rwilkey

Hi there, and a warm welcome from me too.  Good luck & clear skies!

7 minutes ago, Dave scutt said:

Thanks rwilkey.

It did shake a bit when focusing but I didn't want to lay on the floor when looking up at zenith thought it might be just the right height for sitting down 

That's true, but my wife is always moving the scope complete with tripod etc in and out of doors and her setup was top heavy with the pillar, so it all depends what you find most comfortable, we are both of the older generation so we go very careful with how we manage our scopes.

Hi Dave, that looks right, however, I never use a pillar as this tends to affect the balance of the setup.  In my picture above the smaller scope on an AZ5 mount (my wife's scope) came with a pillar, but we decided that it was too unsteady and set the mount straight on the tripod.  The SktTee II is heavy so I would presume you would set this straight on the tripod, as my Newt is on the original EQ5 tripod.

Hi Dave, I have found it best to mount on the side, otherwise you have one or two bits in the wrong place and inaccessible, such as the finder & shoe etc, however, here is my side-mounted Newt:

At the top of your budget, I would recommend the Sky-Watcher StarTravel-102 AZ GTe for visual, it is very portable and breaks down into two main parts (tripod and telescope), my wife has this one but on an AZ5 mount, which is more sturdy (we don't do electronics or smart phone stuff), but we have found it both practical and highly portable.  The views are amazing and it can be upgraded later, my wife and I upgraded to a Crayford focuser, a 2" diagonal and a RACI optical finder.  Best used without the pillar (the bit between the telescope and the tripod) as this affects the balance.   Highly recommended, found here: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/sky-watcher-startravel-102-az-gte.html
 

13 hours ago, vagk said:

Did anyone knows when ES eyepieces will be available again ?

You might try Agena Astro, though most sizes are out of stock, the 14mm (one of the best of the bunch) is in stock.  I bought most of my ES 82's from this source before they came to Europe, and afterwards to the UK.  Found here:

https://agenaastro.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=explore 82

1 hour ago, F15Rules said:

The Luminos are NOT the same as the Axiom LX range, made by different manufacturers. The originals, the Axiom LX, are significantly better. 

The Axioms are very similar to the ES range, just as good in my experience and very sharp in my F8 apo.

Dave

Hi Dave, thanks for clearing that up, I assumed they were the same because they look the same.  What I like about the Axiom LX's is that the central part of the eyepiece (the eyeguard) can be twisted up by turning the body, it was quite a novelty to me at the time when I had little experience with ep's.

The Luminos are not too bad, I owned them in their previous incarnation, Axiom LX's 7, 10 & 23mm, although I have sold the 23mm now, but they are reasonable, but I also have the ExSc 82 degree series, which are much better both on axis and sharp to the edge.  I would recommend these to anyone. 

Hi Claire, a warm welcome from me too.  Good luck and clear skies!

2 hours ago, slaine said:

Hi @S.A.M and @rwilkey ... great to see fellow Swindonians on here! The weather hasn't been the best lately, although a few hours these last 2 nights. Hoping for a break, as I have just purchased an iOptron CEM26 an a 72ED APO, now awaiting delivery. Fingers crossed I will see some improvement! 😁

Hi Slaine, have you thought about coming along to Swindon Stargazers?  We have a meeting this coming Friday with a talk on 'Deep Sky Observing' by Mark Radice, more details and directions can be found here: http://www.swindonstargazers.com/clubdiary/clubdiary.htm

On 15/10/2021 at 17:41, slaine said:

Thank you for all the welcome wishes, a very warm welcome indeed!

@rwilkey Hi Robin, I am also in Swindon, not far from Mouldon Hill Country Park. Although, from Pembrokeshire originally. All the best!

What a lovely area you live in!  I live in Northern Road so a little closer to the town, my son takes me for walks in Mouldon Hill. 

Hi Tommy, a warm welcome from me too.  On the guide to the night sky, my wife and I always use the Philips one, which is very good, we have used it for years, found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Stargazing-Month-Britain-Ireland/dp/1849075875/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LXA1YNPGN8B5&dchild=1&keywords=stargazing+2022&qid=1635151747&qsid=257-9814014-7315010&sprefix=stargazing%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-1&sres=1849075875%2CB09JVH8HVB%2CB099TQ6FH4%2CB09JVFNWHH%2CB0973M6WDX%2CB09GD2Y4YQ%2CB09HJ3CT5S%2CB0962N5HMV%2CB09HVGB7YX%2CB09HPXXH46%2CB09HPX681W%2CB09H8Z774F%2CB09HPRPNTW%2CB09HPCBNM8%2CB09HZMW3GM%2C0008393532&srpt=ABIS_BOOK
Good luck and clear skies!

Marlborough Dark Skies Fest
High Street, Marlborough, SN8

The Marlborough Dark Skies Fest 2021 takes place between 25th October 31st October.

There are a wide variety of events and activities on offer, and the festival includes an exciting programme of talks, workshops, children’s activities, and stargazing sessions. In addition, this year Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon will be free to visit in St Michael and All Angels Chapel at Marlborough College.  There is also practical 'Stargazing On The Common' and at Manton, just outside Marlborough on the last weekend.

The Town Hall will also be open on the weekend with displays from various local societies and other astronomy related things,

Most events are either free or cost only a small fee; some require prior booking; others you can just turn up.

For a full list of events, check out the following link: https://thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf/

The festival is organised in collaboration between Marlborough Town Council, North Wessex Downs AONB and Marlborough College.

Hi Slaine, welcome to the forum from another person in Wiltshire, whereabouts are you as there are a number of members from Wiltshire on this forum?  Good luck and clear skies!

4 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

In the course of several purchases from Alan's own site (which is cheaper than his ebay shop)  I've had several email conversations, and one 'phone call with him.  nice chap, extremely helpful and honest.

Heather

Hi Heather, I absolutely agree, he's always looked out for me and I have appreciated that over the years

On 12/07/2012 at 18:59, Prador said:

I have never had the same issue as you Spec-chum. I have had a loose barrel on my 5mm "Starguider" branded ep but thats about it.

Yes, having 5 BST's and one Starguider is annoying. Might put a wtb on astro buy/sell for a 5mm BST.

Dave

I have all BST's bought when they first came out after trying an s/h Astro Tech Paradigm, they were only £29 each when I bought them!  Alan is a top man, I met him once in London and he actually recognised me first when I started talking to him!

On 10/10/2021 at 10:30, vlaiv said:

or put it on SkyTee2?

I have the Sky-Tee II mount for my 8" and it is absolutely solid, I believe it would easily support a 10".......

Hi there, you will need a low power at some point for extended deep sky objects (DSO's), say a 30 or 32mm, this would also help you with star hopping etc.  

Gosh Bigwings, what an experience you have had!

Hi there Bob, a warm welcolme to SGL.  Good luck & clear skies!

Hi Tim, a warm welcolme to SGL.  Good luck & clear skies!

Hi Dave, the ep will certainly work well at f/4.9.  What makes you think you need more travel in the focuser?

Hi Martin, welcome to SGL from me too.  Good luck and clear skies!

I too have the predecessors, the Radians and have to say I am absolutely 'DeLited' with them 😀

Hi Dave, a warm welcome from me too.  Good luck and clear skies!