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Everything posted by Roy Challen
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This is what I do, no faff at all. Some say a manual alt-az is less faffy, I disagree 😁. My EQ mount is much heavier though...
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I was a long time fan of the BCOs (still am really, and of orthos in general) but imo the SvBony 3-8 is better in every way. However, the 10 and 18mm BCOs are complementary to the zoom. I also particularly like the Baader 32mm plossl for low power and HA solar use.
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I'm guessing you're referring to this one, seen between 1-1:45pm.
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Daystar solarscout, Baader 32mm plossl, manual alt-az mount and my phone.
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Seen while dodging clouds, bright, very intricate details, rapidly changing. Well worth setting up for.
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Your favorite eyepieces with slow telescopes
Roy Challen replied to The60mmKid's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
I used to have a Zeiss 25mm Huygens, which I used to split the Double Double in my f/16+ Skylight. It only happened the once, in excellent seeing, transparency and close to the zenith. The view was so unbelievably sharp. Fantastic eyepiece - in that telescope. -
Which 3 of your eyepieces get the most use, and why?
Roy Challen replied to F15Rules's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
To be honest, I hadn't noticed. I only use it for full disc views in my solarscout, a job it does very well indeed. -
Which 3 of your eyepieces get the most use, and why?
Roy Challen replied to F15Rules's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
I found the Baader 32 to be the best of the bunch (25-32mm) that I've had over the years. The eye guard extender is a nice touch. -
Which 3 of your eyepieces get the most use, and why?
Roy Challen replied to F15Rules's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
Same here, in my FS60. 32mm plossl for the Solar scout. I do have a 26mm plossl that hardly ever gets used, and a broken 7mm BGO that never gets used. I don't own any other eyepieces any more. -
Antique Shop Telescope
Roy Challen replied to Sunshine's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
They're well spoken of in the classic refractors section on the other forum. -
Nice! Plenty of other activity going on too. Missed out on a few M and X flares over the weekend.
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GONG showing a large prom, sadly I'm at work, but if you have clear skies, or even slightly cloudy like I have here, it'd be well worth a look.
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Measurement of surfaces, specifically. It's what I did for 8 years. Stargazer is ok by me btw!
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Buying? No regrets at all. Selling? Plenty. I'd have saved at least a couple of grand if I'd kept my first Tal 100 and Skytee 2. Which means I will be keeping what I have now for as long as possible. Eyepieces though, are a commodity to be traded for something new and shiny as one sees fit😉
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Best “cheap/mid range” eyepieces??
Roy Challen replied to Neutrinosoup's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
When it comes to astro gear, why spend tens of thousands of £££ when we're limited by our rubbish weather? And why buy a giant SUV if it doesn't physically fit on our narrow roads? But, some of us spend that kind of money on bicycles, hi-fi, fishing, golf etc😄 -
Sorry to hear of your eye problems Dave. I've preempted this happening to me by buying an FS60 - it's just so convenient. I'm looking forward to the 'F15rules has £3k for a new telescope, let's spend it for him' thread 😄
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If you don't wear glasses while observing, I'd recommend the SvBony 3-8mm zoom. It will cover magnifications from x75-200. The field of view is a little less than the Starguiders, and the eye relief is quite tight, but you won't be swapping eyepieces around, or refocusing all the time. Optically, it's a little gem. I'd complement the zoom with a nice wide field eyepiece at the longer focal length end, such as an Explore Scientific 68° 20 or 24mm, or Stellalyra UFF 24mm.
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Maximum viewing pleasure
Roy Challen replied to Flame Nebula's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
First time looking at the sun in hydrogen alpha with my Daystar solarscout. -
Best “cheap/mid range” eyepieces??
Roy Challen replied to Neutrinosoup's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
Totally agree, John. Except I think the SvBony 3-8 zoom is equally sharp as the BCO range (within its own range of course) and has a slightly wider field of view. I literally just sold my BCOs as the little zoom has made them redundant. Best of all though, is that the zoom very much falls into the budget eyepiece category. -
Check that the barrel doesn't contact the mirror/prism in your diagonals. The barrel is quite long, and does make contact with the diagonal I use. A parfocal ring/s solves this, PM me if you want one or both, I have two spare.
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Small aperture APO for visual
Roy Challen replied to SwiMatt's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
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Small aperture APO for visual
Roy Challen replied to SwiMatt's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
I'll second what @MalcolmMsaid. I'd go for a Takahashi FS60-CB too. Which I did! Whilst it cannot compete with the resolution of a 100mm for planetary use, it can still make out the most interesting features, certainly well enough for a short session abroad. It is also a lot more money than an ST80/102, but it is a lot better optically too. 60mm is also my most used aperture, my Daystar is also a 60😁 -
A strange BURST in the sky... Help!
Roy Challen replied to Nikolai De Silva's topic in Observing - Discussion
Thankfully it wasn't a meteor on head😆