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Chinapig

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Posts posted by Chinapig

  1. Please excuse the mugshot (something to send the grandchildren!), but here’s my delightful Tak FS-60C, with Herschel Wedge in place, enjoying the recent sunspot activity.

    I’m truly amazed by the quality and versatility of this little scope.  It’s become my most-used and favourite scope, whether in F6 mode as here, or at F10 with the extender in place.  The detail it could pull out of the sunspots and their surroundings was most impressive.  And it rides so sweetly on the Scopetech Mount Zero.  Solar, lunar, open star clusters, wide-field views - it’s a joy.

     

     

    25BC3358-0840-4FF5-8FFD-79DA215679D4.jpeg

    • Like 8
    • Thanks 1
  2. 1 minute ago, JeremyS said:

    This is the 2-inch adapter: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/takahashi-adapters/takahashi-2-inch-eyepiece-holder-for-fs-60-and-fs-78.html

    Then I used a 2 to 1.25-inch reducer to accommodate the Tak 1.25-inch diagonal 

    Oh, that simple - many thanks Jeremy!  I thought it might be the 2” adapter, but wasn’t convinced it could be that easy.  I have one of those in my Tak box - came with my little FS-60C.

    Really appreciate your help.  Many thanks.  Cheers, Simon

    • Like 2
  3. On 11/08/2020 at 15:24, JeremyS said:

    Now the Sun is awakening, I wanted to prepare for some white light observing with the Tak FC 76 DCU and/or FS 60Q. However, neither would reach focus with the Lunt 1.25-inch Herschel wedge. There was not enough "in" travel - the Lunt wedge has a longer path length than the standard Tak diagonal.

    Taks are famous for the variety and flexibility (or complexity!) of "back end plumbing" (i.e. you can spend huge sums on various adapters), so I dropped Ian King an email for advice and within minutes he suggested a different back end configuration, using items I already had. Now reaches focus and still quite some travel left. Works with he Quark too.

    Ian King is a real star!

    IMG_2567.jpg.11432bb4d4a66f0f1b9231a56ae3f8f1.jpg

    New config with Lunt Herschel wedge:

    IMG_2566.jpg.396799e4aed184517e5d2a4c2bd79356.jpg

     

    With Quark:

    IMG_2568.jpg.456f7f3cdd0d1e4192111de221555ad5.jpg

    Apologies for waking up an old thread.  I have a 76DCU, and had the same problem with focus in-travel and a Daystar Quark.  Keen to know which Tak adapter solved your problem.  Not 100% sure which back-end plumbing part you’re using.  

    Would appreciate your advice.  Many thanks!

    Cheers, Simon

  4. 17 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

    Tempted to get a WL setup now it seems to be waking up.

    Very well worth it, I reckon!  Looking at your kit list, there are several fracs there, across which you could share a Herschel Wedge.  Cheers, Simon

    • Like 1
  5. 2 hours ago, Ricochet said:

    Absolutely. I upgraded mine with both the double stack filter and the feathertouch focuser and having used them I consider both essential.

    Many thanks for you input Ricochet - appreciated.  While I continue to ponder the DS option for a wee bit longer, I’ll definitely divert a bit of budget for a replacement focuser.  Comments about the standard helical one do seem pretty common.

    Thanks again.  Cheers, Simon

  6. Had a delightful grabbed-and-gone viewing session from our front garden this afternoon, as the sun moved out from behind the trees and houses opposite.

    Wow, that sunspot group is seriously impressive!  Was using my wee Tak, FS-60C, with a Lunt wedge, and tried a small selection of eyepieces, finishing with a Morpheus 6.5 at 54x.  Fab view via a solar continuum filter.  Delightful detail.  Sunshine permitting, I’ll keep watching over next few days.

    Cheers all, Simon

     

    • Like 3
  7. 1 hour ago, AdeKing said:

    I don't have the LS50, but do have a 50mm double stack fitted to my LS60 so I'm basically using a 50mm solar scope.

    The double stack filter makes a huge difference to my visual observations as it dramatically increases the contrast on the face of the disc.

    The DS filter does dim the image, but as I use a solar hood to cut out external reflections, I don't find this too much of an issue.

    It does take a bit more effort to tune as you have two filters to independently tune, but I found it simple enough to follow the instructions.

    I was fortunate as I got my LS60 secondhand and it came with the DS filter, but they do add a significant addituonal cost to an already expensive item.

    Good luck with making your decision. I'm sure someone else will be along to offer an opinion shortly.

    Ade

    Many thanks Ade - appreciate your comments.  All useful info.

    Cheers, Simon

  8. I’ve decided to go for a small, light and handy dedicated H-alpha solar scope, and have a Lunt LS50THa incoming.

    So if you take that scope as a given, and also that I’m only interested in observing, would it be worth also getting the double-stack module?  My budget might JUST stretch to that, given some of the discounts around.

    Curious to know of anyone’s experience with double-stacking the little Lunt 50, purely for observing.

    Look forward to your comments - cheers folks.

  9. 14 hours ago, JeremyS said:

    Super little mount isn’t it Simon, @Chinapig?
    Even with the heavier Tak FC 100 DZ it performs well 👍

    What tripod do you use?

    It’s currently sitting on an Amazon Basics!  Simply because that was vacant when the mount arrived, and I couldn’t wait to try it.  It’s surprisingly stable though, and has been fine up to 126x on Mars, for example.  It’s far from a long-term solution though, and will probably swap duties shortly with a rather sturdier Manfrotto tripod.  I do however have my eye on a Berlebach Report 312, which looks spot on.  Otherwise, it’ll be down to researching the carbon-fibre options.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
  10. Have had my Scopetech Zero for a couple of weeks or so now - thanks to FLO’s speedy turnaround - and it’s been out a few times already.

    I’m very impressed with it.  Helped by some earlier comments in this thread, I found setting the Az axis tension a doddle - just a few tweaks - such that it’s super smooth to push around, and the slo-mo engages seamlessly.  Works like a dream.

    Same is true for the Alt axis.  I’m using it with a Tak 76DCU, and finding the balance point was easy.  Gives me exactly the degree of control I was looking for.  Holding Mars in the fov with the slo-mos is a delight, although cloud has stopped play recently...  It’s a perfect little mount for me.  A great bit of engineering.  Beautifully made, and as smooth as silk in operation.   Love it!

    Cheers all, Simon

    • Like 5
  11. 58 minutes ago, Shimrod said:

    Frugality! They are within budget, but I can't get any real handle on whether they are twice as good. It is a difficult metric to measure and I at the upper end of my budget I think I would really like to get hands on to decide. Mrs Shimrod has kindly offered to have a pair of hand-me-down binoculars should I decide to upgrade in the future!

    I read it more than once, although not just related to the Helios binoculars - rather comparisons between 20x80 and 16x80 - it could have been in one of the sky at night reviews on the website although I've a feeling it might have been part of a general round up of binoculars as well.

    edit: I've just looked back through my history for yesterday and can't find anything relevant - I wonder if I have misread a comparison between 16x70 and 20x80? A quick google search and the first link to a thread on cloudy nights says the exact opposite to my statement on relative brightness. So the choice may just be down to FOV.

    If you wear glasses to observe, the amount of available eye relief might also be an issue.  I've also been looking at these models and formats, and - for example - the 16x80 version of the LightQuest has more useful eye relief that its 20x80 equivalent, which wouldn't work for my eyes.  Bit of a juggling act!

  12. 2 hours ago, Shimrod said:

    Thanks for the reply. I already have a Skywatcher 80ed ds pro and an EdgeHD 8". I am looking for something a bit more portable - and I always travel with my camera and tripod, so binoculars would seem to be a better fit. I should also have said I would want to use them occasionally for wildlife as well.

    If you want to use the binocular for wildlife, even occasionally, then I reckon that tends to rule out all the models with individual eyepiece focusing, as trying to re-focus both eyepieces as wildlife moves around could get rather tiresome!  Probably also worth checking out the close-focus distance of the various options, as many of the 20x80 models show 20m as their closest focus, which might also be a tad limiting for wildlife.  The Pentax 20x60 gets down to 8m, has centre focusing, and is relatively lightweight, but has limited field of view - plenty of positive reviews around.  Might also be worth considering some of 15x56 models, such as Vortex Diamondback HDs - there's a thread on CN that's worth a read.  Best of luck with your search!

    • Like 1
  13. On 15/07/2020 at 10:51, Grumpy Martian said:

    I have several binoculars. Notably a vintage 8 x 40 Opticron  HR. They really do perform well. Although smallish, the 40mm lens does give clearer more pleasing views compared to some of my 50mm binoculars. But I have been considering a much smaller pocket size monocular such as the Opticron 8 x 20 mm monocular. This would be for carrying frequently such as dog walking, cycling etc. This is where a smaller instrument would be preferable. But my question is would a small 20mm object glass be useful. I accept that like my 40mm Opticron HR binoculars the 20mm would probably be a quality lens. Quality lenses tend to give sharper clearer images.

    Hi Martin

    Hope all good with you.

    Not sure if my experience will be of any interest to you, but I was at the point of buying a monocular a couple of months or so back.  The Opticron 8x42 & 10x42 were on my short list.  I was looking for something decent but small, that I could slip into my camera bag while on countryside walks during the lockdown.  Inspired by some reviews & comments I read on CN, and on Neil English's website, I ended up going for a small bino instead - the Pentax Papillio 6.5x21.  It just fits in my camera bag, or even a jacket pocket.  It focuses down to 0.5 metres, so it's magic for butterflies and other tiny stuff, while being good enough for some impromptu birding and generally enjoying the view.  AFOV is 7.5 degrees, and it's nice & sharp across some 80% of the field.  It has become our fave nature-walk optical aid!

    Best of luck with your choice, whatever you go for.

    All the best, Simon

  14. 11 minutes ago, johninderby said:

    I had considered the guidescope option but it would be bigger and heavier and not so pocket friendly. 🤔

     

    Yup, sure.  And you've got me thinking about monoculars!  During this lockdown thing we've been taking long walks most days, and having fun discovering the variety of wildlife within a few miles of home.  To travel light, I usually decide to take either a camera or 8x42 bino, but a wee monocular would slip easily into coat pocket or camera bag...  Ok, can see the advantage!

    Back to your original post, I did look through Opticron BGA bino optics a few months back, and they were excellent.  Don't think you'd go too far wrong with that option.

  15. I've no experience with monoculars as such (only telescopes!), but coming at your requirement from a different angle, in a mad moment I wondered about one of these:

    https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/sky-watcher-evoguide-50ed-guidescope.html

    Admittedly rather heavier and longer than the other options you're considering, and probably a totally nuts suggestion, but maybe worth a daft thought...

    Good luck with your search and decisions!

    Cheers, Simon

  16. Yup, I remember visting the Farringdon showroom many times, way back when.  A trip to London was never quite complete without a diversion to Telescope House.  My first scope was a 6" drainpipe-tubed Fullerscopes newt, on a solid wee Fullerscopes EQ mount, bought in the early 70s.  Fond memories indeed, particularly of Dudley's enthusiasm and detailed explanations.

    In latter years, from their Kent locations, they did a fine job of de-forking an old Meade SCT I had, and even part-exing the mount parts against a new SW EQ mount.  Very helpful service, particularly from Kerin.  Good memories all round.

    Cheers, Simon

    • Like 1
  17. 4 hours ago, astro_al said:

    There was an unexpected break in the clouds this morning so I set the Quark and binoviewer up on the Porta II to check on the back focus situation. I was fully expecting to be disappointed but.... it almost came to focus on the first try :). There wasn't enough outward travel! Apologies for doubting those posts online that said it wouldn't be an issue.

    In the end I added the shortest adapter that comes with the FC-76DC ahead of the Baader clicklock and could reach focus easily. It may work with just the Tak 2" adapter, although I may just add a longer T2 extension to the diagonal so I can swap in the Herschel wedge without re-configuring. This will also work in the FC-100DC and the FS-152, although not planning on using the latter.

    The Quark came up to temperature while I was sorting this out and I could see surface detail and what looked like a prom at about 11 o'clock. Focusing was hard at almost 100X on the Porta but not impossible. After the lime green of the continuum filter I am loving the rich red of Ha.

    Looking forward to getting this setup on the pier-mounted AZ-EQ6 when there is a longer spell of sunshine so I can experiment with the Quark's settings.

    FOV was as expected based on the 4.3X amplification, not quite a full disk. Once the astro funds are replenished I may get a pair of Tak 30mm LEs to drop the magnification a bit despite the vignetting.

    All in all a nice surprise and looking forward to spending more time in the sun.

    A great result - very pleased for you.  Phew, always good when a "will it work like this" plan comes together!  When the rain clears, hope you have a load of fun with this set up.

    I've certainly been very impressed with the white-light views with the Tak 76, but so far haven't been able to reach focus with the Quark, although that was the 1.25" components.  I now have a Tak-friendly Baader 2" clicklock adapter and, from your tests, looks like this should give me that wee bit of extra focus leeway.  Once the sun comes out again, I'll give it a try.

    All the best, Simon

  18. 4 hours ago, astro_al said:

    My Quark arrived today. I reconfigured a Baader prism diagonal to use the 2” clicklock from the Baader Herschel wedge. This holds the Quark nicely. A 5mm extension was required to allow the diagonal’s nosepiece to clear the width of the clicklock. I also swapped the Quark’s eyepiece holder for an adapter to use the Baader quick changer for my binoviewer.

    All in all it’s about another 135mm of additional back focus. My 76 and 100mm refractors have about 35mm available when using the 2.6x glasspath corrector with the binoviewer so that still leaves 100mm to find from switching to the Quark’s inbuilt 4.3x barlow which seems like a push. I guess we will see. 
     

     

     

    Hi there

    I have the same scope, a Tak FC-76DC, and am very keen to see how you get on with configuring the lightpath for your Quark.  Good luck, and I look forward to hearing more!

    Cheers, Simon

    • Thanks 1
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