Alan White

I tried to fill the original survey, it fell over, for once TV accepted an email about it.

I completed the survey once fixed.

The undercuts was an interesting question to ask, so show the message has been received, perhaps not liked but received.
David Nagler get quite upset at an Astrofest about me not liking undercuts, I sold my TV kit in a huff and regretted it of course, so bought things back again. Still dislike the undercuts though.

Country of manufacture was an interesting one, but TV being all American made in Taiwan and Japan by I expect a third party made me smile, at the end of the day, the design, build quality and just as important quality control that matters.

Watch this space if feedback on the survey is forthcoming?

FedEx rather than postie with a parcel from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Purchase from More Blue and imported to allow safe mounting of Lazarus my Vixen ED103 who returns slowly from the dead.

280mm More Blue Vixen rail, with all important stop screws!!

Fingers crossed for you both, that once this supposed snow blows through, you will get your wish.

All nice kit by the way, enjoy.

I have been sat with the family watching a very odd film, but family time, which was great.

Just locking up and it’s clear, so had a quick 20 mins with the binos, wonderful, glad I did.

7 minutes ago, Nigella Bryant said:

I'm hoping it might contain snow though, don't get it here, non since 2018. Sorry peps I love snow ❄️ 

😉   

Sorry to see this happen, nothing shocks you more than when Mother Nature gives you a good shake.
I hope you have managed to literally pick up the pieces.
 

A little @FLO delivery today.

This allows me to go mainly 1.25" with my refractors,
I may go all 1.25" in fact, pondering it for now.
The clamp makes things very solid indeed.

The other item is a t2 extension, used with my Baader Prism Diagonal 32mm item, it had a short insert fitted,
this was to get the light path short with my bino-viewers, now gone.
But it could allow an ep to touch the prism if careless.

Extension fitted, potential issue now gone and looks very neat.
I like the Baader build quality.

Sat on my Oklop Eyepiece Bag, which I really still enjoy, small and very useful.
Nearly purchased a third one with this little splurge, but held off as it would have had me filling it up with more glass!
 

55 minutes ago, Beardy30 said:

Just while we debate padded bags - does anyone have a storage option for the the Startravel 102 other than this option Oklop Padded Bag for 102/1000 Refractors | First Light Optics

Have you looked at RVO and the Geoptik options, sometimes they do shorter bags than others.

I agree with the concern.

As Nik says above, the artist impression will likely be nowt like the final lander.

The lift and bits feels like Musk promo fantasy, but who knows.

Looks better, but I do hope those are reflections of lights and not remaining marks.

I like padded bags for scopes and understand your wish

But a 12” is getting long for in a car, but you only say about a bag for the tube or are you asking to cover a dob mount to?

My 10” sits on its mount in the shed, only covers are on the tube ends, no bag in sight.

The Oklop bags are good as are the Geoptik and others, just consider how much of a lump a larger tube is and then getting into said bag as well.

Just now, RobertI said:

Interesting update Alan. I still use my Nadira chair for all my observing, haven’t had the damp expansion problem (yet!) but mine is stored in a dry garage. I have added a layer of foam to the seat to make it a bit more comfy for long sessions. Stability has been fine, even on grass, but there was an occasion where I hadn’t slotted the seat in properly and I crashed to the ground when I sat on it - fortunately it was on the lowest setting as I was viewing near the zenith, so I only had a few inches to fall. I am now super careful when slotting in the seat! 

I didn’t have the issue with the first seat, but the fit was slightly slacker, this one has always been tighter from the start, but it worked until put in the Astro Shed, which although dry is at ambient temperature and humidity.

TeleVue has a good range of eyepieces,

I need longer eyerelief due to astigmatism, so as much as I liked the Panoptics, they were not for me with glasses.

I have DeLites and Delos and Pentax XW and Morpheus, each has positives and each has its issues to me.
Of them all the DeLites just work.

The friend mentioned above with DeLites was probably myself and I have used Ed’s Radians and agree they are more similar than not.
Delites to me do have easier eye placement than the Radians at shorter fl. But that’s me, my face shape and eye socket depth and shape.

We all latch onto differing issues with eyepieces, they are so personal, it’s impossible to say this works for me, so it will work for you here.  You need to work out what you didn’t like about the Radians and consider that when looking at others.

Eyepieces are a journey for many, me included, the ones that just work are the ones to keep.

As an update to this review from 2016 (how time flies).
I replaced the first one that I sold on and still have it in 2023.

I stand by my review but will add something that has come to light with a change of store location.
The wood swells slightly and due to the tight tolerance on the seat to back slots etc. after storage in a dry shed,
in these damper winter months you cannot slide the seat into the slots.
Move it indoors and let it dry for a few days and all is good.

I know this has been an issue for several others on here as I have read the posts.

I do wonder if other wooden items suffer the same fate, the chair is sealed.

Would I buy one again, yes for simplicity and price, but store place has to be in an environment of 'normal' household humidity.



 

I think the Barbie doll was a far higher achievement to be honest.

Observing Jupiter, it’s clear and why not

GRS at 8.29 tonight I believe, it’s coming and going seeing wise but when it’s good it’s good 😊 

Tonight is just what I need right now

It must be that time of year and this topic comes up.

I have missed as many observing opportunities due to other commitments and life in general this year as much as any other.

I have had a number of great observing sessions and will not grumble.

2 hours ago, Saganite said:

Please buy it someone, my hands are numb from sitting on them..🙂

So are my hands as well, we are all tempted, but someone was more tempted than I 👍👍

Dave, I have very similar thoughts and I own a ED103 and a SD103, the story why is known here.

The Vixen ED scopes and SD are super and something special, I too have kept looking wondering if the f7.8 to f9 notices, then my finances cough and I continue wondering.

This scope is a true bargain and quite something special.

Looking interesting, love watching the varied design and site issues everyone has.

Good luck with the build.

3 hours ago, Zermelo said:

I think that's because the case is also meant for the Hyperions, but I keep a UFF and a zoom in there.

I have a 30 UFF in my case of the same type as well

A much wanted and famous book, how on earth did Santa know?

59 minutes ago, Zermelo said:

In an inspired punt, Santa brought me the one Morpheus needed to complete the set (and the only brand new one I have). Also known here as the "they cost how much?)

... and a Christmas family shot:

 

Very nice, but look at those gaps, will need filling to stop them getting dusty!

Welcome

Time spent with your son will make precious memories, enjoy.

My Dad sat me down with him and his binoculars when I was 5,  now a very long time ago and I still observe and remember him with great affection.

17 hours ago, Deadlake said:

Does the base of the AZ75 fit inside the base of the half pier or have you made the base of the AZ75 flat for it to fit flush?

thanks

Removed the cap head screws so it is flat.
The M10 bolt has had the spacer washer shortened to get a more solid grip and boy is it a solid grip.