Jforson

After almost two years of illness post covid I am slowly getting back out with the telescope. Starting small and lightweight. The moon is looking great.

Thanks for the heads up, now on order

Thanks I appreciate the links

Yes, and that particular thread although titled Stellalyra Lanthanum Zoom 8-24 really focused on BHZ and BST starguider (Orion version). I was hoping that in the few months that had passed someone had possibly used the Stellalyra zoom. as noted above I am in real rush and will wait some user feedback.

Thanks, I had seen that thread in the past, limited user feedback on the Stellalyra Lanthanum Zoom 8-24. Having been slightly disappointed in the BHZ in the past I am reluctant to buy another. I had also seen the pentax XL zoom but that is significantly more expensive and larger. I am in no rush so will wait for some user feedback on the Stellalyra.

I have had a bit of a love hate relationship with zoom eyepieces in the past, I have had a couple of baader mrk3's which have always ended up with what can only be described as 'debris' within FOV. I did like the zoom for white light where seeing really fluctuates. In that regard I am considering getting another zoom. Has anyone experience of the StellaLyra 8-24mm zoom?

I have the frontier HD's in 10x32 and I really like them. They do not have "Ed" glass but the CA is very well controlled and I really need to look for it tbh. Image quality is very sharp across about 90-95% of the FOV. I have no regrets over the purchase.

Although I live in a national park, my garden is plagued with being in close proximity to three street lamps within a 30m radius. Therefore if I intend to observe anything beyond the moon and planets it has to involve a very short drive. As I noted I live in a national park therefore I have numerous sites with sqm readings of greater than 21 within a 10 minute drive - I consider myself very fortunate. The interesting thing is, over the last 5 years I have only met one other person whilst out and he was doing some astro photography. I find that you do get used to the dark and isolation, if anything it is the noise from the wildlife that can unnerve you. Key is to let someone know where you are going along with an expected return time.

Still using the setup, the Ed-80 not so much (needs a new focuser). Due to the long focal length an extension tube was required, raises the sabre circa 15-16”. With the extension the mount and scope combo is really nice. Love the 102 f11 for the moon, planets and doubles. Nudging at high mag is not that bad, but I tend to use wider angled eyepieces. I do not consider it a portable setup though. This is important to me because although I live in a national park, I have three street lights within 30m of my back garden. Therefore I am limited to brighter solar system targets from the garden. Thus the 102 f11 really only gets used in the garden. But I can have access to multiple bortle 2-3 skies observing sites within a short drive <5km. So, my tv-76 and tv-60 with lighter weight mounts get used about 80% of the time.

I have the 102 f11 AA scope (non Ed) in red. Lovely view at the eyepiece and good fun to use. I primarily use for lunar and planets. However, as you will no doubt be aware it is a long scope and therefore needs a decent mount. I use the AA sabre mount with the following extension: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/skywatcher-eq5heq5-extension-tube.html Funnily I am actually thinking of adding a 6” SCT to the collection later this year. good luck with the choice.

That looks really good and actually very compact considering you are carrying the tent, sleeping bag + food and water. Living in a national park I often do something similar but with a smaller scope (tv-60) and mount. Easier to carry but probably not as useful on the aperture front. I have had great fun with it though and although I have larger refractors there is just something that I love about my portable setup whilst wild camping.

Will look into it thanks

Cheers for both links. It would appear that the option put forward would be useful when used in the garden. TBH most of my observation takes place in the garden but I would also been keen on any recommendations for a re-chargeable option for use at a dark site?

Just wondering what options people have considered and ultimately chosen? I am looking to purchase a power supply for this mount and would welcome some feedback.

That is brilliant. Thanks for noting this, exactly what I am after!