sometimes

Malcolm 

Finding a quality brand is one of the ways I prefer to limit my choices. Analysis paralysis is real.

21 hours ago, Piero said:

Thanks

I chose mine with central column because it enables one to observe standing or sitting using a normal chair. It has never let me down.

I am very pleased with the quality of the geared column. As a result of my first purchase, I am also considering buying a Report 322/KA with the 40 mm column for a lighter setup. If only the Scopetech Zero production was not halted by a lawsuit.

On 06/06/2023 at 14:24, Piero said:

Uni 19 + AOK Ayo 2.

Oh.. and a Tak FC100-FT with a Zeiss zoom + VIP barlow on top of it!

Beautiful setup. It was a post about your UNI 19 that got me looking into tripods with geared center columns.

14 hours ago, MalcolmM said:

I have never heard of these before. Looked them up and they look fabulous scopes. It'll go very nicely with the FOA. You will have lots of great viewing with that combination. Congratulations!

Malcolm 

Eduard (the owner of Agema) was the master optician for TEC for 13 years and he was in the business before then. He has 30+ (might be closer to 40) years of experience making telescopes. I decided I wanted to get one of his scopes before there was a waiting list like with Astro Physics.

On 06/06/2023 at 06:09, The Lapwing said:

 

I forgot, I have one of these too...

Is this a NIX or a HYDRA? I had not seen the foot rest before. I think I will add this to my wish list.

On 08/05/2023 at 13:59, MalcolmM said:

This Takitis is very contagious!

Malcolm 

So far I have resisted further advances of the disease known as Takitis ... I instead decided to place an order on an Agema SD 120. It was a little less expensive than a Takahashi TSA-120, and I get to spilt the cost into two payments. All the reviews I have read indicate it is a quality scope. I will have to wait for it to be built, but that will allow me to exclusively use my FOA-60Q for awhile. Although I am currently in remission from Takitis, I am aware that it may return in the form of a Mewlon in the future.

I will take a better picture outside, once I have a scope to mount on it, but this will do for now.

Equipment: Berbelach UNI 18 K70 with a Rowan AZ75

After a month of traveling around Germany and then a flight over the Atlantic, my tripod finally arrived. As such, I finally have a tripod to hold my AZ75 for pictures.

I am happy with how the cable came out. No more excess spirals hanging past the base.

I am also pleased with both the look and build quality of the K70 column.

Now to wait for the scope ...

5 hours ago, Merak said:

Sky-Watcher AZ4.  I feel it could easily use a more compact mount, something I may look in to for trips away from the house. 

I'll probably end up getting another diagonal too.

Thanks. All the Sky-Watchers I have seen have been white. I have been looking for something similar to the ScopeTech Zero, and had not seen that one before.

1 hour ago, Merak said:

The new addition having first (day)light.

I wanted to make sure I had the correct extensions on to get focus so I didn't have to mess around at night.    I borrowed the Celestron diagonal off my SCT and read the 'system chart'.    All my eyepieces came to focus, both with or without the x3 focal extender.

Hopefully there will be a clear night soon!

What mount are you using?

I considered purchasing an Uni 19, but instead chose the heavier duty Uni 18 K70 (DHL messed up the shipment so I do not have it yet). I have a AZ75.

3 hours ago, Stu said:

Yes, just poor seeing although it got better so perhaps just the scope cooling down.

Was not certain if you had loaded the AZ75 with a scope that large before, so I was confirming it was not the mount and tripod.

45 minutes ago, Stu said:

Just had a quick look at Venus myself, looking nice, though quite wobbly

What was the cause of the wobble?

I am still waiting on my tripod. It has been stuck with DHL in Germany with "The shipment was prepared for onward transport" since the 7th.

In the meantime, I contacted Rowan to inquire about the cables. They purchase the cables through Astro Devices who make the Nexus II. As such, I bought some phone line and a crimper and will make my own custom cable.

8 hours ago, Ratlet said:

Lot more civil discussion on here than one of the other forums.  Could practically hear the pitchforks being sharpened.

Probably why he hasn't done an eyepiece recommendation before lol.

I was reluctant to read this thread after perusing the other forum. I am glad to see this one is more civil.

As a new astronomer, I find his videos to be helpful. He seems to have a joy of astronomy that he is willing to share.

5 hours ago, Cornelius Varley said:

Probably more than 10.

I can confirm that the exact number is 10.

On 05/04/2023 at 02:47, Cornelius Varley said:

I think there is minimum number of posts before you can add a signature.

That would explain why I could not find it either. Does anyone know what that number is?

1 hour ago, Stu said:

Fair enough. Rowan will have been catering for a variety of devices and positions. If you know exactly what and where it is going then you can make them to the right length, agreed.

As a customer, I would much prefer too long rather than too short. Too long I can fix with a modification (or just live with the excess). So I understand their reasoning. I just think it distracts from an otherwise beautiful mount. I am still very happy with their products.

8 hours ago, Stu said:

Smallrig kit is excellent, I’ve been using a few bits elsewhere at am impressed by it. I hadn’t seen this post so may well get one of the battery holders for my Nexus.

I’ve seen a few people comment on the length of the cables, but in reality I’ve never had a problem with mine catching on anything so they’ve never been an issue.

I just need to decide if I want to mount the SmallRig battery holder on the front or the back of the AZ75.

It is not about the functionality of the cables, but rather the aesthetics. If I cannot have internal routing to hid them altogether, I would rather eliminate excess cabling.