RT65CB-SWL

Following on from my reply... "Honey, I shrunk the kids Nagler" - Al Nagler to his wife.

I would have thought that if your collimation was off/out, then the disc would have been slightly oval/squashed to one side. I had the same with my C6/SCT-xlt a few years ago. I don't know whether Rother Valley Optics have the facilities to do it. I think they are your nearest reputable dealer. Otherwise a long day and drive as you may have to bring it down south to SCTelescopes. This may help---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqRVIDj4aZA (other videos are also available).

FWIW - I use my TV Nagler zoom @ 3mm in my TV Ranger @f/6.8, (480mm/70mm = 160x), and the views of Jupiter Saturn are awesome with this 'combo'. I also have the TV 13mm Nagler Type 1 & Type 6, (but I dare not and have not attempted to try the Type 1 in the Ranger... I suppose I should... just to see how it compares to the Type 6. The Type 1 as it is a heavy piece of 'quality' e/p glassware). My one-to-many TeleVue 13mm e/p's as per my signature ...the one on the left is the 13mm 'smoothside' Plossl.

Saturn never fails to impress; even with rings 'edge on' when conditions allow.

+1 for Jupiter Moons and its companion app Saturn Moons; assuming you own an iOS device; as it is not supported on Android OS devices. According to Jupiter Moons it was 'Io' - I think Toronto 🇨🇦 is 5 hours behind GB/UK 🇬🇧 - so I set it for 07:30BST [06:30UTC/GMT].

I don't know about "...shooting the damn things down" but my concern is the satellites that are no longer working; (plus other space junk); and getting them down safely before a collision; (it does happen); and more go up.

I had Vixen's little sibling, i.e the 'GP' and that too was a joy to use. In my opinion they are the benchmark of how an GEM/EQ mount should be. I now regret selling it, but as I 'mostly' dual mount; it was a real pain to accurately balance a C6/SCT-xlt and an ETX105 side-by-side. (images below). note: it was OK to balance with either the C6 or ETX and a TV Ranger.

+1 for @Louis D comment. It will give the kids the impression they are in a spaceship when they twist the barrel/body; especially when viewing the Moon. This may help...

I don't normally use filters, except for a variable polarising and the Baader Neodymium. Sometime last year [2019] another SGL'er was selling the Explore Scientific UHC & O-lll and so I decided to take the plunge/bite the bullet, so I purchased them. So far I have had no qualms about them and they do seem to make a difference in teasing out detail. I did read here on SGL in another post/topic and other forums, online vendors, etc., that cheaper UHC's and O-III's are/were best avoided. Personally, I think the Explore Scientific CLS is slightly better than the Baader Contrast Booster.

Hi @kalizzi and welcome to SGL.

Same thing was happening years ago ...and some have tried selling 'real estate' on the Moon. We still got the ones selling stars to deal with as well. Anyway; hi and welcome to SGL @moodyolio.

Hi @Sparkford Observatory and welcome to SGL.

@heliumstar ...enjoy your AOK-AYO mount. They are so silky smooth to use; (I thought my Tele-Optic Giro was; until I got my hands on one).

I have a Baader and a HoTech. The cheaper ones may/will need collimating before use. I had one and was way off target and it would not get anywhere close; even when collimated and tested alongside the other two as above.

I like the first one. I got the feeling that I was in a spaceship looking out of the window with the left corner vignette crop. Nice composition.

Hi @Cundy66 and welcome to SGL. You will definitely be able to see four 'stars'/dots, (these are the 'Galilean moons, i.e. Io, Europa, Ganymede & Callisto); when viewing Jupiter; (and possibly some banding); and Saturn; (it will be slight oval shape due to the rings); when they become visible at a more sociable hour later this year, (at the time of writing, they both rise about 23:40BST +/- ten minutes of each other. The constellation of Cygnus is a beautiful constellation to view during the summer months, with the Milky Way passing through it. Though does cause a bit of neck ache, as it is overhead. So I prefer to lay down on a patch of dry grass/lawn and view it. It can also be fun watching satellites as they cross the night sky too. If you have not got one of these... ...they make 'panning' binoculars so much easier. note: the base is threaded for 3/8" - threaded adaptors for 1/4"-3/8" are also available. I have attached a user guide/manual/instructions. Alternatively you could use a ball-head attached to a camera tripod that has a 3/8" stud/mounting point. TG-manual.pdf

I don't see why not! Give it a try and give us your thoughts. When I was in looking for a sturdy tripod/monopod, I did look at the Benbo range, but I settled on a Manfrotto 055PROB instead. One of the things about Benbo, Manfrotto/Bogen, and other 'high-end' brands, etc., is the amount of add-ons so you can customise them to your specific needs. That said, I do have a Benbo two-section monopod; (and a three-section 'twist-lock' Velbon).

Bump!

Hi @DigitalXAK and welcome to SGL. I think you have made the right decision on what you have chosen. As mentioned elsewhere, forget about a Barlow lens for the time being; (except for the 2x); but concentrate on the eyepieces. From what I have read here on SGL; (and other forums); these --->https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html are quite good and very popular. An alternative would be a zoom eyepiece. Like regular 'fixed' eyepieces; there are good & bad ones. Depending on which eye is dominant; then a right angle finder scope or the Telrad or the Rigel would be the most useful add-ons. Other add-ons to be considered are filters. For lunar observing I would choose a variable polarising filter. For almost everything else the Baader Panetarium Neodymium is popular. I refer to it as the 'Swiss Army knife filter' unless viewing fainter stuff. For solar viewing, a full aperture filter*; (either ready made or DIY - remember to make one for the finder scope or remove it); or keep the end caps on. Also remember to check for defects before each and every use. * I cannot remember whether the end cap has hole in it off-axis, so you could add piece of solar-safety film to that if you wish as an alternative to full aperture.

Welcome back to SGL @cutepetgroomer.

At the present time my AYO ll and Giro ll, (shown on the right), both use the SkyWatcher, (or clone), alumininum tripod... ...or my Manfrotto 055PROB, (not shown) .

Hi @mil5nov and welcome to SGL. +1 for the advice given by @Trikeflyer in his first reply.

Thnk you for the compliment @John. I often refer to it as 'the poor man's Questar'. The original 're-mod' looked like this...

The 18cm dovetailbar has two slots plus a 1/4” hole/thread in the middle. Unfortunately I have temporary mislaid mine to measure it. The underside is recessed and I use 1/4” socket cap screw/bolts and washers and the heads do not protrude and do not scratch or foul the saddle plate. I can also just fit it in the saddle plate of my camera ball-head (non-Arca Swiss type) mount without any issues.

+1 for the Baader 8-24mm zoom. I tried a few months ago one in my C6/SCT-XLT and 're-moded' ETX and was very impressed by it. I am seriously considering buying one.