iPeace

This is the extent of my solar gear. NOTE: NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE SUN - EVEN IF YOU ARE WEARING SUNGLASSES.

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.

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...

Subtle.

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

Er, not necessary. Edit: I do like the socks!

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

Understood. But Jules is not reviewing whether the scope is suited for the purpose stated at that time. He's not commenting on whether he was advised properly. His writing is not about us, it's about how he regards his scope right now, naturally from his own perspective. It's understandable to read his review in the huge context of what went on before - and Jules acknowledges this explicitly. But any residual exasperation is surely our own. We've never suffered ingratitude or injustice in this context. We can afford to let time-and-time-again be bygones and just partake in what's going on right now, that which Jules chooses to share. We can agree with what he is actually saying or not, and indeed discuss, that's the fun part.

It's an honest, balanced appraisal. And the truth, in my experience. Really, there's no need to read crushing disappointment into the wording of that particular paragraph. If anyone but Jules had written it...?

Fair's fair. I didn't read that someone has a bad scope, or the wrong scope, or that anyone was misinformed in any way. I read that someone has a very nice scope and yet has mixed feelings about it, perhaps in part due to heightened expectations for which no blame is placed, and recognizes the need to compromise and get on with it. It doesn't have to be a problem that needs solving. A continuing journey is much more entertaining. Exasperation tailored to our common interest is to be savored. Who needs daytime television?

Er, did we read the same review?

Surely THAT bee hasn't flown?

Excellent for kilted observing. Most appropriate.

Bless you Jules.

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

Thanks for sharing. It's good to keep questioning whether you're on the right path and very generous of you to express this - even if it drives some of your friends here a bit nuts in their desire to see you sorted once and for all. I had mine for less than a year. It's entirely faultless, even has a Moonlite focuser. I passed it on to an even happier home because I knew it would not be practical enough for me to use this year due to size and weight - and it's no use me speculating any further in the future. Even while I was enjoying it I did wonder whether I was seeing what everyone else was seeing. Yes it could do a bit more than a TV85, but - apparently - nothing I personally couldn't do without. Safe in the assumption that it's as good as it gets, certainly for the money, it freed my mind to ponder what that meant for me. I added a cheap, very decent little Mak and am impressed with what it does for the outlay. I have a sneaking suspicion that if I was to try a newt, collimation and all, I would feel the same. Time will tell.

Here's one.

Certamente.

Well, it's time to go figure. My first one of these was, to my eyes, perfect. The next two that were delivered to me displayed a dim, yet very clear horizontal spike through bright objects at power - Jupiter, to be specific. Now, I have been delivered one which is as good as the first, as far as I can tell - and that's all that matters, in the end. And yet, this seems to leave unresolved how the other two could be so clearly so less good. I am prepared to accept Baader's explanation that they were produced within tolerances but that there are still differences between individual specimens that most users don't notice; on the other hand, I don't fancy myself a particulary discerning observer. In any case, Baader have come through for me, and I now own two very good - spikeless - T2 Amici prisms for nocturnal correct-image observing. The experience has made me reconsider the use of classic mirror diagonals, though, and I suspect I will be using them side by side. If at any moment I suspect I'm not getting the best image, to be able to grab a mirror diagonal out of the bag seems just plain good.

YUMMY

Straight through observing with the Mak 102.