iPeace

I use a Tak prism in my Borg 71FL, which, if I'm not mistaken, has the same focal ratio of 5.6. The views are better to my eyes than with a mirror diagonal - one labelled 'everbrite dielectric' from some obscure firm named 'Tele Vue'. That said, I'll probably keep at least one good mirror handy to swap in whenever doubts should descend.

Bits won't fall off. Which is good. And puts one's mind at rest. You can try a few SkyTees for the cost. Which makes one think. And think some more. We've previously discussed how, surely, the market could accomodate something in between...

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7967_Losmandy-AZ8-Alt-azimuth-Mount---fine-adjustment---mount-head.html There may be others.

That's two. There's always that subjective bit - one man's quick-to-settle is another's...well, something else. But that being said, I like it, it works very well for me. (I have never been inclined to determine just how quick it actually is - I myself take this as a good sign.) After gently scrolling the lunar surface in slo-mo, there's no real sensation of having to wait for the view to settle. The main reason I have the newt is for high-mag lunar (and for when the odd planet slips out from behind a chimney). And on the AZ8, it does great. The whole setup is, of course, only as good as the weakest link. I suspect the PLANET tripod is giving me an edge here. I wasn't as satisfied with the focusing wobbles when using a SW 120ED with the AZ8 on its own tripod - something I put down to me not getting on with bigger fracs. I feel it would have been better with the PLANET (the 120ED moved on before the PLANET arrived) but whether it would have seen me keeping the 120ED, I don't know. So if the above means I'm not all that easy to please - and am still very happy with the performance of the AZ8 / Berlebach combination at high mags - at least, with a decent-sized newt - does this help?

Hi Alan. Love it. It takes my 8" f/6 newt without issues, thus letting me slo-mo the Moon on those rare good nights. I don't see them often mentioned; the retail price might nudge otherwise interested parties towards the SkyTee. The only used one I ever saw listed was quickly snapped up by some guy who already owned one but wanted a spare. Me.

For what it's worth (as always): Whenever I use an HR, it invariably gives me a 'wow, that's nice' - no matter how much I thought I was expecting it. Yes, the FOV is what it is, and if you're nudging manually you have to work for it, but it's just worth it. The eye relief doesn't bother me; I suppose it feels like using a Nagler Zoom. Then there's the DeLites. They are absolutely luxurious to use. So nice, you'd feel guilty if they didn't cost so much. Or maybe not, but you understand. And the view is so good, you don't mind not using the HR...until you use the HR again, of course... Not being helpful here, I guess... I'm somehow inclined to think that the HR is for those who like 'orthos'. Thing is, I've never used an ortho myself, so who am I to say? Given that you like your orthos and your Nagler Zoom, I can't help but think you'd really, really like an HR. Not that you'd regret a DeLite... I'll stop now.

For what it's worth, this is as far as I got on a previous occasion: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/315216-short-shootout-vixen-hr-34-delite-4-nagler-35/ I'm sure there will be other nights on which to try this again.

Side note: interestingly (perhaps), I find that I need some extra travel to reach focus with these. Will read your reports with interest.

Well done. The 'short' DeLites are just SO nice (this is no judgement of the 'longer' ones)... if what they do for me in a Borg 71FL is anything to go by, you won't be missing that 3.7mm Ethos. The fun (and torment) really starts when you get the chance to compare them with a 3.4mm Vixen HR... I'm glad I don't have to make an outright choice. I could do with a half-decent night out, though, it's been so long. Hope you get yours soon with the new EPs.

From Paul (@Tiki), by way of Steve (@Saganite) and Alan (@Alan White), this little gem has made its way to me. All true gents, whom I hope to meet in person some day, and who have taken great care to help make this happen. My thanks, appreciation and best wishes to them. Now, hopefully, for a clear night to see what I've got...

Reading the OP's...OP, the thread seems to have come full circle.

Well, not everyone. But it's often the most convenient way to fit them in. I do agree that vertical placement can work well and it does for me in a certain case (pun alert). No pics at the moment, perhaps in due course.

It seems pretty simple - and does indeed rely on horizontal positioning.

I keep looking at these; very much inclined to try one for visual.

I truly appreciate FLO's role in all this. It's great to have a supplier of such straightforward integrity.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of view offered by a very cheerfully-priced 6" f/6 from GSO. It set me on the Newt Path (the fracs are staying, of course...).

That's an absolute steal - and a GSO mirror is already excellent value. Glad you have a light bucket to swing around when appropriate.

PM incoming

Hm...nice handle...and I've got the same family of rings on my own custom carbon newt. Where's the handle from?

I looked up the item number; if correct, it's unexpected...

That's great to read! Most encouraging.

With many thanks to @Piero and @Saganite , this arrived in great condition. Arguably a gamble for an 8" f/6 Newt (too fast?), the FOV is promising and the exit pupil may be advantageous when filtered. It's so nice and light, too...having used a 41mm Panoptic, a 31mm Nagler and a 21mm Ethos, this feels weightless! I certainly like the look and feel of it. Hope to try it soon.

Roman at http://r-sky.org/en sent me two of these, just the ticket.

Eschew the Labrys!

Well, I bought one absolutely mint new from a local retailer, at the shop, and there were no caps with it in the Tak box. They did give me caps, free of charge. In any case, it wouldn't surprise me if a Tak prism came without caps.