Cleetus

Thanks. I was looking at these only yesterday. Seems the best option.

Anyone know where I can obtain a right angled cigar type lead for a Meade LX200GPS ? Can see plenty "straight" connectors but the right angled type seem to be pretty rare. And, is the fastblow fuse a 2A of 3A for these scopes.

Hope your new telescope gives you many years of starlight - it certainly looks the business! Can I just ask if you have had a chance to compare the 6x30 and 7x50 Tak finders? And, as you already had one of the best finders available, why did you decide to buy another one? Wouldn't it have been possible to use the 6x30 on your new telescope?

I understand. Hadn't realised there would be such a difference. Thanks for posting.

I think either I didn't explain properly or you misunderstood. 2" diagonals with SCT threads (SCT diagonals) are quite common. So, as you know, the WO Zenithstar I have already has one of these diagonals. It is also WO - so the telescope was also designed for visual use (the graphic you posted shows this) and many used this combo for a "super" finder. What I was asking was if there was an adapter available which screws on the end of the telescope and would allow use of 'normal' diagonals. I have a Tak with a Baader adapter (M72) screwed on the end which enables me to use diagonals and I was thinking about something similar. Why do you think reaching focus would be an issue?

Thanks. I have an old 2" diagonal attached at the moment but I have a much better 2" diagonal without the threads and was hoping to make use of it. From what you say I take it that won't work? Seems odd.

I have a WO Zenithsrar 66 with a threaded visual back for a 2 inch diagonal. Does anyone know if, instead of using this particular diagonal, there is a suitable adapter which screws on to this thread and will allow the use of "refractor type" diagonals instead? A Baader clicklock would be useful if one exists.

I know virtually nothing about AP but I do know this; if you start spending money on equipment now you will make mistakes, it will cost you, and you will regret it. Instead, spend your money on an introductory book on the subject.

Yes, it's the HD5. I know it's not what the OP is interested in but thought I'd post to give some idea. Anyway, I have a 4 inch F7.4 on it so not a long tube by any means. Find it very sturdy and the whole thing can be lifted in and out of the house quite easily. I never had the previous TV mount but, from what I have read, this seems to be an upgrade in all departments. Berlebach tripod, Televue mount and a Tak sitting on top. I was going to say a marriage made in heaven but there's one too many in this partnership!

Some pics here might be of interest.

To give it its official title it is a "precision hygrometer". Just a thermostat and dial which tells me how humid it is and when to ventilate. The large dial has three sections - DRY, PERFECT, and HUMID. Bought very cheaply from Mr Amazon. These fibreglass domes get very hot in sunshine in summer and on hot days I open the shutter or door or both. Have the telescope covered with a Telegizmos desert storm cover which keeps most of the heat out. The tripod and chair are from Berlebach in Germany.

Agree on the door with the back scraping. Not polar aligned so kicking the tripod legs is not that vital in my case. In any case I am always very careful around the legs. Used to have the Meade tripod but it was too high and the legs spread out so much they almost reached the dome walls. My new tripod is much better in every respect. And wood doesn't rust.

Thanks. That's a lot of headroom. What size is the telelescope? I only ask because I too have a Pulsar dome but, as it is a much older model, I think the design has changed over the years. I have a 12" Meade but with the flexible dew shield fitted it would sometimes scrape the inside of the dome when slewing. Got around this problem by using a much lower tripod. Seemed easier than the other option of digging a trench!

The London Planetarium has been closed for ages so you might want to rethink that one. Think Greenwich has one so that might be an option.

Looks great. Can I just ask what the clearance is between roof and telescope when you have a dew shield fitted?

Use a short tripod, or a longer one at its shortest height, with an observing chair. This is what I do with my 12 inch SCT.

While most amateurs will point to either the space race of the 1960's, a chance viewing of The Sky at Night, or a book by Patrick Moore as the spark which ignited their lifetime interest in astronomy, for me it was a rather more spectacular event which occurred fifty years ago this month. It was a Friday evening in April 1969 when my mother and I settled down to watch television. We lived in a house in Wexford on the south east coast of Ireland. The rear of the house faced east towards the sea - my mother would complain about the east wind coming through the gaps in the windows! The evening of 25th April was anything but draughty. Perfectly still and more than a hint that summer was on the way. The living room's window also faced east and it was this room that contained the tv. Not long after we settled down we were startled to hear a whooshing, hissing sound coming from outside and we both ran out to the garden where we saw a spectacular fireball hurtling across the twilight sky in a northerly direction. To me it appeared to be about the size of the full moon made up of all the colours of the rainbow with bits seeming to fall away. It was this event that started me off on the long road to astronomy and, sadly, I have never seen anything quite like it again despite all the years of looking up. Cannot believe fifty years have passed. Anyone else see it? Here's a link. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1970JBAA...80..313H

What's the difference between what you are proposing and starGPS?

Never experienced those problems Mike. All the years I've owned telescopes I can honestly say I have never had a pollen problem. I guess it may be dependent on where you live. Dew? Again, maybe I am lucky but, apart from a light misting once or twice, never had a dew covered lens.

Assuming no accidents then it will be many years before you need to clean the lens. Dust can be removed by using a very soft make up brush.

Thought you sold that Televue?

I have three Berlebach's - supporting a 12" SCT, a 4" refractor and an ETX 125. For me a tripod has to be wood. Wood is a very pleasant thing.

Are you not happy with the Tak focusser?