Alan White

3 hours ago, Greymouser said:

Just noticed this thread, thought I would add my little thoughts. 

I can highly recommend these: https://www.militarymart.co.uk/british-army-reversable-insulated-trousers/

Second hand I know, but the pair I got was in very good condition, nothing a quick wash didn't sort out, just to be sure. You can also get the jacket to go with them. They are not at all waterproof, but that is not their purpose. They also have a zip at the bottom of the trouser, making them very, very easy to get on, even over boots. Add a pair of base layer trousers ( which would then make three layers, with your normal trousers, ) and Bob's your uncle. I think there are places online which sell them new, but I don't have the time to look at the moment. If its good enough for our army, should be good enough for the rest of us and at £16, they are hard to better.

Thank you, they looked so good I ordered a pair, the long zips is what won me over.
I will report back on how these work.

And so apt, because at present I do have ‘The Wrong Trousers’

@johninderby that made me laugh. I love Aardman Animations.

44 minutes ago, don4l said:

My best memory is the view of the Perseus double cluster.  One of them struck me as a diamond ring. 
I've never seen an image that had anywhere the colour and vibrancy that I thought that I saw.

This made me smile, Visual Observers memory of a sight that has stuck, it's what it is all about.
I think your Diamond Ring is my Reindeer face with antlers.
 

Looks and sounds great, you have to love a quality refractor.
I look forward to the first light report.

In decline; I hope not and I don't think it is.

Astronomy is a very 'broad church' so plenty of room for all, the more the merrier.
I have just read this entire thread and enjoyed the many posts so far, very interesting responses.

I have to say I am a Visual Observer and I like to keep it uncomplicated. 
See my signature 'Make it Simple, Make it Fun'.
Enjoying the simplicity, the hunt for targets, the quiet, the wildlife I hear and sometimes see
and as to Imaging, wonderful stuff I enjoy looking at the fantastic images posted by others, but not for me to take and process.

This week I watched a member at my club during a talk looking at his iPad and watching his remote scope pulling in data.
I was impressed and thought nice one sir, but not for me, where is the under the sky experience as above.
As I said a 'broad church' and the more the merrier.


 

Thanks folks, all good pointers, at present I do wrap up well, Merino wool sock, fingerless glove/mitten with Silk inner liners, diving thermals etc, and was wearing an all in one Fishing suit over the top on long or cold nights.

I am specifically wanting direct recommendations for insulated trousers here.

AsI find the suit literally a pain now due to both my knees being wrecked by infection earlier this year,

not as flexible as they were 6 months ago.

I am still chuckling at the inadvertent naming..

The Carrot 🥕Mount 😂

9 hours ago, John said:

I have hopes that this new alt-az that FLO are due to announce might be what I'm looking for 

Thank you John, I thought you would answer as you did.

As to the quote from your post above about the Carrot 🥕 Mount, I am trying to not get too excited, yet.

I am looking at my Astro future, driven by my now done in knees, so the mount is a central part of that future.

22 minutes ago, John said:

150 F/8's are a lot larger than the ED120. The Giro Ercole was very much at it's limit with this lot on board to be honest. It's much, much happier with just the ED120 !

 

How was it with just the ED150? 

Blimey John, that ED150 makes the ED120 look tiny.

Speaks well of the Giro though.

You will find it a solid bit of kit 

Dave f15 recommended them to me when I bought the 103s and I do not regret it

2 hours ago, JG777 said:

Alan,

The back screws into the end of the the focus draw tube and there is 2 set screws for holding the diagonal in, it is not a compression type. I am not sure of the size but I think it is 60mm according to the advert.This  https://www.tringastro.co.uk/vixen-adapter-compression-ring-60mm-female-thread-to-508-push-fit-5683-p.asp I think is the compression replacement but Tring didn't reply to my enquiry to confirm, and FLO do not stock that part on their site.

The Baader looks interesting did you lose any inward focussing, do all your EPs still come to focus? 

Yes, about 10mm lost inward.
All my EP still worked except for a Vixen NLVW 30mm, needed about 1mm more inward travel, everything else still worked fine.
This is with a 2" William Optics diagonal.

Glad all went well with its first light.
Sounds like a good first trawl and that the scope is a goodun.

The visual back on my ED103s was rapidly replaced with a Baader twist lock unit,
much snugger on the diagonal and no marring either.
I take it that your back has a non marking inner ring on it?

From SGL Classifieds, not my listing I hasten to add.

I have had a turn of ill health this year and I have been left with Arthritic knees,
I now already feel the cold more which translates into pain, so does not bode well for winter.

What I am looking for is your ideas on insulated trousers.
I am after a normally worn but suitable insulated pair of trousers.
I wear thermals under happily, but do not wish to wear a one bit suit as I have done as
wiggling out of it when cold is now a challenge for me.

Your thoughts and images would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

How can you leave us hanging like that 🤣
I am not sure I will hold it together over the weekend, I might crack up!
Looks very nice indeed, you have tickled my interest even more now.........

Wow that was a great price Paul.
 

On 18/09/2019 at 19:03, wookie1965 said:

Interesting Book Paul,
I like the pictures so you can visualise what you are looking for.
 

10 hours ago, FLO said:

Need to make some photos then will reveal in the sponsor section a new premium Alt-Az mount manufactured here in the U.K. 🙂

Sometime early next week.  

Steve  

Steve, sounds great, I hope it’s a wonderful mount, you are building the suspense well.

31 minutes ago, FLO said:

I think you will be pleased 🙂

I hope so, you have piqued our interest.

The Giro and the Skytee 2 use 2 bolts too, or am I not understanding what you mean?

Thank you @Rob Sellent, for the ideal motto idea, changed my signature to suit 😀

I can see why you were torn between the scopes you mention and I too wonder what John F9 is like, I have an idea.
I also wonder what his 103s Vixen is like too, it is shorter focal length to my one.

 

1 hour ago, jock1958 said:

I think there is - the Losmandy AZ8 but you will need extra cash 💵🙁

I think you are spot on, @iPeace has one and talks very highly of it.
Must say it is an option in my future too when and if funds were available.
 

I have a Nagler 3-6 Zoom and really enjoy using it, nice presentation of image.
As John says and I fully agree.

1 hour ago, John said:

The instantly variable focal length is a very strong asset to have at high power.

I had some Orthos, but the very short Eye-relief did my head in.
We all have differing views on this of course.

I have just seen it because of others posting, very nice scope Rob.
My vixen ED103s at f7.8 (i think) is really nice, but wow a bit longer and a Flourite element, no wonder it sings.

I loved your comments:

On 29/08/2019 at 12:16, Rob Sellent said:

I couldn’t help thinking that you don’t really need more than a good 4” refractor and stars to steer her by

Fully agree a good 4" refractor is a wonderful and versatile instrument to be the 'Guardian' of,
we never own scopes after all, a bit like cats!
 

On 12/09/2019 at 00:07, Rob Sellent said:

Ed. I'm quite a simpleton at heart and don't like faffing too much. AZ mount, decent frac, a few eyepieces and map in hand, and off we go I've got a sneaky feeling you're a man of similar convictions

I know Ed through my Astronomy Club (CPAC) and we observe together quite a bit.
You have him bang to rights 😁

I am of the same conviction too, make it simple, make it fun.

Hope you are still enjoying that fine piece of Fluorite.