Andrew*

:scratch: :sign6:

for some reason I thought the post would be submerged...

Now I'm thinking again!

cheers

Andrew

The thought had occurred to me actually!

However, I wondered whether using that method would get the set-up high enough for the likes of me, considering that it's still too low sometimes on the tripod's full height when sitting on the ground, let alone in the ground.

cheers

Andrew

I went for two piers, a tall one and a short one. You might need two mounts, or swap the mount head from one pier to the other depending on your equipment for the night. If you're doing a viewing for several people, it also makes sense that you have more than one setup at a time.

A pier with adjustable height that doesn't need a lot of realignment after height adjustment is going to be a costly thing, more so than a second pier, so go cheap, go the two pier route.

Interesting idea, KK.

However, unless the shed observatory will be at least 8x10 I can't see two piers going in there!

What about having a simple extension tube to sit between the pier and the mount? Would that be sturdy enough?

You see, my problem at the moment is that I simply don't understand this "stability" thing. I mean, in terms of how it's built, what's the difference between a pretty sturdy pier and really amazingly rock solid in a nublear explosion pier?

For example, people get away with fine images with a tripod sitting on grass in their back garden. That sits on soil which to quite an extent wobbles the tripod legs about when you walk within a foot of them. So a pier, sat in a tonne of concrete, and separated from the floor you stand on, surely a basic height adjustment mechanism that locks say as sturdily as the legs on your tripod (I'm not saying the same mechanism) won't affect stability that much. Especially considering that the comparitively delicate nature of simple fixtures such as tube rings or, for that matter, the tube itself, will surely let down the stability of the image far more than what it all sits on.

I hope you understand that ramble. I need to clarify this before leaping in to anything!

Cheers

Andrew

saw that one, Helen! It would be more than the obsy though, then there's shipping... :shock: Mind, it looks VERY nice kit and would love to have one.

Andrew

I've been considering how to make a pier for my obsy.

My thoughts were that as I've got a reflector (EP way up high(sometimes!)) and a refractor (and low down), and also that i'm a lanky chap and some folk are not so tall, an adjustable height pier would be the way to go...

However, it's obvious that whatever you add to a pier it may affect the stability or alignment of it.

My idea was a great big steel pole concreted deep in the ground. Inside another steel bar with the pier head on top of that. Then some holes drilled through the pole so a pin (a big metal stick of sorts) can be stuck right through that the bar will rest on. This will stop the pier falling downwards. To stop it rattling about inside the pole, I would simply make two bolts (or four - two at the top, two lower down) that tighten onto the bar and hold it in place. The whole thing would be inside a plastic pipe of sorts (gas pipe, gutter etc.) and filled with more concrete, of course with holes for the fixing bolts to come through. For retaining polar alignment I would just have to line up two markers.

Just from the idea, I would imagine I would end up with a stable pier whether up or down. My other idea was to simply make a really tall one (6" off the ground, provided the shed roof doesn't get in the way!) and use an adjustable height footstool/ladder. But then again, would something that tall still be stable?

Does anyone have any other ideas for a height adjustable pier?

Cheers

Andrew

WH. The chap will supply a 1.25" adaptor with the EP, and then I just keep it in the adaptor all the time and treat it as a 1.25" EP.

Andrew

okay, found out what PITA means. I've also read some reviews to say that optically these EPs beat UO orthos, and though ER is limited, it's still usable. However, the review did take into account the price difference.

£80 for a small ortho with "XP" on it? ... Maybe I'll let this one go...

Andrew

Sorry WH, what's PITA?!?

And what's wrong with .965" eps?

Andrew

There's a Pentax XP-3.8mm SMC eyepiece on Astronomy UK just been reduced to £80.

Can't find any info on it. I was wondering if anyone could tell me something about it.

My guessing is it's not a bad deal, as the same one's being sold used in OPT's clearance for over $200.

It is Pentax, after all...

Andrew

wonderful review - all the steps nicely described. Hope you continue to enjoy that - looks a very user friendly machine!

Interesting that Telescope Service are selling this scope with a free Baader binoviewer at the moment. http://www.telescope-service.com/offers/start/offersstart.html

The only thing is they are also charging £300 more than FLO!! ... and then there's postage :shock:

you got it from the right place 8)

Andrew