davyludo

Interesting...I've been trying to think about a tiny setup to take wild camping with me. This might be worth looking at!

Thanks all for your input. Just a wee update with where I decided to position the Rigel. Only had a couple of chances to try it (typical Scottish weather). But it's A LOT easier to navigate around the sky now.

I got one from Santa - absolutely love it. I was out observing the moon last night with it in my mak 127 and had a fantastic time. It took me ages to decide if it was right for me, or whether I should go for one of the cheaper svbony ones (which have decent reviews). As I was going to be using it in a mak, fov was important to me. The Baader had more fov at the 24mm than the cheaper ones. I've actually not used any other eyepieces in the mak since I got the zoom. Really glad I decided to give it a try.

Hi Adam, You are more than welcome. Glad you're happy with it and that it's suitable. Congrats on sparking the interest of another budding young astronomer! Hope you both get to enjoy the experience together. I've started using the SkySafari 6 app which has an observation notebook. So far I've found it quite useful and easy to use. Cheers, Davy

It's the Baader Hyperion zoom I went for - purely because it has a larger FOV compared to the cheaper ones. If I was looking for someone cheaper, then I'd probably look at the SVBONY 8-24mm one. I have a BST 2x Barlow, and it does still get used in the mak - can push mag up past 200 if splitting tight doubles (focus gets a bit difficult though) and exit pupil is small. But fine for a quick view.

I'm yet to be lucky enough to use something like a 12" dob, but here's my thoughts. I know zooms aren't for everyone, and I believe the extra glass in them can impact views of DSOs. I recently got one though (the Baader Hyperion) and I really really like it. My fixed eyepieces aren't particularly expensive (compared to what is available), so I can't compare it to views through them. But it's been a real joy to use, and it's also been useful in helping me understand what fixed lengths would be useful. You can play about with the zoom on different targets, see what works best and note down what focal length has been useful. For me, never thought about getting a 12mm fixed. But from using the zoom I can now see a 12mm fixed would be a great addition to my kit.

I've got a 30mm RACI on mine, which suits me perfectly...I do wonder how much better a 50mm would be though. The only issue I have found with a RACI over the red dot finder, is that it's quite difficult to get your first star lined up. I've actually just fitted a Rigel Quickfind as well as the RACI. I use the Rigel to get my first star, then move to the RACI to do any hoping I need. The combination works really well. From what I've read the 25mm that comes with skywatcher scopes is ok, but the 10 isn't great. Might be worth getting something in the 7.5-10mm range (which would sit in the 150-200x magnification range). I have both a 25mm and 9mm x-cel that work well in the mak. Also have a 15mm vixen SLV whish I really like - quite often Barlow that and use it instead of 9mm x-cel or if I'm looking for a bit more magnification. Santa brought me a zoom eyepiece for Christmas. I'm a massive fan as it's both fun an convenient for my style of "grab a quick view while I can" observing. I've not really used the other eyepieces much since I got the zoom. I've also found from using it, that a 12mm would be nice. The zoom is good to be able to quickly try different focal lengths on the same target.

+1 for sky safari. Think I got the plus version for around £5. Roughly the cost of a pint. Easily worth it to me considering what it can do.

I've found the following book quite good: www.amazon.co.uk/Illustrated-Guide-Astronomical-Wonders-Observer/dp/0596526857

I can see a gap for a 4th and maybe a 5th finder! I think towards the read it the OTA makes more sense, but I was just concerned that I'd constantly be headbutting the Rigel because my 127 is obviously dinkier than your beast 😛

Interesting, I'd seen that adaptor, but didn't know if it would result in the finder being pusher further towards the eyepiece. I already clip my head on the tip of the RACI sometimes when peering down the eyepiece.

Just what I need.... Another hobby. Think my wife might batter me if I take up anything else! Found a design on thingiverse for a focus knob for the mak. That's 2 things potentially worth printing (building up evidence for my case) 😛

My current setup is a mak 127 on an AZ5. I use a 6x30 RACI finder which allows me to combat the narrow FOV of the mak and hop about the sky. However I'm finding it hard sometimes to get my starting star in the RACI. Was thinking about getting a Rigel, and using that to get me in the area, the then move to the RACI to hop when the maks fov is too small. My question is: those who have a Rigel on a mak, where do you mount it? Towards the front end of the OTA, or towards the back? Pictures would be helpful.

In the mak, my Vixen SLV 15mm. Can't quite put my finger on it, something about it that is just really pleasing to my eye. In the ST102, has to be the Aero 30mm. Just because you feel totally immersed in the view. Whispers: "I've just got a shiny new baader zoom and am slowly falling in love, but shhhhh. I don't want to get shouted at."

This is the adaptor: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-eq6-tripod.html