Alan White

Oh and @Stephenstargazer, why need any more reasons to give a Newtonian a go on your AZ75? The mount is equally as good in this set up as with a refractor.

Both 150’s work well on the AZ75, it’s a very natural fit. As suggested very smooth and very Dob like, but the f5 sits higher than a Dob would, the f8 is a standing at mostly set up. Both super smooth, both can use the encoders in the mount and very comfortable in use. Both scopes are super mirrors and present very good images, both split doubles well and conditioned depending can deliver high power as target demand, this is also a reflection on the mounts quality and ability as all push for tracking. This set up feels very natural and is easy on my back.

@Ratlet the AZ75 has no slow motions, it does not need them. But let's not re-open that painful debate.

And just to show its not all Refractor mounting, here are my two 150mm Newtonians on the AZ75.

Welcome back Louise, the bug never lets us escape, astro is in the blood. Super to see you in a new location and champing at the bit to get set up, good on you. I too am not knowledgeable on the dark arts of imaging, so unable to comment, sorry.

Steve, looks great with the additions too, very nice indeed. The bonus is you survived the taking it home 😉

Resolved 😁 All other bags are shorter than the OOUK optical tube, which is longer than all other f5 150's. The only other bag was a Geoptik, but it taller than needed. An Artesky 150/750 Newtonian Bag, this is 800mm long. This was noted in a post by @markse68 Ordered direct from them as no UK stockist could be found. I will post an equipment review upon receipt and use. Thanks for trying to help folks, appreciated.

Nice to see that you were able to tinker with the seat Ed, as I said in one of my posts about these, they are a Dobson of observing chairs. Oh and I am sure everyone is thankful you held back on posting an image of your rear end 😉 🤣

Never a truer word spoken..... this clearly applies to myself as well as other 😉

It’s too short from published size, but thanks for the pointer.

Having just purchased another OOUK VX6 f5 scope, I need a bag that fits it, which is easier said than done. The scope has a longer tube than SW or other f5 tubes as the mirror sits in a bit, so cases made for those are 700-710 long inside, my scope to be awkward is 750 long. My previous one squeezed into a lacerta case, but it was sold as 710 long, so I am asking owners of these fine scopes to tell me how you did it or not?

One was on display at the recent PAS on the Widescreen stand if memory serves me correctly….

And the next delivery instalment from me, not me, not Postie but APC today. A SW150pl f8 new in the SW mini sale, got sent a f5 at start and now swapped for the f8 ordered. This was an itch that I needed to scratch and depending on my finding may become the shortened home for my f5.9 hinds mirror …. Watch this space. And little and large compared.

From what I was told by the lads, it’s work in progress and soon to become a reality. I was shown it moving, stopping and adjusting the mount position. Other than that watch this space for upcoming news I think.

The kind gentleman with the spectrograph is Jack, one of the many members of my club Castle Point Astronomy Club that attended the event. Jack does lots of real science with his spectrograph and is assisting a number of professional Astronomy teams so I believe.

Ahem, so purpose served, and what a pleasant day out and company I had too.

I played courier myself with a trip out. Got myself a very new OOUK VX6, in pristine condition, very pleased and just need first light…. So I will report back by 2026 😉 The reason for a 6” Newtonian, well convenience, weight, the extra aperture and I can sit in a position that presently suits my back issues that are ongoing. Sometimes a change is made for us by circumstances, but sometimes it’s a good change anyhow and I expect this one to be so.

The event has a very different feel to previously, more Market Hall than Exhibition centre. Vendors were much as before, but looked lost with the space left around and the principal of the show had a scope display that felt very cramped that you risked life and limb accessing. I came away empty handed this time, it went only to look and twiddle really, so purpose served.

I hope most of the FOAS will be in attendance and photographically evidence produced.

I am still attending, back now mobile enough for the journey and time at show thankfully. Be nice to see some folks. Safe travels.

I would go with an 18mm as I have with a similar spread. I have both the 18 UFF and 18 DeLite, similar but the TV wins by a small margin.

My goodness me Magnus, that FT is big, I can so no feather in this ones touch 😉

That set up and location look super, just remember a bigger Dob gets heavy.

If you are taking crew 8, they arrived this month and are due a stay of 6 months.

Try here, hope that helps https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_Kingdom&region=England&city=London