Cjg

10 minutes ago, Rob_UK_SE said:

What a wonderful telescope and travel companion. I’m sure the views will be simply exquisite. 😀 It’s certainly a ‘keeper’ scope for life.

Just a suggestion, it might be worth editing the first (box) image to remove some of your address details and phone number (for security reasons).

Thank you! I’d forgotten to do that, although the phone number is no longer mine, the post code is! I’ll have to fire up Photoshop😀

24 minutes ago, Jiggy 67 said:

Do you mean “bought” in April 2018??.....If so, that is some delay in delivery!!! 😀 What was the problem?.....Lovely scope btw

Thank you.
AstroPhysics have a different business model, which is clever.  As I understand it, they produce their scopes in relatively small batches, and create a wait list. You sign up to the wait list, and if you’re fortunate enough to be at the beginning of the list, you’ll receive your scope within a short time frame.  

This new Stowaway was exhibited at an Astro Expo in the USA in 2018; think the people visiting the stand would have been on the first batch.  By the time I’d visited the website to add my name, I was far down a long, long list. 
As I understand it, this will be the last batch of Stowaway scopes produced for some time...The company are now focussed on producing their 130 Starfire telescopes; I know someone who added their name in 2013 to that list, with first shipments due later this year / early next year! Whether he missed an email, or is on a list we don’t know.  It’s a clever business model because it evens out any potential ‘quiet periods’ in the business, allows for the owner to manage the scale / growth of the business, and creates high quality scopes with a scarcity value...Baader have done the same with their Travel Companion.

HTH?

Chris

4 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

The case is very nice but the scope is absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait to hear about your experiences with it! 

Thank you, our weather forecast for the next two weeks is for clouds, clouds and rain 😂. Am looking forward to getting it out under the dark skies at a Seething Obsy as soon as.

7 hours ago, andrew s said:

Fine scope enjoy,  Regards Andrew 

Thank you!

Pelicase make superb cases, but you can obtain them in the UK.

Inside though, was what I had thought about in (I think) April 2018, and then forgotten about until an email dropped into my mailbox on Thursday evening.

Of course, the weather is completely cloudy (that's the polite description)  for the next two weeks, so I've managed  a total of 5 minutes moon-gazing in between clouds and rain.

Inside was a Pelicase.

Had a distraction on Monday with a delivery from UPS. The parcel was shipped out on Friday from Machesney Park.

The outer boxed looked like this!

Congrats, it's 5 years since my Tak 76 arrived. It's been on many AstroCamps, outreach events and adventures, including a Messier Marathon in France with me.

Have read great reviews of the 100 DZ. Am sure yours will bring you many smiles too.

Chris

21 hours ago, Stu said:

I reckon I would go with the Baader myself. @GavStar has both so may be able to comment.

Thank you @Stu.
Am expecting the AP Stowaway tomorrow. The Baader would not arrive in time for my trip (CV19 permitting) to Turkey next month, so I’ve emailed Baader asking if they would mind passing “my” Travel Companion to the next person in the queue. If they insist, I’ll happily take it in Nov / Dec and then have a decision to make. 
Hopefully unboxing and photos tomorrow, but next week looks full of clouds and rain all week, so first light might not happen for a while. 
Chris

On 19/08/2020 at 21:53, JeremyS said:

What’s the lead time on the Stowaway, Chris? If they’re soon to ship, why not go with that given the radio silence on the Baader?
A bird in the hand....
 

Should be here by the end of the day on Monday...of course the forecast is for rain / clouds here for all of next week 😂.  Number 434 of the 3rd batch produced. 

The tube and front end look very similar to my Altair Astro 125 ED which I think that Telescope Express sell under their own label too. 
See https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p6679_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-130-mm-f-7-FPL53-Triplet-APO-Refractor.html and https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7717_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-130-mm-f-7-FPL53-Triplet-Apo---3-7--Focuser.html

Depends on the price of course, but am very pleased with my Altair. 
Good luck.

Chris

Could be ready by the time I’ve hit the ‘Pay Now’ button on PayPal, according to their email.

Baader was 6-9 months from January, so just within their timeframe...I’ve emailed to see where they are. 
Have until Sept 2nd, before my ‘spot’ goes.

Chris

Just received an email from Astrophysics offering me the chance to purchase a Stowaway. I have my name down for a Baader Travel Companion too, but they’ve been very quiet of late, and the 6 month delivery window timeframe is now passed. 
Decisions to be made now, I cannot justify having both. Any advice from those of you with either would be very welcome.

Thanks,

Chris

Here’s the tweet with image produced.

Looks like the Aussies get the newest Skywatcher Kit first. Saw this via Twitter this evening.

https://skywatcheraustralia.com.au/product/sky-watcher-star-adventurer-2i-photo-package/

Chris

I'd hoped to film the comet Neowise from Castle Acre Priory here in Norfolk, and whilst it might work out in a week or two, the sloping ground and water filled ditches made it almost impossible on the weekend.

So returned home and caught the comet next to Wymondham Abbey, a 10 minute walk away!

Wym-Abbey-and-Neowise-resized

On 12/07/2020 at 20:16, Pete Presland said:

A beautifully peaceful scene!

Thank you!

Just owls and the distant sounds of the waves on the shingle...lovely!

On 12/07/2020 at 20:23, Craney said:

Is the Comet in there as well ??

On Friday night had the doubly rare occurence of the NLC's blocking Neowise.     Like trying to photograph the Loch Ness Monster and a Unicorn gets in the way !!!

No, this was before the comet was in our skies...I had planned to return to photograph Neowise from here, but the forecast is rubbish for the next week or so...

2 hours ago, KevS said:

Very nice and Cley Mill. 👍

Thank you, yes, there’s a very convenient space to park there too, so an easier location than some to film from. Hearing the waders at sunrise and owls in the adjoining woods was special. 

Thank you. Not rare, but only visible from around late May until early July’ish in the Northern hemisphere.  They are formed in the mesosphere, so the highest clouds at approximately 80kms up. Formed by very small ice crystals and some believe meteorite dust. Think still much to learn about them, they are captivating to see and observe.

Taken at around 02:00hrs on Saturday morning.

Looked much more majestic in real life,  a faint display from around 23:00hrs until midnight, but picked up from around 01:30 onwards...I packed up to the sounds of the dawn chorus.

From Cley Marches, with a 28mm lens digitally zoomed to 35mm.

Chris

Thank you!

Managed to get two images from about 514 images last night.

Struggling to get the ball head level, judging by the wonky horizon, but quite pleased to capture this image.

Used an intervalometer to take 20 second exposures at F2.8 and ISO 3200. The plan was to make a timelapse too, but I also manged to kick the tripod leg twice during the course of filming!

Chris

Has been cancelled as Kelling have announced that they are closing their site until April 30.

Details at https://www.kellingheath.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-cid564.html

Chris

Awesome report, sorry I missed Monday evening, very pleased your evening turned out so well.

Chris