johninderby

Not much new to report. A few clear but poor seeing nights lately. Wanted to take a few moon shots but moon is a bit low now and hidden behind houses now.

Tis a wee bit warm here in Derby as well. Decided it was too warm to pressure wash the patio this aft. 😁😁😁

Have retreated to the air conditioned bedroom instead. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Waiting for the first SGL report. 😁

Having just bought a new scope a couple of weeks ago no new APM zoom for a few weeks anyway.😢

Stainless steel thumbscrews in the right size are readily available from Amazon or eBay.

The best finish for a Berlebach tripod is Osmo Polyx Hardwax Oil 3032 Satin Clear. Easy to apply and when hardened tougher than polyurathane. 

Used it on a Report tripod when I’d added some markings to the legs and wanted to protect the markings. Perfect match to the original finish .

They also do a UV-Protection-Oil but found the regular seems to hold up fine.

A very solidly built bit of kit and great views as well. 👍🏻

Wasn’t that SV41 a customer return from Amazon not a new one?

8 minutes ago, MonsterMagnet said:

That looks very nice indeed.

2.5kg is probably OK although I would need a tripod and mount.  It's probably also right at the top or perhaps even more than I think I'm going to pay for something that will get fun but fairly rare usage.

I'm going to have a proper read of your longer thread on the SV421 today - do you still use it?

MM

Yes I still use the Svbony 70 mak. super portable👍🏻

How about the SW Evolux62 then? Super compact at only 295mm long retracted. I have the 82 mm version and am impressed at just good the optics and build quality are. Will take very high magnification which is one sign of excellent optics. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/sky-watcher-evolux-62ed-ota.html

Before deciding on the Svbony over the C70 I did some research and it soon became apparent that the C70 had problems with a poor prism amd so so optics so I soon crossed it off the list.

The Svbony has nice sharp optics and has surprised me with how capable it is for an inexpensive little mak. The stock zoom is usable but using a better zoom or a fixed eyepiece is worth it.

Time for one of these in the front window perhaps Rowan. 😁

What a true gentleman. A while ago he was kind enough to dig out a copy of a monograph on Will Hay he had and send me a copy. We have a shared interest the actor and astronomer Will Hay apparently. 🙂

Tightening the Alt Lock will help although with a long refractor it can  require rebalancing. Perhaps asliding a balance weight on the scopes dovetail might help.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-counterweight-kits/adm-dovetail-counterweight-kit-d-series.html

Now if they sold the Starsense as a stand alone unit for say £99.00 they would sell a shed load of them. 

Now that”s what I call a set of finders. 🙂

Well done. 👍🏻

Or the Tecnosky version.

https://astrograph.net/epages/www_astrograph_net.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/www_astrograph_net/Products/AGTEC90OWL

Small thing but found the finder was a bit far forward for comfortable use when seated but then realised there was a hole for a finder shoe on the focuser. Problem solved. Simply moved one of the finder shoes to the focuser and now more conveniently located.👍🏻

From Optical Visions website.

“Building on the foundation of the popular Evostar line of doublet ED refractors, Sky-Watcher has developed the all-new Evolux ED series. Designed for the discerning astrophotographer looking for a lightweight scope that still packs a punch. Naturally, Evolux ED models offer excellent performance for visual use too. Evolux ED models have key upgrades in the optics and the mechanics,”

The new SW Evolux82 and prospect of a clear night. 🙏🏼

SW claim that the Evolux is positioned between the Evostar doublets and the Esprit line and initial impressions are that that seems to be so. 👍🏻

I wish GSO would use heavy duty CNC primary mirror cells like Bresser. Not a fan of those light weight cast cells.

Unexpected hole in the clouds so a spot pf moonwatching.🙂

Much better seeing tonight and while I thought the moon looked good last night tonight it was so much better. Views were stunning with superb detail and great contrast. Did use a Baader Neodymium filter as it’s my favourite moon filter. Couldn’t believe I was seeing so much fine detail in an 82mm scope. WOW.

Found a TMB Planetary 2.5mm eyepiece that I had forgotten about. Worked really well and probably about the best focal  length for lunar observing with this scope. Wonder how well a Tak TOE 2.5mm would work. 😁

Then used the 2x focal extender in combination with the TMB 2.5mm giving a mag of 423x and while the image showed more detail not as comfortable to use. This scope really will take some serious magnification though..🙀

So often people assume things are much cheaper in the US. As in this case not allways so.

21 minutes ago, Ags said:

Certainly sounds like a good start!

How do you find its portability? I am looking for the biggest affordable frac I can pack. Seriously thinking of selling my C6 to fund this.

Also was thinking about buying the 4mm Nirvana this morning while walking the dog.

Very compact and portable. About 4kg with the finder, diag and eyepiece,  oh and the handle. You could save weight by using a 6x30 finder and a 1.25” diagonal.

Forgot to mention the focuser was super smooth with a lovely just right feel. Smoother,I think than the StellaMira focuser. Both are R&P.