Telescope40

Correct. I have a 5in frac BTW 👍

Alan. Very flattered being mentioned in the same phrase as @johninderby Sanity confirms while John was premier league when it came to his help and knowledge, I am definitely more NorthernPremier league. Had many dealings with John. Always a pleasure with his knowledge, patience and time freely given to us lesser Astro mortals. Miss his posts and updates. Pretty sure a comment would have come against my latest “handle” post. John

Hello. Postman delivered yesterday. I'd been looking for a nice handle to go with my Tak clamshell on my FS128. Saw an advert from Steve @Saganite for a Vixen handle in white. Snapped it up. So glad I did. Found that the allen bolt that came with it was approx 7/8 mm too short. No problem. Was able to sort a suitable bolt/washer/nut combo from the shed. Paint job commenced. I like to do airplane model kits. Always have done since being a kid. Similar to my astro hobby. Anyhow, checked my paint pot supplies and came across a Revell, Aqua Color pot containing "Himmelblau" colour (Sky,matt) No 59. Had been used as part of a paint job for a Messerschmitt BF109E version Circa 1940. A great match to the Tak Green (Mint) paint colour. Photos don’t quite show how good - weird ?? Really pleased with the result and a nice match up of Takahashi / Vixen kit. John

Finally. Caught up with Comet Pons-Brooks last night with my Canon 10x30 IS binos last night. Much easier than I was thinking. Happy camper. 🙂😃 John

“You’re gonna need a bigger tub of fluid !!” 😂😂😂. John

Steve @Saganite V V nice set up for sure. I do like the “ bling” if I’m honest. Had some nice Primaluce rings etc on a SW ED 150 I had a while back. Looked fab !! I can’t quite convince myself my FS128 would benefit from some red accents. Enjoy the views. As already noted. A report would be a great read. John

My tuppence worth. Can’t see a price mentioned by the OP, so think I’d go the 120. John

Mike. Not me but my wallet did. Probably be up for the IAS in Sept ?? Enjoy yourself and anyone else who is attending John

HHMM Quite a question. Here goes - no particular order - OO 10 in reflector Celestron ED80 Celestron ED100 Borg 100 achro Stellarvue 102 Skywatcher 200p Meade LX90 10 inch SCT Orion ST80 Skywatcher ED150 Celestron C9.25 ( to @JeremyS ) 👍 Meade ED127 Skywatcher 180 mak A much shorter list than I imagined. Dependent on memory cells which are on the decrease. John

Hello all. Bit late in an update here. Had this Meade LXD55 8 in SCT since early Feb. Full disclosure. No postman involved as I went and picked it up. No first light as yet. I'm not gonna comment re that subject. Fancied a 2nd scope as about 15 years back I had a 10 in LX90 ( full fork setup) which I still have fond memories of. Only sold as my house at the time required a full carry up and down a set of stairs of the unit before attachment to the tripod. Gave great views but I know Meade as a brand aren't everyone's cuppa. Anyhow. Optics look nice and clean. Few cosmetic marks and a ding here and there but hey. Had to have a white one due to OCD so the LX versions were ruled out. Serial number 848490 with a metal Meade serial number plate showing Irvine, California. I'm assuming it's vintage by now 😀 Looks neat on my Rowan alongside the Tak. Been reading with interest a few threads about owning more than 1 scope. As I have a TAK FS 128 I was more than contented but hey, live a little John, get yourself a second one. Also came with a Meade 1209 microfocuser thrown in. Winner all round I think once I get to use it. Thx for reading if you've got this far. Clear skies - DOHHHHHH !! John

Hello Dave. FS128 somewhat better. Not by much though. Salmon colour of the GRS better with the Tak 👍👍 John

Hello. +1 for the ED150. Early scopes had delivery issues re poor packaging!! Mine was a nice, spot on OTA. Big but nice. Had some great sessions with it. Views not far away from my Tak 128. HTH. JOHN

That looks rather nice !! Somewhat tempted for my FS128. Nothing wrong with my current clamshell, but ???? I should never have looked should I 🤔🤔🤔 John

They look the business. Sure Mr JohninDerby would have been impressed !! John

Steady as she goes there @mikeDnight👍👍

Mike. I may take u up on that offer at some point. My Tak finder has few “nicks” on it. Nothing major but my OCD doesn’t help. Any attempt by yours truly re a respray would not have such a positive outcome 😂😂 John

Very nice job, Mike. Do you do any subcontracting ?? 😂😂 John

Hello Mike. Appreciate your explanation and I quite agree with every word. I've got to the point where being comfortable while observing lies just behind the sky condtions. I got myself a Nadira observing chair a couple of years back and can reliably confirm it transformed my sessions. Think it was well worth the expense and upgraded my viewing experience rather more than a couple of the black and green eyepieces that everyone raves about. Regards John

Hello @mikeDnighta d with apologies for the thread diversion. Somewhat intrigued by your photos of the binoviewers and FS128. The scope tube being used “inverted” and the BV’s sat off to one side. Personal preference?? Keep the Finderscope out of reach of your bonce ?? I tend to look directly down the scope using the “traditional viewing pose”. Each to your own, obviously 👍 John

Dave. Made for a Vixen 115 too. Just saying 🤣 John

My FS128 ain’t available for such a project 😂😂😂😂 John

Dave. This has been a great read. The Vixen has already hit the mark with you, if I may be so bold. As others have said I’m looking forward to your adventures with “Superfox”. I’m immediately thinking it will be giving you as much viewing pleasure as you got from the Tak and maybe more so given your reasons for your very measured change of kit. BTW - my 128 is staying put with me and I’m still grateful for your help when I was looking to become its custodian. John

Hello all. Thought it might be a bit of wheez and might help get this sometimes frustrating hobby of ours into perspective given the wonderful weather we have here in the British Isles. Please note that overseas contributions are more than welcome and may add a different point of view / flavour but no gloating, please. 🤣 We all have wonderful gear that sometimes gets underused and this can drive us all at times to a state of apathy. The thread may turn into a bit of a monster so apologies to the Mods / admin if a version 2 is needed by tomorrow. 🤣 Here we go as I am now keeping a log of time under clear skies !! Days in the month -January - 31 Clear nights - 6 Sessions - 4 Might be just me but I'm thinking January 2024 went rather well in comparison to the whole of 2023. John

Steve @Saganite That setup looks the business. 👍👍👍 John

I do know a bunch of guys who may / are able to help if required 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 John