Alan White

Thank you, I am amazed we have got this far, the scope truly does deserve the name Lazarus. The rail was not the issue, it was lack of stop at the end, now cured with a small nut and bolt, something that I should have done years ago, but thought inconvenient.....if only I had realised.

@F15Rulesand @JeremyS I am finding it difficukt to handle this banter 🤣 I like your Photoshop skills Jeremy, how did you make it look so marker pen like?

The cell has been returned after a very long journey, Royal Mail decided they wanted to test the packaging via its network for a few day. Looks super and apart from a bit of missing paint, all looks as it was before the moment. I have assembled it to the scope, but the focuser does need replacement and will be soon I hope. But on WL it was very good, bur a star test will confirm our optical gurus analysis and repair. I am beyond happy, truly amazed that things worked out this way for me. I will report back after focuser replaced and star tested 😁

Postie brought me a big box, all in one solid well packaged piece, just how it left me. It has visisted a certain Optics guru and is now returned with a full bill of health. Package has been on a Southern UK tour of Mail Centres for some reason and gave me concern, but this morning smiling postie delivered to a very relieved me. My Vixen optics after being dropped on concrete and left me with it written off by the insurer, they said keep it, play with it, try and repair if you like, its yours, so I did and this is the result. I await a night sky, well a clear night sky to test it.

Thank you Paul, nice reminder. Shame its at a less than social hour for a working day.

Ah that old trick 😉 Be pleased for those in Exeter of course, but it will be Full Moon and Clear so you can a least snigger....

I have not had time to power up and play and probably will not get a chance until next week, life is keeping me a tad busy at present. What I have seen is it’s a Wi-Fi link and the app and very small and tidy, I do not see internal fitting needed as the whole idea is modular after all. It was very much on show at the IAS and at Kettering before that, so I expect a number of SGLers have seen it. I am just pleased to have my own AZ75 and aim to get a nice tripod for it soon, it deserves better than my old SW 1.75” one. Watch this space, but don’t forget this is the AZ75 thread.

AZ75 arrived from Rowan with a few special bits fitted, this is my mount with a pre-production Rowan goodie fitted. Very familiar design if you have an AZ100 Motor set, minus a few bits like motors of course. I managed to convince the lads to let me test and feedback on this, it’s been shown at a few shows so far so familiar to some.

DHL made a very special delivery today Yes a nice yellow box from Rowan 😃 AZ75 inside.

The scope has always been with no name, but that is quite a suggestion. The name may offend some, but……

And I can now report that the lens cell and lenses are all realigned and tested by a very special person in Cambridgeshire. Pronounced as all excellent and a fine lens set. Now to sort out the remainder of the telescope.

Well spotted! 🤣

👍 Greg makes them in varois heights and they are very well made and galvanised too. Unashamed plug for the classifieds where I have a listing....

Delievry very late last night, purchased from Telescope House in the Black Friday discount deal, I could not resist a discount over discounted returns. Wanted one for ages and came to the conclusion, its now or never, so clicked the buy button 👍 Double boxed and well protected. Of course its solid cloud for the next year in daytime here now ☹️ What is it you ask? Lunt 40 Ha scope b600 filter.

You got a clear spot Nigella, lucky you. Been cloud and mist here today and a touch of rain just for a constant theme. Nice to see the Sun, even if its an image of the sun somehwere else.

Thank you Gary, be interested to know how this and the 23 do, then I can make the call on my aquired gap in my case once again being filled.

Following on from my visit to Rowan this week, we discussed my method of Nexus DSC shelf fitting without a ball head. In fact I left the mount and shelf with them to ponder. Suggestion is new holes in the shelf that align with the metric dual holes and then the shelf is wobble free. The two holes in @Stu image show where my image has the shelf fitted. Please feel free to name your future offspring after me in thanks for such an amazing suggestion 😉

I must just comment, having been at Rowan again today for another visit. Watched AZ100 componets being machined and other parts produced, it was an utter pleasure to see fine kit like this, being produced with pride in the UK. It was a hive of Rowan Astronomy production today. As always a real joy to spend time with the team chatting life, astronomy and more.

Hmmmm, now that’s an idea, the drains are too far away 😏

I am unsure on this, but if you post this in the AZ100 thread folks may know. I will ask Rowan when I see them this week though.

Very much a reminder to look at whats been done, dont take it on trust and then while holding the scope gently wiggle to ensure its fitted. The stop bolt on Vixen or other rails is a very good point from @NGC 1502 and does add a layer of security. My misfortune was a slide out and most likely have been averted with a stop bolt, a lesson, but an expensive one for me as well as highly distressing. I am most glad that the OP was lucky and was just served a lesson.

Unlucky, yet lucky I know the pain of a scope on concrete and it’s most painful.

@Neil P what Uni tripod are you using?

Welcome and good choice of scopes, what can you not like about a 4" refractor.

I doubt the eyepiece is faulty. At 300x magnification, you will need amazing conditions for it to be a steady image. Atmospheric conditions, transoarency and stability all have a big influence on the ability to up magnification, often lower power and smaller images are all that you should sensibly try to achieve.