johnturley

2 hours ago, geordie85 said:

This is a great shame as I was planning on getting an Esprit 100 at IAS this year, especially as FLO will be attending. 

Maybe I'll still be able to, but not holding up much hope. I'll still be going to see if there's any decent offers

Skywatcher prices in the UK are still very competitive compared with those in the USA, for example the Esprit 150:-

Current price (following increase) at FLO = £4,299, plus Field Flattener = £4,550

USA price including Field Flattener = $6,399, which at £1 = $1.20 is equivalent to £5,332, and that doesn't include USA sales tax.

In fact I'm surprised that Skywatcher have held the UK price for as long as they did due to the falling pound resulting from Brexit, Astrograph increased the price of their imported (from the USA) TEC Refractors by around 8% a few weeks ago

John

 I tried to visit the solar observatory in September of last year, unfortunately the trip got cancelled at the last minute, supposedly due to bad weather.

John

12 minutes ago, johnturley said:

Just had a look, but atmospheric conditions too unsteady here to make out GRS,

John

Just gone back for another look, and can now make it out, although still very unsteady.

Agree that it is quite dark, definitely darker than last year, although a lot smaller than it was 30 years ago.

John

Just had a look, but atmospheric conditions too unsteady here to make out GRS,

John

Received today an update from FLO regarding the delivery of my Esprit 150, it is expected to be in stock with them by  mid-September, so hopefully after the optical bench check by ES Reid, I should receive it by the end of September.

Looking at FLO’s website I’m glad I ordered it when I did, as the price has now risen to £4,299 (not surprising after recent falls in the value of the pound), but because I paid in full in advance, the price increase will not affect my order.

As an alternative to the Esprit 150, I did also consider the CFF 160 f6.5, although costing about two and a half times as much as the Esprit (but about 30% cheaper than the TEC equivalent), it did offer an extra 10mm of aperture, but with the same focal (tube) length, and most surprisingly 2kg lighter.  I made a tentative enquiry to CFF’s UK importers and distributors, Peak2Valley Instruments regarding pricing and delivery period, who informed my too my surprise, that they had actually got one in stock, which they were prepared to sell at a substantial discount off the list price, an offer which I was initially a bit tempted  by.

However after doing a bit of online research, it appeared that CFF scopes may suffer from inconsistent quality control, whereas some purchasers were delighted with the quality and performance of their scopes, others were less satisfied and ended up returning their scopes to the supplier for a refund, or sending them back to the factory for a recollimation. 

 I therefore became a bit suspicious as to why P2V Instruments were offering me a discount, which I hadn’t even asked for, and despite the falling pound, hence I decided to stick with the Esprit. At least I know that after checking and tuning (if necessary) by Es Reid and collecting direct from him, I will end up with a scope in good collimation, and perform as well as can be expected for that make and model.

John

On ‎28‎/‎01‎/‎2018 at 10:21, GavStar said:

I’ve sent several astro things to Europe including a 30mm Pentax XW and they all arrived fine. As Stu says pack it assuming it’s going to be dropped.

I even sent a 160mm apo refractor (not my Tec160) back to Italy. Now that was a bit scary but I arranged the courier over the internet and it arrived within a day in perfect condition! ?

Gav

Which scope was that, and what was the problem

John

1 hour ago, Lockie said:

The Celestron White Paper shows spot diagrams for various SCT's and the Edge was the sharpest on axis. This is also my experience having owned a couple. 

I would have thought that in theory it shouldn't make any difference, but in practice I wondered whether the Edge HD optics tend to be figured to a higher degree of accuracy than the standard SCT optics.

When I purchased my CPC 9.25, Rother Valley Optics advised me that if my main interest was in viewing planets visually, then it wasn't worth paying the extra for the Edge HD version.

John

18 hours ago, william123 said:

 

 

The Esprit 150ED is an alternative, of course, but at a much higher price, and, what is even worse, the Esprit is MUCH heavier, probably too heavy for many.

Not sure why the Esprit 150 is as heavy as it is with a stated weight of 14.5 kg, in comparison the stated weight of the larger TEC and CFF 160mm triplets is just 12.5 kg.

I don't know whether anyone has actually weighed one, sometimes the stated weight of scopes is actually greater than they actually are, for example the weight of my ES 127 was listed as being 8 kg, but when I weighed it it was just 6.5 kg.

John

On ‎12‎/‎09‎/‎2018 at 13:49, FLO said:

The pre-dispatch optical bench test is provided by Es Reid. He checks the telescope's optics are well figured and properly aligned. I.e. he checks for star-shape, colour, spherical aberrations and astigmatism. In short, he ensures the telescope is a good example and performs as it should. If he finds it is not then he will correct the alignment/aberration on the bench. If this is not possible the telescope is rejected. Think of it as an additional layer of quality control. We don’t provide a certificate or report. 

Regarding the flattener, that isn’t normally included but if you want it tested please email us your request and we’ll see what we can do. 

HTH, 

Steve 

I've just ordered an Esprit 150 from FLO, plus the per-dispatch optical bench test by Es Reid. I've also ordered the matching field flattener, but didn't specifically request a test on this, but FLO informed me that they will sent this with the scope to Es for testing.

So sounds like they now also include this automatically if ordered witth the scope, so maybe they've had problems with a few flatteners, I hadn't actually thought about having this tested as well

John

I've just ordered an Esprit 150 from FLO with the matching field flattener, and specified the Es Reid optical bench test. I will have to wait 6-8 weeks for the Esprit to come into stock, but the field flattener is currently in stock, however rather than dispatch the field flattener now, FLO said that they will send it with the scope to Es for testing, so sounds as it there have been problems with a few field flatteners.

John

I've found it fairly easy to spot through my 14 in Newtonian, and previuosly with a 10in, but that was at a time when Saturn was much higher in the sky, and not a its current altitude. It will become easier to spot in coming years as Saturn's rings gradually close and it becomes less bright, and also higher in the sky.

John

I first met Patrick Moore when he gave a talk on the moon to Sheffield Junior Astronomical Society in 1960, when I was just 11 years old, and have been intersted in astronomy ever since.

John

I took the plunge this week, and ordered my Esprit 150 from FLO, plus specified an Es Reid optical bench test. Although it is no longer in stock, with an expected delivery period of 6- 8 weeks, FLO said they would guarantee the current price of £3,995 provided that I paid in full in advance. I had originally intended to make the purchase in 2020 in time for the favourable opposition of Mars, but brought it forward as I think that an imminent price increase is highly likely with the recent fall in the pound in advance of a likely No Deal Brexit. To be honest I'm surprised that the price hasn't increased already, as the current UK price roughly matched the USA price of $6,000 when £1 = $1.50, now £1 = $1.20 and is set to fall further, one would expect the price to increase to around £5,000 or more. In comparison Astrograph have already substantially increased the price of TEC Refractors, the 140 to £7,700, and the 160 to £13,800.

I decided to order from FLO as I wanted the Es Reid (whom I know personally) optical bench test, some of the other UK retailers are still listing the Esprit 150 as being in stock and at the same price, but have doubts as to whether this is actually the case, as I understand that all Skywatcher products come via a single UK importer and wholesaler (Optical Vision), and stated stock levels refer to what is in stock with them, not at the actual retailer.

John

Hi there

I've had this same problem with a 'T' thread adaptor, which I think was based on the size of original Pentax srcew fitting lenses., which had a thread size of or around 42mm, the aperture of the Canon bayonet fitting is significantly larger.

You can however get a 48mm to Canon bayonet adaptor, which better matches the Canon bayonet aperture (I have one which fits my ES Coma Corrector which I use on my 14in f5 Newtonian), and should show some improvment.

The problem could be whether there is a 48mm adaptor available which will fit your 8in Edge HD.

John

Arrived back from the above trip Friday of last week, had a marvellous view of the eclipse from the observation site at Bella Vista, San Juan Province in western Argentina in the foothills of the Andes at approximately 2000 metres elevation. This was the fourth total eclipse I have seen over a period in excess of 40 years, but was the first one when visibility of the eclipse was never in doubt, there not being a cloud in the sky on the day.

I have attached a few photos, which were taking through a relatively cheap Opticstar 80mm refractor (some chromatic abberation visible), utilising (except during totality) a inconel coated glass solar filter and a Canon EOS 1200 SLR. Despite the clear skies I did not photograph the diamond ring effect as well as I did in the case of the 2012 Australia eclipse (don't know whether that was just me), and also did not capture Bailey's Beads, the last two photos attached show these taken in Australia 2012.

The trip was not without its problems, and did not get off to the best of starts as the initial British Airways flight to Buenos Aries was delayed by 22 hours due to problems with the plane, although obviously not the fault of Astro Eclipse. The particular trip that myself and my wife did (Eclipse Encounter, also visiting Santiago (Chile), La Paz (Bolivia), Puno, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lima (Peru) was particularly exhausting as the schedule involved getting up at 01.30 a.m. on three occasions to leave the hotel at 02.45 to catch flights at around 6 a.m. (not sure whether this was because these were the only times Astro Eclipse could get a group booking for around 40 people). The final leg travelling back via Miami was also very frustrating as despite being only transit passengers it took 2- 3 hours to get through USA immigration (avoid travelling via Miami if you can). Some of the hotels were nice, but others such as the La Vicunita in Rodeo, and the Casa Andina Standard in Puno, Cusco, and Lima were a bit basic, but adequate for one or two nights.

The arrangements on the ground for all the trips went well, with no problems, so congratulations to Astro Eclipse for this.

John

On ‎25‎/‎05‎/‎2019 at 13:41, Mark at Beaufort said:

 

1. I then find the Sun using a device like this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVBONY-Solar-Finder-Scope-Fully-Metal-Mount-Dovetail-Slots-Mount-Dovetail-Slots/323318485106?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
2. I usually look into the eyepiece tube (no eyepiece fitted) to see if I can see any pin holes. If there are any pin holes you can cover them as Olly stated above

I have used Baader film, Glass filters (Orion and Thousand Oaks) and a Herschel Wedge and I happy to say no problems to date. You may decide to make your own - here is a video produced by Pete Lawrence for the Sky at Night - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014hpkh

Finally, always check each time and don't rush. Have a procedure that you know works for you and stay with it.

Another great way of locating the sun, which I also use for finding Mercury and Venus in daylight, is via a sidereal clock and setting circles (if your telescope has them).  In fact you don't need a sideal clock as such anymore, as there is an app which you can download onto an iphone.

John

3 minutes ago, Tubby Bear said:

 

And although Saturn seems to take an age to move anywhere, at least its heading in the right direction for us northerners.

The sobering thing for me is that its next 'good aperitions' from around 2025 - 2040 will be my final good views of this beautiful planet.

I'm afraid i won't be around to see it complete another full orbit.

 

 

 

I've followed Saturn around almost two orbits (since 1964), unfortunatley also be unlikely to see it around a third

John

33 minutes ago, pandoraefretum said:

I did think about the plastics....
But more likely to be lead in the glass, I think.

Some rare earths which are used in certain types of ED glass are very slightly radioactive with very long half lives. From my unviversity days I seem to remember this being the case with cerium, not sure about lanthanum which some eyepiece glass contains.

John

Astro Eclipse were again not very helpful when it came to vaccination requirements for the above trip, simply advising me to contact my GP.

At the local medical centre there was some uncertainty, definitely tetanus, hepatitis, and typhoid were recommended, but the main uncertainty was relating to yellow fever and anti-malarial pills. The one country we are visiting where these might be a requirement is Bolivia, but if you are only visiting the high altitude regions around La Paz (which we are), it appears that these are NOT a requirement unless you are coming from an infected area or country, which includes parts of Brazil and the Iguazo Falls on the border between Argentina and Brazil. We are not visiting these locations on our itinerary, but others on different itineraries are. The yellow fever vaccination is only available at certain medical centres, and they are generally reluctant to give it unless absolutely essential, because some people have a very bad reaction to the vaccination, including the cancer specialist Dr Martin Gore, who unfortunately died shortly after having had a yellow fever vaccination.

I wondered what is the understanding of the vaccination requirements of others who are travelling to South America for the trip, and what vaccinations they are having.

In my opinion a company organising such a trip should take more responsibility to spell out what is a legal requirement for the countries visited on the trip, and what is recommended.

 John

I had my post operative eye test at the opticians yesterday following on from my cataract operation, although I am still very slightly short sighted in my right eye (now -0.5 dioptre, previously -3.25), interestingly I now have zero astigmatism in this eye (previously + 1.25 dioptre), although I'm fairly certain that thery did not use a torric implant to specifically correct astigmatism. Having zero astigmatism in this my observing eye, may be another reason why the moon appeared so much sharper that it did before.

The optician also said that the yellowish brown hue which I mentioned in my previous post is quite usual with ageing, normally you don't notice it as it tends to affect both eyes equally.

John

Did my first observing this last week following my cataract operation 3 weeks ago, mainly on the sun and the moon, the view through my right eye is now much sharper than it was before, and I can make out more detail. Interestingly whites now appear much whiter than they did before, and the view through my left eye (which I might require operating on at some point) in comparison displays a yellow-brownish hue, a bit like the old sepia photos you used to get.

Unfortunately Taurus is now quite low down in the west before it gets properly dark, so can't really carry out two tests I was hoping to, of how many of the Pleiades I could see with the naked eye, and how easily I could see the crab nebula visually through my telescopes. Previously I could only just make out the crab nebula visually through my 14in reflector, and couldn't see it at all with my 127mm  refractor, although light pollution is probably a more significant limiting factor.

I still can't however make out the Mizar and Alcor double with the naked eye, which I used to find quite easy in my youth, and when I could also make out 8 of the Pleiades, but skies were much less light polluted some 50 years ago.

John

I finally got details of International Flights and times together with my final invoice on 22 March. Departure is  now on the evening of 27 June, furthermore the cost has risen by about 10%, slightly less than the figure of 12% which was required if you wanted to cancel and get a full refund.

John

45 minutes ago, carastro said:

Me too, not looking forward to it.

The optician said to me that because of my astronomy hobby, I would probably get mine done sooner than most people, so hopefully it will apply to others on here.

Carole 

That's exactly what they said to me in December, and had my right eye done last week.

John

One issue I think, particularly if you have the operation under the NHS, is that there is very little discusssion (if any) about the various types of implants, and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. The attitude of the NHS appears to be very much of 'this is what is available', take it or leave it.

John

Hi Ron

Sorry to hear about that, as I mentioned my original appointment was for for 15 March, only after I arrived at the treatment centre (and paid a £20 taxi fare to get there as you can't drive afterwards) did they tell me that the operation had been cancelled, supposedly due to a power cut in the operating theatre, allthough I suspect that the actual reason might have been staffing issues.

Originally they offered me an alternative date of 17 April, some five weeks later, but then the next day they rang me back offering 21 March, probably due to a cancellation, so you might get yours done sooner.

Good luck

John