Alan White

And a foot warmer as well please chaps.

I did read on Cloudynights about the motor development a week or so back. It does make the whole AZ concept ever more appealing (as if it was not already), but I am sure my heart is won, but not my wallet as yet. If someone bought the 10" dob very soon, my wallet would struggle in that fight.

Ditto above, my head is going to explode as is my wallet!

The Pentax should be excellent, I had a 10 mm a while back, super eyepiece. Worked well in my mix of scopes at the time, but sold as I has grass is greener eyes and regret selling it ever since.

I think you will like it John. I found the one I had a bit tall in my then shorter scope, would work well now though. The 10 mm was a peach, have no idea other than grass is greener, why I sold that one. Looking forward to your reaction on it, the bolt case is a bit of a monster.

Postie sneaked in undercover this morning, no knock on the door, just left in a pile on the step! A rather pleasing eye cup, Japan made, fits the Ultima sized ep. and a trial EP, a used APM UFF 18mm both from the bay.

I will be joining you if my grey cells remember.

Now that is very nice indeed. Some fine skill shown by the producer.

Ade, I am so glad the gifted GP top section has worked for you, the matching green will look so much better, no OCD will now be offended. It was my pleasure paying forward the part, I hope it brings you many years use.

Welcome Garry, for visual as others have said, near enough is good enough. Like most things in life, something new and unfamiliar is always challenging.

Yeah, those Pigs to spoil the view 😂

Sounds a sensible use of saved commute money to me. Interesting to read about your journey and kit. I have to say something other than WL solar is nipping at my ankles, but at present it has to remain a for the future item.

PM sent to you Chris.

I do hope you were filming this incident Chris, just for our amusement 😉 In all seriousness a lesson for everyone about not balancing kit on angled surfaces, tears before bedtime result often. The rdf sounds like they have copied the design from the 130 and ‘improved’ the rdf itself by providing a generous second dot, always adds to the fun in use.

John, I see what you are suggesting, but the AZ100 is not a Giro etc with extras, it’s a far more substantial mount, more akin to the AYO Master size, but with slow motion, it has filled a niche well, just not the niche you thought it would. I do hope that Rowan make a smaller version, but the engineering required would still come at a cost. Decent engineering and materials don’t come cheap.

Glad a solution has been found Kerry. 👍

Anyone tried an Argo Navis with the AZ100 out of interest?

I think it depends upon several things. Can you afford the higher cost? Are you patient enough to wait 3-4 weeks? Will you want to use your local shop, because if you are, then I suggest you give them your custom and support. Times may be difficult for your local supplier and your custom may be very welcome. The other thing this all hangs upon, is where you are located and how reliable and gentle the delivery services are. Nothing is a good deal if it arrives damaged and then needs resolving with the supplier. Hope this helps.

What a great experience you must have had Shivam, very nice composite of images you have shared, thank you.

i would just wash it again and allow it to drain and dry. Far better using no distilled water than alcohol in my opinion, if no distilled water is available.

Same here Ade, as you know from our PM's. The Rowan mount is stunning and if I could fund one, I certainly would some day, but, I would only want it in full form and that's a lot of hobby funding for me.

I think the motors development is ongoing and shared to show progress. Be very interesting to see where this fine engineering goes, it’s very much an object of desire for many. This is a top end Alt Az Mount without doubt.

Funny enough it is on the list Mike.

I feel for you and your glasses. A year or two back, at the dark site with Astro club. Battery on red torch failed after several seasons use, then lens falls out of my glasses (distance), while searching I trod on something, you know what it was. I had the warning the session before as the same happened, found the lens and reassembled glasses when I got home. As to sitting on glasses, I don’t know how many times my Mum used to do the same, it has made me focused on not sitting on them myself, but failed on the treading on a lens.

And roll on the insulated trousers, tops, boots, gloves and hats. Astronomy in a tee shirt feels so wrong!,