Alan White

7 minutes ago, Marian M said:

All these years I have learned that the hurry of acquisition leads to later selling, hence more time spent to study, and experiment is required  

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.

I expect the white paint is the critical part here, the metal, although heavier will make a better long term fix in your climate.

Hmmm, best not dwell on how many.
But several cases exist.

Look on the brightside,
we have all kept up and caught up on our sleep though.

I note with sadness that the IAS for 2023 is not happening and one is now due in 2024.
The organisers Martin and Graham had stated, no show in 2023 due to venue refurbishment.
Thank goodness we had the return in 2022 and also the PAS at Kettering.

A shame as I was looking forward to cathching up with folks later this year ☹️

 

That is an interesting experiment @John, looking forward to reading your findings.

Well a busy weekend replacing a failed water heater for one of my daughters now done 😁 and a little more on the Store etc. done this afternoon.

Lighting inside and outside red lights at 2w led for the pad when setting up and putting away.

Also some security bolts etc added. But not dwelling on that on a public forum.

Now off to a darkened room to lie down…

18 hours ago, Louis D said:

It's your focuser that is the problem for having a compression ring to snag in an undercut according to him.

But they make kit with compression rings …..

Anyway back to the Takahashi ep, if they are special, then they may have a place in some folks cases, but a tracking mount might be advisable.

3 hours ago, Roy Challen said:

The title of this thread is pure clickbait, the reality is somewhat underwhelming. Is there really a market for what seems like a plossl variant when there are plenty of good equivalents already available at much lower cost?

Clearly a yes, they would not expend time and resource otherwise, it say Tak on the side, it will sell.

As a sufferer of it, I know Vixenitus has no cure, it’s clearly demonstrated above and my own behaviour.
But
I had no idea it was contagious, watch out SGL!

What a nice set of LVW you have built up @Space Hopper, I have been watching your progress and wishing you success.

I loved my past LVW’s and also regret the sale of them, still have a 22 and often hanker for the 13 etc. 

I must stop reading these threads as trying to not buy things at present, but it’s getting mighty difficult.

Steve, that’s a very well set out posting and the end result looks great.

I know very little about spectroscopy other than what I have listened to from a fellow Astro club member and
most recently at the BAA Comet section meeting.

How are you going to produce your spectrum for analysis?

Indeed.

I should comment on the Takahashi eyepieces, Great no undercuts, but why 48 degrees?
I love Japanese optics, but this just feels plain quirky to me.

1 minute ago, Nakedgun said:

~

Our community have much to thank Al Nagler for with all the great products his company brought to market over the years.

However, I curse him every time an eyepiece snags during extraction.

 

.

But David Nagler insisted I was wrong suggesting such a thing, flat refused to believe me that the undercuts were an issue….

DHL delivered a missing in action parcel that unboxed itself, wrapped itself in a plastic bag and then delivered to another address. Suffice to say the long awaited FT focuser was not as dispatched ☹️

New one now being supplied in its place, watch this space.

I think you have made the correct call on the Radian and DeLite, I have used both and optically very little if any difference.

The 8 to 7 step is too small I think.

The only advantage is a weight saving with the DeLites.

But I think you already knew this and needed positive confirmation from us all, which is most sensible indeed.

Amazed no one’s tried to encourage a purchase though

@F15Rules that’s a super idea Dave, just need the motors now then, got ahead of myself 😉

2 hours ago, Franklin said:

Everyone should have a manual SP/GP tucked away, just in case your computer controlled GOTO mount blows up!

More importantly for the Zombie Appocolipse happens and you still wish to observe

3 hours ago, RT65CB-SWL said:

The ‘only’ EQ/GEM that ‘works’ for me. I regret selling mine.

Its my third one, every time I sell one its instant regret.
I now am working on buying a second sometime, this is to ensure I always have one to sell and one to keep 😉

I would actually like one driven and one all manual, and I know I could do it with clutches, but all manual is great at times,
keeps it all very real and how I started out with a very wobbly eq3 is sized bresser mount many years ago now.

19 hours ago, JeremyS said:

The other odd thing about the pic, Alan, is your new storage shed appears trapezoid 🤔🤣

@JeremyS, have you not realized it is the Tardis showing its stretching for more kit.
A sight very rarely caught on camera 😉

7 hours ago, NGC 1502 said:

Hi Alan…….love the new shed…….just one comment……..there’s room for a much bigger Dob in there😁😁

Ed.

Thanks, it does work well.
Indeed there is Ed, perhaps a second one, well one day, it was my first thought as soon as the kit was moved out to its new home,
oh look....room for more kit!

Snapped a quick pic of the Vixen setup in White Light use and found a halo around the mount, clearly it’s Sainted…

Ok it’s a reflection on the lens, but I do like these mounts so much.

2 hours ago, Rusted said:

Talking of increased security: Don't have the heads of screws holding hinges, latches or hasps accessible.
An easy target for a rechargeable drill/screwdriver. I recommend coach bolts with domed heads.
Nothing to grip nor attack with any normal tool. Make life as difficult as possible for the thief.
Many padlock hasps are as strong as butter. Check your contents insurance covers "outhouses."

Thanks Rusted, that’s exactly what’s next and ordered for next week, a pile of coach bolts and bits.

Power from Khazi to Store shed run this morning in SWA, just a double socket with USB outlets so far.
Light/s inside yet to be sorted out, but one step at a time.

And beefed up the doors for heavier lock and adjusted doors so no slight binding etc.

Will also add an outside red light for when setting up and breaking down kit, should be so much easier than a torch.

I set up and observed on and off today, beutiful day, but was working so not truly observed.
Thanks for the images being shared, it truly is a super Sol today.