Helen

Venus cradled by a tree (I HATE THAT TREE!!)

Nexus 5 (rested) on a mesu mount  

Helen

I've got the PI book for Christmas, I expect that technique is in the advanced section though ?

The moon over Cardiff Bay (tree).  Hand held (badly) Nexus 5, auto everything and no processing (and it shows!)

Or how about Over the Moon with the Fireworks??

Helen 

46 minutes ago, nicoscy said:

Helen,

Do you have a separate Etalon and BF? In that case Beat Kohler of AOK Swiss (also sells Borg scopes) can make any adapter you want. 

 

For €59 he made me an adapter for my Coronado SM II 40mm for my Borg 71FL.

Yes, I have a Solarscope 70mm filter and bf and one of their adapters for my megrez 72.  The adapter cost much more than that though, so very useful to know about AOK -thanks!

Helen

Thanks guys  

In my case I need to be able to also carry my solar filters, so smaller and lighter is good (and not just for airline as we're touring for a month so will be moving stuff around a lot!).  So the Borg set up is still front runner I think...

Helen

3 hours ago, nicoscy said:

Chris,

I still have the Tak and yes, it is far superior to the Borg p, but not as portable as the Borg. I am trying to keep as small a kit as possible and the Borg is portable enough to fit in my backpack as you can see.

I also have a Borg 90FL objective so I can swap between 71mm and 90mm - 71 at home for mostly lunar viewing and the 90 under dark skies, but I have a good mind to sell both the Tak and the 90FL as I am drawn to a compact kit.

Everything is a compromise and I think I can accept optics which are pretty decent (vs simply flawless for my Tak) if I manage to get out more often in my back yard and enjoy the views.

While this may sound "shocking", family, work, pets and life in general conspire to keep me away from the eyepiece (dentist this evening!!!) and therefore optimising my gear towards portability is paramount to me.

But the Takahashi - oh my!

Ooo that's interesting!  I'm looking to get together a portable set up ready for an eclipse trip to the US next year, but we're going to be away for a month so looking at more than just solar kit.  I've been wondering about the Borg set up you have - ie one tube and the two FL objectives.  In my case 90 primarily for visual and 71 for solar and photography on a star adventurer.  So what does 'pretty decent mean' in comparison to say a william optics 72 Megrez (my current solar and travel scope)?

Lots of other ideas in this thread too... I think the weight limit on the star adventurer is probably more limiting than the luggage allowance! (Although as we are also going on an Alaskan cruise I'll need room for warm clothes ;-)  )

Helen

Starting the sort out/clear out (long overdue!).  So here are a few things to start with...

Skywatcher Mak 180Pro - old gold style.  No accessories.  Looking for about £400.

Celestron C6 SCT - bought as the cheapest way to buy the Evolution Mount as they don't sell the  mount separately!  Taken on holiday a coupe of times, but that's it.  Should have the usual accessories (red dot finder, basic diagonal, and probably an eyepiece) - £375

Borg 77 with 0.85 reducer, but no focusser (I'm keeping the helical)   Comes with rings and a finder.  This has had a hard life, not sure how many owners before me, but I bought it off Tim who had taken some nice images with it.  So cosmetically not brilliant, but very light and comes apart for travel.  Probably worth checking it out before you buy!  Looking for ~£425

PST Mod bits - Vixen 80 shortened tube, PST etalon and adapters, focusers (2 - 1 to get the spacing right and then another for focus), 90mm ERF (needs a better holder).  Got a picture in Sky at Night with this  but just not being used as I have other solar.  Worth coming to see before you buy - not sure on price, bits were quite expensive, but £550?  (cheaper than a new PST!)   [Pending subject to discussion at star party)

QHY8Pro colour - big chip - never really got going with this many years ago - was trying with hyperstar, and got some frosting/dewing issues.  But I got a heater ring from Bern, and I think people have sorted out using this and variable power along with dessicant.  I changed direction, and this has sat in the obs.  So I'm offering a cheap way in to a large chip - APC-sized ...  £400.

I'm in a pod, but will be around...

Helen

On 5/20/2016 at 23:01, Retro Gear said:

If you mean the Esprit 150mm F7 triplet I would be very interested & grateful for any information you can give. I've looked at the full review by Nik Szymanek which is a few years old now - a more recent account by a current user would be really helpful .

Will

Off topic, but I'm sure  @Tim has the Esprit 150mm if you want to talk to him

Here it is    Nicknamed the tardis - as it is a time and space machine 

(14 inch OO dob)

Helen

I have a new dob that I would love to post a picture of in this thread, but.....  the weather is so bad that I haven't been able to even unpack it from the car (having picked it up yesterday!!)

Helen

I've made this a sticky    If there are other threads that you think need the same treatment PM me and I'll have a look.  I wouldn't want too many pinned posts though as that makes regular posts drop too far down, so if there are a lot I suggest one pinned post which has links to useful posts.

Helen

Sorry that doesn't work   I don't think I can be more help without having the same equipment as you.... 

Helen

If it is like the other AZ then there is a 'home' position (usually putting the scope horizontal facing north) before you switch on. 

Helen

The wiring for the handset to mount is here http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/62397-synscan-altaz-cable/ - might help?

Helen

This might be helpful http://www.homebuiltastronomy.com/stool/EasyAltAzMountModification.htm

Helen

Have you found the display comets button Alan?

And while we're on the subject... Has anyone had problems with CdC and Lovejoy's position?  My gotos have been off - while fine for other objects.  Very odd!

Helen

I've got one of these for mine :-)

http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00468/waterproof-tool-box/dp/SG32901?in_merch=Featured%20Products

Helen

No, you don't need to do anything before saying Hello ;-)

But Hello from me and welcome to SGL I look forward to reading a bit about you in the Welcome Section :-)

Helen

A vast range of information and help, so very good.

2 silly questions though.

When some people reply to posts I often see the post they're replying to listed in the same box, how do you do that?

how do I put my age on my profile without my birth date?

To do this click the 'Quote' button which is in the bottom righthand corner of the post you want to quote, it will then appear in the reply box. Scroll to the bottom and add your own reply.

You can just enter your month and year of birth if you want, unfortunately you can't just enter the year.

HTH

Helen

I think the point was that it is 20 or 25 degrees below ambient temperature, not minus 20 or 25 degrees C

Helen

Hi,

Also a newbie of a few days. Loving the forum and overwhelmed by the helpful members.

Glad I signed up.

Out of interest, will there ever be an option to "Edit" the posts we make?

Thanks for a wonderful forum,

Simon

Glad you're enjoying the forum Simon Unfortunately (because of a problem with a few members' abusing it) we've disabled the edit functionality. If there is anything major wrong with a post please just send a message to a moderator and they'll be happy to edit for you

Helen

since i have used this site for a few weeks now and purchased my scope from recommendations from it to couldn't be happier im not sure if there is already but a list of things to see would be great like what time planets were and how to find them,as i am a newbi this might be here or not worthwhile,keep up the good work no other hobby/passion/addiction (lol) could you get this much help and info so quickly and friendly thanks sam.

We're pleased you've found SGL so friendly and helpful

Have you tried downloading Stellarium http://www.stellarium.org/ Once you have set your location it will show you what you can see. Also on this site http://www.skyandtelescope.com/ you'll see boxes on the lefthand side for interactive sky chart, and this week's sky.

HTH

Helen

Welcome aboard seders Just asking questions is helpful to members, I've learnt a lot through the questions other people have asked!

Helen

One often overlooked advantage of GPS is accurate time. If you use EQMod and a computer then buying a small USB dongle (I paid about £15 for mine from Maplins) will do the job brilliantly.

Helen

My only niggle is that the more posts I read, the MORE I SPEND but that’s life I guess.

I think perhaps we ought to include a health warning on the sign-up page, something like 'Warning: this site can seriously damage your bank balance'

But glad you're finding the site useful

Helen