fozzybear

5 minutes ago, solarboy said:

Hi 

 Trying to download lated comet data in cartes du ceil it keeps coming up  with failed .

I used to beable to do it but it's been a while since I did it and can't remember how to  I  did it. 

check in setup then internet then orbital elements

Pictures will help a lot on whats needed/missing so maybe a photo of the mount and if confident a photo of the Mirror either in situ or if confident removing the 4 Pozi screws supporting the primary cell at the rear and also marking the orientation somehow tape or a black marker then a photo of the Mirror. 

you've nothing to loose cleaning the Primary plenty of vid's online. But if you want piece of mind post an image of the Primary and any other items you care  on here and you will get advice. Also what Size scope etc might help

3 minutes ago, Mognet said:

I needed a lightweight counterweight so I could do some widefields with my existing camera kit while I procrastinated over buying something dedicated, so after a rummage through my cupboard I came up with an idea to use a couple of small baked bean tins and a 3D printed holder as they would come in around the same weight as the camera and lens

The design might not be quite right yet, but at least it's among my saner ideas! 🤪

I designed it in Fusion360, and I'll share the files if anyone wants them

and at the end of the session heat the tins up and eat the beans voila bonne appetite....

On 09/03/2021 at 18:55, old_eyes said:

Hi,

 

I used one of these Minix boxes for a couple of years, fixed to the tripod or pier. I found a couple of problems that prompted me to switch:

I found they didn't like the cold very much. Particularly the micro-sd card slot for additional storage. The internal storage is severely limited and not upgradable, so I needed something extra. That meant a USB external drive for reliability, occupying one of my precious USB sockets.

I found that even though it had one USB3 socket, it struggled to work with my CMOS camera. Timing issues (or maybe power) meant that it would fail to download a sub frequently, sometimes hanging the computer. Basically, I could never get it to run reliably for my rig.

I also failed to get it to autoboot on power up, although the manufacturers swore it could do it.

I switched to a Lenovo Thinkcentre Tiny PC bought secondhand from here - https://www.tier1online.com/728-10aas3r500/refurbished-lenovo-thinkcentre-m93p-tiny-i5-4570t-2-90ghz. Ex corporate machnes in good nick at a good price. My last four computers and laptops have come from there.

It is much more a 'real' computer  in a very small box. I has provided all the compute power, sockets and storage I need. Has WIn 10 Pro so I can use the remote desktop, and in every way has worked perfectly for over a year. I have had many problems in that time, but never due to that tiny-PC.

@Skipper Billy's Intel NUC's are another solution. More expensive than the MInix, but more powerful and more reliable.

I am constantly amazed at what people can do with the Raspberry Pi, but it would have taken me quite some time to assemble it, get used to it and the new programmes. I am happy with my choice. 

Sits on the pier and runs off the same 12V supply as everything else.

I got one of these for christmas Lenova M93p with the Intel 6400 graphics awaiting the supplier to come back from christmas and mine haywire on the graphics after a windows update as the graphics flickering all over the place only result was to downgrade the graphics driver to basic windows one. it is a windows 10 Pro 64bit.

this is a godsend as at a weekend me foraging in our local forest. From my second grandchild. Result as if unsure our local chemist checks if good or bad.

1 hour ago, fozzybear said:

My new Tak arrived via santa for christmas

from my 3 year old grand daughter to Grandad 

My new Tak arrived via santa for christmas

Hi and welcome. Me used to love a "Holland's pies" pork pie. Not had one in a long while. 

1 minute ago, Kenny2605 said:

Are all the lens there compatible? 

if you have any questions email FLO and they will advise you about the eyepieces

Just now, Kenny2605 said:

Are all the lens there compatible? 

yup

17 minutes ago, Kenny2605 said:

A Skywatcher Skyhawk 114/100 eq1

or a Celestron PowerSeeker 114eq

just for anyone who know about compareisons. 
 

Thanks 

 

Ken

Ken

they are the same in principle but different manufacture like the one you already have so the question is what do you want, where to go from here? have you used the scope you inherited. Don't get me wrong you can get carried away with all idea's want this want that it can become a rabbit hole and how much £££ to spend. One step at a time get to know the scope you have maybe join a local club then go from there. And ask here for help.

cheers  

21 minutes ago, Kenny2605 said:

Is there additional eye pieces I can get for magnification there’s 2x Barlow lens,super 25wide angle and super 10mm lens? Also can I get universal lens? Or strictly skywatcher lens? 

2x Barlow Lens

Super 25 Wide Angle long eye relief

Super 10mm 

try the scope with the std lens supplied then look at https://www.firstlightoptics.com/bst-starguider-eyepieces.html they are a reasonable addition and better than the stock one's. Better to try the scope as is and then descide your way forward rathe r than throwing money away...

13 minutes ago, Kenny2605 said:

Is there anyway to correct that or is it a matter of getting a diff ent telescope for that? Is so what type would be required? What mirrors? 

it's the nature of them unless you look for an image rectifying eyepiece or prism and at the price they want for these just get used to using the scope as is you soon get used to it... If looking for a great book search for "Turn left at Orion" to get you started

2 minutes ago, Cornelius Varley said:

The telescope is a Skywatcher Skyhawk 114/1000 (aperture 114mm, focal length 1000mm) on an EQ1 mount. This particular telescope is a bit shorter than 1000mm and uses a corrector lens mounted in the focuser to correct the focal length and spherical aberrations created by the telescopes spherical main mirror. The generic manual for this telescope can be found at

146.pdf (opticalvision.co.uk) . The manual covers a range of telescopes using the EQ1 mount.

peter you beat me to it as i added some text to post

Ken welcome to SGL have a look at skywatchers website https://inter-static.skywatcher.com/upfiles/en_download_caty01316546551.pdf as per Ian's comments also look at https://www.opticalvision.co.uk/beginners-telescopes/skyhawk-114.html

A warm welcome from France. 

I see Affinity Photo now a V2 version anyone played with it yet? Demo version that is as not yet willing to part with funds on the the upgrade. I have asked James for an update for the astro cummunity for benefits apart from the 40% discount. Sorry to highjack post

Have you  tried asking James on here he works for Serif James Ritson

Pete

also have you added any extra catalogues see https://www.ap-i.net/skychart/en/documentation/installation_of_extra_catalogs

did you then click select catalogue it should populate the field for you. at the bottom it does say catalogues awailable in red

go into setup then catalog then VO Catalog then click ad then select mirror for me the nthe world is your oyster if this is what you are seeking also read albeit in french https://www.astronomie-va.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2449

here is a copy of phd2-2.6.11-installer.exephd2-2.6.11-installer.exe if it helps

maybe let us know for what scope you looking to install it?

1 hour ago, lguise said:

Has anyone come across a visual back with standard SCT thread direct to 1.25” and a decent non marking locking system? It’s for a smaller scope and I don’t have room for a Baader 2” click lock or similar because of the focus knob position. 

Any leads gratefully received. I asked the guys at FLO but they hadn’t come across one. Baader do one that is T2 thread but not SCT.

Many thanks,

Linton

how small is the scope i use a Baader one on my Celestron C5 and no problem with interfering with the focuse knob?