F15Rules

14 hours ago, Stu said:

I’m sitting here with my underpant on my head, wondering what the answer was after all that 😉🤪🤣

Agree Stu...I certainly can't get a handle on it/them!!🙃😇

Dave

On 16/04/2022 at 17:29, Voyager 3 said:

Honestly I've learnt more grammar in this thread than my entire English classes. 

Yay! Grate, innit, kno wot I mean??.!!! 

Dave

On 08/04/2022 at 20:15, ollypenrice said:

'No, less. I regard you as a single lump of proles...'

😁lly

..but couldn't that equally be " I regard you all as a prole.."??

Dave(s)

It's been a while since I mentioned the two Celestron Axiom LX 23mm and 31mm eyepieces discussed in this thread.

I've now owned this pair for 12 months and have used them both a good deal, especially in the winter season.

In short, and after using them in a variety of conditions in both my FS128 and Vixen SP102m scopes, I feel that these are just excellent eyepieces, delivering wonderful, sharp, contrasty and immersive views.

It may be useful to summarise the positives and negatives as I see them..(this is quite subjective IMHO)

Positives:

Excellent Optical quality - very sharp, great contrast and few aberrations. Sharp at F8 virtually to the edge of the field (not the sternest test, I know!)

"Spacewalk" ultrawide 82 deg fov..the views of objects such as M42, The Double Cluster in Perseus are just stunning

Build quality and durability

Comfortable in use once accustomed to them 

Great value for money, especially used (they were discontinued several years ago, but odd "new old stock" examples do come up for sale now and again).

Negatives

The sheer size and weight of these eps can come as a bit of a shock at first sight..however, if you have a robust focuser, with adjustable tension locking, they are not difficult to use..but they probably wouldn't balance well with some smaller refractors and dobs.

A good, robust 2" diagonal is a must.. - an Everbright 2" would be ideal, being machined from a single block of aluminium. Some cheaper 2" diagonals have thread on nosepieces and eyepiece holders that can undo themselves too easily when heavily loaded..I found this with some Skywatcher stock 2" units a few years ago. I have an excellent Astro Tech 2" diagonal which holds the eyepieces firmly, but care should always be taken when adjusting the diagonal with the eyepiece in situ..

I plan to keep both of these lovely eyepieces (the 31mm is currently on temporary loan to a friend for evaluation in his scopes😁)..the 23mm is a worthy replacement for my much missed LVW 22mm, (and Barlows well with my AP Barcon 2" barlow, and the 31mm excels for really immersive low power views of extended objects.

N.B. I have acquired a Baader T2 BBHS prism with 35mm of clear aperture, fitted with a 2" nosepiece and Baader T2- 2" Clicklock eyepiece holder. As the LX 23mm has a 34mm field stop, I can illuminate it fully with no vignetting, using this setup.

The 31mm has a 44mm field stop, but I don't notice significant edge darkening despite this..

Highly recommended.

Dave

Aah...bless!!😊

I always loved the volcano top shape, very ergonomic, comfortable and made the natural short eye relief of orthos much more useable 👍.

Dave

44 minutes ago, Franklin said:

I think they will prove to be quite smart.

🤞🤞🤞😁

3 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

I see they come in a nice carton 

...but with no handle (a carrying strap doesn't count)..

I found these Carton Japan "new old stock" mini bins online..I have no idea what they'll be like (I won't receive them for about 10 days), but the Carton Japan brand name tempted me..

If they aren't up to much optically I can always give them to my little grandson to play with😂..

Dave

So sad to hear of the UKs last (?) remaining Telescope manufacturer disappointing so many customers.

My only experience in dealing with them was 30 years ago, of short duration, and due to their "attitude", never to be repeated..

Dave

6 hours ago, Steve said:

^ Thank-you 🙂

At SGL a retailers opinion, any retailer, is not considered inherently more worthy than a members opinion. 

Exactly. And here in the UK many of us know that, Steve. 

And I for one really value the way that we on SGL can exchange ideas and opinions respectfully, without discussions degenerating into patronising tirades seen on some other forums, and which often lead to the polarisation of positions, and ultimately the withdrawal from those forums of members for whom such "bickering" is a real turn off. 😊👍

Dave

19 hours ago, Stephen Waldee said:

In case UK amateur astronomers don't know, Don Pensack is a bona fide world-class eyepiece EXPERT, having been for many years in the sales of same for a southern-California based company and now running his own "EyepiecesEtc" retail organization; and even more important than that, in my opinion, he is an advanced observer with over 4,000 hours experience, doing deep sky and planetary work with fine instruments, often at sites at 8,000 feet above sea level.

 

I have purchased numerous eyepieces almost exclusively from Don for several years, in my attempt to update old Orion-US oculars purchased long ago, primarily for two goals: (1) to benefit from the higher throughput of modern AR-coatings; and (2) to obtain wider fields (up to 80+ degrees but eschewing the 100+ degree units, which are "too much" for my personal taste/vision.)  Don is not likely, I'd suspect, to give narrow recommendations here or on other forums, but his suggestions TO ME have always been RIGHT on the money!  And when we've compared notes, I found that I could be proud of myself when I discovered that *I agreed with Don*~ 

 

So if I were to seek advice about oculars, HE is 'the MAN'!

Steve & Regina, Ivins UT
http://celestialregina.x10.mx
or
http://reginacelestial.byethost3.com
 

 

In case US based amateurs don't know, the UK astro community has a wealth of very experienced observers, of many years standing, who are well qualified to give good, sound advice on equipment, based on practical experience and sharing of ideas within communities such as SGL (and, occasionally, on CN and others too).

Just sayin..

Dave

22 hours ago, IB20 said:

I don’t know if I can get them to focus at night using the Tak prism either. Is this a Herschel wedge problem or will I also struggle during night sessions?

2 hours ago, Louis D said:

No applicable for Herschel wedge usage.

..but very relevant for night sky usage.

Dave

I agree with Jock, an Ultrashort clamp and Baader T2 prism gives you the best chance to get focus without a Barlow lens. 

Alternatively a Baader 1.25x OCS gets you quite close to native magnification, but they are hard to find used or new at the moment and not cheap when new...🥴.

It's definitely worth perseverance though..when you get it right the views are wonderful!

HTH,

Dave

Interesting item on BBC online today..

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-61155725

Sadly, it is unlikely I will be still around to see it, but could be an amazing experience for the next generation..😊

Dave

A timely "pick me up"!

Get well soon😊👍

Dave

Wow!! 21.97 sqm??

I'm betting you're in West Cork at the moment then...not Middlesex!!😂😂

Amazing sky that must have been👍..

Dave

I read with interest your thread, as I bought a pair of opera glasses for my wife on impulse some years ago, probably at least 10 years ago.. intended use was for rock concerts - but she's never yet used them!..

They're a lovely pair of Hilkinson branded, stamped "Japan" on the centre hinge, with 3x magnification and 20mm objectives, complete with soft storage pouch and original box. I think I got them on ebay for under £10!

As you can see, they're in excellent original condition and still carry the original "Q.C. (Quality Control) Japan" sticker, although the text has faded now..I'd estimate these to date from the 1980s..

I've never thought to look at the night sky with them, I must try this and report back when the moon has gone!😊

Dave

Nice report Mark!👍

Two very different scopes and clearly with different core strengths, sounds like you have the best of both worlds..

Thanks for a good read this evening while the almost full moon is convincing me it's not worth getting the scope out tonight..that, and the fact I'm literally exhausted after spending all week refurbishing/rebuilding our garden ponds!😱😊.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Often wondered how your adventure with your Tal Apolar 125 went? Did it arrive intact?

Dave

4 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Pete Lawrence spoke at the BAA Winchester weekend, just past. He said S@N is broadcast on the first Monday after the second Sunday of the month.

I think they're tak-ing the Mickey, Jeremy?

Dave

2 hours ago, FLO said:

We are open Monday-Thursday this week, then closed Good Friday & Easter Monday.

If you need an in-stock item delivered before the Easter weekend please place your order before noon on Wednesday.

Happy Easter all 🙂 

And to all of you..😊

Dave

5 hours ago, SuburbanMak said:

Hadn’t expected to observe tonight but spotted it clearing after midnight. Had a hankering to look through the lovely old Clarkson 3” that I’ve neglected a bit recently. Missed the moon but decided to see how many Messier objects I could identify from the back yard, turned into a bit of a classic, will post an observing report tomorrow. Seeing is cracking here right now but sadly have things to do tomorrow…

That lovely setup should be on the "Show us your scope in action at night" thread Mark!

Look forward to reading your report on its' performance 😊.

Dave

Cloudy here in the Lincolnshire Wolds, despite the tea time TV forecast suggesting clear skies... they may just not have reached us yet.

We have a roofing company coming tomorrow at 7.30am to do a job which was quoted for in mid January (😱🥴), so if it's not cleared by 9.30pm I won't be getting out..

Dave

9 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

That's very perceptive of you Paul. I did it to see who is paying attention and who isn't. You won!

Actually, it in the wrong thread but never mind. Too late now.

Actually Mike, I did spot it, but as I was the starter of this thread, and as you were the buyer of the scope, I decided to cut you some friendly slack!👍😂

Dave

16 hours ago, Franklin said:

Spare room starting to look like a Vixen showroom at the moment.

 

Fabulous collection Tim, such a nice change from Takitis, too (sorry Jeremy😂..) as a very happy Tak owner, I've always found Vixen scopes just as attractive to look at as Taks..

Now, where's the nearest underground shelter?🤪🥴😂

Dave