johninderby

Sometimes they do have very low prices on astro equipment, but not always,  but worth checking out.and they do have very good service.They are what you would call box shifters so don’t ask them technical questions.

Bought a pair of Nikon bins off them last year but later on put them on eBay and got what I paid for them. 👍🏻

Yes the subject of spherical vs parabolic mirrors would make an interesting thread in it’s own right but it is indeed getting away from the OPs question.

Something for playing with your RA/DEC knobs??? 😁

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Interesting if a bit pricy to buy the book. 🙀

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atlas-Andromeda-Galaxy-Paul-Hodge/dp/0295957956

Corrected the link to take you directly to the right size.

OK here you go. Measured an O ring from a 6x30 and this is the closest I could find

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p80025/BS025-1.78mm-Section-29.87mm-Bore-NITRILE-70-Rubber-O-Rings/product_info.html?backstep=1

Brand / Quality: Simply NBR O-Ring - High Quality
Cross Section: 1.78mm
Inside Diameter: 29.87mm
Outside Diameter: 33.43mm

Re: TS...........Wouldn’t be the first time copying product descriptions leads to the wrong specs being shown. 

Interesting thread on CN about Ronchi testing.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/371739-are-ronchi-eyepieces-useful-for-checking-mirrors/

I have noticed that some of the Skywatcher 130 are described as speherical but all the 130p are described as parabolic. Could there be two versions of the 130?
 

Edit. Ahhh here’s the answer.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/blog/skywatcher-explorer-130-vs-130p.html

New focuser and finder bracket for Big Red.

Had borrowed the Badder Steeltrack from Big Red to use “temporarily” with the new 8” Classical Cassegrain and bought a new TS 2.5” R&P for it but found when it arrived that it couldn’t be used. The drawtube had 20mm longer travel than the Steeltrack but was about 50mm longer overall which mean’t it simply wouldn’t fit as adding extensions in order to make it fit mean’t there wasn’t enough infocus to focus with a two inch diagonal. So the Steeltrack is staying on the Cassegrain.

The TS focuser screwed onto the Baader flange on Big Red although needed one of the Cassegrains 25mm extensions as the drawtube hit the rear baffle. Swapped the chrome fine focus knob for a black one off of another scope. Would like a brass knob to go with the scope but at least black doesn’t look out if place. Still need to replace the rotation and locking chrome knobs with brass ones. 

Think the new focuser does look good on Big Red and will work as well as the Steeltrack.🙂

Bought a Svbony finder bracket for the Cassegrain and liked it so got one to replace the WO one originally used. The problem with the WO bracket was the ring diameter was too small to allow the 50mm finder to be adjusted properly. Changed the silver screws for the brass ones.

Also took all the brass bits off the scope and buffed them up on the buffing wheel. Now Big Red is ready and waiting for the AZ100 mount. A mount worthy of Big Red. 🙂🙂🙂

The Astrozap or Kendrick premade filters with the Baader film are fine. 

A wedge is preferable but as you mention more ££££££. You should also consider the Lacerta wedge. Just as good as the Baader wedge and a bit cheaper.. I’ve owned both and couldn’t tell any difference. 

Don’t forget your safey gear before using. 😁😁😁

I use the Svbony finder. Great liitle well made finder and cheap. 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVBONY-Solar-Finder-Scope-Fully-Metal-for-Sun-Positioning-Solar-Eclipse-Observe/362366838367?hash=item545ebf265f:g:N6IAAOSwylRbMfYY

7 minutes ago, Stu said:

I'm sure the 127mm with solar film will be a very good, and good value solution though.

A very good inexpensive alternative to an APO and wedge. 👍🏻

The Baader film is the best of the solar films. Tired the Seymour black film that shows the sun in yellow. Used it once then tossed it in the bin. Poor compared to the Baader.. If you want a yellow sun just use a yellow eyepiece filter with the film. Does improve contrast a bit although not as much as a continuum filter. BTW even a continuum filter only improves  contrast by a tiny amount.

You can make your own using a sheet of the film or buy a premade one. And don’t forget about a solar finder. 

Hers’s mine on a 127 mak. Bought a £7.00 flight case on Amazon and fitted the filter with it’s shipping foam into the case.

13 minutes ago, AdeKing said:

Very excited to hear your thoughts on this setup Stu, as are a fair number of others on SGL I suspect. 

Waiting for my AZ100..................impatiently. 😁

Just so disapointing when your shiny new perfect bit of kit isn’t perfect. Like buying a new car and it breaks down on the way home. Yes it would be put right but takes the gloss off the experience. 😢

Makes you want to collect one of these mounts in person from the shop so you can check it out first. 🤔

Omegon is Astroshop.eu’s own brand and the scopes they sell are also available under other brand names.

You can tell it’s cloudy.😁

Sorted out the finder mounting. Took a standard mounting shoe and cut the “legs” off and filed the base flat. Then drilled and tapped the flat part of the ring and bolted the finder shoe on. The rings got in the way of the finder shoe mounted on theb scope.  

Also added some flocking material to the inside of the rings as the rings weren’t quite tight enough.

These people may be able to help.

https://www.resolver.co.uk/companies/parcelforce-worldwide-complaints

Have a good look around to see if you can find it cheaper somewhere. The eBay one is overpriced I think.

Yes the GSO finder shoe is a direct replacement. The Skywatcher etc has the holes closer together.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Astrostreet-GSO-Finder-Pedestal-Vixen-Compatible-Takahashi-Standard-Corres-New/153397536492?hash=item23b734a6ec:g:7SAAAOSwaEZcd~Ig

Fitted one on my Bresser dob.

I think the Meade finder shoe is the same as the white Bresser one in this photo. You want a Skywarcher type finder shoe like one of the black ones. You might need to drill one new mounting hole as the Skywatcher mounting holes are closer together I think.