johninderby

Yes the SW dob is still a good basic dob for those on a tight budget but as you say things have moved on a bit. The Breeser is a bargain in it’s own right considering how much scope you get for your money. 

I added the dual speed upgrade to the focuser, changed the finder shoe to a Synta type and fitted a RACI finder and a Rigel Quickfinder and the handle to the front and castors to the base.

Trying other camers in the calculator? 

You want to match pixel size to your scope.

This online calculator lets you work out the best match for your scope and has all the ZWO cameras in the calculator.

https://astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd_suitability

I went with the 290 as it was the best match for my scope.

Nice to more Bresser dobs showing up. 👍🏻

6 minutes ago, Timebandit said:

 

 

 

I would really like to have one of those new Skywatcher 150ED refractors

Do you think Skywatcher will see this and take pity on me and send a complementary 150ED to me 😀 

 

 

 

 

I’d hold out for an ED180 if I were you. 😁😁😁

If they ever did produce such a behemouth mointing it could be a bit of a problem. 🤣🤣🤣

The Skymax 127 is still a good value scope though. Perhaps as they sell well they don’t feel the need to revise things. 🤔

3 minutes ago, Dave1 said:

Beggers belief really, I think Skywatcher thought nobody would notice. Which of course people did, and at least they did put it right, no doubt because they monitor the various forums probably.

Except for the Skymax 127. 🙄

Came across this quote.

“Most know the frustration of searching for something, only to realize it was right in front of them.

Researchers say our vision is not a camera as some believe, but is in fact linked to a region of the brain that 'actively constructs the visual scene and then makes a decision about it'.

A new study reveals that if the frontal cortex doesn't expect to see the missing object while transforming information into sight, it will blot it from consciousness.“

I think it was cost cutting using undersized primary mirrors so they used the diameter of the corrector instead of the usable aperture.

Indeed the older maks actual aperture is less than the stated size. The latest Skymax and the Bresser maks are actually their stated aperture. That’s why I prefer the Bresser / Omegon 127 mak as they are actually 127mm

The two mounts use different motors and internal components so are quite different inside. However they are equivelent performance wise.

Some feel the Nexstar hand control is better than the Synscan but both will work well.

Nothing in it really. OTAs are identical but there  are small differences in the mounts but performance is about the same. Both made by Synta.

Discussed in this thread. 

Here's the staff list.Ypu’ll find the mods lited here. Click on Meesage under a mods name.

https://stargazerslounge.com/staff/

1 minute ago, andrew s said:

No chance.  Regards Andrew 

Second that. 😁😁😁

Cycling jeans and a pair of Five Ten MTB shoes help the normal look. 🙂

I bought a pair of cycling jeans. Look like regular jeans but allow free movement when cycling. Not cheap though but at least you look “normal” when waliking around. 😁

Ask a mod for advice. Maybe they could delete the older images for you.

While you can see the uploaded attachments list with thumbnails that about it. Can’t directly delete them. You can click on the link to go to a post and manualy delete the image. 

Omegon 127mm F15 Maksutov

You might call this Bresser Mak part II 😁

Wasn’t intending to replace the Bresser 127 mak sold to help pay for something else but came across the Omegon on offer at Astroshop for £100.00 off the regular price and just couldn’t resist. Like the black OTA. 🙂

The Omegon is a full 127mm aperture, not only 118mm  like the Skymax 127. Also has a bigger primary and a smaller central obstruction. Tube is bigger in diameter than the Skymax to accomidate the bigger primary. Just on simple aperture alone it's 8% bigger but due to the smaller central obtruction it's about 10% bigger in aperture area. A worthwhile difference.The inside of the tube has micro baffles machined into the tube all the way down which helps contrast a bit. The skymax just has a smooth painted surface inside.

Unlike the Bresser it comes with a Synta type finder shoe and no cheapie diagonal or finder. Why waste money on poor quality accessories. Just don't like those visual backs with a screws that bite into the diagonal so replaced with a Baader visual back. Will be using a Baader prism diagonal. Fitted a Skywatcher 6x30 RACI finder on a low profile bracket.

And fitted a WDS aluminium carry handle. 

Sits nicely on my Manfroto 475 geared tripod and Manfroto 405 geared head. The head has beem modded by removing the centre geared secton to make it into an Alt-Az head. I have used a C8 on this combination which was pushing it's capacity to the very limit. Doesn't even notice the weight of the 127 Mak. The whole setup with OTA can easily be carried single handed outside. Proper grab'n'go.  

Thanks.

Ordered from Abebooks. £48.62. 🙂

Due 22nd April.

The 127 mak should be giving very sharp views of the moon. Not as much detail as the dob of course but should be a lot better than you are descibing. Possibly collimation was thrown off during shipping? In normal use shouldn’t need colimating.

So when is the Kowa arriving then??? 😁

2 minutes ago, John said:

I have given it a sort of wax treatment. We have recently acquired a light oak dining table which is a very similar colour so after waxing that I thought that a go over the tripod and tray would not go amiss

 

Wax on.....wax off. 😁

Getting this thread back on track. 🙂

This arrived this morning. Wasn’t intending to replace the Bresser mak but when this came up on offer at Astroshop for £100.00 off couldn’t resist. Basicly a Bresser in black. 👍🏻 Now back up to the reg price.

Few bits to fit and yes that is a WDS handle Jeremy. 😁

Enough of the Wood(y) jokes 😁

Nice location. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

And nice setup as well. 🙂