johninderby

Rings 🙂

Bought some 230mm tube rings from Telescope Express. Nice solid pair of rings. I wanted to make some chages to make it better for Alt-Az mounting with the handle on the top when fitting the scope to the mount. Makes it easier to be able to hold the scope in position with one hand while tightening the saddle  clamp. 

Removed the dovetails and radius blocks from the OTA. Fitting the Losmandy radius blocks to the rings required drilling a couple of new angled holes in each block and tapping the holes to M6. Countersunk bolts were used to fasten on the blocks from the inside of the rings. The Vixen radius blocks on the top were easier as  existing holes in the blocks could be used to bolt them in place. It’s so much easier fitting the scope to the mount now. Oh and the new knobs on the saddle worked a treat. So easy to get a good grip and get them good and tight. 👍🏻

Had the scope out the other night. Left it to cool for an hour. Dew was dripping off the scope and had to wipe off the finder and eyepiece but zero dew on the scope primary or secondary. Had read that this scope just doesn’t dew up. 

Took a tour of the moons terminator and was impressed by the sharpness, contrast and detail showing. Then tried the Morpheus 4.5 which would give 541 mag. All I can say is wow.  Unbeliveabe detail !!! The sensation of just floating above the moons surface was remarakable. I had thought the Skymax 180 was a good lunar scope but this is in a different league. I could see more detail than I ever did in the 180. And this was with mist and not great seeing. Can’t wait for a clear night with great seeing And also the collimation needs some fine tuning. 

And a couple of stainless steel knobs arrived from WDS. 👍🏻

Will make tightening down the dovetail saddle a lot easier as you can get a proper grip unlike the stock knobs. 🙂

Tube rings and focuser for the 8” Cassegrain. Now Big Red can have it’s Steeltrack back. 👍🏻
 

TS 2.5” R&P focuser and the tube rings will let me set up the scope for an Alt-Az mount properly. 

I have seen comparison tests that do show that the cheap dielectric diagonals are not terrible but lack contrast in particular  compared to the big name brands. Also often the mirrors aren’t mounted well and some stick out into the light path blocking a bit of the aperture. The Orion and Celestron are not quite as good as say the WO or ES or GSO quartz diagonals.

Must be said though that when you get to the price point of the WO paying more doesn’t seem to make any real difference.

Just so happens my TS-AZ5 will be going up for sale next month when I get my AZ100. 😁

Shoild have put keep your eyes open for a second hand refractor version and if you do find one then sell yours.

There is of course one way to make several second hand ones pop up. Just buy a new one and next day.......😁

I much prefer seeing the latest post in a thread. So annoying to have to wade through a load of posts from the beginning. of a thread. Easy enough to click on the left arrow and go to the beginning if that’s what you want.

Or if you really want something special the new Rowan AZ100.  😎

The makn problem is the newt version of the Steeltrack has only 40mm drawtube travel whereas the refractor has 80mm. Much better to sell yours and buy a second hand refractor version. There are other differences in the design as well.

The stock clamps ade very poor. Definately need changing for sonething better.

You needed the mounting flange from the RT adapter set intended for the original Steeltrack.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/baader-steeltrack-rt-adaptor-set-for-celestron-skywatcher-refractors.html

This just arrived today and bought on eBay.

Ah the days of mono monitors. 😬

I use the Baader on Big Red.

Go for the Telescope Express TS-AZ5 over the Skytee II. Looks the same but costs more but worth it as you get a properly assembled and adjusted mount. Extra quality control does cost a bit extra. 

Just realised I’d posted the wrong link
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-diamond-steeltrack-focusers/baader-steeltrack-diamond-rt-for-refractors.html

Baader do a huge range of adapters to fit anything.

https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/accessories/telescope-accessories/focusers/2"-bds-rt-baader-diamond-steeltrack.html

The Mmonlite looks nice but Isn’t perfect. there are others of similar quality for less. The Baader Diamond Steeltrack is a stronger and more durable focuser that is very highly regarded. The Feathertouch is superb but so eye wateringly expensive nowadays..

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-diamond-steeltrack-focusers/baader-steeltrack-diamond-nt-for-newtonians.html

I’ve added the 1/10th upgrade to a couple of hex focusers and both have worked perfectly. Could be a defective 1/10 unit I suppose. Sounds like the grub screws have been overtightened, but definately get on to Bresser for help..

The source for knobs.

http://www.wdsltd.co.uk/categories/65/hand-knobs-thumb-screws/

😁😁😁

Engine sounds, gun firing etc.

23 minutes ago, Craig123 said:

thanks 

looks interesting..no idea what it is though ??

Armotek 1:6 scale Tiger 1 tank. Long term build project. Insane detail and serious money. Not that much less than a new TEK160.. 🙀🙀

Yes Tracers are great though just a bit pricy. Fortunately I have a couple used for another hobby available.

Try looking at golf shops as they sell ideal deep cycle batterys for golf carts and they often come with a charger. Should be some clearance sales going on at this time of year.

If you had to carry the battery a long way would  recommend a Tracer LiFeP04 which are great betteries but are £££££

3 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Very neat end result John 

Yes indeed it is so much nicer than the tall stalk. 🙂

Maybe Rowan should bring out some proper low profile finder brackets. 🤔

Svbony finder shoe and dovetail. Didn’t want the shoe but couldn’t find rhe dovetail on it’s own. Cheap enough though anyway.

Had some old small finder rings and just needed something to bolt them to. Flattened the bottom of the rings and bolted them in place. Result one nice and neat low profile 6x30 finder bracket and could get rid of that irritatingly tall Skywatcher bracket on the Bresser 127 mak..👍🏻

Uncoperative weather to say the least.. 🙁
Not used it enough to form a real opinion. Seems very good but only glimpses between the clouds.