David P Osborne

1 hour ago, Ricochet said:

Did you go for the A5 as linked in the original post? Is the 153cm height accurate or does it actually go higher? 

Yes I did go for the one in the original post. Have not actually checked/measured the height, but with my trigger grip, and more or less fully extended it is plenty high enough for comfortable viewing for me.

I am thinking of upgrading my EQ3-2 mount to a go-to of some description. I like my SW 150PL OTA though and don't really want to change that as well - so looking to just upgrade the mount for the 150PL. What would folk suggest - budget is probably in the region of about £500 or so. If possible would ideally like something that is battery powered as opposed to requiring mains  or a power pack for power. But this might not exist for the size/weight of the 150PL.

I went for the manfrotto in the end which works well. Just need a little more practice (and clear skies!) in using binocular and monopod set up. But this feels it will be just the ticket for trips away in the motorhome.

I was given a set of filters for Christmas (previous set stolen in a burglary some time ago and just not got around to replacing). As near full moon decided to have a session with our nearest neighbour. Remembered reading that yellow filter can bring out some detail when observing the moon. Not sure I have done this before. Really surprised and what it does - could trace all the ejecta rays from Tycho, Copernicus and Aristarchus and not sure I have seen the Schroter valley quite so defined before. All in all made for an illuminating session.

I have a pair of Opticron Oregon 20x80 bins, for travelling in motorhome as my full set up takes up too much storage room.

Have been looking at various monopods. I have a decent trigger ball head grip.

Was wondering what people thought of this option: Manfrotto Xpro Video 5 Section Aluminium Monopod: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

The foot arrangement with the ball head looks on paper as if could be useful in conjunction with the trigger grip but may not be that useful, and so would |I be better off just with the monopod alone.

Many thanks for your views

Visual and car travel. My SW150 PL takes up a little too much space in motorhome. 

I may have posted similar before. Am recently in possession of new small motorhome and looking for travel set up that is economical on space for mainly observing.

So far am thinking of WO zenith star 61 or Orion Starblast 62 or at upper end of budget WO Redcat 51. All with SW Star Adventurer Pro Pack on the tripod of my SW EQ3-2. Would I be able to fit my Telrad to any or all of these. 

Finally wondering about adding star diagonal either WO 1.25 90 deg erecting prism or SW 1.25 dielectic star diagonal. 

Thoughts on above appreciated. 

Currently have skywatcher 150PL on EQ3 manual mount. Hopefully investing in small motor home soon for short (and longer) breaks and thinking of slightly more portable and space saving set up. Any suggestions for travel scope and mount or would bins be way to go. Budget is around £500. Set up is for visual observing rather than astrophotography.