daiwelly

Well I finally have my new lenses they consist of 25mm BST, 15mm BST, 8mm BST and 3.2mm BST. + 32mm Panaview and the standard lenses I have also modded the skywatcher focuser with the lacerta fine focuser mod kit and it works beautifully. I have also added a rigel quickfinder i dont think i will be doing or getting anything else for a while, or doing any more mods just going to enjoy it now weather permitting. 

PS I got out of taking the other half to the smoke for a long weekend Phew! Instead I paid for her to go to Walsingham Abbey in July.

After reading http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/43171-eyepieces-the-very-least-you-need/ and listening to other members I have revised my eyepiece list

I am going to give the BST's a try

32mm Panaview (purchased) and I am impressed with this low mag eyepiece.

20mm BST  mag x43

15mm BST  mag x80

7mm BST mag x171

and the wild card 3.2mm BST  mag x375 for rare occasions.

comments would be appreciated !

Shopping list for the first week in  Feb revised list of eyepieces 25mm BST starguider, 15mm BST starguider, 8mm BST starguider, Crayford dual speed focuser, Rigel quickfinder, Cheshire site tube + a brand  new car.

The downside I  have to take the wife for a long weekend in London shopping and shows PS i hate the Smoke after working in the Smoke for the BBC and Thames tv OB units for nearly 3 years in mid 80s.

Star Hopping by Rob Hawley a series of four tutorials

Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUV244kjsVs&list=PL36B0AD5D29A76981&index=1

Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mennv3DFq0Q&index=2&list=PL36B0AD5D29A76981

Part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceXB_KMjj9k&list=PL36B0AD5D29A76981&index=3

Part 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhoUWqUM9H8&index=4&list=PL36B0AD5D29A76981

They are particularly good video's they should be made into a sticky

Error the app is Skyeye and not astro tools

I have done another mod this weekend waiting now FL to try it out, I have a Samsung Galaxy android phone I have downloaded Astotools and one of the tools on it is telescope alignment so got to thinking, I have roughed up a bracket that fits in findesrcope shoe on the scope which holds the galaxy in position, once I have done 2 star aligment , you then you do a search, say m11 then just follow the direction arrows till the scope is aligned, In theory thats how it should work cant wait to give it FL to see if it works.

I have made the bracket out of aluminum, if it works i will get a tidy one made

Despite the weather the SW star party I am sure was a success, I met a lot of member's who I had not met before which was a pleasure, I had loads of advice from other members. 25/10/2014 the evening started off miserable with clouds and drizzle about 7.45pm the clouds started to tease us all  with momentary glimpses and then by 8.45 the covers were off. with just a hint of cloud a good hour of observing. by 10.30pm I had to leave to get back to my good lady and the site I run on the other side of Brecon but will be back this afternoon.

Mike thanks for the Strap, and lennylovit thanks for the bolts.

After reading http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/43171-eyepieces-the-very-least-you-need/ and listening to other members I have revised my eyepiece list

I am going to give the BST's a try

32mm Panaview (purchased) and I am impressed with this low mag eyepiece.

20mm BST  mag x43

15mm BST  mag x80

7mm BST mag x171

and the wild card 3.2mm BST  mag x375 for rare occasions.

comments would be appreciated !

I have also added two plastic milk bottle caps behind the secondary mirror to aid easier collimation.

http://stargazerslounge.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=136801

When I first got the dob I found the finder scope fell of a couple of times slipped out of the shoe on the tube, it was easily put right with a dremel I ground out a hollow on the mounting shoe.

Cloud forecast is looking good for Saturday night in Brecon so may take the Dob up the van Fri when I go back up there keep fingers crossed.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/193868-sky-watcher-swa-70%C2%B0-35mm-eyepieces-first-light/

this is another review I have found

I will have a look at the BST's at SW camp at the end of the month. I know a few in the SW group have them anyway we shall see what i am comfortable with. and go from there.

They are great posts thanks for the links I am in the process of reading and digesting, although my limited budget will determine what I can get.