Fozzie

Fantastic set of images..

So I've had a few days to look, push, pull, prod and probe around the scope.. I've added 3 fixing points for the various types of finders I have..

The main RA 50mm with hot shoe on the focuser, the arca style quick release for the rigel qf and I've used a spare shoe for the solar finder/RA 50mm should I move it up the tube.. 

Unfortunately there is no room for a handle.. sorry not cool I know.

Obviously I won't have the sol finder on all the time, but it's there for when the clouds go away.

Other upgrades, the 2 to 1.25 Roto lock adapter has been replaced with a revelation astro one.. much smoother and more trust worthy..  the supplied one didn't seem to want to grip the diagonal very well.  Beleive this is the design, as you tighten the ring, it forces the brass ring down over a lip, which causes the brass ring to contract, I think it's not compressing flush, hence not gripping the barrel adequately.. pics below..

With finders in configuration 

I've not had any clear skies yet, however I did have a couple of hours under some high hazy cloud on Friday..  mars being the main target of the night.. all I will say at this stage is the view at x285 with a 5mm SLV and 2x es extender were better than I've had before, clear SPC and shading on the planet, and what I believed to be clouds over the NP area, almost luminous blue, very delicate..   I don't think this was a colour cast as I tried a semi apo filter and they still showed the same intensity..  must say the vixen GP, tracked for about 5 mins at that mag, before needing a nudge, I'm happy with that PA and performance.. looming forward to a proper clear night..

Ta 

Fozzie 

Edit... that rigel is on the wrong way.. just noticed..

A testament to excellent care and engineering from yourself and the manufacturer.. 25 years young with hopefully many years more to give..

Not I knew from the title this is a thread I shouldn't read, but oh boy I couldn't resist..

It'll be interesting to see how you get on with the BV.  I used them once in my 102f11 frac, the same WO set as you, and came to focus with the baader nose piece from the 2.25x classic Barlow..  I reckon I was about 235x mag which, while the achro was capable on the best nights, was too much most of the time.. 

I found the views when it worked, breath taking, almost 3d like on the moon, and more detail on Jupiter..  I never really caress for them on deep sky tbh..

I've got a tak prism, which is short compared to my 2" diagonal.. that would be my diagonal of choice for BV..

It's on the list to try again..

Interesting to see how you get on, but from my very limited minimal experience, if it works for you, then it WORKS for you!

Ta & CS

Fozzie 

1 hour ago, nightfisher said:

So all this bad weather is your doing lol.......................lovely scope

It won't have helped for sure... thanks Jules..  hope you are keeping well..

35 minutes ago, RobertI said:

Ingenious! What is the app btw?

Thanks.. the app is called skeye..  the standard version, there is a pro paid version also..

Rigel QF mounted using a quick release plate, which allows for interchangeable accessories.. just using a few spares I have, if it works, I'll probably invest in nicer looking parts..

You get the general idea..

And with the smart phone mounted... 

I might look for a top mounting rail, the fixing points in the rings are very shallow..

Be interesting to see of the app puts the scope somewhere near, it's also has an alignment function which should help..

Ta

Fozzie 

tbh Rob, although I have a really nice ra finder, on a baader base I usually use a rigel qf with the base fixed to the centre hole on the first ring..  I'm looking at potential using a smart phone adapter to see how accurate an app is for some kind of goto function.. this attaches using a photo quick release plate.

If it works I'll write it up..

But primary finder will be the rigel qf 

Many thanks for the comments gents..

9 hours ago, John said:

Good to see really effective baffling in a scope. The focuser looks the business as well !

I was surprised when i looked in tbe draw tube, dont recall the f11 having such a system, the focuser seems very well thought out..

10 hours ago, RobertI said:

My only criticism so far is the twist lock 2" holder for the diagonal - when you try and twist it to lock it, the focuser also wants to rotate (it has a not very effective rotation lock screw).

Yeah i noticed that, i assumed i was over tightening tbh, but i do prefer the twist lock system over the screw/compression ring..  I've added a 50mm 2" self centering adapter to mine, thinking I might need it for the tak prism, like with the f11, apparently they we designed for 2" diagonals.. so well see what we need to focus with this scope and prism..

9 hours ago, Paz said:

Welcome to the club! Will be interested to hear how it goes when you get a chance to observe.

Looking at the weather this morningthat might be some time!

Word of warning, the state of the weather, serious cloud/rain penalty currently going on outside!

Afternoon all..

Thought i'd post my first thoughts on this freshly delivered Altair Astro variant of the 102F7ED Refractor.

Firstly excellent response time from Altair direct, less than 48 hours from order to door, all done on line, no communication but then, non was needed at that stage.

Scope arrived insured DHL, double boxed, packed reasonably well with chunks of foam, and profiled foam to keep it snug in a double box configuration.

The scope it self wrapped in a bag, with rings and vixen dovetail ready to go.  The scope, white with black accents, push fit end caps, rotating focuser 2.5" with twist lock adapters to accpet 2" and 1.25" accessories, duel speed 1:10 ratio, and two fixing points for a finder shoe.

the scope is very compact, especially as i am used to an F11 102mm, here with the dew shield out and diagonal, with extension in place is around 900mm, my previous scope was nearly 1400mm when ready for play time.

Finish wise, a tactile powder coating, matt white with a transfer on the dew shield.  Although i note this isn't the transfer that is depicted on the sales page at Altair, which makes me think is this new or old stock coming out before the new logo appears..

the focuser is a R&P design, and feels a lot smoother than the crayford on my previous F11, and i like the addition of the roto locking/self centring adapters, these feel sturdy and secure.

I can count about 13 baffles in the draw tube and about3 to the main scope tube.

don't think theres much chance of a first light any time soon, so will post my thoughts later on that.

Initial Pro's

• Finish is excellent
• good accessories
• push fit dew cap, better than the screw on on my previous Altair scope (that thing was noisy at 2am i can tell you!)
• focuser is a step up and smooth.
• roto lock type accessories seem smooth.
• lens looks excellent with yellow/green coatings (although there is what looks like a spot of paint flake on the inner surface. (might go to get that off)
• ergonomics wise, much easier to handle due to size.
• rides on the GP very well by the looks of it, might not even need the extension.
• compact for storage.

Initial Con's

• No finder shoe provided (this irked me a bit, as only a certain type will do - I have a nice baader QR which wont work due to screw holes) It's a lot of money not to have one supplied, TS who do a version of this scope do btw, they also state a mating element..  adds a bit more cost on to after the event, and can catch you out if you don't have one (like it did me)
• I Think I prefer the new/other design logo, a bit disappointed its not as shown in that respect..  but I'll get over that very quickly, once i get chance to look through it.

As a comparison between my previous Altair Achro to this, the entire thing seems more compact, in fact at first glance id almost say it was a 90mm, that's how much bigger the AA F11 achro was..  obviously i have no comment performance wise, hopefully the views will be sharper at high magnifications, focusing vibration reduced and in general..  I'm not expecting miracles in resolving finer details, my record on the moon was a bout 2.4km wide crater with the F11, last time out with it, easily 4km..  i'd be happy if i can pick out some of plato's dimples!

looking forward to using, that's for sure!

A few Pictures, apologies as its raining out so it's a bit cramped.

thanks for reading..

Ta & clear skies

Fozzie

Oooooo

What's this... double box....

Ikle white frac...

This looks a totally different proposition than the f11... lovely white powder coat.. very tactile..

1 minute ago, Louis D said:

One of the rarest since that focal length was dropped for the NLV and SLV lines.  Double check that it doesn't have a 45 degree field of view.  9mm was the lowest focal length with a 50 degree view to the best of my recollection.

Oh yeah 45deg... can't say I'd noticed in use but stand corrected.. still a great EP though..

I managed to get hold of a second hand vixen LV 7mm, right in the middle of your sweet spot.. narrow at 50deg.. but a bargain second hand value.. and 20mm eye relief makes it easy to use..  I love mine..

Second hand 7mm delite would be about your £150ish.. 

Explore scientific do a 6.5mm 52 deg at £58 might be an option..

Just a few thoughts..

Ta

Fozzie

A quick update on the negotiations.... 

She's not just good at maths apparently... 

Although the good news, I have a dispatch note from DHL for my 102 f7 ed....

Yey!

Sounds like a nice comfortable set up.. which leads to a nice outing.. thanks for sharing your thoughts.. 

Thanks Pax, I read your thoughts on the scope a number of times.. glad I've made the choice eventually.. 

I've stopped messing about... order placed on the altair f7 fpl53..

Other things to consider... mount is set up for a long scope, extension piece might need to go, there for height of scope above ground.. same for observing chair... 

Hi all, i was just about to punch the button on a F7 fpl53, when I started to think, I'll have to rework some other elements of my kit.. I'm used to the focal length of an f11 achro, and most if my kit has been put together using that, my high powered seeing condition usually allow for the use of a 7mm lv giving me 160x.. that would be my 9mm SLV and 2x as extender for 4.5ish.. then I thought what would that do to exit pupil etc..

Anyway, that then got me think why have I messed around with something I was just really starting to enjoy, better, less achromatic views...

So surely the perfect answer is one of the f11ed's.. 

What's people's thoughts, on the this.. the f11ed is a really safe option.. the f7, better glass but a different instrument

If my rig is tailored more to one, is it not better to stick with similar.. 

Thanks

Fozzie

Great set of images..

Harrogate, I had no idea you were so close geographically...

1 hour ago, mikeDnight said:

Looking pathetic along with being dreamy eyed has worked for me many times. She will soon take pity on you, especially when she hears you talking on the phone to an astro friend, explaining how cheap in real terms Takahashi scopes are.  I used this tactic years ago, making sure my wife heard all about a friend who paid £1000 per year to be a member of a golf club, and £15 per game played. Tak refractors are a steal by comparison as they are forever. And don't forget to grovel!!!

Cheap in real terms, I got it down to 11p per day over 30 years.. like a true finance office, no emotion or sympathy.. or actual understanding of anything other than ledger books.. problem is negotiating has highlighted a few up and coming pesky bills for her car that might take precedence.. I know, i know collective groan!

So it won't be this time round for a premium 4"..  and I'm ok with this, having a young family I almost feel guilty spending money on myself, the right priority in many ways as I'm sure many can understand..  I think for now I'll look towards one of the 102mm f7 fpl53..  Hardy a hardship..

Also to say thanks for those who have DMd me offering some great scopes, including one that might take up on as itll make a great lunar imaging rig..

I think although I could... and I can which is a privilege to be in such a position especially this year.. I'll be sensible and go small steps as opposed to great big one..

35 minutes ago, Peter Drew said:

Send yourself an email congratulating you on winning a (telescope of choice) and keep the ensuing expense secret.      

Peter Drew..... what utter depths of deviousness!!

Do you have a proforma you can send me!?

Negotiations are going well... so far I've pushed bedtime back by 10mins, and I can get a starter with our takeaway tonight... 

Regrettably I think I might have desensitized her to my annoying behaviour over the last few years.. 

I secretly think she knows I'm going to spend... problem I'll have is when it comes back at me! The debt will always be paid..

Funny story on that, a colleague of mine had a heart attack at home a few years ago, in the middle of the night.. his wife a intensive care nurse saved his life..  a few weeks after he returned to work, she rang him, he was stood in my office and clear as bell over the line his wife starts with "you know how I saved your life..." I had to leave I was chuckling that much, poor lads credit card is steaming now!

7 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Yes, he might offer you a further discount if you say you are happy to buy one of his scopes minus the handle?😇😁.

...over on UKABS, is that beautiful unmarked FS102 that's been reduced a bit..😊

Good luck with whatever you go for, Fozzie.

Dave

Who buys a scope with out a handle!!

I've seen both the FS and Stu's vixen FL...  both lovely but both requiring me to take out of savings which I don't want to do, keep it for a rainy day...  unless @stu has somewhere to swipe a card I'll be buying new...  maybe... don't know yet...