DirkSteele

I decided I wanted a visual use solar filter for my APM TMB 105 refractor. While the purchase of Baader Solar Filter material combined with a homemade cardboard holder is more than adequate, I wanted something that looked a little more professional. Unfortunately the readymade solar filters by companies like AstroZap were not offered in the outside diameter I was looking for (152mm). Fortunately Teleskop Service in Germany offers a custom fabrication offer for solar filters (link below) using the Baader Solar filter material. All that is required is the specification of the telescope aperture, outer diameter of the scope / dew shield and whether this is a visual use or photographic solar filter (N.D 5 for visual and N.D 3.8 for photo).

http://www.teleskop-...ustom-made.html

Upon placing the order (24^th May) I received an email accepting the order stating that the delivery time would be 1 to 3 weeks. I received another email on Wednesday 29^th stating that my item was ready for dispatch with a tracking number. The item was delivered this morning, and as you can see, the result is as I hoped.

I placed an order for 2” Baader Solar Continuum Filter and 2” Baader Neutral Density Moon Filter with First Light Optics at around 8:20am last Wednesday. A minute or two after placing my order I received an email confirmation of my order, and another email was received around 4pm the same day informing me that the order had been dispatched. Less than 48 hours later, both items were in my possession. They were both well packed in bubble wrap to ensure they arrived safely.

Very simple and smooth transaction from start to finish.

I own one of these http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p170_Geoptik-Quilt-Bag-for-mounts-like-EQ5---GM8---GP.html

Unfortunately it is not cheaper, and being padded it will offer less protection than a hard case but good for transporting and storing.

Quality Control at Celestron is not what it once was if 5% is the current failure rate.

My first scope as a child was a Tasco 4.5" reflector (saving paper round and birthday money). The optics were not bad, the mount very shaky, and the EPs not great at all, though overtime I managed to acquire (somehow - guessing parental support) a couple of secondhand Televue Plossl EPs which transformed what I was able to see at high power. While certainly not a great example of a telescope, it was my first steps into amateur astronomy 20 years or so ago, so fond memories none the less.

I had heard that at certain times in history, Tasco have "produced" (rebranded other scopes as suggested above) some rather good scopes.

I will defer to other Stargazers Lounge members on the question of how they raise the small flexitube Dob to a level where it is comfortable to view rather than crouching on the ground. If tables are suggested for example, they will need to be very stable, otherwise it will look like you are trying to view during an earthquake each time you touch the scope.

As far as tracking goes, it really is very straight forward to give the telescope a little nudge every 20 to 30 seconds to keep the object of interest in the field of view. Even the alternative 4.5" equatorial mounted scope will require you to turn the RA (no motor) axis to keep the object in the field (assuming you have polar aligned the scope), though that is a simple case of turning one of those flexible extensions you can see in the picture. A larger issue could manifest if you leave the scope to grab someone for example to show them what you have, only to find the object has drifted well out of the field. Both scopes have red dot finders so centering back in on the object should be relatively easily. So your concerns are valid to degree, and one could make the argument of relocating the object would be easier for an equatorial mounted scope as the object will have just traveled along the RA axis.

The additional aperture of the flexitube Dob will grasp approx 27% more light than the 4.5" scope. Not a meaningless amount of extra light grasp, but will not make as much of a difference as you would think, due to non-linear response to intensity of light of the retina. If you have the ability, possibly visiting a local astronomy club to look through different scopes may pay dividends as it will allow to see first hand how much difference more aperture makes to what you see at the eyepiece.

As I mentioned in my first post on this thread, the 4.5" EQ scope is very similar to my first scope from over 20 years ago. It was capable of showing me a lot and kept me happy for a few years until my interest (and a Saturday job in Sainsburys gave me the money) to buy something larger.

One other thing to consider, is that a Newtonian telescope needs to be well collimated to perform at its best. It is a relatively straight forward exercise to undertake (plenty of threads on here if you need some pointers) but the flexitube may well need to be checked each time you use it as the mechanics of the scope are such, that it not likely to precisely return the secondary mirror to the exact same position each time you extend it. The EQ model being a fixed length tube will need to collimated less often.

Clear skies,

Always sensible to be cautious, but the risk one takes by going low budget in this hobby is that the scope could be of a very poor quality which may put you off pursuing the hobby further. One thing to consider is that no telescope has to be a completely sunk cost, as there is a decent and active second hand market so you could recoup some of your investment if you decide astronomy is not for you.

I would suggest something like this would serve you better. I started with something similar over 20 years ago and it showed me plenty but left me hungry for more.

http://www.firstligh...hawk-1145p.html

In the immediate run up to Christmas, I have started specifying and paying for a named delivery date to ensure gifts arrive on time, yet a number of retailers and couriers have failed in their obligations. Not so with FLO. Inspired by the Top 10 Best Selling Christmas Gifts list posted a few days ago, I decided to purchase the Baader Optical Wonder Fluid and Cloth, as one of my Delos EPs got a little bit dirty at a recent star party I attended. Not in any particular rush for the product, I placed my order on around 2pm on the 18^th and immediately received an email confirming my order. The next day I received a notification that my order was complete, and I arrived home from work last night to find it waiting for me on the doormat. Quick, simple and efficient. If only all retailers were this reliable.

Excellent idea. I imagine I will utlise this service in the future.

Clear skies,

I remember the first time I met Patrick Moore. I had gone to a lecture by Thomas Bopp (post the Hale Bopp comet) and in to the lecture theatre walks Patrick and he starts selling raffle tickets like it was main mission in life. Later that same evening I was having a chat with him (month before starting my physics and astrophysics undergrad) and after about 5 minutes he gives me his telephone number and invites me round. Quite the first impression he made. Sky at Night will never be the same. You will be missed. RIP

Eternal Clear skies,

Excellent report. I think a lot of astronomers could benefit from adding one of these to their eyepiece case.

I placed an order for a Chesire Collimating EP with telescope House using their website on Wednesday afternoon. I received an email confirming my order shortly thereafter. On Thursday I received an order confirming dispatch of my item and a text message from the courier stating delivery date with the option to rearrange should it not be convenient. On Friday I received another text stating a delivery window of 1 hour and the item was successfully delivered during that hour.

Straight forward and easy transaction, with good information on the status of the order.

You may have seen an iridium satellite flare. They can be very bright.

That was my initial thought as well, though as it would have been travelling across the sky, I think it would have been hard to confuse with a static position "supernova" which is why I suggested a possible head on meteor.

There are never silly questions. A question is only easy if you know the answer.

With regards supernova, you should not think of them in the context of human scale explosions, where the flash lasts an almost immeasurably short time. A Type II Supernova for example can take as much as 10-15 days to reach peak brightness and then another 50-150 days to decay to 10% of peak brightness.

Unfortunately not possible. The brightness has been recorded as approx magnitude 15.8. Well beyond the capability of the human eye to see unaided. It is more likely that the flash you saw located in the same region of the sky was a more local phenomenon, such a small meteor that entered the atmosphere head on and hence just caused a localised flash rather than the usual trail we are used to seeing.

As Ian King has discovered and other SGL members here, when you start adding more elements into the optical train thae likelyhood of miscolimation is multiplied. I would rather stick with a reputable, tried and trusted triplet and add the field flattener et al to it.

My two penn'th worth anyuway.

Very much agree with your "two penn'th worth"

I decided to purchase one of the Revelation Astro 2 inch dessiccant caps that was listed as a special offer here on SGL. I sent a PM to FLO at 2:10pm (Thursday July 5^th) requesting instructions on how to proceed. At 2:29pm I received a reply from Steve, and the transaction was complete by 2:35pm. I received an email on Friday informing me that item had dispatched, and it dropped through the letter box on Saturday morning.

A very smooth and easy transaction from start to finish.

I placed an order for a William Optics 2” dielectric diagonal with the Wide Screen Centre at the beginning of June. I had already spoken to them and knew they were currently out of stock but was in no hurry for the item. A couple of weeks later I also placed an order for a Televue 10mm Delos EP but requested they hold dispatching the EP until the diagonal was available to save on P&P charges which was no problem. I emailed Simon last Friday afternoon asking for an update on the WO diagonal and he replied a couple of hours later stating he expected them in the next few days. A few days later the order was completed, my credit card charged and order dispatched by special delivery, arriving the next day. The shipment was very well packed which was appreciated.

Despite the delays (which I knew about), the transaction was a smooth one.

I ordered a new 8x50mm finderscope to go with a new Apo that arrived at the beginning of the week. I placed my order early morning on July 3^rd (around 8:30am). Just after 2pm I received an email notification stating that my order had been dispatched. At 3:15pm I received a text message from the courier (Interlink Express) informing me that my delivery would occur on July 4^th, but giving me the option by replying to the text to move the delivery to another business day which could be a welcome option if you are not there to sign for the package on the original delivery date.

At 9am on July 4^th, I received another text with a delivery slot of 10:10am to 11:10am. The courier delivered the item around 10:40am.

A simple and smooth transaction from start to finish.

I have recently attempted to contact a couple of dealers about this scope and they were both suspiciously quiet, i.e. no response at all, which when considering one of them was mid conversation (about 3 emails sent and replied to) might suggest the issues are still to be resolved.

I placed an order for the Kendrick Stargate Observer Tent with Altair Astro on Sunday June 17th. I received an email with tracking information the next day when it was dispatched, and it was delivered by courier on the Tuesday. Considering the 12kg+ weight of the package and the time to arrive, £5 P&P was quite reasonable.

A very smooth transaction.