bomberbaz

It was only recently I re-read the difference between a telecentric barlow and a standard barlow. Cannot remember the webpage but it was a good janet and john type explanation. Gave me a much better understanding of the mechanics of the telecentric version and I understand now why the price difference. I have heard but not verified that there is no discernible difference on the clarity of the views from a telecentric barlow and a standard barlow but standard barlows as @Don Pensack states can play games with the eye relief and also introduce vignetting. Especially in shorty versions. I also did a little research on 2 and 3 lens standard barlows and found this statement on the oreilly.com webpage: Ignore the marketing hype. It doesn’t matter if a Barlow has two or three elements or is described as “apochromatic” (which is marketing-speak for a 3-element Barlow). What matters is the figure and polish level of the lenses and their coatings and the mechanical quality of the Barlow. There are superb 2-element Barlows, including both Tele Vue models, and very poor 3-element Barlows. The fact televue do a two element barlow says a lot so it is something to bear in mind when researching your next model. Steve

Yes and it works brilliantly

I have the OVL Hyperflex 7.2-21 zoom and love it for H Alpha, I was gettin a bit fed up with the lunt ha scope using other eyepieces with poppin one in and another out trying to get optimum viewing or just simply changing view to scan around when I decided to get the zoom but haven't looked back since. I have not used any other zoom eyepieces but this one is built well, very smooth in use and has good ER. It makes a huge difference to the HA viewing allowing me to relax at the eyepiece (when the clouds clear) and now HA is a pleasurable experience rather than a annoying faff.

wow, maybe I should have stated as general rule of thumb. Would that refractor be a high F ratio or don't you know? I have never heard of that one if I am honest. Steve

You Had a chance yet Rod. I doubt it tbh given the awful weather.

So it appears as I have previously read that 100m/4" is indeed the magic number aperture wise for getting granulation to show in white light. Now I only have a fairly basic 4" achro until something better comes along in the 2nd hand market and it has yet to be given a bash at white light but I am hopeful that it will be good enough to give me some granulation when used with a continuum filter.

Superb service. I phoned yesterday and asked after a william optics 90mm vixen saddle, checked stock and had one in. Then they measured the holes to ensure it would fit the intended skytee mount for me. I ordered it and it was delivered today. Can't say better than that. Steve

The 14 Dai, with upgraded supremax optics, primary cooling, secondary heating, adding my own moonlight focuser which I sent and they have added & collimated, balance weights and storage covers. I didn't bother with the pushto system though. Didn't want it this time, after years of running with goto or pushto, I have decided to start learning my way around a bit more.

Yes sorry I should have said in addition to the mandatory ND5 which is a permanent part of the wedge. Don't want someone misunderstanding my comment re the polarizing filter.

So you like the tele extender from ES then. Good for you. I think it’s an ok excellent choice that is overlooked far to often by many people. ps keep the Zoom, its a great tool for viewing double stars and will come in handy if you ever take up solar viewing.

This is interesting. I currently use a combo of continuum and polarising filter in my filter stack. I wonder if I could maybe lose the polarising filter and use a second Continuum filter to achieve a more detailed but similar bright result. BTW. I have viewed without the polarising filter already. I won't be losing my eyesight.

Same here in Burnley. Still I live in hope that we will get one nght when the skies clear and we get a amazing display of stellar beauty. ps, being greedy and hoping for some noc clouds to top it off

Give it a few weeks and I shall be able to provide you an out of the box report Dai 😀

I am no expert on following comets so forgive my naivety. So Lynx & Ursa major are going to be cut in half by the comet according the the trajectory of this diagram and then it slips off down and through Virgo. Given they are available through the night, does this mean that (silly question time) NeoWise is going to be a constant from this coming weekend until early August or am I missing something? Steve

good topic this. I have had some sterling viewings of the moon with my binoviewers but there lies the limits of my experience. I tried using them on white light solar but my eye/brain got all confused with it and I couldn't get the hang of it. Currently my only paired eyepieces for it are 25mm std SW eyepieces. If I start using them more I may consider buying a pair of higher magnification eyepieces but no rush. (Did I just say that) Steve

@solarboy as per the previous reply have you not considered making your own manual version. I am aiming to make one when I get my new dob. The AZ part is here https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/make-an-azimuth-setting-circle/ The ALt part can be achieved with a simple and cheap angle meter. Amazon meter I have compared the meter to a fully working pushto system reading on my Orion XTi and it was very accurate. Essentially as long as your dob is perfectly level, and I mean perfectly level. You make sure you get the AZ spot on using polaris then you will be as accurate as a paid for electronic system.

FLO have seen this thread and are going to put the dimensions on their website once they are confirmed. 👏

Blooming heck its all coming flooding back now. I remember I didn't like the stock skywatcher EP holders so I ditched them in favour of an extension tube with twist lock and then a 2" to 1.25" adaptor. Can't remember what it was or from where I got it but you do need one. Think it might have been a 2" extension because the SW supplied ones are about that long. Something along the lines of this https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/altair-50mm-tube.html#SID=627 Problem solved I hope Steve

White dwarf and proto star are a kind of forum ranking, if you look you are classed as nebula. I am named bomber baz, but call me steve. Proto star is actually geoff barnes, whom I assume is geoff 😅 (btw you aren't the first to make this error) Steve

Good to see you back on here Shane. You were conspicuous by your absence. Steve

I even checked the WO website and they don't even have the seperation on there. It's not like it's a hard job to do so fully agree with you there john.

I phoned up the nice people at widescreen centre who checked the hole separation on the oblong holes of the WO saddle. The measure from 25mm on the inside edges to 45 mm on the outside edges so perfect for the skytee. Also in the red colour which is the colour I wanted. Happy days.

Has anybody used one of the saddles on the Skytee mount and can you tell me if it fits straight off with no alterations? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/william-optics-90mm-saddle-plate-for-vixen-style-dovetail-rails.html tia steve

you can get them here https://www.taurustelescopes.com/en/dsc-system-2/ Not cheap though. Have you thought about making a diy version?

Is there any of the truss pole still sticking out of the base section when you get the first click?