FLO

During these extraordinary times our Telescopes in Stock category provides a useful guide to what is physically in stock at our warehouse. It was however difficult for us to keep it up-to-date because it required someone manually check then add/remove items. Grant has today built an addition to our inventory system that automates this process so it now updates - automatically - multiple times every day 🙂

The Astro Essentials finder-shoe is a popular choice that fits most telescopes (was the first one I reached for) but is about 2mm too long for the StarField 102 f7 ED. The William optics finder-shoe fits perfectly. I suspect it is from the same Taiwanese factory.

The William Optics Finder Shoe fits beautifully 🙂

I am surprised we are even having this conversation because Crayford focusers have been the preferred choice for Dobsonian telescopes for over forty years... 🙂 Crayford Focuser - Wikipedia

Unfortunately Bresser's EU distributor in Germany (Astroshop & FLO source Bresser scopes from the same distributor) say the Messier Dobsonian series will be unavailable for some time. This morning they say: Bresser Messier Planetary 6" Dobsonian: April 2022 Bresser Messier 8" Dobsonian: Feb 2022 Bresser Messier 10" Dobsonian: Feb 2022 HTH, Steve

Photos will be made Wednesday so should be added to our website next week. Good question. It is the usual two screws each side used by United Optics. Will try some finder-shoes for size today.

Based on sales so far we are predicting our first batch of StellaMira 90 ED triplet telescopes will sell out around Christmas. Another batch has been ordered but these are extraordinary times so we cannot be sure when they will arrive. HTH, Steve

John is right, it was launched only one month ago but sales are good so we are confident we will soon see images posted by owners at SGL. We will also soon have a StellaMira 90 ED triplet in use at our observatory in Spain 🙂

We have been here before... 😁 You continue to infer the Crayford design is inherently inferior but that is not true. Generally speaking, Crayford focusers have a smoother focus action so are preferred by visual astronomers. R&P focusers have, generally speaking, higher load bearing capacity so are preferred by astrophotographers. Dobsonian telescopes are designed primarily for visual astronomy. This is why we have chosen CNC machined dual-speed Crayford focusers for StellaLyra Dobsonians and they work beautifully with both 1.25" and 2" eyepieces. We like R&P focusers too and offer both StellaLyra and Bresser Messier Dobsonian telescopes 😇 HTH, Steve

These things can take a while 🙂

I see now it has a nice self-centring twist-lock style eyepiece/accessory clamp. Will need to add that to the product description too.

I think you have mentioned this before but I am in the workshop so unable to make a new product photo. We will however make a new one then update the photo when able. In the workshop with my phone I can make only photos like this one.

It is 4.2 kg with rings & dovetail. I think we mistakenly listed the higher boxed weight. We have updated our product description. Thanks for noticing 🙂 Steve

I have one here beside me, I will put it on the scales...

It is supplied in a double-wall box with the usual foam inserts. We could specify a case for a future batch if enough people request one. Or perhaps make a case optional.

We will make new product photos soon because the ones currently displayed don't do it justice.

This telescope needs no introduction, it is of course the one manufactured by United Optics that wears a number of different brand names. Many of you own one and it is the subject of much positive discussion at SGL, so we knew we had to have it at FLO. For FLO, we have chosen the Starfield 102 f/7 ED version with FPL53 ED glass (not the cheaper model with FPL51) and Lanthanum. They have only just arrived so we have plenty in stock 🙂 Edit: New photos added 7th Dec.

The TS 2" 1x Field Flattener you link to at the German website is in stock at FLO and will work nicely with the StellaMira 90 f6 Triplet. The other TS flattener should also work but note the comments about spacing for 500mmFL to 600mm FL refractors. HTH

One iOptron CEM26 Center Balanced Equatorial GoTo Mount 1.75" LiteRoc Tripod + Case + iPolar. Damaged New & unused but aluminium case damaged. Includes full manufacturer warranty. £1,229.00 £1,129.00 (saving £100.00)

No. They are not the same. It is possible they share some components but they are different telescopes. I.e. the GT81 uses FPL-53 glass for the ED element. Steve

Not the exact same but very close (sourced from the same factory). It is manufactured by United Optics. It is a new telescope released less than a month ago so it will be a while before you see owners posting images. Sales are actually good. Better than expected. Though this might be because currently the long established Esprit-80 and Esprit-100 are both in short supply. Carbon fibre was chosen for its thermal characteristics, not weight. Anyhow, the StellMira 90 ED triplet is not one of the two telescopes shortlisted by the OP 🙂 Steve

We have not yet tried this combination but are confident it will work well with the StellaMira Flattener 🙂

Yes. When comparing cameras there is so much more to consider. I.e. design, hardware, firmware, drivers, memory buffer, cooler, etc. Also the modular system and accessories built around them. It is good we have choice 😇

My wife's Toyota Verso had a BMW engine but I don't recall it looking or driving like one.

No. They are not. I don't know where this myth started but it is most definitely not true. ZWO cameras are designed and manufactured by ZWO. Altair cameras are designed and manufactured by ToupTek in China. ToupTek is essentially an OEM manufacturer (a company that designs and manufactures products that are then resold or rebranded by another company). ZWO and ToupTek are not related. They are entirely different companies.