RT65CB-SWL

Hi @Frankiej90 and welcome to SGL. Below is an image of a small part of my 'grab & go' setup...

Hi Siouxsie. Personally I think if it was me I would choose the TeleVue Delos's & DeLite's as you mentioned. For the focal lengths, I think it is a personal preference. I only have the TeleVue 6mm Radian; (which was the predecessor); and I do like it. Radian's occasionally come up for sale secondhand. Now for the zoom. Having borrowed the Baader mkIV at the end of February this year [2020], from a fellow member of my local astro-society/club for an hour, I was very pleased with it. I may consider purchasing one. I do not think I would go for any other brand. That said; I do have a cheap zoom I purchased from AstroBoot a few years ago; that I use for public outreach, star parties or when travelling light, i.e. on an aircraft or public transport, etc., with my 're-modded' ETX105 and a few 'cheap' prime e/ps. For the Barlow I would stick with TeleVue if using with TeleVue e/p's. If I was using Explore Scientific, I would say, stick with Explore Scientific. I would like to mention that I have no business interests, dealings or financial rewards, etc., from TeleVue or any of the other company buisnesses listed here or elsewhere and/or their affiliated dealers/re-sellers, etc.

Don't believe that hype @Karan05. Why 'scope manufacturers include absurd magnifications in the specs and advertising is beyond me. You will be lucky at 200x which is the theoretical maximum under a perfect sky. The late Sir Patrick Moore is often quoted to saying: "...50x per inch..." and that was for a refractor many moons ago. If you live in or near a town/city, then there is very little or no chance. Apologies in advance if that is not what you wanted to read/hear.

Pun not intended... but this is a 'riveting' good read!

Very nice!

Hi @Karan05 and welcome to SGL. What are you viewing? - Using the 10mm e/p and a 3x Barlow is way to much magnification for your 'scope. At the time of writing, Jupiter, Saturn & Mars are low down for northern latitudes, so getting a clear view of the planet surface/disc is not going to be easy.

Hi @2scopes and welcome to SGL. Unfortunately no 'scope does all in this hobby. For lunar and planetary, then a Maksutov; (a.k.a. Mak/MCT); or SCT. For DSO then a 'Dobsonian' assuming you are visual and not bothered about polar alignment, etc. Are you planning on astro-imaging? - if "Yes!" then a wide-field refractor, i.e. ST80 or clone and a sturdy mount. Other SGL'ers will be able to advise, as I am purely visual at time of writing.

Thank you for sharing @andrew s

There is a very similar thread/posting here... As it is eleven years old, some of the links may no longer be available.

I thought it was me... but comets do appear much better in binoculars.

Out of the supplied eyepieces, the 10mm is not so good from what I have read from other SkyWatcher users here... and other astro-forums. Once your eyes have been 'dark adpated', (it can take up to half an hour), some finer details should start to appear. I remove my specs when at the e/p too.

You only need one small squirt (on the cloth) as a little goes a long way... I purchased a bottle and cloth several years ago and I reckon I have used one-eighth (1/8) of the liquid. I have used it on cleaning my 'scopes, e/p's., filters, binoculars, camera lenses, camera display, specs, tablet, phone, laptop display screen, and interior mirror of vehicle. etc. Don't use the same cloth on different articles. For cleaning e/p's and filters, I use one squirt in a plastic milk bottle lid and a 'Q-tip'. There are plenty of YouTube, etc., showing you how to clean delicate optics.

Wow! - that is one lovely image @tooth_dr

Hi @Mark68 and welcome to SGL. Let us know what you have and we can advise. Some 6mm e/p's are better than others. If you are on a budget, then have a look here... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html or here... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/vixen-eyepieces/vixen-npl-eyepieces.html

Hi Matt. I usually let my 'kit' dry out naturally with everything uncapped and make sure objective cell is pointing down, whilst I get some sleep/shut eye. When I am awake, check everything, and blow off the optical surfaces with a rocket blower and brush off with a soft camel hair brush. Then clean with some Baader Optical Wonder Fluid and cloth: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-optics-cleaning-protection/baader-optical-wonder-set-cleaning-fluid-and-cloth.html Don't do it straight away.

Just got back indoors about thirty minutes ago, after my first view and fourth naked eye comet to date; (the other three Comets were Hyakutake, Hale-Bopp & Holmes). It is very impressive from my suburban sky. I too used Capella as a reference point/marker. Moon, Mars Jupiter & Saturn also looking very nice this morning too.

If it has the 'standard' SCT threaded back, then yes a 2" SCT will fit. Below is my 're-modded' ETX105 with one fitted.

Did you get the additional filters; (i.e. solar continuum and single polarising); too?

Do you mean a photo/video tripod? - if "Yes!" then it can be adapted to fit. Below is an image of my TeleVue Ranger attached Vixen/TeleVue dovetail bar to a photo tripod and ballhead mount.

Hi @SGLi and welcome to SGL. Another +1 for a Maksutov. Below is my 're-modded' Meade ETX105. I know... I forgot to extend the tripod legs and remove the end caps. ...and a few more of it after I asked/persuaded a local engineering workshop to make this after-market backplate. It's 'crude & rude' or 'Heath Robinson' with the dovetail bar secured with Jubilee rings... but it works! For solar observing you will need a full aperture solar filter; either ready made or DIY. You will need to check the filter every time for defects; i.e. scratches, pin-holes, etc., before attaching to the telescope before use. DO NOT buy the screw on solar/sun filters that fit an eyepiece like the type shown below.

Hi @batemantom and welcome to SGL. Have a read of this... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes.html in particular this one... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-heritage-130p-flextube.html or its sibling... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/sky-watcher-heritage-150p-flextube-dobsonian-telescope.html If you can stretch your budget for 'new' then you may need to double what you quoted. The first one I mentioned is just within your budget.

Plossl = 50deg AFOV - Nagler = 82deg AFOV - apologies - I should have included it in my reply.

Anything that has TeleVue printed on the barrel... especially these... left: 13mm Plossl - centre: 13mm Nagler type 1 - right: 13mm Nagler type 6

I hardly ever use a Barlow lens; (2.8x, BTW); with my Mak & SCT. I may occasionally use a 1.6x extension piece that screws into the filter thread of the e/p.

With my SkyWatcher 2"/28mm; (as per my signature); I purchased a 2"-1.25" filter reducer; (link below); from 365astronomy. https://www.365astronomy.com/365Astronomy-2-to-1.25-Filter-Adapter.html Visually, I have not seen any vignetting when in use.