LDW1

I bought this 24mm Televue Panoptic because the price was right and I have been reading about these higher ends performance qualities and just because I wanted to. I owned several lower end Televues in the past but I don't have any presently. I intend to give it some personal try outs against several eps incl this 21mm Hyperion, using several of my various size / type scopes. This is part of my astronomy enjoyments.

Will do. I like trying different pieces of gear not that I really needed it, lol !

Every time you want to change eps, which you do almost every time, you still have to unscrew the one half that is attached to the ep and then screw it on to the other ep, with this you just slide the eps in and out, fast and slick. My 2" wedge ( Altair Astro ) has a built in rotable polarizer. I am sure you knew all of that ? Cheaper, $16 vs about $40 US ? Simpler ?

The only info I could find is that they don't work in many reflector diagonals because of the short travel. Most of my 10 scopes are various size refractors, it will be interesting if nothing else.

I just bought this Variable Polarizing Filter for about $55 C, the 1.25" ep fits into it and then it inserts into the diagonal. You filter the ep by varying / rotating its built in filter to the intensity that you prefer without having to remove the ep each time. Suposedly it varies between 5-25%, I can hardly wait to test it against my 3 other variables incl in my WL scope. If it performs the convenience is obvious. I don't know how long this model has been out there but I just heard about it in the last couple of weeks ?

Those photos don't show the final height of the tripod, it will be considerably lower as it will be used with an astro chair which should make it even more stable but as I mention even now it feeis pretty solid with those small f4.2-f6 scopes. That tripod is a GEEKOTO AT24 Pro Dreamer, I have a couple more heavier built tripods that I might try but it would make the gng a lot heavier. I just received mine as well so I have yet to give it an initial tryout.

I bought this mount to replace my ball head. Can't wait for a clear warmer nite. Sitting on the floor it sure feels solid with that 2lb counter weight.

Based on your comment ' sidetracked ' in your other referenced post I couldn't think of another appropriate word to use, I am glad you came up with one. Nothing wrong with having / using only one scope, ' financial, health, storage constraints ' is maybe a different issue. Clear Skize !

And you lose the enjoyment of experiencing the capabilities, the views of other size / types of scopes that one scope won't / can't provide. Why be lazy about switching scopes depending on viewing times on any given nite, your viewing thoughts, a great change of pace that only various scopes can give. As some great person once said ' variety is the spice of life ', I don't think they were wrong ! PS. It is a great looking scope, a very capable scope.

Feel and is are 2 different issues depending on the astronomer.

I don't think the Redcat is a big scope vs the eq6 it should be SOLID. Visual use is one story imaging is a different.

I have owned all of these mounts / tripods, I still own 3 Porta II's and I disagree wholeheartedly with your visual assessment regarding the az5. My 19-20 lb. 127mm, f6.6 refractor will attest to that save for magnifications greater than those rated for that scope. Even then it dampens down pretty quick.

I revised my wordng to focusable from variable ie the ep turns to bring the focus in.

My Antares 80mm, f4.2 with a fixed 31.5mm focusable ep on a Porta II. And my 60mm Tasco 99vr, f4.9, its one finger out the door gng.

You aren't comparing the az3 vs the az5 for performance are you ? Really ?

Mine sure is, thats all that counts and then again I don't get too critical, lol ! 5kg scope on a 9.5 kg mount / tripod, unusable ? Really ?

It probably is if you have the model with the light tripod but it sure isn't with the model with the 1.75" stainless steel tripod. That model weighs in at around 9.5kg ( 21 lb. ), it carries my 13-14lb. NP101 and my 20lb. 127mm f6.6 refractor like a charm.

Don't worry, I intend to, lol.

I'm going to give it a try tonite under clear skies. Orion will be the first target starting with my little used Celestron 25mm XL - LX.

Even though I said no more reflectors, this one came up at a low price so I bought it. Like new condition with rings and dovetail and collimation cap, a 1.25" focuser. Its ruggedly / solidly built for what it is. I'll play with it for awhile on one of my Porta II's before I pass it on to a younger, beguining astronomer. The first clear nite.

I hope this is the correct forum ? I just upgraded to the newest version of SkySafari, its Plus 7, based on the enhancements that appear to make things easier, more streamlined it is a worthwhile download all for $15 C. Has anyone else ?

10 just like I have. lol ! PS 11 if you count my solar refractor.

We are all in this together, lol !

My late 1959 Tasco Model 308 the forerunner of all the Tasco 9 scopes that followed for decades. It is complete even the wooden case behind. Bought it from a couple for $150 C + shipping, I didn't need it but I wanted to save it from the wrong hands, preserve it if you will. I intend to give it to a fellow astronomer when he is able to travel about 1250 miles to pick it up. Classic or no classic it is in my eyes !