Jump to content

SkySurveyBanner.jpg.21855908fce40597655603b6c9af720d.jpg

jadcx

Members
  • Posts

    179
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by jadcx

  1. Just now, Andrew_B said:

    The 76Q is like a proper old school long refractor but even in that mode it's not at all heavy.

    I don't want to think how much I've spent 🤣. I'd budgeted a certain amount for a scope plus some accessories like a good diagonal and a widefield eyepiece but I've definitely gone over that amount. Scopes like these are the kind of things you can own for a lifetime and they're small enough that no matter where I end up living I won't have a problem storing or using them.

    I've also used my Z61 as a spotting scope quite a few times and I'm eager to do some birdwatching with the FS-60Q once I've got a suitable diagonal.

    It's generally best not to add these things up... 🤫

    • Haha 1
  2. 1 minute ago, Andrew_B said:

    I've ended up with the same two telescopes so I'm really looking forward to exploring their capabilities!

    My plan was originally to follow @DirkSteele's example and put together an FC-76DCU(Q) from parts including a Feather Touch focuser so I ordered everything from FLO and it duly arrived apart from the focuser which is on quite a long lead time for orders. I then had 90% of a telescope sitting in boxes and was itching to use it so in the end I gave in and bought an ex-demo FS-60CB from FLO so that I could use its focuser and try out the various combinations of both scopes in normal and Q-modes. The Feather Touch is still on order so when it does arrive I'll have two scopes to play with.

    Seeing hasn't been great here and the wind has been non-stop but I still managed to see the GRS and a shadow transit on Jupiter for the first time ever on Thursday night with the FC-76DCU. Even without being able to really push their capabilities I can tell that these scopes are punching well above their weight.

    I encountered that eyepiece issue but fortunately I was anticipating it and none of my eyepieces currently have particularly big undercuts so it's not been a big problem. I think I'd be happy with either prism diagonal but I am leaning towards the Baader one for its flexibility and better compatibility with eyepieces, even if they're designed by lunatics who love undercuts! 🤣

    They are phenomenal little scopes :) Although not quite so little by the time you've constructed the 76Q variety, but still, I'm very happy with it.

    I can feel my bank balance slumping as my Feathertouch envy grows.  

    • Like 1
  3. Just now, JeremyS said:

    Great idea. Does it catch on the undercuts? And does it still work ok with non undercuts?

    No it works really smoothly, doesn't catch on undercuts (although you have to loosen it slightly more than you would otherwise, maybe ½ a turn extra?) and holds straight barrels perfectly well.

    If you're going to try it, just trim very conservatively and test as you go.  You don't need to remove very much.

    • Thanks 1
  4. 1 minute ago, JeremyS said:

    I use the Tak prism diagonal for my smaller Taks: FS 60 Q and FC 76 DCU. Great performer. It’s also light and compact.

    Note that eyepieces with the dreaded undercuts are slightly tricky as harder to grip and to extract. But I still struggle on with my TV Naglers. The Baader twist lock would be better (which I use with my larger Taks). Non undercuts (and Baader eyepieces with safety smurfs) are fine

    Yes, that is an annoyance with the Tak prism.  I butchered mine 😮 by cutting down the plastic retaining ring by a few mm so now it tightens 'properly' on any eyepiece, undercut or not.

    • Like 1
  5. 28 minutes ago, Andrew_B said:

    That's good to know and the Tak prism is definitely an option. I was leaning towards the Baader setup because I could have the microfocuser which I do miss when using higher magnifications.

    Do you have much in-focus left when using the Tak prism or is the focuser pretty much racked all the way in when you're focused at infinity?

    No there's definitely a bit left, but I can see the appeal of the micro focuser anyway as the FS-60 stock focuser is quite course for such a narrow focus plane.  I'm considering upgrading it somehow, maybe a 10:1 unit, maybe splashing on a Feathertouch, not sure yet.

    • Like 1
  6. Does it count if I didn't actually make it myself?  I did actually try, but my Dremel just wasn't up to it 😂.

    I wanted to fit a Tak clamshell to my AZ-GTi.  Previously I was using the excellent ADM clamp from FLO, but seeing how I only ever use my little Tak in a variety of configurations, I liked the idea of a permanent fixed clamshell.  I drew up the design using FreeCAD and then had it machined by Geomiq.

     

    Newly machined plate 

    Plate fitted on the AZ-GTi

    The finished combo.

    • Like 2
  7. 47 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

    Many / most ? motor focusers have a simple manual app for focusing on a laptop and some, like the SharpSky come with a manual controller. 

    Dave

     

    45 minutes ago, TerryMcK said:

    My Lakeside focusers have a manual option but you still need power.

    Yes - it's the power requirement I'm trying to avoid for manual use.  As a 'grab and go' and easy travel option, I don't want to need power.

    • Like 1
  8. 5 hours ago, CraigT82 said:

    Maybe you could use the simple Skywatcher DC motor, and for visual just use the battery operated hand paddle. For computer control you can get the Hitecastro DC focus controller.

     

    4 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

    I use the SW focuser motors on all my solar scopes.

     Belt driven to the 10:1 focus knob.

    Just drop the belt for full manual control.

    Yeah - maybe I'm over complicating it.  I have a Pegasus power box which includes a stepper driver, so was imaging I could use that for the imaging control, but maybe there's a simpler solution.

  9. 1 hour ago, tripleped said:

    I have  Sky Safari and like it alot but is there a way to measure distances from reference stars to your desired object in  degrees and minutes like  a start  chart  would  show?

    I have the Plus version, when you select an object, you can then open the context menu (tap the Selection option in the bottom bar/menu) and then 'Measure from.  You can then select another object and see the angle and distance.

  10. 1 hour ago, Commanderfish said:

    The Hercules tube rings are a good colour match. They also have various mounting options. I've added a matching aluminium finder bracket to mine.

    For aesthetics the RDF should probably be on the back ring, but for practicality it's better on the front.

    Now to dig out a can of Alfa Silver car paint and spray that RDF to match!

    The rings look great - so whenever you want to sell the clamshell... :) 

    • Like 2
  11. On 03/03/2021 at 19:37, Tiny Clanger said:

    And another freebie : https://www.deepskywatch.com/deepsky-atlas-release1.html

    or the 'serious' version for A3 printing https://www.deepskywatch.com/deep-sky-hunter-atlas.html

    which the creator says is " for serious deep sky observers." .

    I've just had this printed (A3) and it's pretty great for ~£20 (I used https://www.doxdirect.com A3, 130gsm satin paper).

    • Like 1
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.