Ratlet

These:

https://www.printables.com/model/471145-standardised-2-telescope-astronomy-eyepiece-filter

Are borderline indestructible.  If you lack a 3D printer I can rattle off a couple.  Just need the thickness of the filter.

Also available in 1.25"

https://www.printables.com/model/368783-standardised-125-telescope-astronomy-eyepiece-filt

39 minutes ago, AL1 said:

Hi,

Time I gave my Onstep project some attention.  New hand controller PCB from JTW Astronomy.

That's a nice board.  Are those cherry keyboard switches?

19 minutes ago, Emperor!Takahashi! said:

And I love your sweater 😊

Lol.  That is my daughter.  It's her job to point at things for me 😂

I use the svbony handle.  This is the 203mm version.  They also do a 135mm version.

I'd compare buying direct versus from the official store on AliExpress as there can sometimes be a big price difference.  I love my handle.

8 minutes ago, The60mmKid said:

I've been a model of self-control over the past few months (constant clouds and work-related exhaustion have helped), but then this happened: 

 

That looks a bit bigger than 60mm ,😂

Fabulous sketches.  Really feels like looking through the eyepiece.

I think I've seen more observing reports in the last couple of weeks than the first 6 months of the year.  More than makes up for the lack of dark skies up here and is fairly working my appetite up!

Keep them coming!

A couple of flexible couplings, one for the focuser and one for the EQ platform.  Also pictured is a cautionary tale from AliExpress purchased mini breadboards: 

When you order 2, make sure the pack size isn't 10.

In my defence they were priced for 10 about the same as a single one in the UK

You planning any solar with it or purely for nocturnal activities?

This far my ST80 which I managed to get into a backpack sized setup including mount and tripod.  At some point I'm planning on testing breaking down the 102 to see if it can be made back packable.

4 hours ago, TiffsAndAstro said:

I think nuc weighs 260 grams which if true is pretty nice

Mine is 650g without cables.  50g of that will be the dovetail adapter,  Mine is 5th generation.

14 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

You are supposed to keep both eyes open and not close the other eye. It's natural and comfortable to keep both eyes open.

I've got a nordic style hat with ear flaps and tassles my mam bought for me years and years ago and rotate one of the flaps over my left eye when observing.  I also find it much more comfortable observing with both eyes open.  I don't know what it is but I find it much more tiring having to hold one eye shut.

1 hour ago, TiffsAndAstro said:

I think nuc weighs 260 grams which if true is pretty nice

I'll have a weigh of mine.  I like the fact they cost next to nothing second hand.

16 hours ago, TiffsAndAstro said:

something like this is what im aiming for but starting by velcro'ing my usb hub to the handle or maybe back of the top dovetail.

is that an intel nuc i see screwed on? because one of those or maybe a mele quieter is on my list.

I use a nuc.  Current plan is to mount it like this with my guide cam ahead of the nuc.  Might need to modify the 3D printed NUC bracket for more clearance.  Failing that I'll stick it on one of the scopes finder shoes.

I'm using the 210mm handle and dovetail on a 102ed f7

55 minutes ago, Elp said:

I wouldn't discredit my dovetail being non standard, but it looks right, slot down the middle so I can place rings variable distance apart.

I'm  worried about mine being nonstandard also and suggesting people buy a handle based on the lengths of the third party dovetail I'm using.  Would hate if I made someone buy the wrong bit

1 hour ago, Elp said:

From my research this was the best fit for a reasonable price, as I also wanted the rail for GS or asiair fitment. You obviously have to alter the tube ring spacing on the base dovetail to bring them closer:

 

I need to double check the spacing on the dovetail that came with the scope.  I completely forgot I swapped mine for a different one (one of my mounts has that silly pin on the saddle that chews up dovetails).  Been recommending the svbony handle to people and it might not be the best option for the dovetail that comes with it. 😳

3 hours ago, Elp said:

This one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/william-optics/william-optics-120mm-saddle-handle-bar.html

Definitely enough room for your hand (one) as otherwise I wouldn't have installed it, came in handy when I was installing the OTA at head height into a mount saddle.

Is that the right length of handle?  I got one of the variants and needed the 203mm handle ( I went SVBONY though because I am a cheap human being).

46 minutes ago, TiffsAndAstro said:

already do this in my head

A Florida Man pointed this out to me in houston about 12 years ago and I'm afraid it's become a bit of an speech impediment for me now.

1 hour ago, TiffsAndAstro said:

This is really useful for me Ty. I'll have a look at sv bony £17 sounds very reasonable.

The OTA rings need an M4 so I'll get some.

The finger point to the bright red handle made me fall off my chair laughing, Ty

and yes my zwo 120 f4 scope has a long looking stalk.

My daughter was confused when I said I needed her to point at the handle at first but the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree and she thought it was funny too.

I use the svbony handle.  It has an integrated findershoe mount so if your guide scope has a finder it'll fit.  Depending on the length of handle you need you might be able to fit the hub in there too.  If not some velcro and stick it under the handle.  Mine takes the longer handle (205mm) and I'm pretty sure I can get the intel nuc and the finder scope.  Your finder looks like it has a long stalk?

I suspect the rings might take a 1/4" whitworth bolt.  I can have a check if my handle will accept them.  If you do go down that route have a look at ordering direct from svbony as it'll be cheaper than Amazon(currently £17 before shipping for the 135mm,£26 for the long)

My only regrets about the handle is that I didn't buy one sooner and that red tube rings are so expensive!

Welcome to the forum!  I will do my best to not pronounce your home state as Ar-Kansas in my posts.

The thing I like about the EQ platforms is that at year the idea is pretty simple and you can approach it so many different ways and different solutions to problems.

You could spend weeks hunting down where excess stiction/friction is creeping in, changing parts etc.  or you could put a second motor in and get out and observe.

I've used CAD to design mine (if you are careful in CAD you can design the platform without any maths which suits me fine).

I think David Lukehursts platforms are near works of art.  The man was a watchmaker of eq platforms.

I dont want to take it too far off topic, but I keep my basket and wishlist full of cheap things that are nice to have and use them to round up when I need something.  I live rural and the local hardware store wouldn't be able to source much of what I need and the AliExpress things are the exact same as Amazon, only 1/2 the price.

I'm keeping well clear of the astronomy stuff right now.  There is a Gemini autofocusser on there for £60 and my willpower is being seriously tested.  Fortunately the solar guys on here are posting lovely reports and images and making me want to spend even more money of a Hershel wedge!

The EQ platform is my top priority right now though.  I'm going to use a stepper motor (nema 17 with a 1:100 planetary gearbox).  Not required over cheaper DC motor, but I wish to learn programming with an Arduino so it will be a good opportunity to learn.

I have already done the calculations for my sectors so with this ball joint (and some pillow bearings I have on order) I will be good to start.  You video has given me a major inspiration to get going as I've found the last part!

Perfecto!  Really appreciate that.  Love an AliExpress link for something that I need that costs next to nothing.  Gives me an excuse to order another £7 worth of stuff to get the free shipping 🤣

I'm at work the now so struggling to get the video to work due to filter.

What is the name of the pivot you use for the south point?  I've struggled to find that specific part.