RT65CB-SWL

Very nice @si@nite.

@turboscrew... according to FLO, the BST StarGuiders https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html say they are OK at f5, though whether f4 is/maybe pushing the 'scope to the limits. Many satisfied SGL'ers use them. I was thinking on the lines of wider FOV, your budget, eye-relief, etc. Orthoscopic's are good for planetary observation, but the FOV is usually <50deg.

My 'scopes have been out more times this year, then in the past two years combined.

If you are looking a galaxies, they will not appear in colour to the eye. The human eye is not adapted for low-level light vision. Certain filters, i.e. UHC or OIII do enhance viewing, fine detail and block certain wavelengths of the light spectrum. I find the Neodymium is my 'Swiss-army knife' filter for general viewing. It may not show colour, but teases some detail that the eye alone may not be able to see. I am sceptical about using colour filters for viewing, i.e. #27 (red) / #58 (yellow) / #80A (blue), for viewing the planets, but for viewing the Moon a variable polarising filter is/can be useful, as is the Neodymium, especially when it is either side of a near or close to and full Moon.

You will need one of these adapters... a 1.25" to 0.965" adapter as shown, next to my Fullerscopes 6mm Ortho. Huygens e/p's maybe not as good as todays Plossl's etc., but better than nothing until you have a little more disposable income saved.

Not sure about the zoom e/p you are referring too, but are ok for star gazing. The higher the magnification the lower the TFOV is one of the downsides of cheap zooms. With your 'scope, I think you would be better with the Baader Planetarium 8-24mm mkIV zoom https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-planetarium/baader-hyperion-zoom-eyepiece.html or fixed focal length e/p's. The higher the object is in the sky, you are looking through less 'dirty' atmosphere.

The re-edited image is a lot better. Thank you for sharing.

I would forget eBay (apart from ENS Optical and Sky's the Limit/Skies Unlimited). I am not on Facebook, so unable comment on 'marketplace'. AstroBoot... https://www.astroboot.co.uk/AstroBoot and UKAB&S... https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/ plus the classifieds section here on SGL are your friends!

Hi @Stefan22 and welcome to SGL. It depends on whether you are visual, imager or both, as no telescope does all and ease of setup. Startravel-102 Good entry level 'scope for lunar and planetary observing. For lunar and planetary, then my choice would be the 127mm Maksutov. Also being a 'small' package, it can be used for other outdoor pursuits. If you go for this, add a dewshield to the order/purchase... any catadioptric 'scope is a dew-magnet. Orion XT8 - A good all rounder for many. Assuming it is the 'Dobsonian', just place on a level surface and start observing. You may need to check the collimation before use. With regards to the second part, there are many brands and types of e/p's I don't know where to start. The supplied 10mm e/p is a bit rubbish and 25mm e/p ok for most targets. BST Starguiders https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html would be a big improvement and are reasonably priced if on a budget and a good following by some SGL'ers. Other members or owners will be able to advise. I myself have gone TeleVue... and I am satisfied by their ethos; (and I don't mean the e/p series); and a few other brands. With regards to mounting, I am purely visual, so I use alt-az mounts for ease of use and no fuss setup. Below are a few images of what I use mount wise...

Hi @Pete Elverhoi and welcome to SGL. Two things it maybe... it maybe out of collimation. There are numerous guides on collimating here on SGL and elsewhere. Inserting with a 'high' power e/p in the focusser. The lower the number means the higher the magnification.

For binocular and monocular users, I use this site... https://www.nipon-scope.com/lens-caps

True, but I have the Hornby Railways 'Flying Scotsman' set, in LNER apple green and the two Thomson coaches, (track long gone and I now use PECO); that is now of sentimental value, as it was a xmas present from my late-mother when I was in my early teens, plus there is other rolling stock also of sentimental value from other deceased family relatives, etc. Mind you I have been contemplating selling all, except the set mentioned and starting a fresh with 'N' gauge. 'Z' gauge even smaller still... pack in a suitcase, etc', but with 'astronomical' prices and limited 'Big Four' and BR outline availability. Thank your for sharing your image of the ex-LMS 'Black 5' in BR livery.

Just a small selection of my TeleVue collection... a.k.a. "one-to-many TeleVue 13mm e/p's"... as per my SGL signature. left: 'smoothside' Plossl - centre: Nagler type 1 - right: Nagler type 6 The other TV's in my collection are: 8mm Plossl 15mm Plossl 6mm Radian + optional 2" afocal adapter minus adaper/collar which came in three different camera thread diameters except T-ring. note: the 'Radian's' have been superseded by the 'Delite' series. 3-6mm Nagler zoom Plus a few interlopers via AstroBoot, Circle-T, Meade and a few others.

Hi @Budgie1 and welcome back to SGL. Slightly off topic from astronomy. One of my other hobbies is model railways and I have hopefully planned a layout using the old Fort William station, using track plans from various model railway forums, etc. and re-planned using SCARM software. Only downside is living in studio apartment... '00' guage model railways don't mix that well... where as astronomy does 😁 ...until a resident decides to turn on the communal timed light switch for the interior of the building when entering/exiting. 😬

Oh gosh! When I had the mishap with my ETX105, before the 'remod', my home contents insurers at the time were very stubborn and refused to pay and/or replace. They said something on the lines of... "Dear Mr P. J. R***e, Thank you for your telephone enquiry of [date] and postal correspondence of [date]. On this occasion and with regret that we are unable to replace your telescope and/or for damaged parts; (i.e. damaged ABS plastic rear end, etc., as per the completed claim form and as shown in your included photos), as the damage to your telescope happened within the confines of your garden, unless the damage was within the premises of the insured. [I presume they meant inside the home]. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss your claim, where one of our qualified agents/representatives are willing to assist you." I promptly changed my home contents insurers upon the renewal date which was due a few months later.

Hi @Starbuddypal and welcome to SGL. This series of eyepiece... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html are popular some SGL’ers for very little money/outlay or there are these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen-eyepieces/vixen-npl-eyepieces.html There are other brands available, and it does not necessarily have to be or have Celestron printed/stamped on it. As long as it is 1.25” you will be ok. edit: I was out this morning and now I am home and seen the larger image. It appears to be missing a flexible shaft for the RA or Dec axis. They can be obtained online, bricks & mortar astro-dealers or secondhand astro-classifieds.

Even more frustrating is when you have more than one or two 'scopes at your disposal. I myself have three and have to make a decision which one or two am I going to use that night. Then decide AYO or Giro mount... or do just I stick with one 'scope, camera tripod and small alt-az mount and be done with it!

I have... I was in Varna, BG 🇧🇬 at the time! 😜

Just a small cheap & cheerful e/p tray via AstroBoot so that I can have two 1.25" eyepieces (the other two holes are for 0.965") close to hand and attaches to the bottom of the centre column of my Manfrotto 055PROB via the supplied 3/8" adaptor plate screw/bolt through one of two (10mm) holes located at the corners.

Hi @Proximo / Junare and welcome to SGL.

Mine is left off so I can fit it on my Baader Planetarium ETX to SCT adapter ring using the internal (middle) thread... before adding a 1.25" or 2" visual back or other SCT accessory.

Hi @bluespeck and welcome to SGL. Personally, I think you are better off purchasing a 'small' 'scope. Reason being, you are adding more glass in the light path which you do not want, which in turn, is slowing the exposure time. I am not an astro-imager, but first, I would recommend you purchase a copy of 'Making Every Photon Count'. Other astro-imaging SGL'ers will be along to assist you making the correct/perfect choice.

I have never used a 'Cheshire' collimator when collimating my C6/SCT-xlt and ETX105 and use a collimation cap; (same as the one shown in the video); and/or artificial star. You should see concentric rings. If they are slightly oval, then it will need collimating. You can use a laser collimator, but that too will need to be checked for collimation.

+1 for the Neodymium. I think of it as 'the Swiss-army knife' filter for visual observing. The image you have are OK for teasing out planetary disc detail; (the coloured ones): even the ND96: (the left one); may help a little, though mainly it is used for lunar, I use a variable polarising filter. Same thing, but has two rotating filters., i.e. same principle as a photography variable polarising filter. If you want to tease more detail for nebula, DSO's, etc., then UHC and O-lll are worth having as well. I have the Explore Scientific ones of these.

I, myself try to keep within a budget of optional add-ons. After I read the reviews of OVL/SW UHC & O-lll on the FLO page, and elsewhere, I purchased the Explore Scientific ones. Though the ES may not be in the same league as Astronomik/Lumicon, the reviews were better than OVL/SW. Another useful filter is the the Baader Planetarium Neodymium. I think of it as 'the Swiss-army knife' filter for visual observing.