Alan White

Post person aka Parcel Farce delivered my latest smaller purchase, a decent bag for my SD103. Easier when lifted in and out with great access due to a wide aand a decent top opening, I struggle when tired with a single central zip as most cases have fitted (why?). Well padded and ballistic type nylon material. It is a Calumet lighting stand bag, others use them for tripods, next month I might be doing the same.

Welcome to the sketching road, it’s long and winding , but great pleasure can be had on the journey. Don't do yourself down, the stars are in proportion and the correct pattern. I sketch from time to time, just in pencil for record purposes, it’s still not artistic even after a few years.

You have to love The Coathanger or Brocchi's Cluster AKA Collinder 399. Its a lovelly Binocular target and I can see why you have sketched it, a very nice sketch indeed.

I have not used these, looked at them often with similar thoughts. They have been available I think with other branding as well. Surely someone has tried them?

Only just seen this posting and my oh my, What a Biggun. Lookng through a scope like that on a good night (if only we had those) will be amazing. I have looked through an 8" triplet in my locality and it was super, so speak with a kimited experience.

Prompted by two things, @jjohnson3803 post above and my desire to get a BB tripod again after many years absent. Slow mo was done to death during the early parts of this and @Stu thread as well. As designed, its smooth so I and others now think no need for SM, but others think otherwise. Put it this way I use a 3mm ep with it, I find it just fine on Lunar etc. I fitted my long in its wrap, pan handle and just wow, makes the AZ75 even more magic. And I hope this answers the above question to. It’s on the SW 1.75 for now, just working out height for either Uni18 or Uni28…

Thanks for the heads up, also cloudy tonight as well.

I do both, encouraged to give Binoviwers ago by some of the maestros here on SGL. I find binoviweres harder to use than normal binoculars oddly, but not enough to cause an issue. But as others have said if tired, then the Binoviewers stay in the box. Lunar with a Binoviwer is very 3d and quite something. If I had to give anything up, it would be the Binoviewer and BV eyepieces as its an addition rather than the main game for me. Monoviews, well thats how I started and no doubt will end my Astro journey.

Just Let it Go......

Indeed a chilled experience. Nice spot Ed. Predictive text is a real pain in the rear at times for me at least.

Yes, but thats my dodgy knees doing that 😉

Rob, I felt like that using my DSC and that’s only a digital red display. The convenience adds to the experience, you retain sky knowledge if you make a conscious effort and I work a hybrid. Some sessions use the DSC, many nights I don’t, just go on memory and familiar points to step from, find less, but satisfaction in finding it myself. The Starsense however looks to have super powers in less favourable skies, let’s face it, that’s what we are getting at present.

Great to see new technology being made simpler to use. Then a Luddite like me will be able to cope with it. Super that you got such a pleasant session Rob.

Thank you Agnes, yes it certainly is bringing me much pleasure, which is most welcome at the minute.

That 4” advantage is a big one and the 4” is a very versatile scope too

Michael, CO app is great but very often wrong, don’t be disheartened from that app. Its had clear spells many nights when CO is all red. I think finding something positive to focus on might be a good idea perhaps.

I when I read Michaels opening post thought 💭 he is right, but it’s in my DNA to look up. Michael please hang in and it will improve as it always does, it always feels a longtime during cloudy spells. Of course, on order it cleared last night at the very moment I was due up the wooden hill, but not wanting to miss this had a great hour of amazing seeing before the cloud again closed in. Never has m13,m29 and m57 looked so wonderful, capped off with a nice double double etc and a good mooch around a darkening sky.

Great having a sudden clear spell and all my 'in person' meetings cancelled by others 🙂 Managed a chunk of the morning observing on and off in Ha and WL.

I did, sadly never got a badge though ☹️ Even wrote in a few times trying. Amazingly, I have all my digits after said carving, which is rather pleasing.

Just a couple more images of the localised light polution 😉 Clearly the camera makes the brightness look more than it is, the outside lights are for setting up and taking down only. The lights in the Store and the Khazi are switeched seperately, so only on as needed. The Khazi one is dimmable, always has been and is the one used to read Star Charts etc. That is it for now, probably the last 2023 Observing Area post from me.

Post or DPD delivered two focusers for my Lunt LS40, one damaged and one with holding issues, it would not hold the blocking filter and a small eyepiece, just shot out. Terrible considering they were new FT focusers! Both rejected and order cancelled and will stick with the Helical unit going forwards. Also had waited months (7 plus) for a Lunt case, still unavailable, so cancelled that too, which leads to the nexty delivery. A case from Maplins, foam (solid) inside. Now cut out for the LS40 Lunt an set in focus. Very happy with this, especially as the case was under £40 delivered, the Lunt ones are £139 and not available.

Yes, @Stu has done this I believe.

I truly feel your pain and the disbelief in what has happened. I hope they are in collimation and still usable. Last year I dropped from my mount my ED103 and had to claim for it on household insurance, the claim was fully settled. The real issue was a suitable repairer, but for biniculars you have a choice I believe.

Marian, that is such a spot on statment.

The 152 5.9 is a lovely scope for what you want, I know as I recently had one for a short while. Be warned it’s a far bigger lump than a 120 and heavier, mounting may become a challenge with the step up. Wide or Richfield in the right conditions is so much fun, but if it’s for use in town, then the light pollution may just spoil the party.