niallk

Congrats on the 12" Dob! I have mine up by the EP on both my dobs. Before I committed to placing it on on my 10", I simply used masking tape to attach it and try out where I was going to ultimately stick it

I'm 0.5, and since my optician showed me the rather dramatic effect of astig correction when looking at a 5x5 array of black dots on a white background, I've been considering getting a dioptrx! Haven't taken the plunge just yet, but it's only a matter of time I feel if/as my astig worsens as I, erm, age... Will be interested to hear how you get on under the stars.

Drool... Enjoy + clear skies!!

Nice one - Enjoy! The GSO dobs do seem to have a very good reputation. I have a 10" dob too (though it is from Synta) and it has shown me so much - great size

Nice one! The Cat's Eye is a great target - I find lots of mag helps eg 330x or more, and I use an O-III too with my 15". On good nights, I start to detect hints ofg some inner detail: two ovals at right angles to each other. This is on the limits of visibility from my back garden- would love to catch it from truly dark skies

I'm going to bite the bullet and solder a resistor in there one of these days... I'm an electronic engineer with access to all the equipment and components, and for nearly 10 yrs I've just wiped with my finger I do cheat nowadays mostly though, I'm ashamed to admit: Telrad for 2 star alignment of Argo-Navis on my 15" dob, then push-to after that - simples, and no dew problems!

I've a Telrad for each of my 2 scopes - rate them highly, and would not be without them. They are the most dew prone things known to man, though...

Ha ha, yeah I know, but it aint dark enough! I'm thinking this is going to take a paint based on the apparently endlessly magical properties of carbon nanotubes... Ah sure I'm only kidding (kinda) - I enjoy observing the moon, but hey all the best observing weather seems to always coincide with full moons, and I'm missing a good dose of galaxies & nebs

Just paint the near side super flat matt black.

Many thanks for the heads up!

I'd recommend factoring the cost of double stacking. It rocks. FWIW I went for a LS50DS, and I love it. Fully agree re the focusser, for me the dual speed Moonlight is a transformative upgrade over the stock helical focusser. If I had enough money, an LS60DS with a binoviewer would be my wish Looked through one once: it was jaw droppingly good!

Can't comment on the focus range you need. However, I got one for my 250px and it was a great purchase! Highly recommended. So nice to simply flick between filters - for me I used it for O-III, UHC, and no filter on DSOs. I had my neutral density for lunar in another slot, plus a single green filter. FWIW, I had no focussing issues with my EPs- Pan24mm, N13T6, N7T6, plus PMx2.5. Best of luck, -Niall

Why, what's wrong with their optics?

Yeah, I'm pretty amazed that I get away with it Especially as she has absolutely zero interest in looking though it... The Sumerian Alkaid design is very clever - so neat!!

My first scope was my 250px - loved it. Now its place is taken by my 15" - kept in the bedroom, and tolerated by my wife