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D Wright

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  • Gender
    Male
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    Carlisle Cumbria

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  1. I have already performed a star test and using the only eyepiece that works (a 20 mm) the stars were pinpoint. I have made an adaptor so I can use my 1.25" eyepieces, just need a diagonal now. All I have done so far is strip the focuser and clean the 50 year old grease that was more like glue off and re-grease. The focuser is very good quality and is now smooth as silk.
  2. I have been given an old Ascotron refractor on a basic EQ mount with wooden tripod to restore. Has anyone ever heard of Ascotron telescopes? It takes .96" eyepieces which are all beyond repair apart from one. It is a Japanese 60mm 800mm focal length scope and from what I have seen through it the optics seem really good. It was apparently bought in Australia in the 1960's.
  3. The 450P is a fantastic scope. Huge light gathering but easy to put up and control. The week before last when there was no moon I was observing the Coma Berenices and Leo area and I have never seen so many galaxies. I can see things down to Mag 14.5. It does help that I live in a Bortle 3 area. They are very sturdy as well as I have found out. I keep it outside with a 365 cover on it and so far it has blown over 3 times. The last time it blew over onto paving and I panicked thinking it must be broken but not a scratch on it. It is now tied to a 6' fence post on a 3' fence spike so I can remove the post for use.
  4. Last night the moon was too bright to do anything else so I decided to do some lunar observing as it was nice and clear. I had forgotten how much pleasure you can get from this. I was using my 18" Dob. Normally I use my Naglers with this scope but I decided to use some of my 1.25" eyepieces to get more magnification. I had my 12.5 mm BST and a 2.5 barlow in and WOW. 360 X magnification and so clear. I concentrated on the area around Copernicus and could see all the mountains of the Montes Carapatus. The area of Sinus Iridium was spectacular too. This is definitely the best I have ever seen the moon.
  5. HI I am in Cumbria north of Brampton near Roadhead.
  6. Another +1 for Sharpcap pro. So easy to use and accurate. I have had polar alignment of 1-2 arc seconds and consequently got subs of 5 minutes unguided.
  7. I went along the same lines as you with my old 10" newt but when I fitted the RACI finder I couldn't tell what the scope was pointing at. I would advise getting either a simple red dot finder or a Rigel or Telrad so you can tell which part of the sky you are pointing at.
  8. I got my EQ6-R in December. I have not tried guiding yet but I absolutely love the mount. I moved up from a CG5 AGT and the EQ6-R just blows it out of the water. I polar align using Sharpcap with a modified finder/guider and can get 5 minutes unguided with no trailing. I have all the equipment for guiding just haven't worked out how yet. I second everything that has been said about the EQ6-R.
  9. Here's my Esprit 100 triplet APO in action on Sunday night.
  10. Hi, I was the old bloke who had a chat with you on 25th Jan at kielder , I couldn't remember the name of the camera system that I use to get an accurate polar alignment.It is called PoleMaster.  The software has changed for the better since I bought mine and is now very easy to see,but you will have to use a laptop unless you can use a desktop from your location. There are a few videos on Youtube that are helpful. Pity I didn't have more time,but apart from me not wearing enough skins ,my family provided the transport and had work the following morning. I would go there often but I don't have a car.Anything I can help with I'm a retired bus driver of nearly 5 years so I have plenty of time.

    Clear Skys  

    John.

  11. I made a dew shield for my 10" reflector from a yoga mat from Sports Direct. It is fabric coated neoprene foam with a stiched edge. I used sticky velcro to join it where it wraps around the tube but I found that the adhesive was lifting so I stapled the velcro to the mat. Now I have a very nice dew shield which works a treat. As a finishing touch I stencilled "Orion" on it in white. Looks the biz.
  12. Here is a link to the website I used to make my mask it covers most scopes or you can enter your own sizes for a custom design. Hope this helps.
  13. 12v supply, in my case power lead from car battery. I haven't got a power tank yet. Unfortunately that is way down on the list of things to buy as I take the car whenever I go observing.
  14. Here is my Orion GX250 f4.9 with mods I have done myself
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