FenlandPaul

Many congratulations, John. I had hairs raised on my neck reading that - I was with you all the way. I was hoping that this would be my season for the horsey too, but so far work and travel have rendered my observing a complete afterthought. I'm not complaining - but I'm so looking forward to when I too have an evening when it all comes together like this!! It'll be worth waiting and persevering for!! Paul

That's right, John. It's a very lightweight aluminium job by with a plastic tray / brace that clips in and out. The tripod as supplied with the AZ5 also comes with the short (guess 5 or 6") extension pillar. My view is that this tripod would be adequate for smaller scopes but inadequate for larger scopes at high power. I used to occasionally put my old ST150 on an aluminium-legged AZ4 with a 16" pier and it would (just about) cope; I couldn't imagine putting the same scope on the AZ5 standard tripod.

I think it will be adequate for smaller scopes, John (I tried my Starwave 70 on it today), but I agree there would be too much flex for a bigger scope. The advantage is that it collapses down quite tightly, more so than the SW aluminium legs, although I have both so will be able to do a side by side. I know it's a pathetic reason, but the sound the SW aluminium tripods make when you extend the legs really grates on me!! One other (trivial) observation about the tripod and extension is that the colours look great with the head. It was a very aesthetically pleasing mount, which of course will really matter when I'm out at night! Paul

Very interesting thread. I have just ordered the AZ5 with the Skywatcher tripod today; should be with me next week just in time for a trip to France with my Starwave 70 packed between the children's seats. I managed to take a good look at the AZ5 at the Widescreen Centre today. It's a nice looking, well-engineered bit of kit with the one caveat that I've not used it in anger yet. The motion seemed very smooth and the whole assembly seemed a lot less fiddly than the Altair Astro mini AZ, which I also looked at. It was clear with the mini AZ that good balance was essential, which is all very well until you swap from a 31mm Nagler for smaller ordnance; I got the impression the AZ5 would be a lot more sympathetic to those sorts of changes. The three screws that secure the head to the tripod are a little too easy to undo accidentally at night, but I suppose it's unlikely you'd make the same mistake 3 times. The slow motion controls are a great addition, and I liked the fact you could have them in "wheel" mode, without the extension cables, or have the cables fitted if you've a long scope and aren't related to Mr Tickle. Unlike the old AZ1 there isn't a stop on the slow motion so you can keep tracking for as long as you wish. It seemed pretty clear to me that this was going to replace the AZ4 over time. I shouldn't wonder if there are some cracking deals on the AZ4 coming up as a result. I hope to write a more full review- particularly of the matching tripod's suitability - once I've played with it under the hopefully clear and dark skies in the Charente over the coming couple of weeks. Paul

I did quite a lot of research on the Zhummel 12 before I bought my Revelation 12". Apart from minor accessories they are identical scopes. I have been thoroughly impressed with my Revelation 12", which was an upgrade from a 220mm Beacon Hill Newtonian. My mirror seems pretty good (although I've never done a side-by-side comparison to, say, an Orion Optics) and the mechanicals are all sound as well. I've upgraded mine with handles for the OTA, stiffer springs and a RACI and Telrad, but this is merely tinkering to my taste. In my view they're great value for money. It really is astonishing what you can buy nowadays for a relatively modest outlay (and I include SkyWatcher and many other brands in that statement). Paul

Thanks John - hopefully now I can get the benefit from it. About a quarter of the field was smeared and I didn't have the guts to try to deal with it myself. Originally I thought it was condensation inside but thankfully Simon at TWC confirmed that the eyepiece hadn't been taken apart and that in fact the problem was on the outside of the lens. The perils of buying used (I hasten to add it wasn't from someone on this forum, and I don't believe there was any malice involved).

Thanks Piero - it's taken me about a year, but finally took the plunge!

Hooray! Finally able to reply to this topic with something more than my (excellent value but mediocre performance) Revelation kit. Just picked up my used 22mm Nagler from the Widescreen Centre, after they kindly sorted out a serious smear on the eye lens. I'd been saving a space for it in my new case, and here they are as a family for the first time:

Very interesting report, Chris. That's too bad that Bresser have compromised quality (though not on optics by the sound of it) to get this into a certain price bracket. The AR127L restored my faith in companies' willingness to produce a genuinely well-built and desireable product on a budget, and like you I'd assumed that USP would exist throughout the range. Plastic on a clamshell? Come on Bresser that's a poor show. i think your decision to send it back is the right one. And your knowledgeable and specific feedback should be very valuable to them. It's disappointing but the alternative is to constantly wonder when those plastic bits will perish! On the plus side, it does look like a lovely scope in those pictures! I can see why you'd need two Little Tikes cars to carry it around! Paul

Thanks John - I'm studying all the different ERs now. I don't normally wear my glasses when observing with my other eyepieces but just find I have to with the 32mm because my eye is so far away from the eyepiece!! I am hopeful that the shorter ERs of the ethos range will mean I can discard the specs and enjoy the immersion. Paul

What a great thread. I've got a 32mm as well, and while it's my default low power eyepiece I have to work hard to position my eye and usually wear my glasses, which means stray light can easily get in. Interesting that the eye relief is too much for a lot of people; I find that too and was worried whether I'd cope with upgrading to Ethos etc.

I saw that note come in yesterday. It's a shame - I shall miss Kieran's amusing (if sporadic!) blogs. Paul

I've been following this thread silently for a long time and have been so impressed with your resolve and patience to create something really special. I am so, so pleased that you now have that precious glass. It's been epic, and it's just the start of the wonderful time you and your scope are going to have together. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

Well I'm really quite jealous of some of the aspects people have got here! I'd hoped mine this evening would be fairly good at the allotments (about 180 degree uninterrupted view centred on south and slightly raised up) but it's far too windy for that tonight. So here I am set up and ready to go in the back garden.

Absolutely stunning, John - many congratulations. I assume this is a stop-gap to take you through the 20-month lead time for the real prize: http://apm-telescopes-englisch.shopgate.com/item/383633

Nice. But if you have a problem with stray light I think I know why!!!

1881 is the date on this lovely book ("Half Hours with te Stars"), salvaged from my great aunt's house, although not sure where she got it from:

Not seen this before, but now I know its interesting components it's definitely worth a look. Maybe even tomorrow evening, which is set to be clear and moonless here..... hooray!!

That finder really sets off the Skylight, Derek. @Chris Lock will be proud!! Beautiful.

Sill available nowadays on BBC Radio 4 Extra!! Always makes me chuckle.

I've also used the aluminium-legged AZ4 with an ST120 (same scope as Chris) and it was a great match. I also had an ST150 on it, which was challenging in all but the best conditions, and a SkyMax 127 Maksutov, which was also a great match. You'll have no problem at all with the ST-102. Paul

The AR127L is beautiful. I'm taking it with me to a talk this evening to the local cub scouts. I think they'll recognise it as a "proper" scope!

Hope it works out well, Chris - looks good with the binoviewers!

That's a thing of beauty, Helen!

Wow - she's one impressive bit of kit! What an amazing setup!Paul