Space Hopper

10" too big / heavy......?? I would suggest a gym membership and / or a well positioned carry handle 😉

I'm still a bit puzzled as to why you can't get focus on mid or high powers ?? May be worth asking on the CN forum (bino-viewers). 'Eddgie' who is the expert on there may be able to help. If you could post a pic of this alledged 'sag', that would be useful. I went for the Moonlite CR2 from FLO, but with the non standard extra long drawtube. Mine is a 60mm, and they used to do a 70mm as well. As these are non standard there may a wait to get one shipped in from the US (a month or so) However, the 'standard' 50mm will probably be ok : If you use the large 1" spacer or both the 1" and 1/2" that they supply. Another possible option is to raise the primary up to its higher setting (OO have 2 different settings for this ; mine does) Its a bit of a trial and error thing with a bino / powerswitch / newt setup. A bit of a juggling act. What you want to look for is being able to get the low power switch to focus as 'close in as you can' by either raising the primary or trying different focuser spacer options etc. You can of course simply adjust the OCS position to do this, but remember, the further out you set it the higher the base power will be, ie it won't be the advertised 1.2 or 1.3x but more like 1.4x or 1.5x. And we want our low power to be as low as we can for those wide field, rich field views. Its quite a feat to be able to get 60x with a 12" Newt with a binoviewer. Post some pics and keep us posted with how you get on. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/moonlite-focusers/moonlite-cr-dual-rate-tri-knob-crayford-focuser-for-newtonians.html

My light pollution is so bad from home, i recently took a 30s sub with my old Sony A7iii and 40mm F1.2 lens wide open, iso 1600 and all i got was a pure white image. No sign of any stars at all, just massive over-exposure.

Superb 😀 If only we could see it from UK latitudes.....

Its a stunning area of sky isn't it ? I was in Boa Vista in April, and had several evenings tracking down Omega Cent and the southern cross, with the Eta Carinae nebulae to its right. Despite being a bit low down it was a memorable sight.

I was in there myself a week last Wednesday (6th) and had a glance at it. Worth getting in touch with them.......

I know its a trek from Hampshire dude, but Rother Valley (near Sheffield) have had a second hand OMC for sale for a while now. Its not listed on their website (used items) so may have been sold. Maybe worth giving Adam a call....... https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk

Ooooh.....Takahashi Paul. Very nice. I'm on the list for a 4" as well. Its not a Tak though.... Hopefully see you at the IAS perhaps in November ?

Paz : FYI the Maxbright Mk 2 will soon be available, sometime this autumn i think. Info in link. https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/baader-maxbright-2-binoviewer-with-case.html

Another recommendation...... http://www.astronomiser.co.uk/index.htm

Munich, Germany. The total phase was clouded out......typical ☹️ I'm ready to see another one. (not on the other side of the world)

It looks to me to have similarities to the ES 92º range (12 & 17º ?) when you see that ES have their own 68, 82 & 100º options. A comparison of the Tv A11 and the ES 92- 12 would be interesting. I still think (knowing Tv) the price will be closer to £1000 than it will be to £500. I have no plans to buy one btw, as i much prefer the 2 eyed view and have everything i need (pretty much)

My deposit was 30% (£2250 or thereabouts) Mine is through Astrograph. Rupert is great to deal with.

FYI, there is currently a 12 month + wait time for the TEC140FL. I know, because i have been waiting for precisely that long......

Shall we have a 'Sportsmans sweepstake' on the UK price ?? If indeed, any actually make it over here. I will take a punt at £ 899

My DiscMounts DM6. Unpowered alt - az. Its a rare beast in the UK. Great for easy sessions and will hold a big scope. No counterweights, no wires everywhere, no crappy handsets. Add a Nexus DSC and encoders and the sky is the limit.

If you're worried about light pollution, take a drive west to Dartmoor. Its almost in your backyard. They'll be a lot less light pollution there.

I see you're local John. Once i'm up and running with it ( i'm having a little bit of work done on the base to make it a good fit with my OO Dob) you'd be very welcome to drop by and check it out.

Bookmarked 😀

Oh.....? A tracking platform.

But then i spotted this.......😎 https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p2700_Geoptik-Dobsonian-platform---motor-tracking-for-telescopes-up-to.html

That platform looks great.......i wish they still made them.

Telrads are great. You won't go wrong with one, but be aware of them dewing up. And just remember to switch them off, as its easy to forget !!!

I wonder who that could have been......???

How does v4 differ from v3 ?