souls33k3r

You don't have to focus on a bright star. Focusing on a bright star will get you close but you always fine tune it at the target. You don't have to slew to a different patch of the sky to refocus when filter changes. Use the zoom feature on your acquisition software on your target and you'll find one of the brightest starts amongst the bunch in the same frame that you can focus on.

Me with a "Starwand"

Oh you just opened a can of worms Steve

CQ350, very very interesting. I'm guessing it will sit somewhere in between the CEM60 and EQ8 price range considering it's capacity.

Not in its original case. Bought myself one of these cases https://www.cases-and-enclosures.co.uk/aluminium-flight-case-850x295x270mm.html I leave everything (camera, fw, flattener, scope and rings) attached and dew shield fully extended and its a perfect fit. You will need to size up according to your kit.

There was never a 51mm quad, the closest were a 65mm and a 70mm and the answer to being quradruple the price of the redcat ... again no.

Shame. Keeping an eye on this thread for when they become available. Cheers Steve.

I take it's the same story with the EC version as well Steve?

This is how i roll ?

and that's a maybe but i don't think the price of that beast will be anywhere near this beauty

This could be a real game changer if he can keep the price down to what the current Mesu is for. Will i be stoned to death if i say there isn't any better mounts out there in this price bracket at the moment?

Very true, it was wide open. But boy could this thing fly or what

Not a bad shout. I was actually thinking about this the other day. I mean security lights. I think i do need one any way.

Not a bad shout mate but i've had a really bad experience with one of these bad boys just last summer. I was out having a nice lunch with the family, a gust of wind came and blew it across 2 houses

Well I had the similar story with the WO Star 71 MKii but that was a quad. I'm sure ES will be able to make it all better but if I'm being honest I don't fall in to all the hype the paid contributors create all over the Internet, real tests are performed by people like yourself and many others here. I think one should get the hint when you hear things like WO are unable to keep up with the demand then of course someone is bound to cut corners and unfortunately QC is always the first to take the hit. I just hope this is not wider issue and was only with the two scopes you had.

That's most certainly not a bad price if i'm being honest but good are they under sun?

Couldn't agree more John. Yeah i've read that you mentioned how you've not had a good experience with the Telegizmos 365 cover and the poor design but since i'm only putting the mount head out, can i get away with one of those cheaper version covers that i've listed in the above post or maybe even cheaper than that some breathable waterproof covers from B&Q sort? it only needs to cover the mount head and that too for a few days at one stretch at best.

Thank you all for all the valuable input. Given me a lot of ideas and lots to think about. I'm not sure yet whether i will be leaving my mount setup (without the scope) all the time or maybe set it up a day or two before hand and then leave it out if there are clear nights predicted in success and this got me thinking about dedicated telescope covers. So for the above situation, the questions that i have are: 1) Do i really have to invest in a more expensive Telegizmo 365 or one of these Astro Jackets (https://ensoptical.co.uk/index.php?_route_=telescope-covers/tempest-med-cover) covers or can i do with either something like https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telegizmos-telescope-covers/telegizmos-scope-cover-for-925-scts.html or https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/geoptik-high-quality-telescope-cover-medium.html or even a cheap waterproof / breathable cover from B&Q? 2) All what i need is cover the mount head, so i think i can stick to the smallest available size? Thanks

I use the mono version of the camera and never had any issues. Works every time mate.

Not going to happen mate my wife is going to kill me for spending the kids inheritance money in such a way I should consider myself lucky for being able to keep 2 scopes ?

Lots of very useful advice. Can't thank everyone for their input. I now have a much clearer picture and got a few very neat ideas from this thread. Much appreciated all those who replied

I was thinking, maybe make the whole thing look like a greenhouse of some sort at some point.

Will indeed be taking an extra security measure for sure but truth be told i wouldn't want to give anyone the idea that some expensive thing is underneath the covers. That's the whole point.

Great solution but slightly an overkill in my situation. Only because i won't be looking to leave anything other than the mount head, not always but most of the times. The scope will come back in side because i'm not really that confident on leaving expensive kit outside. All what i'm looking for are some ideas (some great ones have been suggested above) on how to sort of hide the mount and pier in plain sight when covered up