Alan White

I think the advice given and the discussion with your partner are both good advice that I would agree with.

I as a former camper van owner would add a couple more bits to ponder, The van we had was based on a high roof long wheel based Renault Master. Firstly, what Sean has said is bang on. The van size also has an issue with parking and car parks (Barrier and bays sizes) some places have no where to park when you visit. We drove along the coast in Kent for miles, all parking too small, or it had a height barrier. Big is great from a facilities point of view, but comes with some issues as well.

As owners of OOUK metal Dob mounts know, they sit very low on plastic feet, if the ground has any stones or bumps, well the scope gets stuck. So many fols build risers etc. I did on my last one, but this time wanted a neat and factory look. I found some bonnet risers (Hood) for our cousins over the pond. Aluminium, 30mm tall with a hole for an m6 thread. eBay was my friend on this one. So fitted 3 of the 4 with new 50mm S/S screws, looks nice and works well.

They are John, I read that oddly first read as well.

As a glasses wearer in longer FL eyepieces, I need longer FL eyepieces that as John says influences my feeling. But love the APM UFF 30, Vixen LVW 22, Delos 17,5, Morpheus 12.5, XW 10-5. But scope choice, target choice etc. changes this as well.

Do bear in mind whether you sit or stand to observe. Uni 18 would be nice sitting, the Uni 28 may be just a touch tall for many. Interesting that you are going through these thoughts at present, I was mulling over similar for the Vixen 103, but its on hold just for the minute. Good luck in whichever way you go.

@The60mmKid, Now that's a pair of Binoculars, wonderful. Look forwards to a first light report.

Funny old world at times, so often something is right under your nose but unseen. Wish you well with your recovery.

Good luck with the build, looking forward to seeing your fruit of your labours.

Always nice to get out after a gap. 👍 I bet that was the best Saturn you have seen this Summer 😉

The fact it went left and behind the post, well made me chuckle and think, of all the luck. Plenty more Space X to come of course. Better luck next time.

Sorry you have had a tough time health wise and emotionally, something many of us will empathise with. Glad to see even through this, that you have fond it in you to make tweaks. Always admired your full on landscaping to make Astro work for you. I expect you will update this again in years to come, just as I have with my Observing Area thread. You take care now.

You will need a clear sky as well @JeremyS, good luck on that one 😉

Postie has been with a delivery from the classifieds, thanks Tim @Franklin for this next Vixen wonder 😁 7x50 ultimas, the build is sublime.

Why narrow the debate to Orthos and Naglers only? 😉 I do understand what you are saying about observation setting you thinking about who or what we are, clearly that debate here has a danger of straying into certain subjects that are discouraged on this forum.

Is that a Nexus on the front.

Nice one @PatientObserver 👍 How about a side on image and one with the phone in place? Please. That way we can see how it all works.

Great to see an Indian sucess with this, regardless of any feelings on the socio economic situation. Nice to see them do it so well, when others, more experienced have not.

Oh goodness me, that bring back bad memories aka 'favourite family stories' to tell about Dad. We did much the same so many years back while on Summer Holidays in The West Country. Hope all was OK and that you are OK and the car and box survived too.

Looks great. worth the travel to get that fine scope out under a decent sky. I await further positive trip reports.

I saw the picture and thought, nice and then the next thought was ah my back, just takes the thought of sleeping in a tent on the ground and my whole body complains! Oh and Doombar in favour of Old Peculiar for me thanks, but to be honest prefer Cider these days.

Enjoy, lucky you being clear.

I am a visual only member of the clan, but I have dabbled in the 'art' side of the hobby for a trial and hated it. I hated it for the very same reason that I started to dislike terestrial photography time, which is too much technobabble, too much to give grief and too much time sat fiddling with software to manipulate the image from what it was to something else. I find the sheer pleasure of sitting observing quietly, with nature (and others sometimes) for company most relaxing, The photons hitting my eyeballs are mine alone and have travelled for quite some time for me to get in the way.

Indeed it does, me included, but more on the well padded side of things.

Actually no, as its a Photographic case its afflicted by the same thing, but in reality the price feels'reasonable' for the quaity, very well padded and very soildly built.