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Sirius Starwatcher

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Posts posted by Sirius Starwatcher

  1. My explorer arrived yesterday and tonight I set it up ready to observe. Clear skies here in North Wales and just wanted to get it commissioned. Had initial trouble with not reaching focus but had bits and bobs in my spares box from my Dob a few years ago. Managed to get reasonable views of Saturn with my Williams 6 mm eyepiece. I then pushed my luck with a vixen SLV 4mm not crisp but Very pleased with the first lights from this scope. I now need some extension control knob cables to make life easy and then make a better job of the temporary handle I put on the saddle. Really looking forward to observing this winter 

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    • Like 5
  2. 1 hour ago, Alan64 said:

    I have a 200mm f/5 Newtonian myself, albeit unused.  It was a special order from the manufacturer, as the only 200mm OTA offered off their shelf was at either f/4 or f/6, and I wanted neither.

    Keep in mind that your former 200mm "Dobsonian" was at f/6, and played well with your eyepieces.  The 200mm f/5 parabola will be a bit pickier as to what is used with it.  Hopefully it won't require more eyepieces.  If you have Plossls you should be good to go. 

    Do you have any wide-angle eyepieces?

    I have one Panaview 32 mm

  3. Thank you to all who have offered advice to me. It was a useful exercise in showing how many variables need to be taken into account when deciding what equipment to,buy. I have had a number of scopes over the years my first one being a 200 P dobsonian. Having taken into account my wish list and reviewed the scopes that were suggested I have decided to go for the Skywatcher 200 P DS  on the Skytee mount. It fills my brief for aperture, ease of set up ( not as heavy as a dod) and will allow me to manually track my targets. Also there are a number of scopes unavailable at the moment with a long delivery time. I was very happy with the views from the dob I had a few years ago and I know that my existing eye piece collection suits the 200 P very well. 

    • Like 1
  4. On 23 September 2016 at 20:26, Paul73 said:

    I need to de litter. So I'll be bringing a big box of bits and pieces.

    Incomplete tripods, Self centring adapters etc. All as cheap as chips. Have a browse.

    My study is looking like a ransacked Astro Boot storeroom. I'm told by local government that this is unacceptable. Please help.

    Paul

    Bet the 16" Dob is not in the big box when I look through it.!

    • Like 1
  5. Looking to move on my SW Skymax 150 pro with a SW AZ4.  Should be available to view on pitch 108 unless I get moved. The SW  150 at £400 original packaging.ep,finder scope,diagonal. a few marks on the vixen bar but apart from that it's as new. The AZ4 will also be available, looking for something in the region of £90 to £100.

    please PM if you want more info or photos.

    That will be pitch 18 then not 108.

  6. On 4 September 2016 at 23:57, faulksy said:

    a few little updates and some good progress tonight.

    cut all truss tubes to correct length and thought of a good way of stopping them at the correct focal distance.

    squared up my spider as it was 2mm in one direction off centre, strange one

    squared my focuser up as over the width of the uta it run out by 2mm in 1 direction the other axis was spot on, gutted

    1 of the uta clamps was very slightly of 90* compared to the adjacent ones, all the fixing bolts are 6mm so all holes are 6mm so there is no slop but the one that was out i had to drill the clearance hole 6.5mm. it is now correct. so well happy with all that :headbang:

    also finished of my wheel barrow system which colapses down to nothing, i have used 2 wheels but both in the centre, this gives a bit more stability at speed :icon_biggrin: but still allows me to use 1 ramp to go in the back of the discovery :icon_biggrin:.

    things left to do are

    shrink wrap my truss poles

    finish of shroud and my matching dress

    finish off dew kit . so not much left :icon_biggrin:

     

    ep height at zenith is 6-3"

    Well Mike absolutely terrific posts and as for the build well, awesome. I can't help thinking that you've forgotten one important  job to do, unless it's on your snagging list. After all the hard work, time,effort,tears, laughs, are you going to keep referring to your scope as "Faulks 20". Surely your going to give her a name. Great build and posts. Thank you for keeping the forum informed. Now what's in a name !.

    • Like 2
  7. 18 hours ago, DRT said:

    I have had the SW Startravel 150 F5, two SW 150 F8s, a Bresser AR 152 F7.9 and this Altair 152 F5.9 and I think this one is the best of them all.

    Not only does it seem to have better glass at the pointy end it also has a focuser that blows the others out of the water and the sliding metal dew shield is a nice touch which can also be used to make small adjustments to the balance of the scope.

    OK Derek you can stop now. I've got enough info from  you to move the Altair 152 V2 from my wish list to "get the scope as soon as you can list". (final confirmation will come at the star party). Thanks for posting would also like to discuss CA with this scope. Or not as the case may be.

    • Like 1
  8. Having just answered a thread about Allen Key sizes I thought that the following information may be of help to members. I hope you find it useful and that the information will make life easier for you.

    I have put together a small tool kit to help me in the maintenance and repair of my instruments.

    Item 1 Pro Bolt Thread Identifier. Used to identify the thread size and bolt/screw length of Pan Head and Grub screws used in telescopes etc.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Gauge-Bolt-Measuring-Tool-Essential/dp/B009SQACP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431363853&sr=8-1&keywords=pro+bolt+thread+gauge

    Item 2  Hex Key Chart. Used to match the correct size Hex Key to the bolt/grub screw.

    http://www.allenhex.com/faq

    Item 3  Hex Allen Keys. There are many available on the market. This set is more expensive than others but the quality of the tool and the fact they have an offset driver head at one end make them a joy to use. They are strong do not flex and good quality.

    http://www.axminster.co.uk/wiha-magic-ring-hex-key-set?gclid=CjwKEAjwpsGqBRCioKet--bp_QcSJADCtbsbm19_hR_LPC0mPGppYTwfFFgWlyFsL3jF88OIEOEuyBoCWWfw_wcB

    Replacement Grub screws and Pan Head bolts. The items below are available on line and are part of my spares box.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BSYKQB0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000LG0TXG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

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    • Like 2
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