Paul73

Another vote for a zoom for solar. Can’t get on with them for night time, but for hitting the solar viewing sweet spot they are great.
I used 8 - 24mm Baarder zooms.

Paul

At first glance I thought that they had forgotten to include a focuser!

Enjoy your new toy.

Paul

Very nice Stu. I couldn’t quite get Neptune in the 10x50’s but the moon and Venus were stunning.

Paul

Yes. A rare clear spell. I think that Venus might well be outshining the moon!

Paul

Don’t worry. Adjusting the focuser isn’t too technical. It may not feel the smoothest, but it will work just fine. I’ve had a DSLR hanging off an adjusted SW standard focuser without issues.

The ED 80 is a cracking scope for the money. Enjoy.

Paul

Good question Stu. As the proud owner of a couple of little lumps of Vesta, I’ve wondered that as well!

I should really take a few minutes to track down Vesta visually.

Paul

Definitely a good episode. I think that a Chris and Maggie a great presenters, but it was nice to see Pete Lawrence getting a decent amount of air time.

Paul

That is dedication! Nice set of images.

Paul

There is a definite naked eye shadow on the moon here! Delighted to have caught it!

Paul

Nice to see that the scope is living up to it’s lofty reputation!

Looking toward to many more observing reports.

Paul

Colour is the other giveaway. Uranus is a distinctive light blue.

Paul

Not sure about size, but the heat pads that wrap around the secondary support work well (By secondary support, I mean the cylinder attached to the back of the mirror). The other option is a camping hair dryer to keep the dew at bay.

Paul

That is one hell of an achievement in a year. 

Congratulations.

Paul

Just the Lunt here for prolonged use. Very happy with the results though.
Tried the Baader at a star party and it seemed to take more magnification, but it is a lot more money.

I’m more than happy with the Lunt.

Paul

Looks like you had a cracking year!

Paul

Hopefully a great buy! Looking forward to reading your first light report.

Paul

What hasn’t been mentioned much is comfort of use. If eye placement is problematic or eye cups odd shapes, it really takes away from the whole viewing experience. For me the ergonomics of the Delos line hit the right spot (haven’t tried the comparable Pentax range). Even the celebrated Ethos 21mm needs you to virtually climb inside it to get the full 100° wow effect.

Paul

For use with my f4-5 dobs . Wide at the long end. Either 20mm(ish) 100° or 24mm 82°. Then TV Delos 14,10,8,6mm. 
If cash was no object, a set of Ethos would do nicely. Sadly this is not the case. Hence the stepping down to 72° fov on all but the longest eyepiece. I’d rather have a highest quality narrower view than a compromised wider view.

Paul

I keep mine in the garage with a coat over the open end of the Dob to keep out the worst of the dust/spiders but let the air circulate. Ready cooled and ready to wheel out to play!

Paul

At the 20mm end of things, go wide! If the pennies allow, 100°......

Or, drop back to a 24mm 82° for a similar fov to the 20mm 100°. The ES 82° 24mm works really well in your scope.

Paul

I used a 1kg 21mm Ethos in my 10” SW Dob. 
No slipping issues. No real balance issues either. You can tighten up the focuser if required.

Paul

I’ve tried a load of different eyepieces and it is the Delos lineup that does it for me! 
The Goldilocks of eyepieces.
Paul

Agreed. As with a lot of visual Astro. Not spectacular to look at, but once you stop and think about what you are seeing....

I was thrilled to get a few mins with that little black disc on the face of the sun.

Paul

+1 for the zoom option. The Baader 8-24mm works well. The Mk3 works just as well as the mk4.

Paul

That is a cracking haul. 
The quintet is a real result. Just goes to show what inches and dark sky can do.

Nice write up too.

Paul