Alan White

I had wondered if it had been quietly put away as a show. Clearly we are a very small niche hobby and to have a monthly televison programme is quite a luxury. Perhaps a luxury the BBC can no longer afford. Perhaps one of the pay to view channels might pick it up if it were cancelled. I do agree with @Macavity on too many channels, my dear old Dad said when channel 4 arrived it was 1 too many, well he would have been shocked by the never ending deluge of channels and repeats we can can while our lives away watching. Perhaps the S@N has become too broad with all the trips to Oz etc. and should focus back onngrass roots UK Astronomy?

Nice to see you starting a new observatory Michael. Firstly the following is based on your images and the view provided. I do tend to agree with the side access for fence maintenance, is that a turning circle or hammer head behind the fence? If it is the rear fence could be lifted out on that side so allow the observatory to sit back. I look foward to watching the observatory develop from plan to use, good luck with it. Oh and I trust you get decent Lunar views from this spot.

Just goes to show how personal kit choice truly is.....

Ah bless, a proper party with the birthday girl smothered in cake. Made me chuckle as it reminds me of my two oh so many years ago smothered in chocolate cake on a Dad day. 1 year old already, wow how time flies.

As a fellow Lunatic, that looks a great publication. I love publications from abroad, always differ from those I have, Sadly as an average Brit, I only speak and write my own language badly.

Funny old world and shows how eyepieces are so individual. For me the 70 degrees does just work well, the 82 and above are too much, My eye needs a field stop to be just visible. That 12mm Delos to me would be just perfect. The Naglers are super and so much smaller in stature (makes no sense) so why not try one. An alternate would be to try a Morpheus 12, wider than the Delos. If only you were much closer you could try my Morpheus 12 and see how it worked for you. The difference in Delos and Nagler is probably size, weight and possibly balance with other eyepieces, Intry to match my line for balance as I like to swap about ep as I observe. Not my image and not exactly what I am talking about, but this image shows my train of thought.

Well you live and learn don’t you, I had no idea Vixen even made a scope with a retractable dew shield. Nice scope Linton. If you search the scope and go to the Vixen Japan website you can download the instruction manual. Oddly it reads that tightening and loosening is both clockwise….depends upon extended or not. Makes no sense, but hey ho.

Last night when I got up for a nocturnal visit to the bathroom about 2am, I looked out and it was fairly clear. For a moment I thought let’s go observe…. Then the warm bed called and I went back to the land of zzzzzz Now regretting my call as it’s cloudy again this morning, typical

Does the overall height also have an issue for you? Clearly thats as important to stowed size in many instances.

Nice one, great to see folks being recognised for fine images.

Aha, so that is the F15 scope Dave, looks great. 👍👍 Something about classic scopes. I look forward to the first light report. Bet you are loving be able to say 'F15 Rules' once again...

I knew you had the Maxbrights gents as I witnessed the purchsing, but wow they look nice. Dave @F15Rules was kind enough for me to look at his set during the ourchase frenzy 😉 and they are a well made item. Another temptation for future purchases as and when funding allows, which may be a while off for me. I will be most interested how Steve @Saganite finds the comparison between the Denks and Maxbrights. It was a pleasure watching others spend some money as always.

I used to love my HR 3.4 and only passed it on in sympathy for a desperate soul, truly wish I had not done so, but story of my life.

The unwritten rule of this hobby, 'Admire your kit more often than Use it'. That has worked for me over the past 30+ years so I think its a reasonable rule.

If I had cut it, well it would be ragged and have blood stains on it somewhere.

I cannot comment on this exact scope, but the build quality of these is very good. Looked at the same scope with another branding at the PAS on Saturday and very solidly built indeed. I have a lesser glass scope from the same factory and the build quality is very good indeed. What you do need to tell folks is are you asking for Visual observing or for Imaging purposes. I only observe as per my signature so take my comments on observing use only basis. Good luck with your quest. As a final comment, its super value.

My present case with present selection, I kid no one it’s complete or that I am done, I never am. Room for more… And the irony is that it’s a Morpheus case!

How much room between the Starsense unit and focuser @wookie1965? Michaels layout is how I would do it, but make sure if you do you dont hit your face or head on the Starsense, when looking through the Telrad. I speak from experience as I did like Michaels example and bashed my bonce more than once. I trial fit these things now with rubber bands.

On the TV scope front, the price is high against some other scopes and the build is not perhaps as new as it might be, its traditional. But I played with the TV85 at the PAS on Saturday and it was superbly made, the focuser sublime as supplied and the daylight view across the hall super too. So I think TV is still relevant, its just a more traditional product and still has a market sector. The same applies to certain Japan made scopes, mentioning no name, the build is traditional, the focuser in stock for often upgraded by many owners, some when new, it has a market sector. The same applies to all the Chinese and Taiwanese scopes, they all have a market sector and indeed a fan base. This hoby is a broad church and long may it remain that way, we all have varying available funds and varying times, never break yourself got a hobby to get the 'in' kit, just get some kit as and when you can afford it and join in. After all its what we look at that really counts.

Great Idea Mike. I am sure Pulsar will be delighted with our venue choice! 🤣

I think that they will understand and be equally bonkers. The regimented layout feels very OCD so suits my mind well, but as you say it is indeed making things easier when night observing as well as keeping things safe and sound when not. Do note folks a long running thread on eyepiece cases has been running for years as pointed out by @JOC and is good for an evenings browse as it’s that long a thread.

Shame I did not get to say hello @cotterless45, we probably passed and had no idea that we had. Next year perhaps.

I have owned both on similar scopes in the past. Firstly I am Astigmatic and wear glasses to observe, so my measure is based on that at these focal lengths. Pan 19 is smallish, neat and light but usual TV build quality and optics, tight on eye relief but fine without glasses, I loved my one and referred to it as My Precious. But it went as my eyes deteriorated and I replaced it with a Vixen LVW 22. The Panoptic does have issues if looking at the Moon, it distorts towards the edge, but who does Lunarwith a 19mm? Morpheus are nice, but larger, of reasonable finish but superb optics. But they have longer eyerelief, great for glasses but if not you will or may need to use the spacer ring to keep your eye and exit pupil aligned. For me the Morpheus 17 is and was more of a struggle to settle with, others find them great. Optically the Morpheus is super. Either of your options work well, ergonomics and also your view on aesthetics will apply.

Had a reply from Nick at Altair, next year it’s March 9th 2024. Perhaps we need an SGL spot to meet up.

Nice report and pleased you have found the Dob a sucess. On the ebing seated, well that is a wonderful observing treat whatever you look through. The real issue is finding a suitable perche. Observing Chair? Stool? Armchair? A wide choice and one that might keep you obsessing for some time to come.