alanjgreen

As a visual only observer, I have no idea what live stacking is! My observing does not involve the use of cameras, software or computers so I cannot answer your question! I use an NV device attached to various Televue eyepieces directly at the telescope which I view as “visual” astronomy and I do not see it as the same as EAA at all! I am sure the live stackers and EAAers that will post in this new forum have no interest in NV as they are into the “software” and “cameras” that I assume you use with this “live stacking”. In my view these are not at all the same as NV but I am in the minority (who seem to governed by "senior observers" on this forum who don’t like/want to read about what they cannot see (they see it as "oneupmanship" - it has already been stated by one senior observer that my observing reports posts are just my attempt to "put one over on them"). They just want the NV posts in a side forum where they can be easily avoided and it seems the mods are of the same mind. It’s all very sad really! But back to your question, I am sure an EAA guy will come along and answer your question but that is not me

I agree with Gavin. I have no intention of posting in EAVVAAA or whatever you call it. I am a visual observer too! Alan

I also use a v4 handset with my AZGTi and like the extended catalog available. The app has a very limited selection that is too restricted for my liking. The handset is also much more tactile and easy to use wearing gloves. I just stuck velcro on the back of the handset and wrapped some more around the legs of the tripod so it is easily docked when I need my hands free. If you want to beef it up further then I would refer you to the stronger skywatcher tripod that is available, it’s a lot stronger that the standard and still very lightweight too. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/sky-watcher-38-stainless-steel-tripod.html i also refer you to the new ADM saddle upgrade which is also a big improvement on the standard version But it’s a great little mount and made to travel with. Alan

You remove nuts from fixed threads and the poles lift off. The bolt thread is a fixed part of the mirror box. The poles just have holes in to push onto the threads. Each side and pole is numbered so it’s easy to get them on the correct side. You can see the attachments and the fixed bolts in one of the pictures in this post http://www.fjastronomy.com/reviews/18-inch-f4-3-david-lukehurst-dobsonian-with-nichol-optics/ (It’s the last picture of the collapsed scope) Alan

I received the new ADM saddle for my AZ GTi this morning (direct from ADM). I have now fitted it to my AZ GTi mount and my Borg 107FL is now a million times more secure than it was before - its a great upgrade! Here are the parts received from ADM... The new saddle is longer and chunkier than the feeble standard offering. Here is the AZ GTi mount before I start the upgrade.. Remove the centre circular cover which is stuck on with a sticky pad underneath. I used a small flat head screwdriver to lift the edge of the tin cover then pulled it off with some pliers (there are the remains of the sticky pad underneath to be cleaned off afterwards).... Remove the 4 black screws and then the standard saddle pulls off... Re-use the four screws to secure the ADM adapter plate to the mount... Use the supplied 2x 1/4×20 SHCS screws to secure the ADM dual dovetail saddle to the ADM adapter plate... (You will need an imperial Allen key) Test it out with the Borg 107FL... The leftover standard parts... This looks a great upgrade, my scope's ADM dovetail fits very securely into the ADM dual saddle and my peace of mind is restored! Alan

I agree, it is a lot of scope for the money. A 6” scope can reveal many night sky objects and is a good starting point. This new Wi-fi version is the same scope as the old “star discovery 150p” (except that one had a hand controller instead of Wi-fi). Here are some threads discussing what is essentially the same scope There are 9 customer reviews on the Harrison website of the newer version https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-star-discovery-150p-telescope.html You will need a phone or tabled to use the telescope, you download and install the skywatcher SynScan app - download it now (it’s free) and have a play with it... Your other option in this price range (with goto) is the skywatcher AZ gti, which is their latest mount. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi/sky-watcher-explorer-130ps-az-gti.html if you decide that you don’t fancy Wi-fi and prefer a handset then there is this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/az-goto/skywatcher-explorer-130p-synscan-az-goto.html Once you get the hang of the 2-star alignment process (may take a couple of nights) then it’s essentially a case of enter an object and there it is. DO test out your scope in the daylight when you get it to familiarise yourself with focusing and what the different eyepieces do (JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE SUN). You will also need to budget for a power pack, batteries give inconsistent current and cause mounts to behave strangely. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/skywatcher-powertank-7ah.html And do consider buying the book “turn left at Orion”, it’s shows all the brightest objects with sketches of how they will appear in a small scope. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/turn-left-at-orion-book.html Alan

Do you have bobs knobs for the secondary? No There are three secondary adjustment screws (the screws take an allen key type fitting). David gave me an allen key screwdriver that fits these screws. The whole secondary assembly is held in with a large fly-wing nut (like the 3 on the primary). Here is a pic I found on the internet. The three adjustments screws are seen on top of the secondary assembly. - with the top external ring nut removed then the whole secondary assembly can be unthreaded and removed from the UTA (for cleaning etc). Does David install Glatter sling for the primary? No. The primary is held in by three small right angled metal pieces (with some soft material on the inside) positioned at 12, 4 & 8 o'clock. The three small metal pieces are attached to the side supports with small screws (see second small pic) and are obviously removed in the large picture so that I could get the mirror out in the photos above, This is one of the side supports... In addition, I would say that the mirror box is a very clever design and you just tilt, lift & pull the mirror cell out very easily (although it’s a two man job with a 20") - you can see the letter box hole in the base of the mirror cell in the posts above - this is to pull the cell out of the mirror box. Alan

Piero, Here are various pictures of my Lukehurst. Its the "Deluxe" standard edition. But I customized pretty much everything away from Davids standard spec. 1. I imported Powered groundboard system, 10K encoders, DSC cables & 20" Telescope Cover from AstroSystems (USA) 2. I imported a Nexus push-to from Astro Devices (Australia) 2a. I imported a Tablet Stalk from Markless Astronomics (USA). 3. I purchased a 2.5" travel Feathertouch focuser and Dob mounting plate from FLO 4. I specified a cooling fan for the main mirror. 5. I dropped the standard finder scope and asked David to install a Baader finder shoe for my Baader Skysurfer 5. 6. I bought the cats eye centre spot and posted to David for installation on the primary mirror. 7. I purchased a Kendrick secondary heater and Kendrick mini dew controller (for the UTA) which David installed very neatly including a system where the secondary dew heater wiring passed up inside the truss tubes! David was happy to install all the electrics and encoders (he made up all the arms etc needed to mount the encoders). He installed a lovely balance system free of charge too! - my personal contribution was to buy various cables, fuses & connectors, then make up all the cabling necessary. I went for a Oldham Optics mirror (although the grind was completed by John Nichol) and I have Orion Optics Hi-Lux coatings. Here are some random pics taken in the 2 years that I have had the scope (HTH!) As said above, collimation rarely needs touching. I dont move the scope much and the star diffraction rings are always perfect. Occasionally I feel sorry for my Howie Glatter tools and give them a tweak! Its best to phone David up and talk to him about what you want. He will build whatever you specify! I imported all the bits and bobs myself to save David messing with customs etc and then I travelled to Nottingham to see the build and deliver all the lovely scope stuff that I had accumulated! Over the 4 months that I waited for my scope, we exchanged many emails (David is always quick to respond) and I decided to travel to Nottingham to collect my scope in person (to take delivery) although David does offer a personal delivery service (in his own car!) He is a nice man to deal with and whats better than a UK made scope! Alan

Have you considered lowering your ground level. For my obsy we dug down two feet and so the height was reduced. I cleared an area big enough for the obsy plus a table and chairs at the side so we can also sit down there in privacy out of the wind and the obsy gives some shade from summer sun. We have a couple of steps down. I will see if I can find a pic or two... We used railway sleepers to hold the earth back on three sides then a retaining wall on the forth side. We put a french drain in all around to take the rain water away. Then covered the exposed ground with some anti-weed matting and finally covered with an inch depth of Lakeland slate pieces. Obviously it adds to the cost but helped the wife accept me having a shed in the garden Alan

Nice. Thats the exact same setup as mine. Just add some sticky Velcro to the back of the handset and wrap some of the other-half Velcro around the legs above the spreader. Now you can stick the handset to the legs when not in use and when carrying outside! Nudging the scope around is a breeze with the handset (and buttons you can feel and press). If you get any strange warnings and errors then look up my "first light" report where I have mentioned all the changes I had to make to the default settings (handset comes setup for EQ). HTH, Alan

Ive just ordered one! https://www.admaccessories.com/product/dvpa-azgt-d-series-or-v-series-dovetail-adapter/ I went for the dual fit as the length is given as 2.5" whereas the V series is only 1.75" long. Alan

Actually, SCTs use a special “magnifying” mirror for the secondary. Celestron’s SCT secondary mirror magnifies the image by x5 as well as reflecting the image. That is where the long focal length of SCT come from. I use a Zeiss Prism diagonal and really like the clarity of the image in my refractor. It is also less prone to reflections generated by bright objects from outside the fov. Alan

After discovering that my Borg 107FL could take the magnification provided by the Ethos 3.7mm with ease, I have been working (or waiting...) for the chance to make a few changes to my "planetary eyepiece" department for 2019. After a bit of a wait (>4 months), I finally grabbed the chance to get a second hand 4mm DeLite from astrobuysell (I have been looking for one of these since the review by @iPeace). The recent pre-Christmas TeleVue sale allowed me to bag the rare 3mm DeLite at a discount. I really liked the Ethos 3.7mm but as it was rendered redundant by my plan, it had to go and luckily it has covered the cost of the two new DeLite's! [The two new DeLites are pictured with a 5mm DeLite that I picked up second hand last summer.] The 4mm is wearing a 'Baader 2"-1.25" low profile adapter for Steeltrack' (which I find very good, as I don't like to mess with adapters when wearing gloves!) https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-low-profile-eyepiece-adapter-for-steeltrack.html Just need some PLANETS now! Alan

A two inch Chroma 5nm Ha filter has arrived, just in time for Christmas. Look forward to see how it goes when paired with my PVS-14 Night Vision on those fainter Sharpless catalog objects... Alan

The AZ5 GTi is managing the 107FL with ease. I was out in the wind last week and not a single wobble at the eyepiece. I imagine having the stronger tripod is making a +ve difference too. Took me one lost session to get to grips with the GOTO, since then we have been having a great time... Alan

Here is my recently arrived Borg 107FL f5.6 seated upon the Skywatcher AZ5 Gti. Also appearing Baader SkySurfer 5, Baader Clicklock diagonal, TeleVue Plossl 55mm, PVS-14 Night Vision. I am amazed at how light the whole thing is to life around the garden. The old Sky-Tee2 must be twice the weight at least. For anyone who doesn't know, the Borg has a neat trick of allowing part of the tube to retract inside the objectve resulting in this tiny scope to be packed away (in the morning) Clear Skies, Alan

Yes you can. Your scope will need to have a wifi adapter fitted and you need to install Sky Safari 6 on your phone/iPad. Sky Safari has the ability to recognise and control the Starsense camera so you do not need the handset connected. HTH, Alan

Here is my new mounting setup for my Borg 89ED: - skywatcher AZ5 GTI with upgraded tripod, mount extension tube and SynScan handset (additional velcro fastenings on the tripod legs) The Borg's main tube is in two sections (150mm+50mm) plus a 50-100mm drawtube that allows me to use binoviewers (without the need for a GPC) or extend it and use single 2" eyepieces. This flexibility and ease of changing the tube length "on the fly" is a major plus factor for all Borg scopes. I have to say that i am really happy with how lightweight this whole setup is to lift outside. Clear skies, Alan

FLO seem to have some "in stock" !

Chris, i had an issue with the Azimuth on my CPC1100 a few years ago. My issue was the opposite of yours - it would find the target but then not hold station while tracking, the target would slowly drift off centre and out of the side of the fov over a couple of minutes. Eventually, I stripped the cover off and there is a big nut that holds the azimuth gearing in place. I read on the internet of a known issue where the Chinese workers would just leave this nut however tight they felt like and that it needed to be loosened a bit. There is a test you can try, loose off the Azimuth clutch and spin the scope, it should complete a 360 degree spin easily or your nut is too tight. I loosened the nut a bit (less than a quarter turn) until it was spinning more freely and then re-glued it in place with a drop of thread lock glue and found my issue went away. Maybe your nut is too tight and the motors cannot turn the scope. After this fix, I had several years of further use with no return of this issue Have a search on cloudynights, there is a document you can download on this subject with step by step photos. = I cannot find the document that I worked from but this is the nut that I had to loosen and re-glue The key thing is that the scope should spin freely when the Azimuth cluth is off. Here is a doc I found that shows the strip-down steps (but this then goes on to replace the "bearing balls" which I did not need to do). http://www.nexstarsite.com/download/CPCHowToReplaceFactoryOriginalNylonAzimuthBearingBalls.pdf Alternatively, if you think the power cable has made an improvement then check the two pins on the scope side of the power socket. The metal piece that sticks up in the centre is made of two pieces and these two pieces can get pushed too close together and not make a good power contact. A small screwdriver can be used to just ease a gap between the two pieces so that the power cable makes a solid connection. As said above, if its still under warranty then you can send it back but you can at least test the "does it spin freely" for now! HTH, Alan

Here is what I use...

I am "in the process" of buying a Skywatcher AZ5 GTi Wifi mount to give me GOTO capabilities for my Borg (and Night Vision) as its difficult to identify all the things I can now see by manual star chart means My wife bought me the new Skywatcher 3/8 steel tripod and extension which has been with Fedex for the last 3 days!!!! (while I sat inside waiting for repeated NON-delivery!!) There are not many pics of the new steel tripod with the extension fitted, so here are some... The tripod itself is nice and solid, it's very lightweight indeed. The extension tube makes a nice tight fit so should secure the mount head solidly... Needless to say, the AZ5 GTi mount went "out of stock" after I ordered it and I now have to wait another month for something to fit onto the above Alan

I don't know. My scope is 5 years old in September so its taken a while for the growth to occur. Could just be failed coatings? Lunt seem happy to it fix for free and it took less than 5 minutes to change the glass so I wont be losing any sleep over it going forward

I am writing this post as I have just received and fitted a free replacement lens supplied by Lunt that has fixed my Blocking Filter and revolutionised my views... The Story I had begun to get a feeling whilst using my solar scope that it was getting more and more difficult to (1) get an initial view that I was happy with (2) almost impossible to increase magnification and get a sharp image (3) the sweet spot was shrinking I removed the Blocking filter and looked down the long extension tube to see a grimy looking front lens inside I searched on the internet and found a picture of a new one and saw that the front lens was supposed to be clear. I set about cleaning it with Baader Wonder Fluid and the cleaning cloth which got rid of at least 80% of it, but a thin film remained (see pic). After more internet searching, I found a post on cloudynights that showed the exact same problem being suffered by other folks and stated that Lunt were happy to send out free replacement lenses! https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/534161-lunt-60-mm-double-stacked-solar-scope-blocking-filter-issue/ https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/433046-polishing-optical-acrylic-lens-element-in-a-lunt-s/ So, I took some photos of the scope, blocking filter and sales invoice and emailed Lunt USA on Monday this week. On Tuesday (the next day!), Bresser Germany emailed me to say that Lunt had asked them to send me a free replacement lens (Great!) The Lens arrived this morning (just 4 days after emailing Lunt!) and I fitted it into the Blocking filter following the supplied instructions, then headed out to view the sun... Here is the glass as received... Here are the supplied instructions... Here is the blocking filter after I fitted the replacement glass (Looking very transparent) ... WOW, WHAT A REVELATION! (1) The image is so much brighter (2) The sweet spot is so much bigger (3) Higher magnification is no longer an issue and some lovely surface detail revealed itself ... I would encourage all Lunt Solar Scope owners to go check the front lens of their blocking filter for any signs of fungus or growth and if you find some then don't hesitate to email Lunt USA for a replacement. Happy Solar Viewing, Alan

Just arrived for some planetary fun with my Borg89. ...a "used" Ethos 3.7mm SX