Alan White

The 30mm APM UFF is a very fine eyepiece, I have one and use it in my 10" f4.8 Dobson. In fact use did last night for most of my session. It is a super eyepiece and I am picky on eyepieces, but need to wear glasses, so the field of choice narrows considerably.

Postie Pete been today and I am very Happy indeed on several counts.... Asto and non Astro goodies, both Photography related though 😉 One thanks to Analogue Wonderland and the other thanks to MR @iPeace, a new home for 'My Precious' and some friends.

Rob, polite may work, as may an offer of a look at what you observe (clearly not so easy at present). I tried this route but they were not interested in even listening, let alone helping. It varies from person to person, fingers crossed for you on this one 🤞

Ron, the lights are loved by thieves, no torches needed and they do not stand out lighting a darkened property with torches. Just ask any Crime Prevention Officer to confirm this. Security Lighting is a misnomer.

I feel your pain, I have two big houses each side of me, they have 21 spot and floods pointing away from them, they all point my way into my property or sky. You do adapt and get a work around, far better than getting angry or upset.

Score the 4” plastic tube as well for a decent key.

I knew it was dangerous suggesting such a thing...

Oh and JID has so far not fitted a handle his one yet..... but time will tell 😉

And let’s not forget the Build Quality too.

Thanks Jeremy, that would explain the FOV then. Pentax do make fine glass.

Until today I did not realise that the xl 28 mm was narrower fov.... is it 1.25” by any chance?

This news makes me sad that Vixen are dropping a fine product again, a great shame. It does however justify my chanting 'My Precious' each time I get the HR 3.4 mm out.

Hi Mike 👋, Good points you make, so in answer.... 1. Yes, the eye relief at shorter end is tighter; but the glasses come off here. One day I foresee a XW 5mm but funds do not allow this presently. 2. Your bags for each EP was my inspiration, they will have padded lens bags in my case, But the 3.4 HR being such a peach will be kept in its Rose Plastics type Bolt Case for secure protection.

I have a new family and they have a new home..... Meet the family: This is the new home, Tamrac System 6 bag: Tap it, unwrap it: Take out a layer: Take out the last layer: Just await some Kood lens pouches for the eyepieces and all will be done. A big move from the previous Maplins case, but sadly the catches were getting iffy and the pluck foam was well plucked. So it has been retired and the Tamrac bag brought into play. I do forsee some more bags for other carry uses as well, they store easily, do not offend Mrs. W unlike the Maplin case, and they also are more easily sat on the Khazi shelves as well. Let's see how this version of EP store goes.

Chris, sent PM on pier tube..... Great build and the up-cycle is good with me. My Khazi is mainly up-cycle materials.

How many Astro Clubs have Risk Assessment documents for Observing and or Public Outreach sessions? If so any links please?

Yes I did and not a lot between them. I felt the Vixen did pinpoint stars and no diffraction spikes, the Vixen also does WL solar very well. For me the 150 Newton was very similar and doubled one scope, so it went as the Vixen did solar so well and I wanted a refractor to compliment my Dobson. The scopes in my signature are a better balance of scopes and options. The 150 newts are very fine scopes and for the money amazing, I have now owned 3! You cannot go wrong with either choice, both good all round telescopes.

We had a CPAC meteor watch on Tuesday night at our dark site n the Essex coast. Poor sky but the section needed was mainly clear. We did see meteors, but not a big shower. We did however see much lightning to the South of us, as it crept closer we crept home.

Glad to read this account Neil I had my first dark sky outing Tuesday night for Perseid watching, with just MK1's and Binos. Sky was a bit off, but when it had its moments it was workable. Left me with promise for more to come, which is fine with me. I too watched Mars rise, but only with the kit I had.

You obviously don’t tan well 😂

Green cover over the mount Ade?

To blend the Observing Area and 'Khazi' more with the garden, it has gone green. Shame the garden has gone brown of course! The garden fence is slowly being treated with green as well. All blends well with the shrubs and trees. And of course I have upped my 'Green' credentials too 😉

Welcome SGL and to that sinkhole hobby of Astronomy.

Clearly not Amazon, the box is too small for Amazon 😂

Indeed very nice glass, cannot understand why I ever parted with the first 3. The view will last far longer than the worry of the cost applies here.