cloudyweather

You mentioned this a month ago now, but would you happen to remember which WO 'handle' you use for the Starfield? I 'think' you are referring to a mounting bracket, so is there enough clearance to insert fingers underneath? Oh - and Starfield 102mm (s) have landed in UK... Thanks

So in Alt-Az, just levelling and pointing North (with compass) allows you to goto (and correct if necessary) and TRACK once there. Just not to the accuracy of EQ, autoguiding and asiair. Sounds a perfect halfway. Many thanks.

Hi I'm looking to explore my future upgrade path from a Starfield 102mm and manual Sightron Alt-Azimuth Mount on a CF tripod to the next step. I'm thinking ZWO AM3 with goto but unguided and no additional 'boxes'. And then onto Auto-Guiding and ASiair mini etc. It's all about cost. My main question is, Can the ZWO AM3 be used for Visual Goto (without ASiair and auto-guiding)? How would you polar align? 3 star alignment? Happy to use phone and the pictured hand controller. Obviously the Starfield and a RDF too, Thanks, Sean

I did order a WO 2" diagonal and Baader SkySurfer 3 too. Forgot to list them. Thanks.

Thank you. That's just what I needed to know. I've ordered the Starfield 102mm, a Sightron Alt Az mount and the StellaLyra CF tripod. Along with hopefully a nice selection of eyepieces (3.2mm, 5mm, 12mm BST StarGuider and 30mm StellaLyra) plus a Solar Wedge (seems the year for it!!!). I can add a HD mount later. Many thanks all, Sean

I hope this isn't too stupid a question but using the Starfield (and flattener/reducer) on a HEQ5, is it possible to take reasonable unguided images with an attached DSLR? I'm really pushing my budget getting the HEQ5 and want to keep things simple for now. Thanks

Does anyone have a favourite case/bag for the Starfield 102mm? The FLO suggested bag is too long. Thanks.

Does anybody find the Starfield 102mm needs a dew heater in the UK damp weather? Or is the sliding dew shield sufficient? Just planning ahead to make sure any portable battery is sufficient for mount and extras. Thanks

Yeah - FLO told me. I just don't understand how dust could get inside the optics if it's been looked after. Do other people have dust in theirs?

Great - that's what I was ordering. Many thanks

Is the SkySurfer attached to an extension? and which finder shoe are you using? Many thanks

I was going to get StellaLyra 30mm 2" SuperView Eyepiece and BST StarGuider 60º 5mm ED Eyepiece but not really sure of others. I need long eye-relief for glasses. Coupled with StellaMira 2" 90º Di-Electric Diagonal and Astro Essentials Variable Polarising Moon Filter 1.25" I do want to explore the moon and it would be nice to see a planet or two along with everything else. So it would be good to know thoughts on practical useful magnification for the UK. And the other items I've listed. Thanks

I assume carrying the mount head separately makes it easier? The HEQ5 mount seems to be 3kg heavier than the EQ5 - doesn't 'sound' a lot but... (my wife's stage piano is 20kg and that's a killer). I would have thought it normal to setup and level tripod, then add mount and then scope? Or is that wrong? As you can tell, still debating HEQ5. Thanks

I think I'll wait for the Starfield at the moment. Thanks

Is the HEM15 as complicated to align and use as the 'Quick Start Guide' implies? Would this be equivalent to a HEQ5 Pro for tracking? Thanks