Ratlet

For power I'd go for an extension lead (with RCD!) And a suitable power block. An alternative to a guide scope would be to pick up a cheap prime focus lens like a smcnsuper takumar 200mm or 135mm and an M42 to canon adapter. There's a vintage lenses thread on here which shows examples. There are loads of great things to image at a short focal length and it's much more forgiving than trying to image with a 1000mm focal length. You'll also build up your basic skills like setting up, judging focus, image processing which will provide a rock solid foundation when you go to longer focal lengths. Heck, some people image exclusively in the 135mm-200mm focal length.

I agree. I tend to take the opinion that an infinity is when maths has a blue screen moment. Not Applicable. Also think that maths isn't how the universe is, but rather how it behaves.

If you were to get a third (not that you are 😉) it's good to reassess. I remember the first scope I got was a mak127 which I quickly sold because I couldn't see the attraction of planetary. Fast forward about 3 months and I got the right eyepiece (coincidentally the svbony 3-8mm) and filter and was blown away by Jupiter. Just about over the regret of selling the mak.

Ah well. Going to bite the bullet and order one too I think. Was humming and hawing because of mounting concerns but @paulastro's review of the askar 103 triplet suggests the AZ5 will be good with the 103 up to x100 and since I usually tap out at my 8mm BST (x90) for quick viewing sessions i think this will be about perfect. For longer sessions it'll be going on the gem28 orused for imaging on the gem28. Now to tell the wife. Edit: will add that it's an az5 on the beefy 1.75" stainless tripod. Sky watcher used to claim it increased the capacity to 9kg, which is a complete fabrication imho, but it did improve stability a good bit compared to my carbon fibre one. Also going to get the ADM dual saddle for it as I'm convinced that the stock saddle is pants at dampening vibrations.

But not the 16mm Nirvana. It pretty gnarly on the edges. I'm pretty tolerant of eyepieces but the 16mm Nirvana taught me I have limits. In the middle is good though, but the edges are a bit woof. BST's are great. Very comfortable to use (without glasses). You get a smaller FOV with the Starguiders than the Nirvana's.

Best deals on the eyepiece will usually be found (as mentioned) on AliExpress, although I don't see any in their store right now (The aliexpress search function is janky though). If you are looking be sure to search on the main page as SVBONY has 2 stores, one of which only sells items under Aliexpress's Choice discount. Sometimes you can find a good deal on the svbony site itself, although that can vary quite a bit. Happy Hunting!

Could be worse, this is the third clear night on the trot we've had, and I've got to be up at 0400 for work. No chance I'm getting out with the scope tonight.

He's usually very liminal with his praise for that eyepiece too!

I feel like I've asked before, but in terms of light grasp, how would a 4" f7 stack up against a 130pds? Would the extra aperture be offset by the enlarged secondary?

I also keep coming back in the hope for an update on the Teak Table Tung Oil Tribulations.

I like SGL because I everyone tends to chip in a bit when someone wants an opinion, but will normally let their bias be known. It feels more like a discussion than an argument. I think there a few people on here who have observing skills I aspire to or approaches that I think align with my own so I generally know the answer will be correct when I read their advice. It's not so much a "this is the best way to observe" and more "I observe this way and find it enjoyable". Watch your wallet though. More than once I've read some posts on here and woken up in the morning a couple hundred pounds lighter.

I recognise these words but have no idea what they mean in this order.

The only small issue with sky watcher mounts I have is the way they hold the telescope. It mangles the dovetail. You end up with little dimples all along the dovetail. You can get replacement saddles, but not for the az4. Really wish I hadn't come in the thread though. Getting a 102 and sky T2 seems such a reasonable idea all of a sudden.

Cup of tea and some Lidl/Aldi chocolate hobnobs to keep the energy levels up (they are far superior to true hobnobs). That being said, observing chair near full reclined, pair of 10x50 binos and a cheeky session beer in the summer is fantastic.

Glad nobody has mentioned the combo of az5 and 102 star field. Had the dob out last night for the first time in ages and was thinking how i prefer it for a session with the chair, but having the newt on the az5 was better for the quick looks (just more comfortable). Come on here and see this thread. Maybe I should get that 102...

I'm in a similar boat, although the Morpheus I got is getting the better of me. I got the 17,5degree because I tried the 16mm Nirvana and found it a bit rough at the edges. It was the eyepiece that made me realise I do have limits. I'm a big fan of the 60 degree FOV. I find it just peachy for sketching.

I've used mine for imaging the moon with a pixel 6 which isn't a light phone. The MSM is great.

I'd also go for the starguiders. They're great, or if you are feeling a bit rich the Nirvana's (but not the 16mm as it is pretty awful). Personal preference will come into it a bit here, but I rather like a 60° fov. Just peachy for me. If she doesn't wear eyeglasses and doesn't mind a tight eyerelief and you are looking for high power, get the svbony 3-8mm zoom. It's brilliant, covers a wide range of focal length and is almost parfocal and different powers. I also think it works better at 8mm than the best 8mm optically. Watch for the HD60's on AliExpress as there have been a couple complaints on cloudy nights about quality not being up to par with the originals.

Clear here but the heating is broke on the car and I had to drive it to the dealership and back with the window cracked open and I'm still not warm! Might have to give it a miss tonight... I'll stick the phone on charge... just in case tho.

From a purely visual experience, it is absolutely worth it imho. Pretty sure for every photon that comes down the tube a milicule of stress is launched in the opposite direction. For me personally it's like a bubble bath for the soul. Just washes off all the letch and vileness from the day/week/month. I've been quite lucky and adopted a scavenger like approach to viewing though and if it's clear and dark I'll grab the dob and set it up.

Only bortle 4 in town, but go 2 mile inland and you're down to bortle 2

Up about 60 miles north of Inverness seeing the folks. Should have packed the scope, but at least had the svbony 10x42 in the boot. Got a good look at the pleiades and a scan from vega to capella.

Weird that the pixel 6 pro works. I've had 2 pixel 6 normal edition and neither has been able to figure out where it is pointing. I'm bortle 4 and the garden has no over looking lights. My old honor 20 works okay, but can struggle after a while and isn't as reliable as the iPhone.

Got out on Sunday and burned through another starsense code to try it on my daughter's eye phone after the pixel 6 was a dud and my old honor 20 a no go. Clearly the software was designed for iPhone. Worked brilliantly. Tried my dual band out on the rosette and could see some faint nebulosity. Then wheeled on up to Auriga for the clusters there (my favourite region of the sky). Never spotted some of the faint galaxies and small open clusters up there before but was really cool to catch it in the corner of my eye, zero in on it and then just look at exactly what it was. Panned down to the crab which looked very rectangular. I was completely taken up with greed and jamming in as many sights as I could. Next phone will have to be an iPhone unfortunately. The wife says I shouldn't get a phone for one app, but I don't think see understands. The pixel 6 got left propped against a bag doing astrophotography and I think it performed well.

First clear night in weeks and I've been laid up with some mystery stomach bug. Hopefully it will clear up quick and tomorrow is clear.