Icey85

Marvellous, thanks for all the input guys. Will see what i can get my hands on to try out, much appreciated .

Fondofchips - I will give Sherwoods a bell see if they will let me try a couple, ideally though that would be for a night time viewing - can but ask Im not aware of any West Midlands ish area shows up coming, will explore more with the google. Thanks Steve, I may not have made myself very clear - would the qualities of the optics tend to be the same throught the same manufacturers range - you mentioned the review of the Q4 80mm, would the findings of that review tend to hold true for , say, the 70mm and 60 mm also ? I imagine the glass/coatings etc would be the same throughout , except for exit pupil and eyerelief of course. Such that, individual preferences aside - a 'glowing performance' from the 80mm would lend one to think the 70mm would perform similarly given similar componentry?

woah, that was big, sorry! Another thing to keep any eye on!

Another correctly oriented i think! They're quite noisey , will reduce ISO next time.

My first attempt, rather rushed at the end of a session trying to work out why i seem not to be tracking ! 1/10sec ISO 3200 f750 Prime focus + a little bit of post processing.

Have started another topic with the correct title!

Sorry!! No, I really didnt!! I meant 15x70 !! They were a very long set of nights!! Does the quality of optics and engineering tend to be equal throughout the range, or do some models end up being a better device than others within the same manufacturers model range? Appreciate you must have the same questions over and again! Regards Gary

Sorry tetenterre, but I really cant stretch to Apollos! I would however be 'comfortable' at around this price point. Are the Quantum 4 worth the few extra pounds over the Strath? ( found the quantums @ £126 new.) Anyone had long term exposure to these? As ever all thoughts and opinions appreciated (if theres a sticky with this on anywhere that ive missed, apologies, ive just finished nights and am waiting up for the postman who of course wont come BECAUSE im waiting up!) Gary B

PM'd you kev, but yes it did, everything needed, rings and dovetail Gary

Ah sorry rwilkey just saw your links ! More useful stuff

Hey Nat thats great news. Any luck getting that second ring screw to bite? Chaps, re: the turning the tube to reposition the focusser, i soon realised if i slackend the screws too much, how easy it was for the tube to slip down through the rings while i was rotating it, and then of course this throws the balance out. Then I found Astro Baby's superb modification tip from her webby and will one day give it a go - http://www.astro-baby.com/articles/rotating%20rings/Rotating%20Rings%20Project.htm So if anyone wants to go halves on a pair of SW150pds or equivellant tube rings, shout me ! (not yet sure on the diameter) re: EQ MOUNT setup and use I found this guys youtube videos quite good . Im sure there are others out there but his very nearly witty presentation helped! Basic Setup for visual only, and without a polar scope : (more so the second half )EQ Use :

I know its a silly thing to say but having seen it with my own eyes, it kind of makes it all real ! Lol, not that there wasnt enough scientific evidence floating around already !!

Good evening all, Wow! Now i know everyone must come on here and burble away at how awesome their first light experience with a 'proper' scope is, but wow!! The 150pds arrived a few weeks back and this is the first time we've had anything approachng a clear sky,and certainly the first time Ive been without work commitments. I could see clouds were on the way so very roughly pointed the polar North, and swung straight for Jupiter......oh my goodness! There she was - in front of my very own eyes with my very own 'scope! And with her Ganymede,Io,Europa and ( though i wasnt 100% at the time- thinking it could just be a rather neatly aligned distant star) Callisto. Even surface detail in the planet was - not much detail by anymeans , but if you were to look at the viewfinder image in isolation you could tell it was jupiter. Oh , the standard 28mm SW that came with the OTA used to locate, and detail view with my thus far only other eyepiece - BST Explorer 8mm (starguider) Then i had a quick little hunt around Orion and M42 - tick ! The Trapezium showed - to my eye clear separation. (well 3 of the 4 at least!) Not forgeting a quick glance at the moon- nice So, notwithstanding some issues with my motors not auto tracking as expected, all in all a very happy bunny! Roll on many more clear skies, one and all!

Anna, some very useful insights there. I have used photoshop before , in a self taught suck it and see kinda way, but its good to see alternative methods in use. I would like to echo everyone elses sentiments and thankyou so much for taking the time for producing these videos. Your landscape work is equally stunning I will post a couple of my attempts later , dont be too harsh a critic