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RT65CB-SWL started following Does anyone recognise this scope? , Custom adapter machining , C9.25 - Mushy or Sharp? and 5 others
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He also made one for me, but from aluminium. Nice to have ‘something old’ and be able to use it with ‘something new’.
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C9.25 - Mushy or Sharp?
RT65CB-SWL replied to Flame Nebula's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
Maybe the views are ‘mushy’ because it has not had long enough to acclimatise. I have a C6 and give it a minimum of thirty minutes before I start observing. The other thing I don’t get, why are Bob’s Knobs so damn expensive? -
Testing lens for suitability when cloudy
RT65CB-SWL replied to TiffsAndAstro's topic in Getting Started With Imaging
Another +1 for the https://www.firstlightoptics.com/other-collimation-tools/hubble-optics-5-star-artificial-star.html Useful tip!… So I don’t loose the small magnetic metal strip, I put a 1.25” vinyl end cap over the end of it when not in use/storage. It will also protect the mask from damage… and do remember to remove the batteries. -
I think there was a similar topic started a few years ago. For that topic I chose my TeleVue Ranger. For this topic it will be the same. Simply because it can be used for astronomical and terrestrial viewing. Problem arises when deciding on which mount, eyepieces and accessories, etc., to keep as well.
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Telescope you'd like in your collection within budget.
RT65CB-SWL replied to Grump Martian's topic in The Astro Lounge
Happy with what I have so far. The Meade DS-2102 is the cheapest at £20.00GBP. The views are ok… [not complaining at that price]. 🔭 -
Four… as per my signature. Five… if I/you include a brass WW1 sighting telescope. Six… if I/you include a 400mm Photax/Paragon telephoto camera lens when coupled with a M42 helical focusser and/or star diagonal and an eyepiece. 🔭
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Does anyone recognise this scope?
RT65CB-SWL replied to Wanderers's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
If you press the '@' ['at'] key on your keyboard/keypad and start to type the username, it will show a list of possible users and highlight the one you want and will end up something like this... @RT65CB-SWL or @Wanderers BTW... What is your budget? - Have a read here... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes.html if you don't already own a 'scope. There is an eight inch Dobsonian for a little bit more [plus P&P] than the secondhand one you have shown. It will show more and will last a lifetime. Your wallet will thank you. You and your family, friends, etc., will be in awe when they look through the eyepiece. -
It has been years since I last visited Uffington White Horse. I agree with @icpn and the 'skyglow' of light pollution from Didcot and Wantage is pretty bad. One of the not so pleasant things about living down south is there is so much of it! Be interesting to see your images if you do go ahead with it and good luck.
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Does anyone recognise this scope?
RT65CB-SWL replied to Wanderers's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
It’s either the Meade DS-2114 or DS-2130... or the same models, but with an ‘S’ tagged on the end. I have a Meade DS-2102 [refractor] and the eyepiece port is a piece of crap! I know this is a family friendly site and I could have used stronger word or expletive, but I won’t. Anyway the reason I used that word is because the two retaining screws are nylon plastic and they easily break or snap when over tightened. It happened with mine. Fortunately I asked one of my astro-society/club members if he could or replace with brass or stainless steel threaded inserts and replace the thumbscrews, as he has a lathe in his workshop/garden shed and enjoys a bit of light engineering for fellow members. Depending on how much the seller is asking for it, I personally would give at miss... unless it is going for a silly price... ie <£50.00GBP and that is being over generous. I paid £20.00GBP for my DS-2102 [just the OTA] early last year [2023]. If you need or want to read the user manual before purchase and then decide, then the link is here... https://www.meade.com/downloadEntityFile/assets/product_files/instructions/DS2000_TS_manual.pdf BTW... it is a discontinued model, so don’t expect any after sales support from Meade. -
They should have asked @timwetherell to design and build it... Images above of his ‘steampunk’ telescope. https://wetherellart.co.uk/
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Old Skywatcher 120mm refractor.
RT65CB-SWL replied to GriffinUcos's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
Same happened to me when I gave the rear element of my Photax/Paragon 400mm telephoto camera lens a clean. Quick unscrew of the retaining ring and flip the lens over, reassemble and hey presto! -
show us your society/club badge/logo...
RT65CB-SWL replied to RT65CB-SWL's topic in The Astro Lounge
An update to my previous entries... -
TeleVue objective cleaning
RT65CB-SWL replied to NGC 1502's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
I like the 'safety line' [image #1 & #5] to stop the star diagonal and any attached accessory falling out and getting damaged when it hits the ground. Don't sell the rights ...or let a father and son [ie Al & Dave] see it! -
When I observed the 1999 solar eclipse from BG🇧🇬 one of our group bought along his ETX-90 and homemade Baader solar filter. He said he preferred the view from my TeleVue Ranger. Whether having a Thousand Oaks glass solar filter made the difference, I don’t know. Always get into the habit of checking full aperture filters before each and every use. If in doubt, do not use and discard it. My full aperture filter has a few microscopic pin-holes when I hold it up to a source of bright light and I don’t use it. I now use a Herschel wedge when I observe the Sun. [images below]. note: Herschel wedges can only be used with refractor ‘scopes. Do not use with any reflecting or Petzval designs/types of telescope or camera lens.
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I personally would use any refractor than a catadioptric for solar observation/viewing. Catadioptric ‘scopes tend to be ’sealed’ tubes and may well hold the heat longer. There have been instances where the adhesive/glue that holds the secondary baffle in place on some ETX’s has melted and fallen off.