Chris

Yes I had a look at the Dob too John. Apart from the EQ mounting option which is a very good idea, I think it also has decent sized alt bearings, plus the base looks reasonably light. Looks like Bresser have really thought about the design I thought I'd do the Dob paragraph in a nice pinky purple to keep it seperate The AR127L looks like a wonderful amount of refractor for the money, you should check out some of the reviews John, it's reviewed very well which makes it even better value Edit: just thought, you've probably read more reviews than me about it having once owned one.

Well I think it's a great move buying 4 similar spec fracs so you can test them against each other in real time. It beats selling a scope to try another then realising the one you sold was maybe better but you can't be sure.

Marvelous ! I'd like to look into them there Vixen LV's on that beast Actually, I'm not sure they are LV's at second glance?

It looks like Bresser have updated their focusers John, they literally look hexagonal now which is interesting. It won't be like a Moonlite of course, but it would be interesting to see if it's much of an improvement over the agriculteral ones this type of scope used to ship with? It would be a big bonus if its liveable Derek - Good result with the Moonlite! Oooh heres a link showing the updated Bresser focuser: http://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/Bresser-Messier-AR-152L-1200-Hex-Focus-Optical-Tube-Assembly-4852120.html

Lovely Derek, I especially like the Bresser having been looking at getting the 6" version for DSO's. The newer Bressers seem to have some cool kind of Hexo focuser thingy to help prevent slip, but I see you've gone one further and dropped a Moonlite on it Looking very much forward to your thoughts on the Bresser

I really rate Luminos, I'm not saying they're perfect, but for the money they are incredibly comfortable to use and immersive.

lol What a finder Derek, I like it and I look forward to heraring your thoughts on the Delites on the other thread! I really need to pick your brains about this 6" f8 at some point. I'm tempted by a 5-6" myself for my upgraded Skytee. You could have it full aperture for DSO's and stopped down to 4" f/12 for planets, Moon, and doubles. I could store one vdrtically within the space taken up by my Skytee legs so it certainly is a thought

Hey Jules, you were right, I do like it I was out with it the other night and it showed very little CA on the limb of the Moon, and stars were pin pricks. It might be lacking a touch of contrast so I'll look at how well baffled and blackened the tube is, but on the whole its great, really well built as well p.s the focuser is very nice for a simple 1.25" R&P.

Ridiculously nice setup Damian, top notch, and you've thought of everything

I've just read your thread David and I'm really impressed. Such a nice looking scope from such simple materials, hats off to you

I'm liking the PST tube rings Shane.

Any plans for more fracs? Seriously impressive collection!

I like how this thread has reached over 400 posts!

Very very nice Dave

Sounds absolutely wonderful Matthew, thanks for sharing that summary

Remarkable collection of fracs Matthew! You kind of have a look on your face which says 'how much money have a spent ' Please try and describe what the views are like through the APM LZOS 180? I imagine it to be magical.

Mighty fine Dave, nice CEM60 on Berlebach as well.

Excellent, it's been Moonrakered!

I think you've cracked it with that setup Stu, looks just right. I do like a bit of Vixen, or a lot in your case

lol I enjoyed reading that Paul, the last bit was a bit sobering though! I'm glad the police responded so quickly. Maybe astronomers should start carrying Mace!?

Thanks, I've just Googled it for a closer look

Nice bunch of fracs Spaceboy Apart from the apartment store plasic frac I had age 7, the Evo120 was my first proper frac as well.

Hi Stu, great resource thanks for that I've sent them an email regarding long focus achromat objectives. I think I'm steering the thread away from it's purpose a bit so I will start a separate thread for this possible venture

I've been looking into this a little bit and Istar do a 100mm f/12 for 335 pounds plus shipping (US?), the only thing is I can buy the entire Lyra Optic 4" f/11 for less. (which is tempting). Then there is this 104mm f/12 for 120 shipped, but there are no mention of coatings which means a loss of contrast and 4% light off the bat. http://www.astrophoto.co.uk/surplusobjectives.php Can't find any 4" f13-15's, I would have to grind one up I reckon

Wow Chris you made this! Now this is what I've been thinking of recently Long fracs have such inherently low spherical aberration, CA, and good depth of focus yet the only f13-15's available now days seem to be the lovely but obviously expensive Skylights and Moonrakers, although I think Antares of Cananade do an f/13. I wish they still sold 'budget' f15's, they don't have to be particularly well figured as high f/ratio is so forgiving. I've started looking at building my own 4" f/13-15.