RT65CB-SWL

Ouch... that’s a bit harsh! - Though you can’t beat using a ‘real star’ for the final test, (assuming the atmosphere is still and cloud free). I have one, and at £19.00GBP + P&P + batteries, it will do and I will continue to use it. So I don’t lose the small ‘magnetic’ mask/shield thingy, (when not in use), I put a vinyl pipe/tube end cap over the end of it... and remove the batteries.

Unfortunately they [ie 'traditional' LPR filters] don't work is the simple answer. LED streetlighting gives off too much at the 'blue end' of the visible spectrum. Using a neodymium, UHC or Olll filter should improve your viewing. The Olll maybe overkill on small aperture ‘scopes.

I have purchased a few items via Adriano Lolli's website as well... https://www.adrianololli.com/ and very pleased with them. I am also subscribed to his YouTube channel... https://www.youtube.com/user/lolliadriano He may be the saviour/solution for me, as I need a set of 'custom' tube rings for my 're-modded' ETX105, as the diameter is 124mm. The alternative is a pair of rubber lined 122 to 127mm Munsen rings. At the time of writing/posting, the dovetail bar is secured by a pair of rubber lined Jubilee/hose rings, as shown in the image above.

Bolides and fireballs are amazing! - The only 'bolide' I have seen to date was the night a day after the late HRH Princess Diana, Princess of Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 died/was 'killed' in that awful RTA*. I have seen a few 'fireballs', etc. Anyway... back to the topic. During the pandemic, I signed up to a local social-network site, and strangely enough one of the members/residents, yesterday morning posted what they think [especially their young son], say was a 'fireball' about twelve hours earlier and south-west. I have replied and said that I think it is a vapour trail/contrail from a passing aircraft. I have looked at https://heavens-above.com/, https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ and https://spaceweather.com/ - there are no reports for it. I have looked on my laptop, [as it was a tad difficult to ascertain on my iPhone] at the footage the OP has kindly sent me via email after transferring it from his wife's phone and I am convinced that it is a vapour trial. Just listening to his wife and young son's reaction/commentary made it more amazing. * I do not want/wish to start a discussion here on SGL or anywhere else on my thoughts relating to it. Please do not reply to this part or personally to me via SGL PM, email, SMS/text, etc. They will be ignored and reported. It is a sensitive topic may/will breach the SGL T&C's, etc. Thank you in advance.

Hi @imakebeer and welcome to SGL....and not to far from you as I am in Lower Earley.

I am going to say: It's quite an eye-opener... from the TeleVue Apollo 11 [page 1] to my 'budget' Skywatcher 2"/28mm LET|LER [page 3] and everything in between.

Same here! I paid with a credit card via PayPal, so at least I have some protection if it goes pear-shape.

Hi @Nitecoda and welcome to SGL. Whilst you are at it, download the PC or Mac version of Stellarium… and It is free!

Checked the progress of my order earlier this evening and SVBONY are saying it may take longer [upto] 30 days [ie 01 December 2022 at the earliest] before they start shipping them as they say: “…are still pre-production…” and apologise for the delay. I have politely sent them a message and asked if they are going to keep the buyers/customers updated with status updates, etc.

Hi @KingsAmis and welcome to SGL. BTW - Ed Ting posted a YouTube video on his channel, (see below), a few weeks ago, as he was on a visit/writing course.

I like others tend to keep it simple, ie Plossl or Ortho. Also, I can put a Plossl or Ortho in my EPU, (shown in centre of image), too… if I use a DSLR or digital compact camera.

Sorry to read about your loss @Alan White My heart stopping moment was whilst I was tightening up a die-cast white metal dovetail and it snapped. Attached to it was my ETX105. Luckily [#1] the OTA, primary, secondary, meniscuis cell survived, but two of the three mounting points on the rear ABS plastic cell and cheap star diagonal did not. Luckily [#2] it was on grass/lawn. When I got the replacement backplate made by a local engineering workshop made and fitted, I made an appointment and took it to Steve Collingwood at SCTelescopes to check the collimation. It was only slightly out and was soon rectified within thirty to forty minutes.

Why are you removing the dovetail ? If you do have to remove it, then I suggest you remove the front and rear cell, so you have a 'naked' tube to work with. You don't want anything rattling about or swarf in the tube and damaging the surfaces. Also, a piece of masking tape at each end, so you can realign them when you reassemble it. This reminds me to think about/find a [better]solution to attach a dovetail to my 're-modded' ETX105. At the time of posting, the dovetail is secured to the OTA with a pair of self-adhesive lined Jubilee hose rings/clips.

I too have pre-odered one! It's going to be interesting to see how it compares against my TeleVue 3-6mm Nagler zoom.

The ETX maksutov’s have a counterweight built in to the rear ABS plastic flip mirror cell as well.

Hi @Happysolderer and welcome to SGL. As far as I am aware, it is damn good for lunar and planetary observation. That said, any catadioptric [ie, Mak or SCT] ‘scope is. As you said, it has been de-forked, so you will need to source a sturdy mount and tripod/pier for it. If you can attach some images, then we can suggest what else you need. A dew shield is a must have. Any catadioptric ‘scope is a notorious dew magnet. A few other things I would consider would be an SCT star diagonal and a ‘crayford’ focuser. If you are planning on astro-imaging now or later, then a field flattener/focal reducer is another must have, as the focal ratio is f:10

All three volumes of Tri-Atlas will fit on a CD-ROM. Available for the iPhone & iPad here... Triatlas on the App Store (apple.com) - [FREE*]. Also available for the iPhone & iPad is... Star Charts by Wil Tirion on the App Store (apple.com) - [£3.49GBP*] [* at time of posting].

Welcome back to SGL @Kn4fty

And afocal is using the eyepiece and connecting the camera to the telescope with an eyepiece projection unit [aka EPU]. Below is an image of mine,... <--- the EPU is in the centre. Below is an afocal image of Montes Appennius on the Moon, taken with an Olympus C-2040 digital compact camera and 20mm Plossl in the EPU attached to my ETX105...

A religious festival/season is nearly upon us. Do not put an eyepiece set on the list of Xmas pressies you would like to receive. You may not get use all of them! - IMHO buy separate individual eyepieces. Below is just a small selection of what I currently have and use in my collection: TeleVue... 3x Plossl's... 8mm - 13mm - 15mm 2x Radian's... 6mm - 8mm 2x Nagler's... 13mm [Type 1 & Type 6} 1x Nagler... 3-6mm zoom Meade... 3x Plossl's... 9.7mm - 20mm - 24mm 1x UWA... 8.8mm [series 4000] other 'bits & bobs'... 2x AB*... 18mm WA 1x AB*... 7-21mm zoom 1x AE**.. 1.25" Magni-Mate [x1.6] 1x AE**... 1.25" focal reducer [x0.6] ...plus a few filters *AB = AstroBoot. **AE = Astro-Engineering.

Hi @sork and welcome to SGL. What is the view like with the 25mm ? The supplied SkyWatcher 10mm's are not the best of e/p's. If they are not parfocal, you will need to re-focus.

Not saying that it is my best eyepiece, but it is one of my a favourites... . and cheapest... only £5.00GBP+P&P via UKAstroBuy&Sell

Hi @imtrappin and welcome to SGL. You may find these articles useful... Tele Vue Optics: Powermates especially the Powermate™ vs. Barlow section at the end and here... Tele Vue Optics: Barlows dedicated solely to Barlow's.

Ah yes! Completely forgot about that. Planetary imaging is in a different league to other types of astro-imaging.

Hi @zernikepolynomial and welcome to SGL.