JG777

Don't forget to check your power, it is often the cause of alignment errors when the mount is not getting enough juice. The one I had would flash the red light at 11.7 v and start to misbehave.  

5 hours ago, Scooot said:

On a Dob, I personally think using their Nexus via Sky Safari is better rather than the DSC. You then don’t need to type in coordinates, just push the dob to a target that’s visible on the screen.

The Nexus DSC has internal GPS, location coordinates and time are updated in about 20 seconds, unless you mean tapping in the target from the keypad. There is little point in buying the DSC and using Sky Safari, you just have an expensive black box doing not much. So the Wifi Nexus makes more sense if Sky Safari is to be used. 

Some info here and @Ags had one.

49 minutes ago, rwilkey said:

Hi there, I agree with others, the AZ3 option is risky/borderline, the AZ5 would be a good contender.  I chose the Vixen Porta II Mount which carries my f/9 100ED well and has slo-mo controls.  The only thing is that it is more expensive, but what price stability?

Totally right, an unstable mount will kill the best scope in the world. What is often overlooked is the tripod, it really is key to stability. Like others I learned the hard way eventually saving funds for some Swiss engineering and some Berlebach wood, it becomes a night and day difference. Sadly its all cost but my attitude now is measure twice cut once.

I did for a time use an SW ED Apo 100mm on AZ4 which had the steel tripod, that was more stable than the aluminium one. A fair difference as I recall, never needed slow mo either. When it worked it was quite stable with the 100mm but mine was poor quality, mount and scope and that lot and I were soon divorced. 

I have to admit I now avoid SW stuff and have only one item from them an Equinox 80, everything else has either arrived faulty, of just has not lasted the pace. 

55 minutes ago, Stu said:

I see you mentioning the II, I have the one before. Functionality seems to be good enough, do you know what the difference is? All it needs to do is read the encoders and then transmit this over wifi which I think the Neixs should do I think?

 

Stu, it should be the same or better, ie it should work. I only have the full beans DSC, I like SS but prefer the box to do the work.  

2 hours ago, John said:

Personally I'd not use the encoders or the Nexus DSC unit so I hope the mount functions well without them.

I'll find out early next week when the only AZ100 yet in existence (complete with encoders and the Nexus unit) arrives

If the encoders are fitted you should not notice any difference in use as you are star hopping without them, but encoders do use up some real estate especially as they seem the larger optical type, and they look to be built inside the mount so are protected from  the elements which is a major plus on that side of things, however they will not impede on the mounts function.

So FLO are providing you with a Nexus DSC.. interesting!

14 minutes ago, Stu said:

I have a Nexus, would think it should work. The website says it works as a wireless DSC and I used to use one with encoders on my 16" Sumerian. I love Skysafari, so this would work well.

Yes a choice between Nexus II and Nexus DSC, if you choose the latter and opt to use SS6 via wi fi you have a very expensive black box with a whole lot of redundancy built in, so in that circumstance I agree the II makes a lot of sense..

20 minutes ago, Stu said:

Won't the basic Nexus work with the encoders for connection to Skysafari?

Nexus II should work, but would need to check. If you like to find things with a phone or tablet, though its more stuff to charge up before leaving the house.  

@johninderby You could save around £200 by getting an Argo Navis rather than a Nexus. The saving would be around £70 less if your parcel is chosen by customs to inspected. One of my ANs got away with the import charge but the second back up unit did not... I have both Argo Navis and Nexus DSC in service and in my opinion the Argo is easier to mount due to the supplied bracket which only needs 2 cable ties for an AYO II, or indeed velcro attached to mount or tripod. I think the new Rowan won't be a lot different. The Nexus will require a conversation with Serge as he will make the bracket for you, and supply the tray after you let him know the measurements. At a cost of course! Mind you you DIY skills will probably find a better way if required.

Alan,

I wonder as well, I asked them ages ago but didn't get a reply! Its easily within their capability.

Thats interesting as the TS CC 150mm caught my eye as well, the cool down should be comparable to a newt plus no image shift from the focusser as the primary is fixed. I'm not sure if anyone on here has got one but if you search on CN there are some favourable reviews. I don't know enough about doubles but have become more interested lately so am not sure if diffraction spikes would spoil the view of them. The central obstruction in the CC is a bit more than most standard Maks but it might be very marginal comparing the view. I think Beat  makes a handle for the AYO and in 2 different lengths but what I don't know is if you can fit the handle and still have the second clamp. The AOK site seems to be down from here at the moment. I would very interested to hear how your C11 friend gets on with high mags. I guess I could try my 9.25 from the Evolution on the AYO  with a wide scope to balance, might be worth investigating this winter.

Hi Math

Pleased the info helped you. Interesting you mention an 8 inch cassegrain on the other side, I'm looking at Maks for the same purpose, something that will be preferable for planets and doubles, probably in the 150mm range and would complement the newt very nicely. Were you considering the classic cassegrain or something like a C8? 

Have also been using the Argo more just lately, they are bullet proof.

We have a web site , a closed FB page, but it is the Whatsapp group where nearly all the comms are done. One thing though we never add anyone to our stargazing group until we have met them. So after the initial contact we meet them locally for a drink and a chat, after that we add them. The reason for this is we only do stargazing and people want to know who they are going to be out with rather than complete strangers turning up. I have found that the joining members really appreciate someone taking the time to meet them as well, and it pretty much ensures the people are genuine. A lot of requests on FB and even by email are not the real deal so to speak. I don`t think think it will ever be a massive group, it was 18 at one point and has reduced since some fees were required to pay for PLI. As a stargazing group only the core thing required is a safe observing place for the members with parking, and that can be a challenge to find.

Are these the ones ?

http://astrograph.net/epages/www_astrograph_net.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/www_astrograph_net/Products/AGENCAZ5

You can ask Rupert at Astrograph, or Serge at astro devices. Gary at Wildcard may have the right ones as well. 

I assume they must be optical encoders? I would hope so. Shame Berlebach do not make an M10 to M12 adapter, for EQ5 type owners. I would say already it looks good for the money if your tripod is M12, and you do not need encoders. If you already own a Nexus you can be in business for around £1300, don't forget a Nexus is about £435, if you have to factor that in its knocking on £1700 and thats without the  counterweight options!

Looking at those images I'm thinking the saddles look quite close in so clearance might be an issue for long tube scopes, I wonder also if Rowan might have extension options?  Could be an idea further up the road especially if there is an option for M10 at the base.

If it works as well as the other top rated mounts like AYO, and AZ8 etc then Rowan will need to add a night shift. 

6 hours ago, Starobserver said:

Hi there,

I have a question about the Ayo and the OO 6-inch. I ordered the AYO II and was wondering which OO6 inch you have on the mount. Is it the f/5 ?  And do you keep clear of the tripod-legs with the scope. I ask this because I am still strugling about what scope to use with the AYO II. A newtonian or a cassegrain-type....   anyway, maybe you can give me some info on your setup. Looks fantastic.

Cheers

Mat

 

 

Hello Mat 

It is indeed an OOUK 150mm F5.

For my height I normally set the scope to just miss the tripod, so the rings are moved very near to the focusser, and the scope is mounted central on the dovetail. I did get some extra clearance when I added a clamp to the other side which helps. So depending how tall you are might affect where you position the scope, I am 1.78 and find when the scope is mounted to just miss the tripod and the M10 extension tube is attached (the config in the images) the focusser is in a really comfy position, not too much stooping over to observe. In essence though you cannot quite get the scope perfectly balanced but with RDF and EP in the weight is approx 5.5KG and the AYO is not troubled at all. Really nice smooth movements and you would never know the scope is slightly unbalanced. I have tested it with the scope 2 inches off the tripod, pretty much the same result. The AYO has a lot of wriggle room it seems when it comes to scope balancing. 

Hope this helps.

John 

You can buy the caps.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/rigel-aline-collimation-cap.html

On 21/09/2019 at 11:15, Alan White said:

You will find it a solid bit of kit 

Dave f15 recommended them to me when I bought the 103s and I do not regret it

Thanks Alan, the adapter arrived today and Dave is a pleasure to deal with. You are right it is a very solid piece of kit. 

1 hour ago, Paz said:

Is there such a thing as small-scope-aperture-fever?!

Yes definately if it means you pick the scope up and take it with you. In many cases I found that I needed to consider a practical value over a want or would like value, but your right to consider where it fits in with your other scopes but don't let it become a numbers game. Case in point is that I have just got another 80mm scope instead of something around 100mm because my next scope up is a VX6. However I found before that a 100mm APO was the awkward middle child, not feeling like a grab n go and whilst it looked like a big gun it didn't deliver much like one whereas a 6 inch VX starts to pull in DSOs so much better in a tube the same length. That was my experience of it, based on usage and circumstances but I get it is different for others. 

There seems to be so much truth in the saying about scopes you use rather than scopes you would like!

I have 2 of the scopes in your list, the Equinox 80 and the TS72. I have taken both of them abroad on aircraft and travelled in the UK with them, and used them here for grab n go. In terms of portability the TS72 wins hands down but if your backpacking shorter distance the 80 may be the better choice once you consider the overall weight of what you are carrying. Only you will know your limits weight wise and what is physically reasonable for you. 

For air travel I only take the 72mm now as every gram of weight adds up when you have only so much allowance, for UK travel in the car I choose the 80 for the performance advantage. If I was carting the kit by rucksack I think I would gravitate towards the 72mm. Its not just weight the 80 is quite a big bigger overall with the tube size. Mine has another dovetail on the bottom of the standard foot as that didnt always fit some clamps, but that adds weight. 

In terms of performance both are very good, the TS feels like it really punches above its weight and seems very sharp to me right across the FOV,  the Equinox performs better than the 72mm simply down to those extra mm as you would expect but you always have the feeling that the 2 scopes are not that far apart overall. I really like and prefer the rack and pinion focusser on the 72mm, it feels totally bullet proof. 

I can't answer your question on binoviewers , my knowledge on that is zero!

Both scopes have options for a finder, RDF and easy to fit. As always there is a compromise, aperture wins in performance but its not a huge difference and the smaller scope is unlikely to disappoint as long as you accept the limitations of 72mm whilst appreciating how much less room it uses in the bag.

I think you may have a tough choice here, if your need is as specific as you mention, if may be down to what I mentioned about overall weight, room in the bag and how far you can hike with the kit. Finally though I can assure you that failing any defect, both these scopes are very good performers and won't dissapoint.

Just to say in those pics the tubes look a similar size but the 72mm is closer in on a crop, it really is a lot smaller. I can take some side by side if you want and get some weights if you need some extra detail. 

If you are going to be visual only do not get an EQ mount get an ALT/AZ easier and quicker set up and to use. I have not used a Meade but have the C9.25 Evolution which is an excellent visual scope. In my astronomy group there are 2 Evolution 8s one is an Edge variant and they are both very good for visual observing. The Evolution mount is reliable, tracks well and is a dependable performer and a lot better than the Celestron SE mount. There seems to me to be a lot more Celestron knowledge available out there than for Meade systems, this could sway your decision.  

I missed this thread as well, that scope is delightful. My first ever scope was a Vixen 4 inch Apo I bought around 1990. I remember waiting 6 weeks for it to be delivered. and have fond memories of using it in the garden. Two years later twin daughters came along and astronomy pretty much ended for me, I sold that scope and regret it to the day. I just recently bought an SD81 S for that Vixen blast again! Enjoy that scope Rob  that will be a lifelong keeper.    

Thanks Alan, appreciate the info and heads up on the clicklock, it's got my name on it! 

Interesting question, maybe it seems the trend because forums have so many threads on the subject of imaging. Plus the complexity of it leads to more threads than plain old visual. It could be as visual observers there is simply less to say, and articulating a visual session on a forum could be difficult to express , rather than techie talk on imaging rigs. 

It is a subject that often arises on here, and you can imagine some of the tales. It is really worth putting some time and effort into finding a suitable dark site and maybe avoiding the obvious public places. Rob is spot on about researching a place by day and night, during the winter months public intervention decreases in my experience.

I would suggest scanning an OS map and Google maps for places out of town and try some private venues. Cricket clubs, local football clubs, angling societies, council run yards, churches with gated car parks etc are all worth a try. Find out who the secretaries are and write them a nice polite email seeking permission. I have a few templates I use and tweak them to match the venue.

Our group managed 4 sites doing this and more recently secured an agreement with a private site that is fenced, gated keycard access, can't be seen from the rural lane, with car parking and even a toilet. Excellent all round vision. No street or direct lighting, the place is priceless. Cost...well we all had to chip in a few quid for public liability insurance but thats the only cost. We have to call the security box when we arrive, and upon leaving confirm the gates are locked. Half of our group are female as well and they won't go out to a public place on their own.

If you spy a place PM me and I will help you put together an opening mail for request of use. 

Good luck.