kerrylewis

I am currently using the Skyfi wifi adapter to link my AzEQ6gti to Sky Safari and it works fine. Sky Safari doesn’t have alignment routines so I align the mount first using the handset. Having seen the availability of the Synscan app I was wondering if I could use that to align the mount using the Skyfi unit as the WiFi source. I actually suspect not as I would assume that the Synscan app might only work with the Skywatcher WiFi unit. thanks for the comments chaps, I hope this makes my request a bit clearer ! The app is free so I suppose I could just try it!

Morning Colin. Do you, or anyone, know if the Synscan app works with the Skyfi WiFi adapter or only with the Skywatcher adapter?

Good luck with the project Neil. It’s always good to hear of and follow Telescope construction so I trust that you’ll keep us informed

You're right Chris! It's surprising how much effect that extra 50mm has. The Vixen is really a big heavy scope in relation to the Tak

For the first time I put my two beautiful refractors together. Only had an hour or two before it clouded over by but some interesting comparisons. The Tak 100mmm was noticeably sharper on the moon with fine detail crisper. The extra aperture of the Vixen 150 scored on picking out Neptune which was very close to the moon. There were other variables, of course - diagonals and eyepieces were different. Next time I may try using the same combination in each.

Tak and Herschel wedge

Welcome to the Tak100 club Gary from another new member

Nice John! Now I want one even more. What use is a pension pot?

My 100ED is an 'old gold' one that I've had for years and is rather careworn (like me) so the Telrad enhances it! Anyway it's dark and there's only me to see it! But if I had a Tak like you......

I use a Telrad on my 100ED and it's fine. You won't need another Tetrad, just the base. I agree that the Tetrad is prone to dew but it is easily wiped. And the batteries do last for ever even if, like me, you always forget to switch it off! I've not tried a Rigel but I did have another red dot finder some time ago and I was always buying batteries for it. The fact that the Tetrad does not use the button type is a big advantage I think.

My capture of the Mercury transit in May. Really pleased that I caught the black drop effect!

Hello Derek. Unfortunately my observing activities are still a bit curtailed but hoping for an hour or two at some point Kerry

So, courtesy of Derek (DRT) I now have my Altair Maxi-finder on the Dob. It looks a fine piece of kit but I've not yet been able to try it under the stars - I will report again when I do. With the extra weight added to my already hefty ES eyepieces, I am trying the counterweight idea, as suggested by John and others, using a cheap magnetic knife rack. As you can see, this is just fixed with cable ties for now until I can check that is in the right position.

The thread seems to have wandered a bit into the classifieds - but getting back to the subject, thanks for all the suggestions and certainly food for thought. John - I don't expect to see the DSOs but I find that the 50mm finder doesn't give me a enough context when trying to track down the fainter suff with the 350mm Dob. i just feel that I need more detail somehow. Derek - your suggested finder look interesting and not overly expensive when you see the prices of some brackets and rings alone. I'm hoping to get the Dob again out this week with a Powermate that's on the way thanks to the classifieds , so I'll give the 9x50 another go and then decide. Thanks again chaps.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/skywatcher-9x50-right-angled-erecting-finderscope.html I have one of these Skywatcher RACI finders on my Dob but I find it a bit limiting as to the detail that's visible and therefore the ability to find objects. I have therefore been investigation a possible upgrade. I did think about perhaps mounting my small(ish) WO 66mm refractor as a finder but I don't think there is a finder type bracket that will fit it and allow it to be adjusted. I have been looking at finders with a bit more aperture such as this: http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/antares-versascope-10-x-60-guiding-x-hair-finderscope.html and there are other options at various price levels. Does anyone have a recommendation based on experience?

My old Norton's 1959 Edition from my teenage years. On the text page on the left you can see my pencil crosses marking doubles that I saw (presumably - I don't remember!). Not bad for a 3" (approx) 'zoom' refractor on a rickety wooden tripod.

Just wondered - is the longest, biggest thread ever? 124 'pages' and counting!