RT65CB-SWL

Following on from the TeleVue DeLite’s mentioned earlier, I would suggest the predecessor… Radian’s. I have a 6 and 8mm. When it comes to zoom e/p’s I have a choice between the TeleVue Nagler 3-6mm zoom and the Svbony SV215 3-8mm zoom.

Not to bad! They take a bit of getting used to as they are fixed focus at approximately 2x magnification per lens. To ensure the lenses do not fall out of the frame when in use, I used Gorilla Glue and left it to cure/set for 24 hours in the airing cupboard. I replaced the supplied centre screw with an M4 x 30mm thumb screw and a thumb nut. I also added the paracord wrist strap during 2021. Lens caps are included, (one push-fit for the front / one threaded for the rear) and a vinyl carry pouch, (one per lens).

I made a pair [image below] from a pair of photography conversion lenses I purchased from you where... eBay.... after I found that @Philippe LECA makes 3D printed frames for them. As the 'project' was not that expensive, I ordered a Batinov mask at the same time from him. BTW... mine are all black!

Yes! It's a pop on/pop off with the pipe clips for easy fitting/removal on/along the centre bar. BTW... the pipe clips are 15mm.

Depending how close you are to/from Norfolk International Airport [ORF] and any other civil/military/emergency airfield, I would consider using an RDF. I made a simple RDF mount from a surplus TeleVue QwikPoint mounting block, 15mm pipe clips, M4 machine screws/bolts and nyloc nuts. [image below]. It clips to the centre bar of my Revalation Astro binoculars for easy fitting/removal.

They look like a pair of Munsen rings or galvanized gutter downpipe rings.

My choice of 'best planetary 'scope would be my 're-modded' ETX105. [Images below].

Hi @Navixc and welcome to SGL. Unfortunately no telescope does all in this hobby. Before parting with your hard-earned money, you need to decide what you intend to view the most. I mainly observe/view the Sun, Lunar and planets. At the time of posting have four 'scopes in total... two refractors and two catadioptrics [one Maksutov or Mak / one SCT]. For the Sun I use the refractors with a Solar/Herschel wedge and for the Moon and planets I use all of them. They are... TeleVue Ranger Meade 2102-AT Meade ETX105 Celestron C6/SCT

There are a few places that sell vinyl pipe/tube end caps. I get mine from here... https://bpfonline.co.uk/search.asp?catid=2979

Mars is challenging at the best of times and has since gone past opposition a few months ago, so the angular size is now getting smaller. Using a #23A [red] filter may help bring out some detail. A contrast booster or neodymium filter may bring out some detail too. The last time I saw any ‘decent’ detail was opposition during 2001 and I even got to see one of the polar ice caps with my TeleVue Ranger and an 8mm Plossl e/p… [and without a filter]. An afocal image below taken at the time with a digital compact camera [Ricoh RDC-6000] handheld over the e/p. The polar ice cap [just visible] is at ten o’clock. The view with the eye was much better.

A couple of padded Tenwish tripod bags, via the online warehouse in the far-east. One will be for my Meade 2102-AT and the other is for my Photax/Paragon 400mm telephoto camera lens.

Hi @David1963 and welcome to SGL. Looking at your images, I notice that your OTA is the wrong way round on the mount. It's an easy mistake to make. 😉

Hi again @BenB The 45 degree 'bend' / diagonal is OK for terrestrial use. For astronomy use you will benefit by getting a 90 degree star diagonal. Also note the image will be right way up and east/west or left/right will be reversed.

I see from one of your earlier replies that your 'scope is... I have a 70mm refractor [TeleVue Ranger]. I can see two equatorial bands/belts without and with my neodymium filter. There are other things to consider, like how much light pollution? how high was it in the sky? The lower an object is to the horizon, the thicker the atmosphere and dust particulates, etc., and the photons of have to travel through that, before they reach your retina. I read somewhere [at the time posting] that one of the equatorial bands/belts is dimmer than usual too.

Hi @BenB & daughter and welcome to SGL. Where about in Reading are you? - check out https://readingastro.org.uk/ Take your 'scope to the next 'outreach' meeting [Fri. 27th. Jan. 2023] or 'main' meeting [Sat. 21st Jan. 2023]. Not sure whether I will be in attendance for either due to work commitments. Someone will be able to help. Depending on the tripod, I find it is good practice not to fully extend the legs. Also, getting a variable polarising filter will reduce the bright glare from the Moon when it has gone beyond half phase or the bright planets, i.e. Venus [max. magnitude -4.5] and Jupiter [max. magnitude -2.5].

I purchased a few items from him via the 'Astro Classifieds' section. He was always willing to help and offer advice to new and existing SGL'ers. My condolences to his family and friends too.

Well done you! Lovely looking instrument/'scope. I do regret selling my Vixen GP mount and tripod. It was the best GEM/EQ I have ever used.

Vantablack... before you rush out and buy a can... win the lottery. It's not cheap.... 🤑🤣

Set of replacement silicone rubber pipe/tube end caps for my £20 Meade 2102-AT refractor, (mislaid by the previous owner), via the online warehouse in the far-east.

CLS... city light supression. Basically it is another name for a LPR... light pollution reduction. I don't think it matters which way they go, but to save time, add the CLS first, then add the others as/if needed. I do have a colour filter set, but I tend to use my Baader neodymium, contrast booster or variable polarising filters more when viewing the planets.

Hi @Student B and welcome to SGL. Did you see the word 'precession' in your reading. My guess it is a slight wobble or change in the angle of the Earth's axis, (which is approximately 23.5degrees), due to the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun when they are opposite each other. If anyone knows different, I stand corrected.

I got a 58mm 3D printed one made by @Philippe LECA... http://www.astrokraken.fr/clipsable-bahtinov-mask-for-standard-diameter-dslr-lens-a137731510 I would order through his site as above. His status is showing that he last visited SGL on February 13th 2020.

@Mr Spock Who is this question aimed at?

Even a Baader Neodymium and/or a #23A filters should bring out some details of Mars.

Hi @alfabet & daughter and welcome to SGL. As mentioned here on SGL [and the other forum], the Acuter Maksy 60 is not a bad little 'scope for its size and price. The supplied eyepieces are 0.965" - Most 'scopes sold today are 1.25" so your options to upgrade e/p's are limited. They do exist, usually sold in a set of three which are H20, HR12.5 and SR4 and not particular good in terms of eye relief, field of view, etc. That said, an optional 0.965" to 1.25" adapter does exist on that well known auction site and the online warehouses should you wish to upgrade to 1.25" Plossl's or Ortho's. Below is an image of a 0.965" e/p and a 1.25" for size comparison that are part my collection. As you said, the table top tripod is the weakest part of the set and your camera photo tripod is not much better. Add some extra weight to your existing camera tripod may help, (i.e. a large plastic milk bottle and fill it with water, pea gravel, sand, soil), and tie it to the centre column should reduce any vibrations... 1 litre of water = 1 kilogramme @ 21deg C. The AZ3 tripod and mount adapter you suggested in your third post would/may be an improvement.