RT65CB-SWL

Hi @StevieO and welcome back. I know the frustration of different heads, lengths, threads, etc., of the 'allen'/'hex-head' machine screws that are used on an OTA from my C6/SCT ...I thought it was just me! I purchased a Thumbscrew Assortment Kit from... http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_scast.htm (see image below) a few months ago, with an order for some other astro/scope parts that I could not obtain here in GB/UK.

If it is one you have made yourself... buy new solar film and make another! I don't know what 'scope you are using, but if you own a refractor, I would go for a Herschel wedge. (see image below). Even glass solar filters are not 100% immune from defects. That is why I have gone and got a Herschel wedge, (that's mine in the above image above), to replace my aging Thousand Oaks Type ll.

Wow! 🚀 I have been following this topic during the past few days/week with awe and I am very impressed. Can't wait to see it 'dressed up' with the self-adhesive labels, etc. 😜

This video from YouTube should help to explain the answer as given by @Peter Drew & @GraemeC... The dark area, (and gets darker after 3m30s until approximately 4m20s), that appears at the bottom of video is the Moon's shadow. And to give you an idea of the relative size of Earth & Moon. This YouTube video shows it...

Sorry @JamesF... I could not resist it!

Hi @Piero. Do you mean something like this?

My first view of Saturn was via a Tasco 4ETE (40mm refractor/40x magnification) during the late 1970's/early 1980's... I could just about separate the rings from the body when conditions allowed.

Appears to feel of a decent thickness. I think it should be able to withstand bumps and knocks. The padded cushion/pillow thingy, (with cutout), as shown in #2 / #3 / #4 is approximately 50mm thick.

As per a further request... I forgot to mention in my review, that the shoulder straps are padded and adjustable and there is elastic/bungee cord on the blue pocket panel and base, (I presume for carrying a camera/video tripod).

It is not being a bit cheeky. I have the leaflet that came with it showing four different images. I will do it tomorrow or the day after.

As per a request from @Greymouser/Dave. About two weeks ago, I purchased this Meade backpack/rucksack ---> ...from OpticalSystems. They are an online astronomy dealer/reseller based in north-west Germany. I have included links at the end. My reason for the purchase is for when I want to take my 're-modded' ETX105 and a few accessories away from home and travel lightweight; i.e. aeroplane cabin friendly/carry-on and relying on public transport, (bus, coach, train, etc); where an heavy duty storage case may get mishandled whilst in transit from A to Z. It is ideal for smaller telescopes or binoculars, though originally made for the Meade ETX range of telescopes, [90/105/125]. It can be used on similar sized aperture telescopes upto the Celestron C5/SCT, (I would think), Coronado PST's using original foam, 80mm APO's or even Giant Binoculars, and/or the Meade ETX70 & ETX80, or maybe a DSLR body, (or two), and a few lenses and acceessories. It is a robust protective bag with padded sides and internal straps to hold your instrument safely. Internal dimensions/size are: 24cm x 47.5cm x 20cm. Padded sides is approximately 12.5mm. The blue panel is a zipped pocket with a few internal mesh material pockets for eyepieces, filters, etc. All zips have dual-zip pullers so no fear of anything falling out, (hopefully!) and hook/loop fastening in the main section to secure your OTA and a thick padded cushion/pillow thingy with a cutout for a finderscope/RDF to protect it all whilst it is being transported. This backpack/rucksack will not fit the new style Meade ETX125 Observer's Edition, due to the telescope's redesigned, more lengthy fork arms, although the ETX90 Observer's Edition is fine. It was packed in a suitable sized cardboard box and balls of screwed up brown paper for the packing, (none of those pesky polystyrene chips that you find months later and then explaining what you have ordered to the other half). The total price paid including P&P was very good value at: £12.78GBP / €9.99 EUR + €3.90 EUR P&P, (the cheapest option and the one which I opted for). It also included a tracking number so I was able to track its whereabouts across Europe and UK for a few days before it was delivered to my home address. Link here: --->https://www.optical-systems.com/index.php?lang=0&cl=search&searchparam=rucksack&_ga=2.132922765.26336638.1560505037-94374166.1560505037 ...and here: --->https://www.optical-systems.co.uk/en/Meade-Rucksack-ETX-90-105-125.html?listtype=search&searchparam=rucksack

Guten tag @astro_log / Mike and welcome to SGL. BTW - nice images.

a Meade backpack/rucksack for my 're-modded' ETX105, for when I want to travel lightweight, (i.e. aircraft or public transport)... ...the price, [inc. P&P from Germany/Deutschland/EU 🇩🇪/🇪🇺], was lightweight too!

Hi @Flood and welcome to SGL.

Oop's! ...I forgot to add binoculars, spotting scopes, compact cameras, etc. FWIW - during the 1999 solar eclipse, I got a burn on my forehead/temple from my RDF, because I forgot to remove it form my OTA. Play and stay safe peoples.

As long as you check the filter for defects, i.e. pinholes, rips, securely attached to your OTA or 35mm/DSLR lens, etc., before each and every use, solar safety films are perfectly safe. Also worth mentioning that you should make a solar filter for your finderscope and/or RDF - better still, remove either or both before viewing and use the shadow for alignment.

@Jimbo75 - When you said '...makeover...' I assumed you meant inside, (i.e. cleaning the primary mirror & corrector plate, flocking, etc.), as well as the outside. @michael8554 - No, I was not aware... especially the older Meade's - thank you for clarifying that. I apologise to both of you in advance.

I would be inclined to go with the HEQ5. If attaching a dovetail bar directly to the OTA, make a mark somewhere on the corrector plate for when you re-assemble it too. There are videos on YouTube for how to strip-down/re-assemble SCT's - tube rings maybe the easier option. I have a de-forked Meade ETX105, (see below), and attached a dovetail bar using two Jubilee rings, (I have lined them with some strips of sef-adhesive felt and neoprene). I would not recommend Jubilee rings for your LX-10. What do you intend to image? - Have look for a f6.3 focal reducer/field flattener... (avoid f3.3 ones). Image of my de-forked 're-modded' ETX105 alongside my C6/SCT on a dual-mounting bar... it's a bit on the heavy side for the Vixen GP! Two more images of my 're-modded' ETX on a Tele-Optic Giro mount.

Another vote for for SkySafari. The iOS version also includes Augmented reality*. To activate, press the compass icon, at the bottom of the screen, then [AR] will be displayed at the bottom centre of the screen above the icons, whether in landscape or portrait mode. It will use the camera to view your foreground and then an overlay the celestial sky, (day or night), in background. The version for Android OS tablet or phone has not yet been released. I use SkySafari, SkyWeek+** SkEye and Planets*** on an Android SIM-free phone too. * minimum spec is iOS 10.x.x and above. ** a weekly guide to celestial events during coming week. Quote: "Chart bug. The charts in the view are set for a spot near the middle of North America (at 40deg N, 90deg W). If the scene described does not appear, zoom out a bit till it does The time zone maybe incorrect; step the hours ahead or back to get a view in evening darkness." *** with this app, you can view the night-sky in the electro-magnetic spectrum that are invisible to the human eye.

My astro-apps include a 'built-in' red filter - £0.00 - free with purchase/download! ?

Hi Sophie and welcome to SGL. As per above... it is chromatic abberation. Using zoom binoculars for astronomy is not ideal... and if you are seeing it during the daytime hours too, then you should return them.

Just an update to the image of my previous entry...

A spare quick-release plate for my Kood ballhead---> ...in case I loose one!

As the 'Show us your...' pages are very popular on what equipment we use, here is something different. If you are a member of a local astronomy society, show us your society/club badge/logo. Here's mine... http://www.readingastro.org.uk/about-ras/

A couple of bases from Opticstar for the RDF, I purchased from @Knighty2112 a few weeks ago... I just have to decide what base for which 'scope/OTA!