Split Zygote2

Due South. This link to a Wiki article should be helpful. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_(astronomy)

Thanks for the info on the SW Pillar John, I have on many occasions been almost seduced by its charms as it reminded me of my first Newtonian on a similar pillar topped off with a Fullerscope Mk.3 mount. Glad I didn't jump. Still and off topic (soggy) I still feel, even after more than a few refractors, a Mak and a Dob, that the only proper looking telescope is a big Newtonian on an equatorial pillar. So Sad!

Hi Jon I have just taken my HEQ5 tripod outside with mount and spreader fitted (to get some grip from the patio) and twisted it in the horizontal plane by grabbing the two nearest legs. Doing the same to the Uni 28, I found that the Berlebach is noticeably stiffer but not overwhelmingly so - the HEQ5 is pretty solid. However if you tap the HEQ5 with a knuckle it resonates and rings rather beautifully like a bell OR RATHER IT DID before I tightened up the spreader. I am not qualified to speculate, but I can offer two or three bits of anecdotal evidence: In his series of instruc

Hello Parallaxerr The extension is a cut down Orion (I think) 16 inch for an HEQ5 - the tripod fitting at the bottom is therefore HEQ5 to match the Berlebach but with a EQ6 extension fitting at the top to match the AZ100. Whilst the Orion was well made with machined components at either end of the tube the white EQ6 fitting at the top seems to be a casting and tightening up the cap head screws even moderately eventually strips the threads (currently on no.2). Additionally the three tappings on both my examples are not precisely located even when used with the correct white EQ6 extension

AZ 100 mounted on a Todmorden pillar. Damping time at 200 - 300x magnification around 1 second or just under. I have used a variety of extension pillar heights attached to a variety of tripods and I have found that the greater the extension the more i.m.o. the tripod resembles a monopod causing the stability to decrease. In the instance above using the 6 inch extension on the Berlebach you can clearly see movement and flex between the elements of the extension and to a lesser extent in the tripod head on removing even a 5 kilo weight. I suspect but do not know (Planet on order) that the Plan

Hi All, Using my sample of the AZ100 I found that the damping time of my longer refractors after tapping the focuser firmly in the vertical plane at around 200-300x magnification (mounted on Berlebach Uni 28 plus 6 inch extension) to be around 1 to 1 1/2 seconds The mount and tripod combo exhibited a similar characteristic when tapped horizontally. Note the locking castors as pictured on the tripod were removed. After installing the AZ100 on a pier (see next post for picture) this time dropped to under a second in both axial planes. Note the tapping was firm enough to move the targ

Hello Alan, you may have gathered already that I am incapable of any brevity except in moments of extreme crisis, apologies. Yes I still have the AZ EQ6 which I use in Alt/Az mode. It sits under foam and 3 layers of waterproofing mounted on a permanent pier fixed with security bolts for now I guess 3 or even 4!!?? years and in all weathers; there is no shortage of WEATHER here. Further waterproofed with ACF-50 (a sort of super duper WD-40) it has proved most reliable with almost the only signs of use being a somewhat scarred toe protector, counterbalance end stop thingy, hand nut - t

Hi, I can only comment in reference to using my particular sample, bearing in mind my limited experience of the unit and my limited experience in general for although I bought my first Newtonian in 1971, I only seriously started observing 6-7 yrs ago with the aquistion of a South facing garden and a relatively unobstructed horizon. I have now used the mount fairly intensively for just over 3 weeks for sadly no clouds were to be found in the box although I did search most carefully . AND also bear in mind that what is a deal breaker for me might not be of the slightest relevance or int

Dear mikeDnight, thank you for taking the time to pen this which I have just read with much interest. Reading between the lines on Roger Vine's site I had deduced some of it but it is good to hear matters first hand as it were. I totally echo your sentiments in respect of the SkyWatcher 120 EDs. My example shows no discernable colour either in or out of focus a trick my TV85 does not match and there is no perceptible glow of unfocussed light around the moon indicating a good level of polish. Of course mine is a very excellent example but then isn't everybody's? As a visual only scope it compa

A little late to the party (much sorrying) but for what it's worth... I have compared extensively a Tak TOA 130NFB to both a well collimated Skywatcher 10 inch Dob, flocked and fan cooled and a SkyWatcher Equinox 120. Three long nights in particular are worthy of report. First in respect of The Dobsonian - visual observation of the moon on a night of very good seeing at around 300x magnification the Tak just edged the Dobsonian in sharpness however on the following night of even better seeing The Dobsonian came out clearly as the victor. I have only been been observin

Thank you Ron for your comments and thank you Cornelius for your imput. Michael

A little long - sorry! This cord wrap issue may (or may not) happen to someone else and result in a less fortunate outcome. AND apologies if this is already a well known foible of the equipment in question - I did do a search with a negative result. Formatting may be a little weird as I did a copy and paste from a word programme but see point 3 below! Disclosure: firstly, the mount - it is BLAMELESS (a statement of faith; we have bonded!) secondly, what happed may on the one hand be the result of a unique set of circumstances that will not occur again before the end of time

Hi - I have just got a 10 inch Dobsonian having recently moved to a relatively dark sky. I have been interested in astronomy for many, many years and have read a lot but up till now have not done any real observing - so pretty much clueless in terms of finding my way around the sky. I have installed an azimuth protractor on my Dob,changed the azimuth bearings and purchased a digital inclinometer so that with RDF and Stellarium when/if the clouds clear I should be in business. A big thank you to this site which I have perused often already! AstroBaby's Collimation advice in particular has be