Helen

One from last night from me... before it snowed.  This was the only 'hit' - lots of misses!  I really struggle to get the camera position right!!! ?

Nexus 5 on a Tak100, no processing.

Helen

A couple from tonight's brief session (how can it snow from a clear sky???)  The moon looked lovely though  and my father-in-law who is staying with us for Christmas was really impressed 

Tak 100 on a Giro-WR on a Berlebach 212 Report tripod.  First light for the tripod which was a Christmas present 

Helen

1 minute ago, L8-Nite said:

Hi Helen,

Wow, that was quick,   in 8 minutes ! 

Yes, its an original Zeiss diagonal. I have been searching for one for a long time for our Telementor-1 with the helical focuser. We have a turret on the Telementor-2 model, but its just too much weight to use on the T-1 in my opinion. Now my Wife & I can have a choice of instruments to use without straining our necks. 

 

Envious? me? never....well perhaps just a bit   My Telementor hasn't seen skies for quite a while - that's what comes of buying a Tak100   But it is such an iconic piece I can't imagine selling it!

Helen 

6 minutes ago, L8-Nite said:

The post man arrived !  

What is it  ?

 

A new toy for the telementor??

And after I'd finished ?

I was out with it, but in the partial protection of the warm room with a couple of heaters!!!

Tonight in the frost...

Don't know what changed, but pleased to say it is working and connects to Skysafari when the settings are changed in line with this page https://teleskop-austria.at/information/pdf/SynScanWiFi_HowToSetupSkySafariForSynScanApp.pdf

Happy Helen thanks @happy-kat 

OK, going to download and try again... hoping!!

Helen

Thanks.  When I run the synscan app I just get a black screen and nothing else happens.  It would be great if there was a way around this ?

Helen

On 06/12/2017 at 23:02, DaveTp said:

Really good thread this guys - thanks for the heads up.

looks like I'm after a smal android device!

You might want to just check the android device you have works with the synscan app... I have a nexus 7 (very old!) and a newer ASUS 7 and unfortunately both have Intel Atom processors which the app does not support   Very disappointed!  Works with my nexus 5 phone, but was hoping to use a bigger screen!

Helen

There may possibly be Welsh cakes ?

How about this for low tech...

Solar funnel ( an adapted plastic funnel which slots over an eyepiece and projects onto backlit projector screen material) - worked great for the eclipse in a little borg mounted on to the little pronto mount @Steve let me borrow for the eclipse 

I also have some rather more expensive solar options.... 

Helen

12 minutes ago, DRT said:

I noticed on another retailer's website that those AZ5 pillars are not expensive.

I wonder if it would be possible to just tap an M10 female thread into the base (obliterating/replacing the 3/8th thread) and then use the mount and pillar on an EQ5/HEQ5 tripod?

Just had a look with the pillar and an EQ3 tripod.  It doesn't look possible as the base of the pillar is wider than the indent on the tripod and the peg gets in the way 

Helen

But with an az goto mount daytime accurate alignment is easier as you can just align on the sun 

Helen

https://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=123&sprache=english

FLO are going to start stocking them 

Helen

1 minute ago, DRT said:

So can I fit that pier and the mount to my Berlebach tripod in place of the EQ5 pier that sits on it today?

Not without an adapter (eg the Berlebach one).  The pier also has just a 3/8 fixing - so will fit on a photo tripod.

Helen

2 minutes ago, Alien 13 said:

Its an unfortunate result of the laws of Physics with tripods that you cant have all three, for me weight is the most important provided some of the stability can be recovered by going low, can the height be adjusted by any amount?

Alan

Yes, indeed!

The legs have one extension, with a twist lock.

Helen

Thanks

My initial experience of the tripod is that it compromises stability/rigidity for lightweight and cost (I remember someone saying that everyone wants a cheap, light, stable tripod, but you could have at most two out of those three!).  The pillar is rigid though.  But at least with a 3/8 fitting it is straightforward to upgrade to a better tripod!

Helen

1 minute ago, Alien 13 said:

My EQ3-2 will run for for weeks off the 11000 mAH one, the Canon about 4-6 hrs. 

Alan

How do you connect?? (I know the staradventurer uses usb and that is hugely convenient)

Thanks

Helen

I think Berlebach should offer me commission???? 

Helen

1 hour ago, davyludo said:

I wonder how difficult it would be fashion a little converter plate so that the AZ5 head can be attached to the AZ4 tripod.....and if there will be enough demand that someone might start producing these. 

I would like the AZ5, but don't have the available funds right now. Might hold out for some reviews to appear before I decide to purchase. Plus....I don't think I've seen anything but clouds for months 

 

This is a good point. I'd be interested to see someones comparison with the same head and different tripods. I hadn't thought of this, but was surprised by the 5kg.

The skywatcher AZ4 manual states the same load capacity for both steel and aluminium leg versions:

https://storage.googleapis.com/skywatcher-canada/upfiles/en_download_caty01334362158.pdf

Berlebach do an adapter 

https://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=details&id=123&sprache=english

Helen

9 minutes ago, DaveS said:

Roll of Baader solar film?

Cheaper than that even Dave!!

6 minutes ago, Peter Drew said:

Sol finder for a 60mm LuntPT?    

Nice try Peter... it is bigger than that (and much cheaper!) 

Helen

Solar related (prize for correct guess  )

Helen

As it says on the tin - this is a place to upload observing lists   Please give details of the content and the software if applicable, along with proper credit if not your list

Enjoy!

Helen