Nakedgun

"niggles"? Could you translate that from english into english, please? Thank you.

I've seen heat plumes in my C-Nine-Two-Five, but nothing quite like yours. Curious.

Love my Vessel JIS drivers, too. If fact, yesterday I ordered a set of their Tang-Thru/Demolition models for the garage toolbox.

This just arrived, to be added to a small ep set for use with my Borg 90FL, and carried in my Tundra for instant use while on the road somewhere:

Nice having "vintage" gear so well cared for. My Velbon VEF-3, on the other hand, along with this King tripod from the same era, both Japan made, were found by me where they had been discarded at the local landfill. I added Manfrotto quick-release camera plate adapters for easier use to them both and my wife uses the Velbon for flash support in her office studio while the King rides in my pickup truck for binocular support duties.

I took another look at the barrels on the Ploessls and you're quite right about the Taiwan origin. The 12.5mm says 1 1/4" on the barrel, the others - .96" and all four have what appears to be an added .965" attachment with "JAPAN" stickers on them. Apparently, these ep were made available for both formats at the time. Like the barlow, the Celestron diagonal has Vixen logoed endcaps. And, I agree finding quality .965" items difficult anymore. I'm not holding my breath a decent scope will be forthcoming, alas.

Saw this thread when current but only got around to photographing my set today. I entered this hobby after the suggested 1990 cut-off for "vintage" ep, so everything I have in the .965" format has been acquired, really, during this millennium. I gathered them to use with any refractor I happened across requiring them and do have a Tasco (Japan) 60mm f/11.7, though I'd much like a Carton or similar find such as F15Rules' recent gain. The 17mm Ploessl from Taiwan, and not sure about the Meade items' origins, otherwise all Japan sourced. Hadn't thought about these for a spell and am now reminded I must begin searching for a better-quality refractor model soon.

Nail polish remover I think you meant to say, Roberto.

Backorders are the norm in practically any arena, now. Been waiting for some motorcycle parts for months....

Wish I had a friend who owned one!

Take a look: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Manfroto tripod bags&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

I second the Manfrotto padded tripod bag recommendation. I carry my Tak FC-100 in one. They are available in a variety of lengths. Good luck.

I missed the recent Lunar occultation of Venus and the Geminid meteor shower peak due to clouds, alas, but skies should be clear enough for tonight's show.

You can inquire as to shipping: http://scopestuff.com/ss_cstal.htm

Perhaps you were unaware of this option for your Kowa? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1343087-REG/kowa_tsn_as1_25k_1_25_astro_adapter_for.html However, the straight-thru model is not well-suited for astro work, as you've indicated.

45° angle quickly becomes a real pain for astronomical use at higher declinations, although a tripod with elevating center column will help with this somewhat. I use one for quick looks on occasion when higher powers are unnecessary. If terrestrial observing is the primary use, astro secondary, a spotter can be a useful option.

OK, thank you.

So, what's the upshot of the translation?

Assuming, Dave, you meant this examination of small scopes to be limited to astronomical, and not purpose-built prismatic terrestrial spotters, here I reveal my next models up the aperture chain: Borg 60ED f/5.8 on Vixen Mini-Porta Takahashi FOA60 f/8.8 on LX70

What is it?

Nice little squad, there! What's the Pentax case in back all about, did the scope come packaged in that??

I tried one, tripod mounted, and found it simply too much trouble to operate, offering no real advantage for binocular viewing over a conventional ball-head (properly sized for the anticipated load) on monopod. Using the 222 on monopod would be a non-starter.

When my telescope collection is looked at in toto, it is clear I have an affection for small aperture instruments in spite of owning an 18" reflector, recently sold, which have been acquired over the last quarter-century (I entered this hobby comparatively late in life). My current abode has seen a noticeable reduction in sky quality over the three decades I've been here (do populations ever decline?), so these little guys reveal fewer objects as time passes. Nevertheless, I still do enjoy their use from the backyard and always bring one along when observing from a dark-sky location with a larger scope. 50mm f/10.

Hooray, for the world famous Pocket Borg!