Moonshane

Another issue with binos and an ADC is that it would be a lot of height to reach in order to see anything. Especially with the scope at a low angle.

I thought the Barlow had to be scope side of the ADC?

Totally agree 👍

Can you use gpcs in mono views instead of the Barlow? I have three types (1.25x, 1.7x and 2.6x)

I actually think you can use acetone for stubborn mainly greasy marks but I've never found the need.

http://www.rfroyce.com/cleaning_new.htm#:~:text=Pour some acetone on the,of the dirt and crud.

I agree that mirrors should only be washed very carefully and if required. Yours sounds very normal and is unlikely to be badly affected.

The mirrors are coated with a few atoms thick coating to achieve the reflectivity and this is easily scratched. A scratch would affect the view more than a sfew dust specks.

All that said, cleaning them is easy with care

Top man!

It's a good way to accurately determine various things but you naturally have to ensure the star is very central  and stays there 👍

Some people use a ball bearing glued on a piece of black card in which the sun's reflection is a pinpoint. 

Nice review. Been looking at the 80mm version of this recently but mainly for the Comet. I think I'll stick with the 120 Equinox for now but I'll be tempted again and your review gives me confidence! The colours for Izar sound right to me.

True!

Just to be clear on star tests, what you have above is a defocused image of the view. A star text is a slightly defocused star at high magnification. e.g. https://astunit.com/astunit_tutorial.php?topic=startest

You could use something like that but I'd check if it is a rotating or non-rotating unit.  Depending on your 'spare' focus travel something like this might be good.

https://www.365astronomy.com/365Astronomy-1.25-Non-rotating-Helical-Micro-Focuser-with-T-thread-and-0.05mm-Scale.html

It's another belter although being picky, I think the composition would be more aesthetically pleasing if the camera was panned right a bit so the comet and tree were in the same approximate position but on the right. Then the comet's (apparent) motion would be into the frame not out of it.

I'd be interested depending when it is although I may only be able to do one night if not end of October.

Well done!

As far as I read, in the UK at least the planets hardly ever go higher than the level that an ADC will benefit the view. I have never really felt the need other than once through my 12" dob but it will be interesting to try and it may be one of those things that you get by without until you use it and then wow.

Assuming your camera is central, it looks like your secondary adjusters are different lengths. Is the secondary holder on a slant when you look from the top of the tube? 

Bear in mind the secondary has a minor effect on image quality.

I'd suggest attending a star party or if there's a local astronomy society perhaps someone with a decent sized scope could show you a few things. Visual astronomy is amazing and rewarding but I fear you will need to adjust your expectations as you'll never see galaxies like they are in images with the possible exception of night vision technology and even then.......

It looks to me like the secondary wants to move a smidge towards the primary (i.e. lengthen the central screw a couple of turns - with the usually advised precautions) and it then needs to be rotated slightly. You could just do the latter as you are not that far off. Then tweak the primary.

I haven't but make sure you have enough focus travel. The clicklock unit is quite long.

It might be easier to move the primary up. Then no cutting,  just (presumably) new holes for the screws.

You will probably be OK re the secondary. assuming you can see all of the primary in it when in position.

46 minutes ago, johninderby said:

I have a plan. 🤔

Just twiddle with the levers until it works. 😁😁😁

To be fair for visual that's pretty much what he says.

That was always my approach to romance 😂😂

Me too, I think.......

I cannot think how it can align with the horizon in a newt as the focuser is perpendicular to it and at a slant. Hence my starting assumption that you align down the axis. The only thing I can think of is having the focuser vertical which would get you closeish.