BGazing

I pulled a trigger on a Quark after reading a ton of positive and negative reviews. I already own two telescopes and could not sneak another past my family members unnoticed, and the idea of travelling light with essentially two scopes was appealing.  A pleasant surprise was that I did not have to buy a UV/IR cut filter, Neodymium took care of that.

Quark proved quite addictive, even though the Sun is fairly quiet now. I had several days with fair mornings and used them to the max (seeing in the city is pants in the afternoon), clocked easily 10+ hours over the course of four days already.

The first light coincided with testing of AzGTI. On UNI 18 it carries Tak 100 DF without problems, though fine focusing induces vibrations which die relatively quickly. Tracking is essential with Quark in Tak because the magnifications are large and FOV small.

Eyepieces used 40mm Celestron plossl, 32mm Baader plossl and 25mm Vixen NPL. Neodymium as ERF filter.

Did not take long to warm up, but I was probably somewhat overwhelmed by the novelty of both Quark and AZGti. Used Berlebach tripod for better stability. 

Quark brings focal ratios to f/24 for Borg and f/31 for Tak, and when viewing I thought that keeping it to 1mm exit pupil was the best for viewing, so NPL in Borg and Baader in Tak. That might change if i stop down Borg to up the f/level as I plan to. I have tried 40mm Plossl but I gain nothing, although it brings Tak magnification down to 77x. Perhaps a NPL 40 would be more comfortable, I doubt it. I will try stepping down Borg to 62 to see whether a longer focal ratio may improve contrast, but honestly I have not played with the Quark/Borg combo that much yet.

I was fiddling with the tuning, a lot. Not sure whether it is also f/dependent so one has to have two settings for two scopes. Daystar says that tuning is to offset focuser slop, but I am not entirely convinced. Tak and FTF focusers are not that shabby. Initial impressions were that the zero point is not bad, but-3 probably better. After four days of use I changed my mind and now -4 or perhaps -5 feel better in Tak, have not used Borg after the initial testing. Perhaps someone has some clever pointers how to estimate the best setting because between changing seeing and thermals it is fairly hard to be sure what is 'right'. I do not have camera so cannot resort to that (and heavy camera may indeed induce a slop not present when doing visual).

During one session I have not unscrewed the 2inch barrel so the 1.25 nose was not flush in my BBHS 1.25 clamp. That small tilt induced picture error and since then the 2 inch nose is removed.

I can see some contrast non-uniformity, but so far nothing dramatic.

I have mostly viewed in Tak and the close-ups of the proms (no other activity) are amazing. Eruptive prominences, QRFs, you name it, even those ring-like. Spiculae...and all of it changing relatively quickly. Eruptive prominence basically disappeared while my wife and I were viewing it. Wife was actually so impressed that she came to the idea to bring the scope to some charity event and raise money for the charity cause by offering view at the prominences. It was a complete hit, people were amazed (literally no one has ever peeked through a scope before, let alone H-alpha) and we raised a tidy sum. 

Other bits...solar observing hood (R-Sky, I think they are still on sale) proved to be invaluable and Baader plossl side-eyeguard is perfect for solar. I also like NPL quite a bit, nifty and light.

All in all this has proved to be a very very interesting inquisition. I am travelling light this summer (Borg only) and am hoping that Quark will diversify my viewing time and make me (at least a bit) more sociable in the evenings. Bring on some active regions!

@FLO is there any guide to alignment etc with Syn Scan Pro app?

On 29/03/2019 at 14:46, FLO said:

So far all the ones we have seen and sold have had the silver machined metal knob. 

Steve 

Now when I look at it, you are selling a dual Vixen-Losmandy version...I have ordered the Vixen one. Hence the difference, Vixen version gets no bling, I hope clamping power is the same.

@JeremyS, that was my reaction, too. I could swear the picture on the website was like the one on FLO when I ordered...

I've sourced mine from the US (prior to the mount delivery) and the fastening knob is not the nice silver one you have, but rather a puny-feeling and scrumpy-looking one on their website...?

https://www.admaccessories.com/product/vpa-azgt-v-series-dovetail-adapter-for-skywatcher-az-gti-mount/

2 minutes ago, FLO said:

Thank-you for he heads up ? 

Artesky wasn’t a good fit for FLO so we stopped stocking them some time ago. I don’t think we have ever stocked Geoptik - perhaps you are thinking of another retailer. 

Steve

Yup, could have been the TS with Geoptik.

My EQ8 Artesky bag is still in operation...but I feel only because I use it relatively lightly.

49 minutes ago, Prador said:

Many thanks for that. Exactly what I'm after and cheaper than repurposing an awning bag or similar. A bargain at £60!

As an aside, how do I get in on the gift gig? ?

Thank you for the link.

Ah, it was accidental. They wanted to test their C8 bag with a real C8 and hear what an owner thinks...and I happen to be one of the rare C8 owners in Serbia.

Anyway, the padding is  good (10mm I believe), zippers are pretty cool, and bags are really practical. I was surprised when I saw the quality, prior to that had no idea that someone in Serbia makes bags.

@FLO might want to take note, with Brexit and all. I bought one Artesky and one Geoptik bag from FLO, Artesky is below Oklop in quality...significantly, and Geoptik is I'd say on par but with much less thought given to usability features.

They do custom, too. I might order something for Evo mount, just have to think how I want it shaped. They even do 15mm padding on request, but that's custom.

On 18/02/2019 at 17:52, Prador said:

Cheers for all your suggestions and I can't believe I didn't check Altair. Having a look, they do have an extensive range but nothing for a 250pds. It's quite a brute and I'm having trouble finding anything under £150.

Oklop bags, very good quality. I have one for my Tak (disclosure, it was a gift from the guys who make them).

https://www.astroshop.eu/carrying-bags/oklop-padded-bag-for-250-1200-newtonians/p,55894

Okay, a question...how difficult will it be to fit that ADM thingie. I do not have the mount yet and I've heard it was not built with modding in mind.

https://www.admaccessories.com/product/vpa-azgt-v-series-dovetail-adapter-for-skywatcher-az-gti-mount/

looks the biz, someone have just posted this in CN AZ GTi thread

On 08/02/2019 at 16:17, John said:

I've done the same comparison and, overall, preferred the NBP. Yes there was a red tint to stars but I thought that the DGM NBP bought out a little more structure in nebulae than the Astronomik UHC did with my scopes / eye / skies and it's the nebulosity that I use such a filter to see.

I recently asked about the Astronomik UHC again (it's been a while since I owned one) on another forum and it got a bit of a rasberry from the folks there, which surprised me because Astronomik make good filters, if a little "wide" for some tastes.

Filter preferences are pretty personal though so I've no doubt that opinions will vary as is often the case !

I'd love to try another Astronomik O-III though. That one was all the deep sky filter that I needed for quite a while.

Astronomik have narrowed their bands a couple of years ago. I have their new OIII and it is superb.

I also have DGM NPB and it is good on nebulas, but I honestly did not compare it with Astronomik. It has some ghosting on the stars, for those who are concerned. 

7 hours ago, 25585 said:

Periodic checks on all nuts, bolts, screws is part of running maintenance. For all things.

True that. I had the 2in clicklock part of the Baader dielectric diagonal come loose in the dark, those tiny screws were not gripping as they should anymore. I never leave without the appropriate allen key anymore.

FT is great. When pondering options, I could not justify cost, but now it looks like 6 or half a dozen dilemma...with a small trade-off in functionality vs aesthetics. 

But I do not need FT, I need more nights of good seeing and Jupiter just a couple of degrees higher (I know I cannot get the second wish fulfilled at present).

17 hours ago, Stu said:

How do you find it Piero? I do wish Tak would redesign their focusers, that metal plate always seems a weak point and comes lose.

Hope it works well for you though.

I also thought it looks weak...but I was not aware that it actually is, i.e. that it comes loose. As I put the scope in the bag, it basically rests on that bottom little metal plate. I thought it was odd but thought that Takahashi knows better than I do.

16 hours ago, Piero said:

 

Of course, the purchase of the DF plus this microfocuser can make one wonder whether getting the DC and upgrading the whole focuser with an FT one (which is 2" and includes the micro adjustment) could potentially be a wiser option from economic and functional standpoints. 

Yup, thought so, too...the only clear minus I can think of is aesthetic...and perhaps not even that.

Has anyone had any chance to test their FC100 DC/F in decent seeing on Mars? How well are they corrected in red?

6 minutes ago, moise212 said:

meteoblue predicts also seeing

their seeing predictions are essentially useless at the moment...not a single night they guessed it right lately. predict mediocre, it's excellent, predict fantastic and it turns out poor...

10 hours ago, Highburymark said:

Gitzos are amazing. Astonishingly light but eat up heavy loads for breakfast. Can't imagine I will ever need another camera tripod for alt-az. Mine's only 25kg payload though. Would be roundly thrashed by yours Stu

Also amazingly expensive.

3 minutes ago, 25585 said:

That tripod's legs must have been stronger than they look. 

Is AYOII the Swiss made mount (penknife red)?

Yup. Made in black (Piero's), brass finish (that is what I have chosen) and red (seems to be the most popular color).

On 23/04/2018 at 23:40, Stu said:

Yep

Great. I think I will try this at some point on AYOII, it is rated 12kgs when using both clamps...yours is 9.25, correct?

Tripod on that photo...not feeling well even though it might be the mighty Gitzo...

4 hours ago, AstroPhil said:

Well that's what I thought as well, but I also seem to recall that the 2nd run was a little different to the first, and I cannot find what the 2.7" dimension refers to (other than being the size of my drawtube!). The Sky90 refers to a 2.5" drawtube.... so yeah, it's a tad confusing!

As Piero said, consider also Tak MEF microfocuser. I have installed it and I cannot fault it so far, I think it is a very worthy bit of kit and as precise as I need it to be.

13 minutes ago, Highburymark said:

Sounds wonderful! Nice report.

I was slightly cursing my luck this week when due to work issues we had to move our summer holiday to Menorca forward by two weeks - slap bang into brightest part of Moon cycle. First world problem, I know. But then just thought how great it will be to have Mars, Saturn, Jupiter (and even Venus and Uranus) decently positioned and the time to really enjoy them with my Tak FC-100DC. There will be a couple of days of dark skies at the end too so can't complain too much. And even an eclipse of the Moon in late July. 

Yup, my summer holiday moved to July 21 - Aug 4, but I am not complaining, just in time for Mars opposition and I will have it (and the Saturn) 5 degrees higher than at home, at acceptable 30 degrees at merdian...but what to take? Tak on AyoII or C8 on Evolution? Packing the former is much easier and no thermals are to be taken into account, the later has tracking, bigger aperture and more magnification potentially, but is SCT on planets after all...

Moon is always a bit higher for us, but waxing spring moon is a particular delight, high up above...and seeing is cooperating. 

I am not sure how much luck you will have with Jupiter and Saturn this year from your location, they are very low. Seeing has to be steady even here to have any luck. Jupiter skims just short of 30 degrees, Saturn lower. At least ADC is not that bad in a 4 inch scope...

Just want to add that this scope made me rediscover the Moon. 212x all the time, seeing permitting, contrast and details are fabulous. Amazing tones and sharpness, pure joy.

125 is much bigger and heavier than a 4 inch frac of comparable focal length, it will be around (or more than) 9 kgs with diagonal, finder, dovetail and ep. AZ 4 cannot handle it...I suppose you included it in the discussion just for the sake of comparing quality?

Very likely...zoom and barlow. I have Baader combination, they are not on par with Tak quality but I wanted to use them just to see how varying exit pupil works in the scope. Will do that in the time to come. 3.3. might be too much other than for double stars, but do try. I feel 212x is maximum for me on planets...floaters would intrude.

Side by side, 4 inch Tak and 8 inch SCT under dark sky...what a portable combination. We swapped between the two until 5 am...sadly, my friends' 12 inch dob has not arrived yet. 

Pulled an all-nighter under 21.71 SQM-L skies...belive it or not. Clear skies on a moonless night...shocker.

FC 100 was spectacular. Not on galaxies, that was for C8, but later on planets in mediocre seeing it provided a better and (of course) prettier picture than C8 and Equinox 120 (although Tak had BBHS and C8 and Equinox had dielectric and prism respectively, which might have contributed to more scatter and color). But Tak always always gave impeccable contrast, and a view in Pan 24 of the Veil with Astronomik OIII was simply breathtaking...viewing it later in C8 was merely complimentary and not necessarily the 'main dish'. Did 160x on Jupiter with ease, and 212x on Saturn and Mars, Saturn was just a bit dimmer than in bigger apertures but the image was still nice. 160x might be its sweet spot, though.

Great scope. Ayo II and Berlebach UNI 18 are a fantastic match for its weight and length.