DRT

I have a Baader Semi-Apo, Chris, and now also have an EQ5 with tracking motors so will be giving it a go. I don't have the patience for all this stacking malarky but will be trying to get some good single long-exposure shots

My Helios 6" f/9.4 went to a new home this morning and this little beauty came home as part of the deal... Skywatcher Startravel 120 f/5 Now fitted with a Skywatcher Dual-Speed focuser. Looking forward to some nice wide field views and perhaps some DSLR action through this one

Very nice, John. The Moonlites definitely make a big difference and I think that's my first port of call each time I buy a new scope from now on. Like Tyson I am interested in the tripod - looks like a very stable platform for that Giro III - I'm missing mine already having sold it this week :-(

I've been looking at my (rather scratched) gold tube SW ED100 all weekend wondering what she would look like in white

Very nice, Chris. I haven't had much chance to use mine yet. It looked promising early on last night but quickly clouded over with a thin, milky wash of high cloud

Coming from you, John, I feel suitably chastised. I will tell Mrs T she needs to order more shoes

I do like the look of those WO Megrez scopes but I can't really justify one with already owning a TV Pronto - unless of course someone tells me it is essential to test them side by side?

Nice job , Patbloke - I'm thinking of doing the same with my Helios 150mm f8 as I do like a white livery on these big refractors. Which type of paint did you use on yours?

Have you been taking lessons in self restraint from me, Chris?

That is part of next year's plan

That was exactly the plan, Chris. I have no intention of keeping them all but having the opportunity to compare them on the same target at the same time a few times should allow me to avoid selling one and then regretting it.

Are you dropping a hint that I need another case? Good idea!

I've got to find something to do whilst it's cloudy so I thought I might as well do this

Some additions to the EPs and I have finally gotten around to organising my accessories into one case... That's me done.

I tried a new trick when I got home with the Bresser 127 last night. Bearing in mind that Mrs T has seen my Polarex 60mm, Evo 100ED, Helios 150 and Starwave 102 cross the doorstep in the past few months I went out to the car to fetch it and said "You are going to like this one, it's completely different to all the others!". When I walked through the door with the Bresser she looked at me like I was a complete idiot, sighed and walked away. Job done - no more discussion required

Indeed they do - the Starwave has quite a retro look to it in its simplicity. The stock dual-speed focuser feels very smooth and solid and is a huge step up from the standard issue Synta gear.

The Moonlight was on it when I bought it, Chris, so very pleased. I also have the original focuser with the package so can try that out too and let you know what I think of it. I also like the look of the Starwave and it will be interesting to see how the longer FL compares to my ED100. I suspect I now have more refractors than any man needs so the Starwave/ED100 and Bresser127/Helios150 comparisons will possibly result in one or two scopes going to ABS UK

The new guns have now arrived... Bresser Messier AR127L & Altair Starvave 102 f11 Very much looking forward to trying these out

Peter, the company I linked to above ship to Europe.

Kerry, I have three of these cases and they are excellent: http://www.allendale-stores.co.uk/aluminium-flight-case-460x330x150mm-4852.html They are currently showing as out of stock but they normally re-stock items fairly quickly. The case comes with cubed foam but they also sell the solid blocks for about £6 each. If you call them they might swap out the cubes for a solid block at no extra cost. They have lots of other shapes and sizes to choose from. Derek

Alan, you haven't read the sequel to my Slim-Fast Diet book have you? Each period of excessive dieting must be followed by a slightly more excessive bout of "Binge-Buying" just to make sure you don't end up in the predicament you currently find yourself in Let me help you: click here

You appear to have a spare Paracorr in there, Alan

As a regular seller of astro kit it always makes me smile when I'm given a business address to deliver items to

Chris, I love the 6" f/8 and when I get back from my holidays I will be picking up my new Starwave 102 f/11 and Bresser Messier AR127L f/9.4 and will be finding a way to get all three on the SkyTee II for some big frac fun I might piggy-back the Polarex Unitron f/16 onto one of them and have four canons blazing at the same time

The Helios 6" f/8 is ready to try out the new TeleVue DeLite 18.2mm along with a rather extravagant finder scope