scarp15

Shedding a few layers is good, here, the down jacket is replaced with a down vest, late summer nights can become chilly.

Yep I'm looking forward to that aspect to, short sleeved cycling jersey, etc. Having other interests and hobbies ensures that you are kept occupied.

You have to get what you can, when you can, how you can. Been on a family visit to Fylde coast Lancashire. Astronomy was not on the agenda as the forecast looked not so great as usual. As an after thought I took along my binoculars, monopod. Glad I did as last night became lovely and clear, so enjoyed touring the clusters around Auriga, Gemini, Cancer, concluding with the Beehive Cluster, a perfect binocular object. The ISS cruised overhead before my Dad came out to remind me that the Sky at Night was due to start. So quite satisfying after a lengthy period of no activity. Patience, going with the flow with the familiar forecast disappointment, keep on planning and aspiring and retain options in terms of approach.

Quite a spectacle that truly benefits appointing an OIII filter.

New kid on the block

Interesting point John concerning the clarity of M1, For my Friday session, M1 was quite astonishingly defined, without a filter.

Excellent, detailed and vivid account John, very enjoyable to read congratulations. Great to hear of these exploits, taking advantage of some exceptional conditions.

Just to add, at F4.5 a paracorr might become applicable. I like the planetary views, which are crisp and clean with my VX14, F.4.6 that becomes F5.3 with a paracorr.

I have the F6 1/10 version, I would expect that the F4.5 will also provide fine planetary views on nights when the seeing is steady. For when planetary observing is not at its best, it will deliver as a lunar and deep sky telescope. Take it to a dark site when Cygnus is up and it will perform very well such as encapsulating the North America Nebula.

I have fitted the ADM (DV) Dovetail Adapter to the porta mount head. The fixing bolts as Dave had suggested were easily and very promptly sourced via ebay at negligible cost (£1.79 for a pack of four). The 12mm length is in keeping with the supplied bolts, I would expect that 14mm will also fit. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111886065887?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=410851258986&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT The clamp works very smoothly and grips the dovetail bar very securely and I consider that this is a worth while upgrade for consideration for porta mount users. Here is a picture of the newly fitted saddle and with the mount dressed up.

Yes I think that you are right Dave, so M8 cap head hexagon screws, cheers.

My ADM clamp arrived today, unfortunately the supplied bolts are the smaller M8 type. The fixing holes compatible with the clamp are the larger type on a horizontal plane on the mount head. Would anyone be able to confirm this bolts spec please and if possible where I could obtain from?

Superb photos, gives a great sense of the purity of the location and the scale, you do look like the human cannonball Mike, cool avatar.

There was also a similar profile ADM Vixen type dovetail bar that would fit if still available though more expensive. How is your ADM saddle for clearance with the TV76 to operate the focusing wheel?

Hi again John, here are a couple of pictures.

Hi Dobbie, I look forward to a picture of your porta mount / saddle configuration. My dovetail fitting is the 7" Revelation - Synta CNC Dovetail, which has a 5" rail very suited for fitting the TV76. Purchased from Telescope House, where it is still listed, but currently I think out of stock, I will see if I can get some pictures later. I have a ADM adapter incoming. Ordered through FLO, who have been very helpful, the ADM - DVPA TAK -D dovetail plate adapter, which is 4" wide and with one locking knob, is compatible with the spacing and bolt size on the mount head. I will report more on this when received. Some pictures show this with a T-Bar, it however has the standard locking knob and can be best seen on the ADM website.

Just to conclude this thread for anyone who is reading and thinking on similar lines. Except for the ADM (VSAD TAK-8), there are no other alternative replacement saddles, that I am aware of, for a porta mount. There was, profiled on Cloudy Nights back in 2013 an ADM DV series saddle - DVPA - Porta mount, which was a compact, one locking bolt version of the standard saddle, complete with two specific fixing bolts. It looks like this is no longer in production. The Berlebach adapter, which I have mentioned is not compatible with bolt size (M6 in which M8 is required).

I would like to follow on from a thread in the review section started in 2015 by Jabeoo1, ADM saddle, an upgrade for a porta mount. I am considering replacing the saddle on my PortaII mount and have looked into some alternatives. The reasons for wishing to replace are primarily that I dislike the two tightening bolts that tend to scratch and wobble a little when being tightened. Also when assembling my frac into the saddle, it will not always align snugly and the fairly poorly engineered bolts seem to make this worse. The existing saddle with care does function OK, but there are clearly better alternatives out there. Based upon the review and further discussions with James, the ADM (VSAD-TAK8) is a very credible improvement and upgrade. The tapered uniform fit may also eliminate any small trace of vibration that the stock saddle might cause. If using more than one scope on this mount or considering potential future scopes / mounts, then investing in an ADM is completely logical. In my circumstance, I use a compact TV76, attached to the mount with a 7" Revelation Dovetail bar. As I mainly use heavy 2" and particularly low power EP's, I position the scope relatively forward on the mount and with the tension biting, this facilitates good balance. The projection of the (6" overall length) ADM saddle actually crosses over the focusing wheel. I could perhaps move the scope back a little, but I would have to adjust and tighten the tension yet more which I do not really want to do. Not entirely though ruling this option out, I am also looking at another alternative, a Berlebach Dovetail Clamp with Pressure Saddle. This unit is much more compact, matching the profile of the porta housing mount. Since it comes from Berlebach, it will be very well engineered and looks to be functional and secure (there are a few short reviews). I am in the process of enquiring, but it appears to be compatible with fitting to a Porta Mount. It has however only one locking bolt, but looks better tailored to fit a vixen dovetail bar and will be a marked improvement over the stock version. Have you considered or have undertaken replacement of a stock Porta Mount Saddle and do you have any opinions on these two models or any further alternatives suggestions? Below is a picture of my frac on the mount and a template I made to match an ADM saddle.

Here is mine from last night, my take on Black Friday, or perhaps that ought be Black Frosty Friday.

Yes don't give up Mike, you've come this far, just take a deep breath. Keep at them in a tactful manner, disgraceful service but the end product will be immensely worth while.

That is just the kind of setting and circumstance I am hoping for soon.

A different design concept of cause, yet a big leap in cost over a 400 flextube. As said, hope you can resolve the somewhat impracticable questionable design features and get favourable use out of this, expect that the mirrors will / ought to be very good.

Good to read a report on one of these, but clearly with issues. Great if you could continue to post any follow on observation / performance accounts and if you are able iron out any further initial problems.

Not quite as compact as some, here is my travel kit, which I currently carry to my obs a short walking distance from home and intend to take on family camping trips. The kit comprises in the case, TV76, 5mm Pentax XW, Lumicon UHC, Rigel Quikfinder ( I would like to include if TeleVue introduce one next year a 4mm Delite) A 21mm and 8mm Ethos in the bolt cases, the vixen porta mount , tray, flexible handles are carried in an awnings bag.