iPeace

37 minutes ago, Racey said:

Leave it with me...  You've been so helpful to us, @Mrs Racey and I will start one of those crowdfunding exercises !! We'll get you through this buddy... ?

I'm fine, really. The path I'm on is better value for my money than mental health care. I've responded much better to the green letter treatment than to any of the others. I can almost come out in daylight, now.

P.S. Only ridiculing myself, here. 

8 hours ago, Racey said:

Well actually... I wasn't wondering  

But seeing as you felt the need to confess I'd like to try and reassure that help is available  by pointing out there are helplines for such afflictions...

?

Sorry, can't afford a phone.

Aegean Lunacy.

Here's a list which I copied into SkySafari. It's the Astronomical League's Double Star Program, see:

Double Star Program

Double Star Program.skylist

17 minutes ago, John said:

Thats very useful "rule of thumb" advice Mike

My 130mm F/9 triplet is into GM11 territory I reckon

I still think there is a niche for a manual alt-az that is somewhere between the Ercole / Skytee II / AZ8 and the DM6 / APM AzMaxLoad / T-Rex in capacity terms. 

 

Yep. An AZ11. 

1 minute ago, SonnyE said:

You do realize you have doomed yourself to a year or two of bloody awful skies.

Always follows new equipment....

I appreciate the sentiment, and there's profound truth to that - but we've done alright, actually. Admittedly a glass-half-full thing, but that's just me.

59 minutes ago, jabeoo1 said:

I was only looking at this again today, but I can't justify it over my Berlebach & Sabre mount, I think I will just pretend the AZ8 does not exist

After using it a while, I still think it's awesome - and perfect for me, as it's an ideal way to over-mount a TV-85 (a heavy scope for what it is, a mere 85/600 APO doublet).

Anyone considering it should keep in mind that it's basically a reworked GM8 - in other words, think of which EQ  mount you would choose for your scope, a GM8 or a GM11. If the GM8 would suffice, then this is your alt-az mount. If you would really need the GM11 for your scope, then adjust your expectations accordingly. Also factor in your own personal fussiness with regard to how solidly mounted the scope should be; what's fine for some will be marginal or even intolerable for others.

If your Ercole or Sabre or SkyTee is getting it done for you, but you want slo-mo or perhaps less of what the SkyTee occasionally seems to offer, the AZ8 is hard to ignore.

Conversely, if it seems like an extravagance, it probably is. Mine sure seems like one, and it's delicious.

On 05/17/2017 at 01:10, Helen said:

And now the before and after pictures....

 

 

 

A big improvement I think 

Now off to find some online lycra (can I get a matching star pattern for the shroud???

Helen

Well, I like it a lot - and it definitely sinks any residual hope I had for ever figuring out what dobs are about.

28 minutes ago, Racey said:

If Susie can happily do it...

Susie has exceptional powers not to be discussed here.

We'll see.

12 minutes ago, Stu said:

I can say from personal experience that Moose will show you cracking white light solar views with a Herschel Wedge  

Does sound like fun. Still wary, but appreciative.

This is the extent of my solar gear.

NOTE: NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN - EVEN IF YOU ARE WEARING SUNGLASSES.

Just now, Highburymark said:

Very nice Mike - I'm also a convert to Nagler T6s, so I'll be very interested to hear how you get on with them. Does this mean you've jettisoned the Vixen HRs?

 

Oh, no. My 2.4mm HR is still in the fold, as are a few others not in this holiday snap.

It is a sign of my times, though, moving from the larger, heavier Ethos (back) to the more compact power of Nagler.

Makes me feel old fashioned, in these heady days of Delos and DeLite. I like that.

You don't have to admit it. I know you were wondering.

1 minute ago, jonathan said:

I like it, however how do you carry a few at once securely, how do you store them, and how do you know what's in each bag?

Fair comments. This is mainly for stowage in nooks and crannies of carry-on backpack. Once on location, I use this neat bum bag by Geoptik.

Sometimes, they just travel easier when individually cased...

1 hour ago, carastro said:

I presume you're both into Astronomy then.

Subtle.

Pre-loved, well cared for, superbly packaged by @Space Beagle and delivered today.

Thanks, Doc.

3 hours ago, Helen said:

All will be revealed later...

Er, not necessary.

Edit: I do like the socks!

Moose, my brand new TV-60, in action for the first time.

1 minute ago, DRT said:

Very nice, Gordon.

I assume from the proportions that the previous bee in the bonnet was a solution to safely carrying a hip flask and a crystal glass up a hill?  

Surely THAT bee hasn't flown?

10 minutes ago, Floater said:

Now the above posts made me think (an achievement in itself). And since eyepiece 'case' is obviously/apparently flexible, I give you this.

I have now found a good use for a snazzy little padded bag Mrs Floater fashioned for me when another bee was in my bonnet. That bee flew away and the wee bag has not been used. But it's perfectly proportioned for these three 'essentials' on a minimalist outing. And the two not in use will be kept nice 'n cosy

(I'm also pleased this pic is of a slightly better quality than those in my last post. Every day is a classroom ...)

 

 

Excellent for kilted observing. Most appropriate.

57 minutes ago, Highburymark said:

A) 24mm Panoptic or ES

B Decent mid range zoom

C) Nagler 3-6mm zoom 

= unbeatable travel EP case.

Is there any better configuration of 3 EPs to cover all bases?

For travel, the Baader wins on size and weight - which is also why there's a 24mm Panoptic incoming.

Here's one.

5 minutes ago, Piero said:

We can perceive things very differently, which is quite intriguing.

Personally, I am fine with the left-right reversed view due to diagonal mirrors, I'm definitely happy with the straight through finder view on my dob, I see differences on axis in eyepieces (TV etc), and the edge is not very important to me...

Apart from the first point, the remaining three are orthogonal to the feelings of most. I believe one should follow his/her own way eventually.

As you my second (and serious) introduction into this hobby has been predominantly supported by TV equipment. Funnily I'm having less and less TV components as time passes. 

Tastes are so personal!

Certamente.