Bizibilder

Screwfix sell 'em. Or any agricultural tool supplier - they are used for tensioning fencing wire by farmers etc.

Collimating is like riding a bike - total confusion followed by an amazing sense of achievement!! First time may take a while - after that its a five (maybe ten) minute job.

Probably the most comprehensive and easy to follow collimation instructions can be found here:

Astro Babys Guide to Collimation

by Astro Baby.

The problem you have is quite straightforward: The telescopes focal point has not changed by you swapping the focuser to a low profile type. So you need to compensate, as you have done, by using an extension tube (to make the focuser "high profile" again!!). It is likely that the extension tube that you have is not long enough to allow the use of the Barlow or your webcam. Solution - buy a second extension tube!!

After a while you will have quite a collection - just like the rest of us

Hello Claire and welcome to SGL!!

I would suggest the same as Kieran but add that you can "add a step" by buying the HEQ5 Syntrek first, eventually upgrading to full GOTO from there. The overall cost may be slightly more but it does allow you to "step up" slowly. Secondly you may find that you are happy with the Syntrek and don't need to upgrade to GOTO, especially if you are good at finding the objects that you want by some other means.

Not anymore! Just 45 day free trial then you have to pay (200 euro's roughly).

Hello Paul and welcome to SGL!!

Hello Revs and welcome to SGL!!

Tesco's call it "Yoga mat" and it comes in deep blue (and PINK!!) for around £5 - there is enough for several shields!!

If you cut it carefully and accurately it can be joined with "superglue". Make it to fit exactly and the thing will slide onto the scope and stay put. You can build it up in layers to cover dew strips etc.

For what its worth - try Model Engineering Suppliers - they sell all shapes and sizes of fasteners (as well as steel, brass and aluminium sections in manageable sizes, bearings, tools etc) . Try - Reeves 2000, GLR Distributors, Metals on the web, Arc Euro Trade - Usual disclaimer all round! - Just my "other" Hobby.