johninderby
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Posts posted by johninderby
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15 minutes ago, JamesF said:
They're probably in the top 5
James
Which rates Hermes as one of the best and DPD one of the worst. 🙄
Always thought Which is from an alternate reality. 😁😁😁
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9 minutes ago, John said:
I've used Hermes dozens of times over the past few years with 100% success, even with international deliveries.
I'm not expecting much to be "normal" currently even if website info is optimistic.
Hermes have never lost one of my packages but delivery is sometimes a bit erratic but does show up eventualy..
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Recent ranking survey of UK couriers from worst at the top to best at the bottom.
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UPS is called Oops in the US due to the number of mistakes they make. I avoid UPS whenever possible. They aren’t as bad as Yodel or Hermes but have made too many cock ups with my packages to actually choose to use them.
Remember a few years ago had an urgent stock shipment overdue by several and eventually found out it hadn’t been delivered because the local depot were too busy to deliver. My supplier read the riot act to UPS and the depot manager brought it over in his own car.
DPD on the other hand is by miles the best courier I’ve ever used. Always on time and never lose anything plus that one hour delivery slot.
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What really annoys me though is the UPS so called customer service. Seems designed to make it virtually impossible to get info out of them.
Oh well at least it isn’t something important or urgent or valuable. 🙁
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2 minutes ago, ArmyAirForce said:
Here's a white light sun spot group using Baader film. I think this was on my 8 inch reflector, possibly stopped down to a 4 inch opening ( too long ago to remember ).
Daytime seeing can be a challenge, especially on a warm day. I usually try for mid morning, once the Sun has a bit of altitude, but before the heat of the day has built up.
I remeber once upon a time sunspots used to be like that. 😁
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Service as normal according to UPS. I get the impression they have lost the package as they have delivered other bits as normal to me this week.
Do wish the seller would use DPD. 🤔
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One other really useful bit of kit is a solar filter for your finder. I use one on my 9x50 RACI finder it it makes getting the sun centered so much easier. Also can be used on it’s own for a quick look at the sun to see if it’s worth setting up the scope.
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1 minute ago, AndyThilo said:
You'd recommend these then?
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/astrozap-baader-solar-filter.html
Either the Astrozap or the Kendrick brand are excellent. Or you can make your own using a sheet of the Baader film which is a lot cheaper.
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11 minutes ago, Merlin66 said:
IMHO the Baader solar film is much better than alternatives.
Unfortunately at the moment there’s not much white light activity.
Agreed 👍🏻
But just can’t get that interested in using my Badder film filter at the moment. 🙁
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Why does UPS make it so difficult to sort out a problem?
Ordered from Telescope House and the item was shipped from Germany as usual by UPS and tracking showed it reached the UK Wednesday morning with delivery scheduled for Thursday morning and that’s it. Nothing received and tracking still showing delivery Thursday morning. Phoned UPS and they were no use. Just said the package is on it’s way and no details about where it actually is. Only a 20 quid item so nothing major but still anoying. 🤬🤬🤬
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This covers just about everything you need to know about these mounts
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Something to wear when going to the shop. 👍🏻
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For what it’s worth.see the Agenaastro reviews of the Hotech.
https://agenaastro.com/hotech-2-1-25-sca-crosshair-laser-collimator.html
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The focuser doesn’t have to be perfectly square and would have to be badly out of square to make a real differance.
I’d recommend getting a Concenter and then adjusting the secondaty. No other tool such as a laser or cheshire eyepiece isn’t very accurate at setting up the secondary mirror. Found that after adjusting the secondary with the concenter the scope was much easier to collimate as you are not compensatingnfor an out of postion secondary.
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11 minutes ago, Corpze said:
Ok, so you don't insert the laser with the lock collar fully backed off, but tightened just so you can insert it in the focuser?
Yes that’s what I do.
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The grooves in the Hotech.
Another thought the rings could be too loose when inserting in the focuser. I adjust them so it will just fit in the focuser so that the rings don’t slip out of position.
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Sounds like it could be the rubber rings. Found I did have to check the rings were properly in the grooves before tightening. Perhaps removing the rings and applying some silicone grease and wiping off the excess might help.
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Had rwo Hotech lasers and both were absolutely perfect with no variation at all. Very strange that you would find it varies.
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Have you checked the focuser for being square to the tube.
For checking the secondary position there is nothing better than a Concenter. Really usefull colimation tool and makes it easy to perfectly centre the secondary. It’s the first tool I use when setting up a newt.
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Yes the Skywatcher dobs use steel tubes so magnets work well. Orion Optics UK dobs like Johns have aluminium tubes so can’t attach magnets directly hence the kitchen knife strip.
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Or you can bolt a dovetail bar to the tube and use a small dovetail saddle with weights attached.
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You can make your own weight system or buy commercial dob weights like this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Orion-07006-Dobsonian-Counterweight-Magnetic/dp/B07DGRHTLN
Exercise ankle weights with straps can be used or magnetic weights. Lots of ways to do it.
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Cycling s one of the forms of exercise being recommended by the gov so access to bikes and parts needed.
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UPS - Can’t Find Package
in The Astro Lounge
Posted
From the UPS at your own risk items list
No Protection items:
The following items (or any item similar in description or content) can only be carried on a no protection basis on any service.
Any person sending such an item does so at their own risk:
Amber
Antique
Beswick Figure
Bottles
Bulbs
Camera
Canvas Print
Car Panel
Ceramics
Chandelier
China
Chocolate
Clock
Computer Monitor
Concrete
Confectionery
Crockery
Crystal
Delicate Items
Detergent
Diamonds
Dinner Service
Documents
Fiberglass
Figurine
Fish Tank
Fishing Rods
Food Domestic Parcels Only
Fragile Items (all)
Framed Painting
Framed Photograph
Gems or gemstones
Glass
Glassware
Gold
Hamper
Headlight
Lamp
Lampshades
Lenses
Lighting
Lights
Marble
Microscope
Microwave
Mirror
Monitor (including Imacs)
Ornament
Over Head Projector
Packaging/Media Packaging
Painting
Pewter Figures
Picture
Picture Frames
Plates
Porcelain
Poster
Pot
Pottery
Precious Metals
Print
Projector
Real Fur
Resin
Scanner
Sewing/Knitting Machines
Shower Screen
Silver
SIM Cards
Spectacles
Stoneware
Suitcases/ Flightcases (Not acceptable as packaging)
Tail Lights
Telescope
Television
Tickets
Tiles
Torches
Turntables
Vase
Velux
Vermiculite Board
Watch
Window
Window Frame