AdeKing

@Stargazer McCabethanks for the link, it was my first point of reference. I have also had these problems with and ED80 focuser that I upgraded my ST102 with as the stock R&P focuser was absolutely rubbish. The link that you provided proved successful with that focuser after much gentle tweaking, and is now works a treat. Sadly, none of the adjusters on the WO focuser bear much of a resemblance to the ED80 focuser, the only one that is similar is the focuser tension adjuster, which I've reached the end of my tether with, as I just cannot get it adjusted correctly. I think that I might go right back to basics, remove the microfocus assembly and start totally from scratch following the WO instructions below. I don't really want to spend any more money so I'll persevere for a while at least. WO 10_1 Microfocuser Retrofit Instructions.pdf

Thanks @Knighty2112 and @Star Struck, not sounding good so far. Sounds like it might be a case of more money or just living with it.

I have a WO ZS66SD which I use as my travel scope as I can get a WL solar, terrestrial and astro setup into its tiny briefcase with a second bag for a relatively compact Manfrotto 055B tripod for support. However, whilst I absolutely love this little blue OTA, I have a real problem with the focuser which I cannot seem to get right. When you turn the fine focus it works for about 5mm of travel and then stops moving the draw tube, you then need to tweak the focus with the coarse focus slightly and the fine focus works ok for about another 5mm then you need to repeat the above ad infinitum. Searching Google seems to suggest that this is a problem with the tension thumb screw under the focuser, but I have tightened this as much as I dare and the problem is still there. I have tried and tried to adjust the focuser following instructions in the WO micro focuser upgrade instructions (courtesy of the Wayback Machine) and a thread on CN, but I can't seem to get it right. As its driving me to the point of distraction I'm thinking about just upgrading the focuser, as its a decent enough scope for me to consider a nice focuser, but I'm not sure what my upgrade options are and Google doesn't yield much in the way of results. Firstly, does anyone have any suggestions for adjusting the stock focuser, has anyone else had the same issues? If so, how did you fix them? Has anyone upgraded the focuser on one of these small WO OTAs? In order to think about an upgrade, what measurements to I need to take? Many thanks for any suggestions you might have, either way. Regards, Ade

Thanks, it is a lovely mount now I just need the clouds to clear so I can use it.

Yesterday I collected a very nice, new to me WO EZTouch Alt Az mount from @Rob. I know it's not an AYO but it's as close to an AYO as this poor man is likely to get. I had a brief play tonight and I'm very pleased with it, the variable friction is a wonderful feature given the learning curve I'm facing with a Giro GR-2, but that's another thread. Really looking forward to getting some good use out of this mount.

The postie delivered me a very nice and buttery smooth Tele-Optic Giro GR2 Mini courtesy of @Highburymark today. Really looking forward to trying this out at the weekend.

I've just seen advert for this tracking mount in the March edition of The Sky at Night magazine. https://www.astroshop.eu/camera-mount/omegon-mount-mini-track-lx2/p,55040 Looks like it's a clockwork mount claiming 24h of operation so the absence of batteries is appealing to me, as is the price at £109 without a head and £139 with a ball & socket head. The website claims a payload of 2kg but images on the website are stating that they were shot with a Canon 5d mk ii and 70-200 f/2.8 L which I would imagine weighs more than that. They claim that a strong spring takes the place of a counterweight. Looks like it's a brand new product shipping on 1st April, so let's hope it's not an April Fool as the price seems to be too good to be true. I'll be watching with interest. Ade

Unfortunately lack of space and finances dictate that it must go. Ade

I hope so Steve, I'm just waiting for a suitable gap in the clouds to see the moon. Ade

Another couple of fairly recent deliveries, the first a Manfrotto 028b delivered before Christmas courtesy of @Earl. I use this as a grab and go for my ST102 or ZS66 with a Manfrotto 410 geared head. The tripod is huge and stands at 1.80m with both leg sections extended and about 2.30m with the centre column extended, not that this height will be used with an Astro payload. The second is a new to me Berlebach Uni 18 with my SkyTee 2 attached following a meeting with @Mark at Beaufort at a nice pub near Bath a couple of weeks ago. It actually came complete with a different SkyTee 2 attached which I need to get around to advertising as I don't need two of them. Looking forward to getting some use out of the SkyTee in the not too distant future. Ade

I hope so Steve, I turned them on the sun earlier with my WO ZS66 and Lunt Wedge, but AR2696 seems to have fizzled out, not that it was very impressive to start with. Oddly they won't reach focus with the supplied WO 2x nosepiece but they do reach focus with my TAL 2x shorty Barlow, either with the Barlow fully assembled or with the optical elements attached to the binoviewer nosepiece, I clearly have some more research to do. Ade

Received a like new pair of William Optics Binoviewers with stock 20mm eyepieces and 2x OCA. Also received a pair of the standard Skywatcher 25mm EPs as well. Very pleased with them, just need some moon action now.

You beat me to it whilst I was typing

I think that the convention was that USB3 sockets were generally Blue and were sometimes labelled SS so thats where I would start. Ade

Thanks Dave, when I'm in the position to buy I think I'll be holding out for a good used one as you say. Though part of me is still thinking about getting a used PST and then modding it. I've got some saving to do so have time to make an informed decision.

I am thinking about it @Pig but there are so many contradictory things written about the reliability and variable QC of the Quarks that I'm more than a bit wary. I don't think I've read so many contradicting opinions about any other piece of equipment that I've been interested in.

I have the 32mm Panaview and it is a really nice eyepiece with sharp stars virtually to the edge in my f/6 8" Dob. There used to be a good review of the 38mm on the Astro-Baby website, but I can't find it any more, but there is a review here: Ade

I have the blue, though slightly faded, version of that pretty little scope, it travels with me everywhere and is a definite keeper. I don't have a quark but use it with a Herschel Wedge for WL solar. I can fit everything I need for WL Solar, Terrestrial and lunar observations into its small aluminium case, though it is a slightly tight fit. I'm still deciding whether to go PST or Quark. Ade

Wow!!

Postman delivered my first Televue Eyepiece this morning, a 32mm Plossl courtesy of the Green Witch clearance sale. Apologies for the clouds that were delivered with it.

I have both an RA finder and RACI finder on different scopes and use these in conjunction with a Telrad/Red Dot Finder (RDF). I use the Telrad/RDF to point at the right area of sky and then zero in with the RACI/RA finder. If there is only one finder on the scope I personally find a straight through finder easier to use as you can keep one eye open and get a target star into the field of view which you can't do with a RACI/RA as you're looking directly at the tube. However, getting yourself into a suitable position to use a straight through finder can be tricky. I agree with @John that for a low cost a Red Dot Finder is probably a better investment than a cheap/low quality straight through finder.

I have not used this finder myself, but Seben seem to get mixed reviews with some products getting good reviews whilst others getting dire reviews. I have the Seben 8-24mm zoom eyepiece myself which is actually really quite good considering the low price tag. Regarding the finders, a RA finder will show an image that is the correct way up but that is still mirror reversed (L & R are the wrong way around). As you said above, RACI finders will show a fully corrected view (right way up and correct L & R). You used to be able to pick up the Skywatcher 6x30 finders really cheap (£16 incl postage) from Astroboot, but now that their postage costs have increased they come in at about £20. Hopefully someone will be along shortly that has experience of this finder. Ade

Here is my new compact lightweight WL solar travel setup. A WO ZenithStar 66SD (thanks @CraigT82) with Herschel wedge and Baader Mk IV Zoom. The problem I've encountered with this setup is that the 2" wedge is so heavy (750g) and the tube so short (388mm f/l) that its impossible to balance on an AZ mount and I've managed to misplace my dovetail counterweights (I really should learn to pack things away in their designated spot after use). So rather than get new weights I decided to opt for a 1.25" Lunt Wedge (thanks @garryblueboy) which is nice and compact and will fit in the WO aluminium case with the OTA and should also make the setup somewhat better balanced and avoid the need to tighten the clutches on the Alt axis quite so much. Edit: The 1.25" wedge should also give me more in-focus rather than the approximately 3mm that I have at the moment. Ade

@Highburymark and @Floater happy to be of assistance. I got my WO Barlow from them a couple of months ago, so they obviously have a few and haven't had a massive rush on them. Regards, Ade

Astroboot currently have the WO 2x Barlow attachment for binoviewers listed for £20 if this helps. http://www.astroboot.co.uk/AstroBoot/telescope-and-astronomy-stuff.html?highlight=AB10407#AB10407 Ade