Neil27

Delivered yesterday by Bernard, in several boxes. As the missus said looks like a few boxes of scrap metal 😂

Before and after assembly. Installation documents and PSU to arrive in the next few days.

Managed to get it assembled by looking at various pictures on the internet and the ‘simple assembly guide’ on Mesus website. 

Not necessarily what the postman brought, more like ‘what Bernard brought’.

As the CFO said upon viewing my prized Mesu e200 mount, ‘it’s looks like a few boxes of scrap metal’ 😂

Its good to finally have it come home though.

Following on from @Astro Noodles and @iapa

Mesu e200 mount

SW esprit 150

SW flattener for above 

QHY 268c

Altair Starwave 80 ED-R

Flattener / reducer for above

Guide scope

Several s/h eyepieces

Bespoke machined adaptor for e200 mount

And a bunch of flowers for the wife!

13 hours ago, manoss27 said:

Hi,

Also I placed order back in October of 2020 and the mount its on the way. Lucas is very responsive and answer to all of my question. As I don't find any video on YouTube about how to setup the mount  I am thinking very seriously to take some videos for my YouTube channel on how to set up the mount and what settings you need to make in the software.

That would be very helpful for new owners. I know there is a wealth of support on these forums but ‘seeing the set up process’ can make it far easier to understand, a picture speaks a thousand words etc.

Let me know if you need any help, I would be willing to participate in the project or provide my feedback regarding a new owner.

On 20/04/2021 at 03:21, mrpizza said:

I   placed my order back in September of 2020.  It's now at the FedEx warehouse in Daytona Beach Fl awaiting customs release (been there for a week).  This has been on my bucket list since I first saw a write up of one (7 or 8 years?).  Since ordering I have picked up a new OTA and camera for it.  It's going to be Christmas in spring for me.  Being in the US I don't have many opportunities to see one first hand (actually none for me) so I have been following all the threads  here with baited breath. 

 

Chris

I know the feeling Chris, Bernard (Modern Astronomy, UK dealer) is hopefully dropping mine off in person tomorrow. Talk about a bespoke service, feel a little ‘giddy’ at the moment. I’m sure it will soon pass when I have to explain to the CFO where that 6k has gone from our joint account! 
Dreading the battle with Sitech, Ascom, Nina and camera drivers. Hope my 8 year old Lenova laptop is up to the job, we shall see!

A pair of counter weights arrived this morning to join their sibling.

11 hours ago, AbsolutelyN said:

Does anyone have any experience of iOptron support? For instance I needed to replace main board on my AZEQ6 a couple of years ago and it was very quick and easy to get a replacement from OVL. Never had any dealings with iOptron and can't say I'm impressed with their website. 

The biggest key to great customer support is whom you buy from. There are many dealers out there in the market place and getting the right one can make or break any purchase when the s**t hits the fan. Having dealt with FLO, RVO and Modern Astronomy recently I have no hesitation in recommending any of these.

Regarding your mount, there’s an old saying that I’m sure you may be familiar, always get more mount than you think you need, and the mount is the key to a stress free time in this hobby. If I was you I would seriously consider the CEM 120, it has the carrying capacity, a fair reputation from what I have seen both sides of the pond. Another option would be to wait for a suitable second hand mount, there have been instances of Mesu mounts for around 3.5k, AP mounts for a little more, even EQ8’s for around for around 1.5 to 1.8k if you want to ‘fettle’ it.

Happy hunting and good luck.

7 hours ago, OJ87 said:

Oh great! So you’re receiving it this weekend! 

 how long have you been waiting for it? 
Best regards,

I first enquired in 2016 regarding the mount, then had a 5 year break. Recently enquired about 3 months ago and will hopefully receive it this weekend.

45 minutes ago, OJ87 said:

Hi Everyone, 

can anyone tell me the actual payload of the MKII is for Astrophotgraphy? i know it all depends on OTA length and etc... i just want to know it limits, i planing to use an 16 inch RC telescope  on it. its length is about 1100cm, FL 3250mm, weight with Equipments is about 40kg. What im considering is some reports about the Slippage of the friction drive. Does anyone have an Experience with such heavy load or very long focal length?   

Clear Skies,

The maximum payload is noted as 100kg on Mesus own website, so you will be mounting under half its maximum tolerance, well within its parameters when balanced well. Slippage can occur if not balanced correctly.

I can’t speak from experience as I haven’t received my mount yet, (due this weekend fingers crossed). However I have spoken to several members on here, one of which is @Skipper Billy whom was very helpful.

Arrived safely packaged this morning.

Boy are these big cameras ... 😮

Very solid and seems well built, looking forward to using this soon once my mount arrives.

My take -

4 inch refractor, at say f7, this one

https://www.altairastro.com/starwave-ascent-102ed-f7-refractor-telescope-geared-focuser-468-p.asp

Mount this one, with steel leg tripod

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth-astronomy-mounts/skywatcher-skytee-2-alt-azimuth-mount.html

Finish with extender for comfortable viewing, 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/skywatcher-eq5heq5-extension-tube.html
 

Total £1029

This would be my choice, keep eyes peeled for second hand items and probably get the lot for £700 to £750 ish pounds. Leave some extra pennies to buy a nice diagonal and eyepieces .. 👍

Good luck, always fun spending other people’s money 😉

I was the postman today, collected from a fellow astronomer. Part 2/4 of my imaging rig.

May I present my beautiful looking Esprit 150, and it definitely is love at first sight!

Included is the flattener, lakeside focuser, dew heater, flats panel. Aside from a little dust on the front lense it’s perfect.

Purchased from @Dan13 a great example of a hassle free transaction, thanks buddy.

Looking forward to getting the others parts of my imaging rig over the next few weeks.

10 hours ago, Captain Magenta said:

When I very first started out in this hobby after only a little reading around I put myself on the waiting list for an AP 130. I got a reply saying essentially “you’re on the waiting list”. I’ve heard nothing yet; that was June 2017.

My reasoning was that although at that time I was a total novice, by the time it came up I MIGHT be able to afford it, and I would certainly be more experienced.

Here I am now, less of a novice and I probably could stump up, but still waiting...

Cheers, Magnus

 

 

Same, I sent my interest a few months after yours, October 2017 to be precise.

However due to the impending arrival of an Esprit 150, I’m unsure if my marriage could cope with ‘another’ telescope purchased. Hopefully my turn on the list will allow her memory to lapse, possibly!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away when I had money ..... 😔

I had several bespoke clamps and plates made up, it can be done but needs careful balancing as Rusted mentioned.

Good luck sounds a great set up 👍 

20 hours ago, tooth_dr said:

There aren’t any adapter plates, the base of the wedge is designed to be bolted directly onto the pier. There are three holes on the wedge plate, evenly spaced, one of which points south.

 

Thanks, just chatting to a local machine shop who can hopefully make an adaptor plate to allow the base of the mount to attach to the top of the pier.

Morning everyone, hive mind request please.

Trying to work out what adapter plates come with the standard mount and mount wedge, does anyone have decent pictures of your set up and how you ‘attached’ your mount and wedge to your current pier? Also what actually comes with the wedge, how many adapter plates?

Sorry for the noob question, starting from scratch!

On 25/03/2021 at 15:25, Space Hopper said:

Just seen the new prices on Celestron Edge HD scopes.

Open mouthed...........the 8" has gone up by a over third !!  

It was always priced very temptingly compared to its bigger 9.25 brother.

I can't see the economic sense by such a large price rise. Its certainly put me off considering one.

 

This is why I’m buying second hand, some good deals out there 😊

23 minutes ago, tomato said:

Agreed, two fully set up Esprit 150s on there with no counter weights is a scary prospect.

Only one fully set up esprit 150 will be on the mount, 😉

My Mesu version 2 arrives in a few weeks, I’m assuming the newer version is easier to balance due the motors being allowed to disengage?

12 hours ago, scotty38 said:

Here you go Neil but don;t forget this was my first image ever. I'd have a search on Astrobin for proper attempts with a GT81....

 

We all start somewhere, for a very first image, I’d say that’s pretty good 👍

@alan potts have you managed to image with the Stella mira 85mm at all, interested to know your thoughts?

Ok the price is creeping up beyond the £1000 limit, (we can’t help ourselves can we) but overlooked this scope. Longer focal length than originally planned but the reducer and flattener are considerably cheaper than other makes.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellamira-telescopes/stellamira-85mm-ed2-triplet-f6-6-apo-refractor-telescope.html

It also comes with ‘proper’ rings not some hybrid foot arrangement like the Esprit and a losmandy dovetail. Decisions, decisions 🤔.

Anyone able to give feedback on these scopes, particularly used for imaging and grab and go? I’ll Probably get one for 2022 if I order it now! 

12 hours ago, scotty38 said:

Great choice, but I would say that... The Flat6AIII reducer is available which takes it to just under f5 but also down to roughly 380mm too, that's how I use mine.

Thanks for the info @scotty38, I’m intrigued by the WO and it gives lovely options at both focal lengths and it sure looks pretty! Interested to know if you or anyone has imaged with the WO GT81?

10 hours ago, Sp@ce_d said:

+1 for the Esprit 80's, I have two. Why do I have 2?.. Well, I already had one from the first batch and thought I'd try out the GT81 when they came out to compare. I'd already had WO scopes before but It was awful, star shapes were naff (lens clips didn't help) and the focuser fell to bits before I'd even got a camera on it. I persevered put it back together but it wasn't for me,  I'd already been spoiled by the Esprit. It went back & was replaced with another Esprit 80. As with the first one, great out of the box!

The only thing that has slightly bothered me sometimes is the foot, as its bolted to the tube. I fix it to a larger, longer vixen or losmandy plate for easier adjustment of balance etc.

and.. don't waste it as a guide scope!.. the finder scope that comes with these makes an excellent guide scope, use that if you don't want to use an OAG.  

Thanks everyone who has contributed and especially @Sp@ce_d for some real world conclusions regarding the WO and Esprit 👍, also @tooth_dr for your honest appraisal of the SS 94mm, which was also on my watch list.

Keeping an eye on the S/H market to see what turns up.