badgerchap

Well, replaced the transistors and no joy. Can't see anything else wrong, and out of ideas. Oh well, will just have to bite the bullet and fork out for new kit :(

Nice! I'm assuming they're eye-piece projection; what kit were you using?

Excellent news! It's horrible when it feels like you're doing something wrong, doesn't it? What are you getting in the auto guider department?

Soldier on, that's the ticket - or Sailor on, in your case lol. How do you align?

It's a bit of a lark all this imaging isn't it? :) Honestly, we've not chosen the easiest hobby! I guess the easiest thing to do is to start as simple as possible and gently increase the level of complication as your successes grow? :/

I'm glad you've mentioned the ISO James, I'd been thinking about that - turns out I had it on 100! Might have something to do with it! I have seen some excellent results with similar kit to mine using 30s subs and ISO 800, so that will be the next attempt! Thanks for your encouragement though, greatly appreciated. I think the hard thing starting out is to know when you're going right and when you're going wrong!

I was viewing M13 just the other night. Certainly coming along there.

Thanks Jonathan - perseverence will ultimately be the key, I believe!

Yes, I'm really pleased with that tripod - doesn't look that techie, but actually does a much nicer job than any aluminium job I've tried!

You're right, those white William Optics APO's look lovely - I think I'd give one of my arms (the left - I use the right for focussing!) for a nice 120mm!

I have a WO Zenithstar 66 Petzval, Canon EOS 10D and EQ5. It's a pretty modest set up, but fairly simple to begin with I think - at least I can get used to basic ideas before I get too seriously into buying more expensice kit!