rwilkey

You will be most welcome, it will be great to meet you. Clear skies!

Hi Dan and welcome from me, also in Swindon. If you are interested the local club, Swindon Stargazers have a programme on imaging on the 17 January, more details found here: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/clubdiary/clubdiary.htm

Hi Neil, I bought the kit a long time ago from Ebay and Martin's comment is absolutely right.

We had a conservatory built earlier this year and the perfect place to store telescopes with immediate access to the back garden. See below:

Hi Mark, welcome to SGL! No need to worry about collimation yet, new scopes usually arrive well collimated (ie. the mirrors aligned). Smaller scopes like yours keep their collimation better than larger scopes. If you are likely to travel a lot with your scope then you will need to think about collimation soon, but don't worry!

Hi Molly, The following link of an actual show that takes place every year might help, as follows: https://www.ukastroshow.com/

Hi Paul, first of all, welcome to SGL! Yes, the link you give is identical to the specifications of the Heritage. The customer reviews are also encouraging. In my opinion this would be a great starter telescope, good aperture and rich field (f/5) which means it would show good portions of the Moon and star clusters etc, a good 'wide' choice.

I have many ep's in bolt cases, mostly bought from Agena Astro in the US, but not cheap, the have a great service and are very quick in posting. It depends how much you value your ep's.

Hi Tracey, never consider a telescope from a high street store, they know little of mechanics, the scope you highlight is of particularly poor design. Always consider buying a telescope from a specialist supplier, like the forum's sponsors FLO, they are no more expensive than cheap suppliers like those on the high street. With a proper supplier you also get good service and fast delivery, and expert advice if you need it. Good luck with your choices!

I also like using widefields for starfields open clusters, as well as the Moon & planets (TV zoom for detail)

Hi Maniek, I agree with you, that's why I like TV, I prefer highest quality.

Hi Maniek, for choice I would choose the 21E over the 17E, the 21E is a good all-rounder, I have the 17 Nagler and to be honest it is not used. The E13 is a good choice for starters, excellent on the Moon!

Hello again Maniek, best not to go too high on magnification, this is the mistake many make. Most stargazing is done at low magnifications, esp. DSO's. An excellent choice of eyepieces, but as John says, there are good cheaper alternatives, including Explore Scientific.

Hi Maniek, and a warm welcome from me, enjoy the hobby. Clear skies!

Hi Neil, yes, that is pretty much it, as the mount is pointing north you have to do what is commonly called a 'meridian flip' to look south, and if it is a reflector the eyepiece and focuser are now upside down and you then have to rotate the OTA to a comfortable position - one of the reasons I prefer AZ mounts.

Hi Neil, you do not need two Barlows, the 2x one will be the best, but I have found over the years that I use a Barlow less and less, preferring higher mag eyepieces, also less faff. Good luck with your choices.

Hi Chris, welcome to the lounge. I see you are jumping in the deep end with a 12" Dob, an excellent choice. Good luck and best wishes to you both, clear skies!

Hi there, yes, you have a difficult choice but it all depends on your budget, the BST's are clearly good runners because of the price and AFOV, however, I have tried the Vixen's and they are stunning and really sharp, if I had to make the choice I would choose the Vixen SLV's, however, at twice the price I am afraid. To be honest, you wouldn't really notice the difference in the AFoV's, quality is the key here.

Hi Mick, you cannot go wrong with the BST Starguiders, they are one of the best on the market and very easy to use, also the price is good, as John hints at above. Good luck and clear skies!

Hi Mick, the Baader Hyperions will work well in your scope, however, as good an idea as FTR's (fine tuning rings) are, try using them in the dark when the temperature is freezing and your fingers are dropping off one by one!

Hi Dan, a warm welcome from me too!

Hi Armando and welcome from me. 60 years is a long time, and if I may say, you do not look old enough, however, congratulations. Clear skies!

Hi Dave, best wishes and clear skies!

Hi Doug, the Radians are quite good, I have the 6mm and the 8mm, mainly for planetary.

Hi Seb, and a very warm welcome from me just across the bridge, have fun!