jock1958

10 hours ago, Stu said:

It did this time, yes. Every previous effort I’ve made has been unsuccessful, it just seemed stuck fast so I’ve no idea what freed it finally.

Sorry Stu missed your earlier post on unscrewing the lens cell and understand now why you did it. 
Unless there’s a need I’ll do what I did last time and remove the dew shield only to clean the front of the lens. 

Nice job @Stu Ive done my FC-100DL the once since I bought it in 2018 and it’s probably due another going over.
Hadn’t thought about removing the lens cell to do it though, I just unscrewed the dew shield for access.  

Does the lens cell just unscrew?

2 minutes ago, Carbon Brush said:

What is 'sons new scope'? That (in my view) influences finder choice.

Skywatcher 150PDS I believe in the title 🤔

I have a Sky Surfer III on my small 60mm refractor and a combination of a Telrad and Skywatcher RACI finder on my 100mm refractor. All those finders are relatively inexpensive, the Telrad is my favourite as it does the job the best IMO, downside it’s a bit bulky and not that pretty! 
Another option is a Rigel Quickfinder, works similar to the Telrad 🤔

Good advice from above. Had dew spots on my objective lens even with a dew strap fitted. I use a rocket blower first to get rid of any loose debris then the baader wonder fluid & cloths. Loads on you tube and this forum about it, I started a thread a few years ago about dew spots on my Takahashi FC-100 lens. 

3 hours ago, AstroNebulee said:

Courtesy of fellow sgl member @beamer3.6m a new to me telrad and diy dew shield. Can't wait to use it now. Looking good on the scope.

Lee

 

I’ve tried all sorts of red dot finders but for me the Telrad does it best!! just wish someone would improve the design & looks. PS like the dew shield, made mine out of a cardboard tube and painted it black 🤣

On 25/12/2022 at 13:17, Philip R said:

I see 'Monarch of the Glen Moon'...

  

You and Jeremy beat me to it, Reindeers Antlers!! 🤣🤣

2 hours ago, mikeDnight said:

I found that the Olll works better on larger aperture scopes. I know that while sketching the Veil nebula using my 5" refractor, I needed to sketch the nebula with the filter in place, then remove it so I could sketch the starfield, superimposing the stars. Only the brightest stars are visible through an Olll unless you're using a large aperture.

 The UHC is a much more pleasing filter for use in smaller apertures. However, i personally find that good dark adaption and prolonged study of an object should not be overlooked. I rarely use filters for most nebulae. The longer you observe something, the more you'll see. For example, you might look at the Pleiades and almost immediately see a couple of stars with a light fuzz around them. After half an hour looking at the Pleiades the entire cluster is enmeshed in nebulosity. The trick is to shield your peripheral vision from surrounding stray light, either by using a blackout blanket or hood, or driving to a dark site. 

From my suburban back garden I have to work very hard to see the Veil with my 4” frac + OIII filter but without it there’s absolutely no chance. 

My Tak + UHC filter will give much more pleasing results on targets such as M27 (dumbbell), M42 in Orion, M17 (Swan), M8 (lagoon) & M57 plus other planetary nebulae. 
As you say Mike, if you want  to see these objects more easily then it’s a trip out to a dark site, dark adaptation and black out hood! 

18 minutes ago, wookie1965 said:

Can I ask which Refractor is the one most people would love in their possession I have seen loads of posts about Takahashi`s but I have read posts about the Skywatcher Equinox 120ED so if money was no object what would you go for.

For me I would be extremely very happy with a Takahashi TSA 120, it has the aperture, it’s fairly portable, has the looks, the engineering and of course it’s a Tak!! oh and not forgetting a Feather Touch focuser bolted on 😉🤣

Nice report @Stu I was gearing up to go outside about 7pm before clouds rolled swiftly in!  Like you have never figured out how to accurately work out the magnification with bino-viewers 🤔

9 hours ago, ukskies said:

Just been looking at these this morning on FLO and the Berlebach website and you're right Jeremy, the UNI 28 is a much better choice than the 18 and as there's very little difference in price I will go for the 28.

Out of stock atm with FLO and I don't have the readies either so quite prepared to wait. I can carry on with the report and I also have a Vixen 3 leg pier mount if I need something rigid, it isn't ideal as I'd have to sit lower but between the two I can manage for a month or two.

Great thread this, started off all about the FC-100DF and now deviated slightly into some rather nice looking wooden tripods 🤣

Just as a matter of interest I did some comparisons between my Skywatcher AZ4 tripod & the BB Uni 18.
Both are 33” high with legs retracted..great I thought same dimensions as mine 😄

However the Uni is 1kg heavier than my AZ4 which weighs in at 8kg, bit surprised by this as I thought it would be lighter and rules out one of the reasons to buy one, looks like I’ll stick with what I’ve got for the time being unless I can convince myself otherwise 🤔

10 hours ago, ukskies said:

Thanks Mike for your suggestions and the pics. Your DZ looks lovely on that Vixen GP.

I did consider a Skywatcher steel EQ5 tripod and if one came up 2nd hand I'd grab it and upgrade to a Berlbach later on but a look thro the classifieds wasn't fruitful unfortunately.

I also have a Vixen pier mount which i could use but only short term as height is an issue with that one, it's really for a Newtonian

There’s an EQ5 tripod plus extras including a Skytee 2 mount on UK ABS, it’s up for £400. Might be worth a punt and ask if they will split? 

5 hours ago, JeremyS said:

 

I have used my FC100 DZ on a ScopeTech Zero mount with BB Report 312 and it’s borderline. I think the DC might be slightly lighter which would help.

I prefer my BB Uni with a beefier head with the DZ

Merry Christmas Jeremy, sounds like the BB uni would be a suitable replacement for my AZ4 🤔 would good if there was a place you could test drive tripods before buying? don’t know anyone in my local astro club that has one?

I use my scopetech zero with my Tak FS60Q & manfrotto 190 tripod which isn’t really up to the job, I think the 055 would be a much better bet 🤔

2 hours ago, ukskies said:

Merry Christmas.

The report 112 is really a photographic tripod but mine has a modified EQ5 head fitted. My original idea was to use it with a pier extension and not to extend the legs thinking it would be sturdy enough but now I don't think this is a good idea. No I wouldn't recommend the 112 for your DL having tried it. I don't know if the Report 112 is still available tbh.

I think this may be the newer version. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/berlebach-tripods/berlebach-report-312-tripod.html

Something sturdier is what is required and I'm in the same boat as you having to research for a suitable one however there is lots of help on SGL.

Hi Gary and a Merry Christmas to you

Thanks for that bit of info. I was going to suggest to you about not extending the legs and getting a pier extension but you were already on the case.

My AZ4 is rock solid but found it a faff to take outside and extend the legs so bought the 16" skywatcher extension tube, however I found it far too heavy and long so I experimented and settled with a shorter DIY aluminium tube using the end fittings from the skywatcher tube. I find it much easier taking my Tak, Skytee 2 & tripod outside in a oner. 

The idea of getting a Berlebach was mainly for aesthetic reasons and hope that it would save some weight, the AZ4 does the job very well but I do like the look of those wooden tripods.

Cheers Iain

17 hours ago, ukskies said:

 

Yes it is a Report 112 modded for EQ5/Vixen. I had my suspicions it wouldn't quite be up to the job before I tried it.

Been thinking of replacing my steel leg AZ4 tripod with a wooden Berlebach or similar for sometime, would need to do some research in regards which model to get as it sounds like your Report 112 wouldn’t work for my DL 🤔

7 hours ago, Captain Scarlet said:

Out tonight briefly as it was unexpectedly clear after a rainy afternoon and evening. I only took my 15x56 bins, it was too windy for anything more elaborate.

As my previous post suggests, I first looked at the Pleiades and of course Ally’s Braid. M81/82 were found quite easily, but M101 and M51 eluded me, they were still too low over the main light dome over Skibbereen, with some haze still around. M31/32/110 were easy (M31 naked eye too) and while up close to zenith I found Kemble’s Cascade. M33 was quite evident, perhaps even a bit of structure, so on that basis I returned to M101 and eventually _just about_ found it.

I thought about going for M1 Crab, which I have seen through these bins from this spot before, but for stability I’d’ve had to sit in the garden chair I keep there, and that was still slimy wet, so no.

Meissa was lovely (I call it the “Luger” asterism), as was Mintaka’s S and of course M42.

Impatient now for a proper scope session before Luna reappears.

Magnus

Nice report Magnus and amazing what you can see with bins & the naked eye.

I’ve tried for years and so far M101 & M33 have eluded me, skies where I live are just not dark enough maybe I need to do some travelling and get myself up to dark site. 

4 hours ago, Mr Spock said:

Oh myyyy... accessories for something-or-other, can't say what 😜

I wonder…Tak FS-60 or similar?? 🤔😉

4 hours ago, HollyHound said:

I have two more of these exact diagonals, one permanently connected to the MaxBright binoviewers, the other for use with just 1.25” eyepieces.

That one is configured exactly how you have it and works brilliantly 👍

Those Baader diagonals are great bits of kit and really versatile, I use mine on my Tak FS60Q & FC-100DL with and without WO BV’s, also have a 2” mirrored one for my 31 TV Nagler.
At some stage in the future I would love some Maxbright II’s but happy to wait until funds and availability allows!!

3 hours ago, ukskies said:

hi and thanks for your helpful post. Your post poses a question:

Aren't FC100's beautiful, your DL looks gorgeous doesn't it and I do like the look of that Starlight Instruments focuser on it too.

Thanks, yes my DL is a superb scope and you’ve probably guessed I’ve had absolutely no regrets in buying it! 

Before I replaced the original focuser I spent ages researching suitable alternatives and for me the Starlight FT focuser ticked all the boxes, it’s an expensive upgrade but well worth it in my opinion! 
Whatever you decide enjoy 😉 
 

3 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

Jock. That’s great. Didn’t realise Baader do a 1.25 in clicklock that fits this diagonal. 
He heads for the FLO website 🤣🤣££

 

Hi John,

That’s great, I found it makes a big difference swapping eyepieces over in the dark. Apologies I called it a quick lock and it’s a click lock even though there’s no ‘click’ that I can detect, somebody might be along to enlighten us all 🤔

29 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

A quick lock on the eyepiece side ?? 
Please tell me more 👍

John 

Hi John

Pics below of my diagonal with click lock and 2” nose piece. Baader are really good at making bits & bobs that swap over really easily, basically screw on and off.
If you need any more info don’t hesitate to ask, cheers Iain.
 

Congratulations @ukskies on your purchase, I'm sure you will be very, very pleased with it!!  

I plumped for the FC-100DL and absolutely love it, the only thing I've added is a Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Pinion Focuser as the standard Tak focuser whilst good didn't provide that extra micro tweak I need, also its beautifully engineered, easy to fit and IMO compliments the original Tak focuser housing, on the downside is the cost!  

More Blue do a FT focuser similar to the MEF-3 and used to be cheaper? I've fitted one to my Tak FS-60Q and am very happy with it, there's a thread I started last year all about it.

Further to this I had my Tak for over a year before I added that FT focuser, others have commented that they find the stock focuser entirely adequate and you might have same thoughts after you have some time with it.

46 minutes ago, Telescope40 said:

A couple of nice deliveries. 
Baader prism diagonal courtesy of @HollyHound

Should go well with my Maxbrights. 
Also some Baader wonder fluid. Heard too many positive reviews. 
John 

Bought mine over 5 years ago and it’s excellent, I’ve swapped the nose piece for a 2” and the helical focuser for a quick lock which I find easier to use. 

4 hours ago, Fedele said:

17.12.22 ore 23:50
C8EDGEHD, Baradv 1,9 x, ADC, AIS224MC
AsiStudio, AstroSurface

 

Nice one @Fedele you’ve captured some nice detail including that blue / grey polar hood and intricate albedo features! 

Hi and a warm welcome to SGL! Plenty of good advice to be had on here.