Alien 13

Nice, go Elon Alan

As above, weight is not the only issue focal length is important, I personally think scopes like the ZS61 are fine but getting close to the upper practical limit for AP but that doesn't mean you cant use a small Mak or similar for visual or Planetary/Lunar imaging. Alan

I dont have one but would be handy for storing Camera lenses, I do however keep some bits of Cedar wood in all my camera bags, it keeps those tiny bugs who love to crawl inside lenses and cameras away. Alan

The pole master has certainly improved things but the simple RA finder is still useful for portable mounts like the Star Adventurer especially if running it unteathered etc. Alan

I think I would be happy with those too... I have a similar pairing but scaled down a little, perfik in my opinion. Alan

I had my led fitted to the side with a reflective strip around the circumference but oddly enough a bight light actually helps to find Polaris as when doing polar alignment during twilight hours, its very hard almost impossible to pick it out when its totally dark. Alan

Great result, I have been using my RA camera finder for years, great piece of kit maybe FLO should consider selling these with adapters for any mount that has a polarscope, they are quite useful on straight through finders too. Alan

I just got this tripod which I will use with the SW AZ GTI mount It does go lower with the legs splayed out, about 12 cm tall I think which will be perfect for a DSLR/lens combo. Alan

Impressive for such a small mount, I quite fancy a mini.. Alan

I am very interested in the bag, what model is it? Alan

Thanks, I was thinking more off the shelf and app controlled, the only one I know about is the Cam Ranger at about £500 although there might be some pro devices about costing four figures. Alan

I too am interested in its use for normal photography, the number of DSLR mounts that can be WiFi controlled can be counted on one finger... Alan

I am watching and have been for over a day now, not holding my breath though... Alan

Still sitting there, its not as if this is rocket science it should be as mundane as starting a car... Alan

Shame they cant use military rockets, instant launch every time you want one.. Alan

Its like watching paint dry to be honest, how hard can it be after nearly 70 years of practice... Alan

It could also be filter tilt or they not being suitable at f/2, easy to check by removing one.. Alan

No, the apps like polar finder give you a real view i.e. they correct the orientation. Alan

Get one of these, just hold against the polarscope... Its a RA camera viewfinder, you could make a DIY fitting for it if you wanted but I dont bother. Alan

There are lots of them You would need a 1 way to 2 way splitter or a battery bank with two outputs (most of the higher power ones do) Alan

Some power banks will shut down if there is not enough standing current, the ones I have (pound/discount shop) work fine with my EQ3-2 but I expect the intelligent ones might be the problem. There is a fix if you are electronically minded either by adding a small constant load or switching one in every few seconds, this blog provides some details https://www.dorkbotpdx.org/blog/paul/battery_pack_load Alan P.S. I have to say that the power to weight ratio of these devices means I use them for most everything now, even powering my Canon DSLR and emergency lights, oh and any projects I have on the go.

The wedge needs to be screwed directly to the tripod i.e. remove the pan/tilt head.. Alan

The "unusual telescopes" looks good, like the way they keep their hats on Alan

Impressive, you will learn lots from this project.. Alan

I use one of these for my scope https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/skywatcher-2-inch-t-adapter.html but if your focusser draw tube is threaded then simple T tubes will work https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/t2-extension-tube-set.html the diagonal takes up about 2 inches of back focus. Alan