Fozzie

Morning All, I saw these the other week and they just spiked my interest a bit.. small light weight, perfect for travel.... https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/lunt-mini-white-light-sunoculars.html#SID=1662 Has any one seen or used them.. any one got any thoughts.. for £47 they could be a nice gift at Christmas for someone.. Ta Fozzie

FYI, there's a batch of the shorter FL SLV's just come up on ABS.. no affiliation... Not for from you Shane in Manchester for collection. the 6mm is a beaut! http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=119833 Ta Fozzie

I did a full change on my TVP's to the the SLV's and I haven't regretted it one bit.. The 20mm showed more of the veil than the 20mm TVP did when I did a side by side just before the plossl was sold on.. I don't honestly know why these little gems don't get more press, especially at lower focal lengths where the 20mm ER and fantastic performance really make observing at higher powers so comfortable.. I've recently bought a couple of delos and I can honestly say, although I was worried I'd defunct the SLV's I actually reach for them more than the delos, especially on the moon.. I just get on with them better, the delos win on DSO where the FoV is a great benifit.. Also they are very good on white light work.. Definitely better than the delos.. Might even have to get the 10mm despite a 10mm delos in the case.. Don't think you'd be disappointed Shane.. Next time I'm using ill not the focus point on the draw tube (not sure if that even helps) but ill do it anyway and let you know.. Ta Fozzie

This is an interesting thread… I have a TVP 32mm which, after I bought the 24mm 68deg ExSci became very redundant, particularly when observing from home, with the light pollution and air glow… the main issue I had was lack of contrast, not eye placement although reflections were very annoying. However I did invest in an eye guard extender which has made the EP a lot more workable and user friendly, however I still, from home, use the 24mm or above because it keeps (and this is all in my head so is probably wrong) the exit pupil down.. My thoughts were if its bright and the Ep exit pupil is large and my eyes aren’t dilating enough then my eye isn’t getting the full benifit of the EP at work. (again I have no understanding of the techy side... just what the gremlins in my mind tell me!) If I’m out and about in darker sky, then the TVP 32mm with an extender is a very useable bit of kit in my 200P Newt. The extender certainly helps with placement and comfort in respect to eye relief.. It maybe interesting to see how the EP performs in your scope under darker sky’s, it could be a case of just the wrong location and too much LP for you to see it’s potential? Just a thought.. Ta Fozzie

Didn't hang around long that one Jules...

I nearly bought it.. was going to put my grab and go head on it for white light, as I neeeeeeeeeed a bit of a more stable tripod.. Just let that mini portar on ABS go (again) too.. very indecisive at the moment! that Starwave was a bargain for someone!

only until the sticker peals off and the dew shields warps in the sun... then it's called "shabby chic" and my missus will impulsively pay an exuberant amount of money for it!

Could have been worse Chris, it could have been sandwiched between 100mm Triplet skylight and 6" F12 "observatory piece" Skylight, like my poor starwave! Seriously though, with the Tal Wooden Tripod, that's a lovely looking set up in it's own right!

Great fires of London! That's a perilous thing to throw out there.. I once marginally suggested that the 4" starwave was better than that Russian magnifying glass thingy only to realise quite quickly I needed to get the heck out of dodge before the lynching.. I've spoken to a few Talites, including Jules (who I consider to be the grandmaster of the Tal's member club) and the reverence these Tals are spoken off is very great indeed. Shame they stopped making them.. I've nearly punched the button on the second hand market a number of times just to say I've got one.. Mind you I thought about cutting one down for BV purposes and I believe that get you a life time ban from the lodge so best I don't pick one up!

Thanks Gordon, she's been through some foam tectonics with all the changes but the old girls looking ok!

Thanks Derek, you know I've not even considered moving the SLV's on, although as your right in thinking they might see less time in the scope with those two Delos and a 2x focal extender giving me a good range of circa 70deg EP's... BUT I'm finding the SLV's are great for grab and go, being light weight, the 72mm ED loves them to bits, especially on white light work (prefer the 9mm and 12mm SLV over the 10mm Delos in the 2mmED), and there's no FC like there is on the wider EP's (especially with the 72mmED). The shorter end, higher mags work well in all my scopes, and sometimes I prefer the narrower FoV to give me less distractions (yes it's a bind with no go too or tracking but it's how I role!) So at the moment I think they are keepers.. I'm hoping they will complement the delos, and both sets are very comfortable to use and 50 to 70deg Ep's seem to be my sweet spot. Garrrrrbled on their a bit, but in my head it all made perfect sense..! Ta Fozzie

This is my latest offering.. I moved on my televue plossls from 25mm to 8mm, lovely as they were, for a slightly better and way more comfortable set of SLV's. The explore scientific 82's also left the family as I found eye relief to be more desired for time at the EP, and these have been (slowly) replaced with the two delos, and I opted for a 24mm 68ES over the pan, again for the eye relief.. Just added the 17.3mm delos and eye guard extender today! A small space left for a 14mm Delos at some point and "ahem" that should be that.... Ta Fozzie

just had a response.. Good morning, The rubber grass mats are made for use all year round and are especially popular in winter as they help to prevent the ground from becoming muddy. They are made of recycled rubber which has slight anti-slip properties so they are suitable all year round. Regards, Carla MatsGrids

I've dropped the manufacture a question on winter suitability of the matts, specifically a slightly heavier guage 23mm x 1mx 1.2m (£14 each), in respect of icing and sinking in during winter conditions.. I.e. slips and trips.. I'll feed back if they get back to me.. Just on the Bark, With out containment, would it not creep and be a nightmare with grass cutting, also it would hold water as well which might not be the cleanest either, and when frozen although it will give under foot I imagine it could be uneven underfoot. Just a few thoughts.. Ta Fozzie

Hi Gina, Could you consider a rubber protection mat or grass reinforcement strip. I've seen them used in various situations, allows the grass to grow through and prevents "sinking in".. also being rubber offer good grip. Link to a google search web site.. http://www.matsgrids.co.uk/57-grass-protection-reinforcement Essentially fixed by using pins as well, just like pegging out a tent! Looks like this! Don't know if that helps.. Ta Fozzie

Sausages are one thing from Masham.. The fine local brew, both of them, are something else entirely!! Ah happy (foggy) memories!

Looks to be good in Leeds, if not a tad windy so I've got the skytee2 and 72mm ED on WL duty.. should be stable enough! Good luck everyone, hope there's at least a glimpse for most.. Ta Fozzie

Ah forgive my aggressive demeanour... should have said "strongly propose" Happy to Jules, can meet half way or call over to you...

Jules we keep threatening to meet up, and I keep threatening to get you behind my SLV's... We should really make this happen..

Nothing wrong with the F11 gents.. lovely scope.. However if its a 150mm F10 your after.. then look up Istar Perseus Range http://www.istartelescopes.co.uk/page_2413941.html Probably as good as it gets, but you feel for your wallet afterwards! Ta Fozzie

Lovely big Frac...

Crikey when did that 152mm turn up.. must have missed that.. what's it like please?