Moonshane

Interested to see what books people have just out of nosiness but also for future purchase ideas. Here's a few of mine.

Here's my 'final case with the addition of a 9mm Delite

This..... thanks Al

Here's one of mine. It's the one at the back ?

Agreed about constant learning. Sounds almost like science ?. I use TV plossls too and made some eyeguards for them which helps with HA.

blimey - it's like a 3x2!

ps I actually thing the plossls are more egonomically effective and also a tad brighter than the Pans.

I have thought about this a few times but I don't really need a wider field as I use them only on solar system objects. Plus there's a significant weight increase with two 24mm Pans vs two 25mm Plossls.

Well, thanks to Astro Al, I am in the process of finishing my eyepiece collection - seriously I think I am. I have been waiting for a 9mm Televue Delite to come up used for sale and his was the first I have seen since they were released. it should be in my sweaty palms by Monday and I'll take a pic then but it will then have to be confiscated until 25/12/ as it's a Christmas present with a contribution that emptied my astro pot again. Here is my case just before last Christmas and it has not changed that much other than I returned the 32mm plossls as there was a lump of something inside and bought a pair of 8mm plossls nd the new Delite will sit in the gap where my plastic cheshire sits.

Depends on the target. Lunar and doubles in good seeing allows up to 500x (honestly). Planets maybe 300x max and other objects depends on the size. Solar between 50-150x. I have scopes from 102mm to 400mm. My most common magnification is hard to say but it's the one that frames the subject and maintains sharpness given conditions. Usually 100-200x but it's irrelevant really as there are so many variables. Maximum is not equal to regularly used of course.

Assuming you can get around the north peg issue could you get someone to machine for you a new central rod with M10 at the bottom and 3/8 at the top, with the waisted bit in the middle - gauge length off the current one . You'd then just need to screw it in from the top of the tripod, add your handwheels and maybe a couple of 'stop nuts) and you're in business.

Well done Mike I agree with your methodology in undoing things that can be put back with no apparent tinkering. There's no real danger in that at all, always worth a go and probably safer than posting back in truth.

If you ever need to add the peg back e.g. to use an eq mount you can always pop a threaded hole in and add a suitable length m8 or m10 bolt with the head under and the thread up

Mine has changed a lot since I started this thread. 102mm f7 ed Giro 3 eq5 tripod Pencils etc Eyepieces Oh yeah binoviewer

Lovely set up. I once saw the Pelican and NAN visually in the same scope from N Wales with Oiii and 32mm TV plossl (I think I had to move the scope a bit but amazing).

I meant more that they should have considered increasing capacity to accommodate say a 120ed. It still looks flimsy to me in the pics compared with the predecessor. Time will tell but other than small scopes it is not something I'd be interested in. Maximum capacities should be taken with a pinch of salt so I'd always buy something of a higher capacity than I'd need to match what I actually want.

I think this is a step back based on what I have seen in this thread only, certainly in terms of capacity at least. It's good that they have added the slomo controls and but I'd have hoped for a bit more capacity. The AZ5 looks a bit flimsy to me and the tripod / connection seems a lot more lightweight. Better for a light, short scope. Maybe there's a AZ6 in the pipeline but personally I have no intention of changing from my giro iii despite the fact this has no slomo controls. When balanced or when I have a scope on both sides (I can run my 120ED and my Tal pst mod together total payload about 15kg) it's very good indeed. For the same sort of money used, I'd go for that or my EQ5 every time. It also takes the scope out from centre quite a bit so you are further from the legs. I got a short 8" extension made and this means I can use any frac really.

Bear in mind also that a winged eyecap (I made some) can really help and the longer you look the more you see.

Albeit with a 100mm pst mod I'd expect you to be seeing detail not unlike this sketch

Assuming the ND3.0 is fitted as it should be there's no real risk at all. In fact, it's only necessary for comfort to add other filters, not for safety.

It used to work for me. Don't look right down though. I don't think it's bright enough for damage but leaves a 'flash mark' for a few minutes.

Nice one mate I used to just take the eyepiece out and (looking from the side not directly into the eyepiece holder) light up the drawtube and pop the eyepiece back in. The sun will be somewhere in the field once you practice a couple of times.

I think either would be great. I do bang on about the T2 connectivity of the Baader Maxbrights and these go used with a GPC generally for about the same sort of money. I'm told from various sources that there's no difference in quality in the cheaper end binos (inc the Maxbrights in this) and even the bigger ones, don't vary in quality just size of aperture / field available.

Personally I prefer the (compression) screw systems in general to the self centering type. I always found a slight turn on a thumb a lot easier than wondering if the self centering tension is correct - I find the former a lot easier to gauge. Others will naturally disagree though. Many swear by the accuracy of the self centering units though and some swap from the thumbscrew ones to get it. I chose the Baader Maxbrights I have for other reasons though as stated.

I am visual only and really like the ones I have had. That said, for visual I doubt you'd go far wrong with Baader/Moonlite/Feathertouch that said to get what most consider the best (FT R&P) £600 is less than some people pay for an eyepiece and it gives pleasure when in use with all your eyepieces so not that OTT really. just save a bit longer if it matters to you!