paulastro

Brilliant, many thanks for your help, and patience! 🙂

Many thanks for getting back so quickly John. That's very useful information. Can I just finally ask if the rear of the cell on the dob looks the same as the one on the OTA only version? Photo on the link below. If it's the same I'll almost certainly go for the tube, I'm not patient enough to wait for December for the dob I'm afraid. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRESSER-Messier-203-1200-Hexafoc-Optical-Tube-/164127278700?hash=item2636bf866c

Many thanks John, that focuser does look good! Do you know if the Bresser OTA is the same tube as used in the Bresser Dob? (I know the focuser is the same) I'd like the scope for Mars, and it will be passed its best before the Bresser Dob will turn up new. From what you say about it, I doubt if I'll be able to get a used one any time soon.

I was going to buy a SW 200P Dob or a Bresser Messier 8 inch Dob with hex focuser. As things are, both of these are unavailable for at least 2/3 months. I haven't managed to locate one on the used market (or at least none suitable for one reason or another) so I was thinking of just buying an OTA instead - I have a mount available I could use. The problem is Sky Watcher don't do an 8 inch f6 tube (which is what I want) but only an f5 version. I than found this, BRESSER Messier 203/1200 Hexafoc Optical Tube, listed in various places. I would love to hear from anyone who owns one, or has used one, as to it's optical quality when compared with the SW 200P Dob optics if possible. I have used many, and owned several, of the SW Dob over the years and am very familiar with it. If the Bresser is of the same standard or better it may suit my purposes. Also it would be useful to hear any other insights re the Bresser which may help my decision. I wouldn't expect a lot of difference, but you can't beat first hand experience. Many thanks.

You're welcome Pete.

I've just added this post to the Observing Planetary forum. Adding it here for those who may not look at the other forum.

I first posted up this software on August 3rd and since then Ade has added several modifications. These include: Improved images used for better mapping. New date format. Additional information such as CM longitude. Period of usefulness increased from mid July 2020 to mid March 2021. Ade has added changes at different times. If your software has updated automatically, it should look like the screen shot from my mobile below. If you haven't already downloaded it, or to update it, it can be found here http://nightskies.net/mars/mars.html# As for the original edition, Ade is happy for anyone to use it and pass it on to anyone else who may find it useful.

This is true for the UK, if you live elsewhere you will need to check it out for yourself. Up here in Yorkshire, it looks like we have a better chance of being struck by lightning than having clear skies, but you never know. I'll certainly be looking out for any opportunity. Good luck wherever you are.

I'd certainly give it a go. If it's of sound optical quality and well collimated it should show something when seeing allows. The only difficulty may be if you can get the necessary mag out of it. Personally I need at least x150 though I do have aging eyes 🙂.

I think it's a matter of patience and observing for periods off sustained viewing waiting for the odd moments/minutes of good seeing for the detail to pop out. This takes practice of course. The early hours of this morning was a case in point. I was at the eyepiece from 1.50 until 3.25am. The conditions were quite variable, both cloud and seeing wise. At time there were minutes on end where not much was visible, but overall I was very pleased with what I saw. Quick views hoping for immediate success will rarely cut the mustard with Mars. For what it's worth, I wea using my SW 120ED with binoviewer and Orhos. Mag from around x200 to x275. At variouse times I used a #21 red filter. Sometimes I use a Baader Contrast Booster, but not last night. Of course the worse the seeing is, the more difficult it will be with larger apertures. In the conditions I generally have, any scope over 6 inches or so would only be of benefit on the odd occasion.

It does look like it stu, though mine definately isnt a Skywatcher product. Mind you, I guess any 16 inch half pillar will look pretty much like mine too 😄.

Blimey, I have a room that looks just like that 🙂.

I've had it for a few years. If I remember correctly it was from Widescreen who had them made by someone. I'm sure I've seen similar available elsewhere from a couple of dealers. I'd be surprised if they aren't available from someone. You could put a post on SGL asking if anyone knows a supplier.

Thanks John. Stu is quite right on this point. You have to mod the GP, while an SP just involves moving the axis over so it is set at zero degrees latitude. I once took a GP up to Peter Drew at one time to do the same mod for me. I have a feeling it needed the use of a hacksaw, but I'm not certain. I'm sure he will remember if you pm him.

This is my Vixen Super Polaris EQ mount configured into its altaz form. It's a useful mount as it is so easily changed from EQ to altaz and back again whenever you wish. It's mounted on a 16 inch pillar which is on a Orion Field Tripod - long out of production like the mount. It gives a sturdy base for the SW 120ED and my 72ED and 80ED when I use them in the observatory. The saddle is 66 1/2 inches off the ground so it's easy to use on objects at high altitude. I can lower the height by 16 inches by removing the pillar and then by up to another 16 inches by reducing the length of the tripod legs. I've added a pic of the mount in EQ mode with the 120ED to give some scale.

Yes those solar images were taken with the six inch Vixen ED I sold to Damien. He mentioned at the time he was going to use it for solar imaging. The meeting was the BAA exhibition meeting.

Well, no surprises in your findings then Peter. 😄

Go on Craig, you know you want to. In my experience, anything you buy from Ade will be in top notch condition - and no, I'm not on commission 😄

In my view, in order of preference: 1 Refractor 2 Mak-Cass 3 Mak-Newt

For some years Ade Ashford has created the Mars Mapper (showing the face of Mars at any time during the opposition as seen through a telescope) which appeared on the Astronomy Now website. I have always found it useful, but this year I noticed it was not on the website. I was speaking to Ade yesterday and asked him why it hadn't appeared. The reason was that he is no longer involved with the website. I told him that I (and others) found it useful and it was a shame it wasn't available. Ade kindly said he would update it for this opposition and send me a link to it. Not only that, but he said he'd be quite happy to let me share it with others who may find it of some use. What a gentleman! Here's the link: http://www.nightskies.net/mars/mars.html# Please feel free to pass it to anyone you know who may find it useful.

Thanks Andrew. However, I've, no cocerns in this regard. I'm actually a good friend of Mike's and he's well aware that I worked for the NHS for 25 years, most of them in psychology services! It's just a shame there isn't an antidote for Mike's 'sense of humour' 😄.

I'm really pleased I dont have a 3.9 inch ( or even a four inch! ) super expensive apo which costs an arm and a leg. Otherwise, I too might feel the need to try and prove to anyone who is bothered to listen that it is by far the best and only truly worthwhile telescope in the world. 😄

So, people actually believe what's on Facebook? 🤣 Anyway, I think Synta are the best thing since sliced bread, and I wont hear a word against them!

Now now lads, dont get carried away 🙂

You're right about the images getting dim at such powers John - and of course, the older your eyes the more likely you are to be troubled by floaters as the image becomes dimmer. Though, using a binoviewer does help aleviate the floaters for me.