Alfian

Here's my contribution to the Mak brigade. A recently acquired Celestron Mak 127, off an SLT setup, with diagonal replaced with a Circle T item. Its attached to a slightly re-engineered Tal 1 mount, that I had going spare , now in Alt/Az configuration, atop a Skywatcher EQ3/5 type tripod. The Tal 1 modified top plate has an additional plate which gives me a lot more adjustment and with the dovetail clamp I can get things balanced up nicely. I've just got it all fettled and though I have set it up terrestrially (finder) and it all has a good feel to it. Hoping to try it out properly very soon. Have had a 9x50 RACI finder on it but the Tal 1 6x30 goes on it quite well. I have a Rigel which may go on if the need arises.

Nice. I courted the idea (amongst others) a while back of buying the DX 12x56s. Though smaller I'd be interested to know what you think of them.

That is really neat. Grab 'n' go is one thing but perhaps there should be a new "pocket 'scope" category! I like the accompanying friends too.

Indeed. More could be said, but I think more than enough words have passed for little if any edification.

Jules, thanks for your honest personal (interim?) appraisal of your ED120 but its kind of - lets say unfortunate, that it feels "awkward". There is certain sense of inevitability regarding comments and given the benefit of time, hindsight and a maybe a nights sleep (for all!)it will indeed calm down! I think when I first came "back" into astronomy and started looking at equipment, I never had any inclination just how personal equipment choice is. I knew there was plenty of choice but somehow thought (naively) that with budget X there would be some kind of optimum equipment/eyepiece line up. That is clearly not how it is! What works for one person may not do it for another. I bought the 150P (f5) which should have suited me well, it didn't. A good scope, no faults, we just didn't get on, didn't gel. It will suit someone else quite nicely. Advice is given, with the best intentions, the ED120 as good as it reputedly is, is though like most scopes, a compromise. A compromise is almost by definition, a personal thing. You are clearly wanting the ED120 to work for you, you have invested a lot in it personally and lets hope the relationship with time works out. , so time will indeed tell whether its the right one. Come the autumn, maybe with a few good night thrown in (mmm!) you will have some idea. If I can be of any help for a look or a loan of gear the offer is there.

That's kind Jules, tbh I thought it was one you had bought, Astrozap or something.

The mighty mak looks to go well on there Jules. No so sure about the finder though, not so much seated viewing as reclining! Thats also a neat looking dew shield.

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever / Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink. Please excuse the selective quote, but that is really quite something John. Nice observatory too.

Scott, do you have a wide field eyepiece, what some would call a finder eyepiece? With the F6 1200 Dob you could go for a 30, 32 or even a little larger if your skies permit. I find a wide field eyepiece an absolute must. My 35mm gives me 25x and 2.6 degrees. However with regard to the Meade (5000) 28mm, its a good EP with an impressive build quality feel to it and massively bigger than a 1.25"! I would doubt whether you would be disappointed with it. In terms of magnification a 25mm XCel X will give you 48x and I doubt you would notice the difference between that and 43x. Here's a pic of my 28mm next to my Rigel 35mm.

I have the 20mm Maxvision 68, really good useful EP, (and also the 2" 28mm Meade version). Assuming the 24 is of similar quality, its money well spent.

The Rigel has quite a small footprint compared to the Telrad and it also comes with a spare base which is handy.

Thanks for the mini-review Damo'. That's an impressive set up!

Came across this a while back: http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5006_Triton-monopod-with-ball-head---67-to-175cm---max--5kg.html Max height very tall. Construction looks very similar to the tripod I have similar to this - ie heavy duty. With current exchange rates its less than £40.