Paz

I've never used dew heaters on small scopes, but I don't do long sessions with them in cold weather. I have used heaters on a 14" dobsonian for which I have a 4 channel heater that powers an eyepiece heater, finder scope and telrad heaters (in one channel), secondary heater, and one channel to power the primary cooling fan. The more I have used that scope the less I use the secondary and eyepiece heaters. With the secondary heater any heat shows up in the view, as if someone is holding a cigarette in front of the scope. With eyepieces as long as I'm observing and don't leave an eyepiece unattended my head does the job of keeping them warm enough. I do still however heat my finders on the dobsonian as there's nothing to lose and something to gain.

This is what is called a "nice problem to have"!

Looking at the AVX specs that looks on paper more solid than an EQ5, which in turn is (just me comparing my mounts) more solid than a skytee 2. I use a Vixen Porta 2 for small scopes, similar to your AZ5.

The skytee 2 is ok straight on top of the tripod, but in this picture you can't see it but I've got a pier on the tripod, which is quite vibey (and heavy) in comparison, but in exchange for easier eyepiece heights and easier tripod clearance. Full disclosure, my skytee 2 has some slop in both axis that I've been too lazy to fix and I guess that won't help. I use short stubby slow motion controls and sometimes it's a long reach to get to them with the scope being quite long. I've fantasised about a more rigid mount but have never pushed the button on the idea which says something about the skytee 2. If I were to upgrade I'd want an alt az that could do tracking as well as being super solid but that would mean a heavier mount and tripod and a lot of money. On an eq5 it's very good.

There's only one photo in existence of me at a scope, taken years ago by someone wondering what I was doing (solar observing on holiday at a hotel). I thought I would make it two but instead got this self portrait of me doing a Voldemort impression.

I had a go at fitting M45 and the moon into the same field of view tonight, hence the small scope and big eyepiece. It looked nicer with a oiii filter than with no filter!

I have played with the eyepiece adjusters and I would warn anyone thinking about it that it's really difficult to hold the collar still whilst tightening the screws again. I spent ages tightening one side up, seeing the collimation had moved a little, loosening it and trying again and again until by chance I got it tightened up without it moving from where I set it.

I've had these Swarovski NL Pure 8x42s for a little while now, they have been great, I wish I had got these years ago.

I've had to attend to domestic duties that I forgot about, I would not be able to observe until Saturn is below 5 degrees and the transit is almost over so not worth trying. Nice to hear it has been possible to see.

A good point, I've been ruminating on whether to take out a C8 or 5" refractor. My larger reflector is out of the equation as I have to drive a little way to a spot with a clear line of sight.

According to sky safari Ttian and therefore its shadow will be 0.7"!

Good to see you back in action. I've not done much observing myself for many months now, sometimes I have spells like that, and I just come back to this when I am ready.

Just checking the weather for tomorrow, it's not looking great but I'm going to get a set up ready to go just in case.

I wrent out a second time tonight, and got even better views of Jupiter, and the Io shadow transit beginning. Then I tried Mars not expecting a lot but great views were to be had and I've stayed up past my bedtime as a result! I would say Mars is a good bet for anyone who can observe it later when it's at 60 degrees. Thought it was very dewy but actually it was icy...

Even I have been motivated to go out tonight for a go at Jupiter. I started out cyclops but it looked good so I swapped to binoviewers. Will be going back out in a bit for the shadow transit. I've resisted the temptation to try and look at everything and spent a long time just on the big planet, but I might check out Mars later.