Alan White

John, you must resist. That AZ100 really does have your name on it 😃 But if you want to try it with a Cassegrain, it would be interesting to find out.

I was expecting a 10” refractor in that list Mike, come on let’s not be lean on our wishes 😂

Hmmmm, I had not considered that option Jeremy. Quite likely hacked and they Photoshopped Mike in to someones picture with a Dob

Very neat and tidy indeed. Being a Visual only observer it is at odds with my way of being under the stars, but as an Imager, yes fully get the whole setup.

That's easier option John, as the Nexus DSC and shelf are all add ons, they have made a fixing hole for the ball head. Adding th encoders will be the possible challenge. No body parts sold yet 🤣; so for me remains a bit of a one day item, for now.

@FLO Steve, Is the unit able to have the encoders retro-fitted? If bought first sans encoder, then encoders added at a later time at all? This would make the expansion route easier for some such as myself.

Love the setting circle Phil, looks wonderful. Where was this made?

Clever and very nice John. In fact superb. I wonder why Berlebach didn't so something as simple?

Calling @Lockie I have only just seen this now older thread Chris. A shame i missed it at the time, but was busy being unwell. What a spot on pair of scopes, much as I would choose too. I have owned several f5 150 Newtonians and always wonder why I sold them on. Have also owned several f7-f9 4" ED Reflectors and still do own a Vixen Ed103s f 7.8. I do always wonder about a 5" or 120mm Refractor though or the Hallowed Ground of a Tak 4" Fluorite. But as a one only, then yes a 4" for ease of use as you say 👍

Goodness me. only somehow seen this Mike. You, A Dob.......... well I never. Wiping Tea splats off my monitor as I type!! 🤣

Sounds as interesting a plan as the overall roof design, I really hope it works for you as it is a ingenious design.

Looking forward to seeing how you waterproof that roof Shane as for the life of me, I cannot work out how you will do it? 😖

Post Person attended today with a little delivery. OVL 2" twistlock to 1.25". Intended so all my 1.25" EP will have one capped off for use on the dob. No levers, screws or bits sitting out to offend me and NO UNDERCUT. Yes I did mean to shout it out. Not as 'nice' as the Baader ones I have just sold to Magnus, but do the job and will make fitting into the EP case less problematic as just a barrell. Did I mention NO UNDERCUT???

A very neat and reversible solution John 👍

Now that's a thought.

I will only be using alt az mounted scopes, mainly the 10" OOUK Dob. Do you find it a nuisance at your 14" Dob at all?

A question please Richard. When using the 10" seated, does the dioptrx have to be rotated as you move the scope to keep the correction working for you?

I find I am seeing odd thing on low power EP with my 10" dob, thought my mirror was out, but it's fine. Compared views against another identical Dob and swapped EP with the other observer and the same anomaly shows at low powers, I think I am seeing some coma but it is f4.8, so surprised that I do. I wear glasses for driving and star spotting, I am a low tech star hopper with a Telrad, But cannot get on wearing them to observe. Having had a good read all over the net, I think I am seeing my own astigmatism, which my glasses of course correct. Its not massive but would require a 1.00 Dioptrx. Would this be a worthwhile addition for me, it will require a few EP changes, but I am happy to do this. Because is its more Astigmatism than Coma I am seeing then Dioptrx is a far cheaper alternative to a TV Paracorr.

I agree John, I stopped using the RA on my Dob as it sits too high. Looked at surgery, for the bracket, but being pot metal was not sure I could do a solid job. I know what you mean about that Vixen bracket!

@johninderby tyres by post, interesting, do they self fit? 😂 I had a sudden deflation yesterday on a major A road while driving between sites yesterday, had to drive a mile on a flat to get safe place to stop, wrecked the nearly new tyre, grrr. On the Astronomy theme, post person delivered a fine used booked as recommended by @Wookie. The practical astronomers deep sky companion. A bit like the O'Meara books in that is shows you what the objects look like, work for my simple brain. Bought used from World of Books just over £18 used.

Double posted, had glitch as it posted! Can a Mod remove please 😘

In answer to the OP as I have only just seen this post. To tell someone else what scope to buy is akin to telling someone else what car to buy, we are all different. But, based on your question and my multitude of scope changes I feel ok to comment. I have found reflectors far more comfortable to use and therefore use them more, it's the seated position that I find easy on my back and now knees. The reflectors are also more cost effective £ per mm of aperture. If dobsonian mounted even more cost effective. I own a 10" OOUK dobsonian and love it, good aperture, light for a 10" and a sublime metal dobsonian base. I also own a C8 SCT that does not get used in favour of the 10" and a 4" ED Vixen refractor that I love when I use it, but I pass it by for the 10" based on comfort for me and the aperture. So in answer to your question an 8" Dobsonian such as the Skywatcher 200p Skyliner is well regarded as a great all rounder and superb value for money.

Sounds like a cracking session Nick, you were lucky to get such a decent sky. When I looked out at 10 here last night it was still clouded out so made for my bed. Love your writing and sketches, it brings the session to life. Thank you for sharing.

@tooth_dr was that First Class delivery? Looks wonderful, good luck with the base build and assembly.

So what about the eyepiece James? 😂