garryblueboy

On 22/03/2020 at 11:42, JeremyS said:

With all the bad news, I thought I'd cheer myself up, and hopefully some others by posting some pics of my Tak FS 102

Hopefully, I'll be observing Venus with it later.

Jeromy We could have a thread of Taks  in the sun  Here is my TOA150 waiting for first light 

The extra ° of the Ethos is nice but the Delos as an all rounder is a great compromise  I also love the the Panoptics especially in a Dob the 35mm is great spent several hours last night at the eyepiece just wandering around I would love to replace myriads with the Ethos but cost wise even secondhand is not really cost effective 

I have the 9mm 20mm Myriad and 13mm Ethos I do find the Ethos a bit crisper than the Myriads 

Well at long last a clear night and chance to get first light with my Newley acquired David Lukehurst ultra 2 Dob with Oldham optics  I have to say I’m so impressed it’s been in my conservatory for a few weeks just assembled not collimated waiting for this night . set up is nice and easy task taking the mirror box truss tubes and upper assemblies out in one go then rocker box then on to collimation and wow this is by far the easiest Dob I’ve ever had to collimate 2 mins for both secondary and primary and spot on now to await the dark not before a majestic look at Venus and probably  one of the nicest views I’ve had not to much detail but beautiful crescent spent rather a while at the eyepiece as it got darker I moved onto Orion M42 looking good as always resolving the 4 main core and usual outer stars and nice nebulous clouds  trailing out quite far then on to betelgeuse good to see her coming back from her holiday . Both the Pleiades and beehive looked as amazing as did Uranus  before it dipped to low  behind next doors house  before I knew it it was time to pack up I can’t remember having so much fun with a Dob in a long time didn’t mater what eyepiece I used 40mm Maxivision 35mm Panoptic to 19mm Panoptic balance was perfect and precise I can’t wait to try this out at some dark sites I’m sure it’s going to give so much more  

1 hour ago, Rick_It said:

A thing to consider when buying second-hand is the higher probability of getting a lemon.

Suppose you buy a new C8: you will be much more likely to resell it if it is a lemon (say 1/3 wave PV) than if it is a fine scope (say 1/6 wave PV). This is expecially true for mass produced scope with some variability in their quality. I'm not talking about a specific scope, I'm referring to the chances of getting a good scope.

Of course, this is not an issue for Tak, Televue etc..

Not really as if it’s a lemon you take it back that’s why you buy new and pay 100% of the the new price also I know a couple people who have brought Televue scopes and they were sent back  to be re collimated  

7 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Err, I’d probably be a lot richer and have more room in my house

🤣

Just think without secondhand you would be out on the street and poor 😂🤣😂 

A big 👍for the used adds where would we be with out them 

I’d say 14 ” inch is the sweet spot as just light enough to be portable but big enough to show good results the Sumerian Ultra I had was 14 but the scope was to flimsy to hold collimation where as the David Lukehurst is nice and sturdy but still portable 

2 hours ago, tooth_dr said:

Probably the most accurate description, certainly tallies with my experiences.

Perhaps I should have quoted this it wasn’t directed personally 

1 hour ago, tooth_dr said:

My biggest issue is the number of 'private sellers' who have placed dozens of adverts in the past 12 months

If like me they buy and sell to try out what’s best and suits circumstances but am not a trader there are many on here that regular post like this 

28 minutes ago, Adam J said:

I was not really expecting Es to be avaliable Steve hence my comment to GarryBlueBoy.

I’m not sure he’s not available as I know several people who are having work done privately by him 

57 minutes ago, newbie alert said:

My comment was based on a scope that had issues with the optics, it was sold on and the complaint was made but Flo couldn't do anything about it as the new owner wasn't the initial purchaser so couldn't be sorted out ..

I know of a woman that bought a AVX second-hand, there was an issue with it but it was still within it's 2 year warrenty,  celestron didn't back the warrenty as needed the receipt as proof and the original owner wouldn't send it back

2 examples based on astro

I think most people are honest but let’s be honest with ourselves if the seller is stating it’s still within warranty isn’t it as much our responsibility to check weather the manufacturer or dealer will honour it is he she prepared to help if any problems and is there an original receipt no company is going to honour a warranty with out proof of purchase as these items are not recorded by serial number when sold  so its obvious no receipt no warranty it’s an easy ask when buying and usually the dealer will not honour it as it has to be the original purchaser but manufacturer will usually honour with receipt   so taken these things in to account we must then decide if we wish to purchase or negotiate or walk away according to the above details it’s naive to believe you will have the same protection as the original purchaser without the checking the above 

On 20/02/2020 at 14:55, cloudsweeper said:

My eighth (although I didn't keep them all - 4 fracs, an MCT, an SCT, a Dob, and a Newt).

I've wanted a longish focus frac for a while, and didn't fancy the cost, weight, and extra cooling for a triplet, so I've gone for the Bresser Messier AR 127L/1200 Achro.  A little CA on bright objects is not a problem (even less so with a higher ratio).  And I expect it to be sharp and contrasty, with good depth of focus and only little field curvature.

The R&P hex focuser has a smooth and slop-free action.  The straight-through finder has great adjustments on two rings, and with magnification and crosswires should be fine for locating and tracking, inversion notwithstanding.  (If it proves tricky, I'll probably go for a non-inverting finder with illuminated ring reticle.) 

It is big - almost as much a shock as when the 10" Dob landed.  From the front of the tube to the base of the diagonal is 136cm.  The handle between the tube rings is certainly a blessing, and the Skytee II is a good platform for it.  (The home-made counterweight is serving well.)  I'll be fine with it, but keep hearing, "Where are you going to store that?"

I must say, this thing really looks the business - to my eyes, more so than any other 'scope I've had.  Can't wait to put it into action!

Doug.

 

They are pretty big scopes I had it’s big brother and big it was 

New to me a ultra portable 2 14” from David Lukehurst with Oldham Optical mirror it’s also in his gallery quality built scope hoping to get a first light soon had it a few weeks but every time I’m off it’s cloud or rain 

2 minutes ago, Barry-W-Fenner said:

I have added the Astrozap Dew shield to my 200p I find it really helped with lateral light intrusion.

 

Baz

They are nice scopes give a nice image 

2 minutes ago, fiestazetecmk2 said:

The one with the black cover.

That was a custom build made by a member from here but was a bit heavy for portable 

Yes you can  WO and Meade and a couple others do 2” diagonal that fit both you just swap the tube for a SCT thread tube which was supplied or you removed the threaded  adapter.

7 minutes ago, fiestazetecmk2 said:

I think I'd give a kidney for the one on the lawn.

wow fabulous 

Which one there’s two on the lawn 😂 

Had a few now started of with 

12 “ flex tube  

16” flex tube GOTO that was a beast

12”Orion XT 

12” ES MK2

16” custom build

14” Sumerian ultra light Zambuto  

18inch Stargate GOTO on loan 

14” David lukhurst ultra 2  with Oldham Optical mirror current scope it is in his pictures gallery very portable 

I’d say a ADM rail and radius blocks   as I assume you have the refractor with rings etc or a Primaluce labs set something like this 

45 minutes ago, Saganite said:

Good advice Garry. I have met Es Reid, a great person and I am sure he would be able to sort it out. I would still contact the seller first though.

Totally agree Steve the seller should have a chance to put it right 

I too am like Steve I love buying & selling Astro equipment it is  so I can try out what suits me and my circumstances  and most on the used market or through the wanted adds  and like most the Astro gear was as described or better , it is always a gamble buying used equipment as is a used car 🚙 even after test drive and money is exchanged it can have faults 

I have enjoyed all bar one meeting so I guess over the last 25 years that’s not so bad and I have traveled as far as Italy to collect.  If there is a major problem with the triplet alignment I’m sure somebody such as ES Reid would be able to sort and then ask the seller to pay or chip in or refund the scope price 

Hopefully will be going hoping to pick up a deal on a ioptron ipolar  

Doesn’t it need a price thought that was the point of a for sale section 

1 hour ago, mikeDnight said:

Still looks like I'll be buying the coffee! ☕☕

Umm latte no sugar please ☕️