FLO

Sshhhh! It wasn't a large delivery. We aren't sure how much longer they will be available

We've still not found a reliable data source for this - last I checked Meteoblues was theoretical and experimental. Also, I'm not entirely sure how useful it is - if it's clear, I'm going to be outside if possible regardless of a seeing estimate

We've added the ability to turn on 'Experimental Features' today - at the bottom of the forecast (website only for now) there is a button: Pressing it turns on the experimental features for that browser. You can turn it off at any time by pressing the button again. The first experimental feature is an additional cloud forecast taken from a different weather source, here is an example: Clear Outside is not a weather forecaster - we take existing data sources and present the data in an astronomer friendly way. We know many of you (us included!) check multiple forecasts when looking ahead so this is one step towards Clear Outside being able to display multiple cloud forecasts from multiple sources. If you have other sources you would like to suggest, please let us know. As this is an experimental features we are not using the additional forecast to influence the traffic light ratings. In the future, the idea may be to (optionally) display multiple cloud forecasts and give you the ability to choose which ones you would like to have displayed and which ones to discount that way if you have a particular data source for your location that seems to get it right more often, you may choose to only display that forecast.

A small number have needed tweaking on the bench before they were released but I cannot recall one that was rejected outright for optical reasons. We still occasionally reject one for mechanical/cosmetic reasons, though usually before it is sent to Es Reid. Overall we, ourselves & Es, are very impressed with the Esprit series. I am not aware of any other range of triplet refractors that perform as well, certainly not at the price Esprits sell at.

Optical problems with Esprit telescopes are very rare. There were some mechanical issues (i.e. the 'capstan wheel' was sometimes fitted too tight). But they appear to have overcome that. We still see occasional cosmetic issues but nothing unusual for Sky-Watcher (i.e. imperfections in the white powder coat). Nothing that would be considered a 'fault'. HTH, Steve

The Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Mounts have landed ? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/sky-watcher-solarquest-solar-goto-tracking-mount-tripod.html We shall begin dispatching them Friday and Tuesday (Monday is a bank holiday). Thenk-you for your patience. Steve

Nearly all of them ?

Someone is going to call me tomorrow with an update. We are quietly confident it will be made available head-only, we are just not sure when. Steve

We'll see what we can find out

The 10x50 models have sold out but we have stock remaining of the 8.5x50 model at only £99

The Takahashi 28mm MC Erfle is now available to buy at our website

Takahashi LE and Takahashi TOE eyepieces now have FOV simulators on their product pages so you can more easily assess and make comparisons HTH, Steve

The Abbes already have one (Takahashi's orthoscopics are 'Abbe' orthoscopics, they are faithful to the original the Abbe design). It is the TOE and LE pages that need updating. After my kids are in bed I'll enter the stats into our Astronomy Tools website, we can then create their FOVs in the simulator. Steve

I have just noticed the FOV Simulator on our TOE and LE product description pages are displaying Takahashi Orthoscopic eyepieces, we will fix that soon.

Takahashi LE Eyepieces are now available to order at our website

We have begun added some Takahashi eyepieces to our website Currently we have Takahashi Abbe Orthoscopics and Takahashi TOE eyepieces. We shall add the LE series soon.

We are expecting them to arrive early-mid May. HTH, Steve

The AZ GTi WiFi Alt-Az Mount is scheduled to arrive May but the Mount+Tripod option won't be here until June. HTH, Steve

We have only three of the 10x50 models remaining...

Currently there is no explanatory text, we will add that when enough people have kicked it's tyres

Years ago we built our own collection of astronomy tools and calculators so we could more easily answer questions and advise customers. In 2014 we made it available to all as the Astronomy Tools website. In 2015 we added a CCD suitability Calculator (was a bit controversial but has proven popular). We are now working on a Guidescope Suitability Calculator to help you assess imager / guider combinations. This new calculator is a work in progress so we will be grateful if you would please kick it's tyres then let us know how it might be improved. In particular, what is considered a good ratio these days? We are thinking anywhere between 1:1 and 1:4 will work well but with improved software even up to 1:10 can produce good results? We will be grateful for your feedback Steve & the FLO team

This Lynx Astro Mak to SCT Adapter enables you to fit SCT threaded focusers and accessories to a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with 45.4mm rear thread.

Currently it looks like it'll arrive around the end of this month. Will check again in a few days. HTH, Steve

Looking at sales so far, the 10x50 will most likely sell out before the 8.5x50. If you are planning to buy the 10x50 place your order soon ?

We will check ETA when we/they reopen Tuesday ?