moggi1964

I use plastic storage containers of varying sizes (food storage with lids that seal) and then some form of padding where required.

I still haven't managed to find them, I think they are in storage however I found the manual for the mount and it was an EQ1 which has a 12mm countershaft hole so they wouldn't be appropriate for you anyway. Sorry about that.

What's the diameter of the counterweight holder on your setup? I'm digging around in the basement to find mine and will compare and then we can see if it would fit.

Woulld this work? Available form the site sponsor FLO. TeleGizmos Cover for 18" or 20" Truss Tube Dobsonians Wouldn't come all the way down but that likely doesn't matter too much if you tie if off.

Takes me back to drooling over Kryptonite wheels and Gullwing trucks back in the 70's. My mate could afford those for his skateboard, I had to settle for something from Woolworths but I was faster than him when I laid down on my skateboard 😁 Totally bonkers now I think about it: chin about 3" above the road. The naivety of youth.

Thank you. It really is a lovely image from a beautiful part of the world.

I recall I would extend the zoom on the Ixus and either stick it in the focuser tube or to the eyepiece. I shot the first two of these on my Orion XT8 dob and the second on a Celestron C6 back ion 2005 and 2006 respectively. The last one I have no idea how it was shot. I think they came out quite good given the 'imaging setup' I used 😁 I'm now really excited about doing some more lunar and planetary imaging on the cheap (not this cheap maybe).

Gorgeous! Were you able to get a 13s image on a regular camera tripod Paul?

A fabulous setup Gary and a great 'first image'. I own an Olympus EM1 MkII and it's a terrific performer with my Oly glass and my vintage glass too. Can't wait to some lunar shots from it. Do you use an LPL filter? (Sorry, drifted off topic - you can PM me if you like).

I just read this thread from last to first post and before I got to the first post I did wonder if visual scopes may go the way of film cameras but it appears Alice (I think) already had that thought. A new niche at some point in the future. Having familiarised myself with the new generation of EEA (or is it EEVA?) technologies (I remember the Mallincam I think it was called) I think there is certainly a good chance that will be of ever-increasing interest. Seems easier than traditional astrophotography and certainly less expensive and the fact the smart phone or tablet can play a significant part means it does fit with that 'smartphone generation' of which I consider myself one at 59 years old. That said, whenever we showed someone Saturn through a scope for the first time it was a fabulous moment for all involved. That look of awe that you could see the rings of Saturn with a simple bit of glass and a tube never ceases to make me smile. WOuld it be the same seeing Saturn for the first time on a tablet? I don't know.

Sometimes good enough is exactly that. There will be other occasions when it just drops into place and you get 'spot on'. I found I wasted a lot of time over the years in a number of hobbles trying to get 'spot on' when good enough would have done the job. That said, sometimes only 'spot on' will do. I think I am beginning to spiral out of control 🤪😁

Howie's setup is exactly the one I use though I only used the TuBlug once. Super easy, super consistent. I got my laser from Howie directly when he came to NEAF in New York and he talked me through how it was constructed and how he had never had to recollimate his. When you see the way it is built you can understand why. Howie was a lovely chap (sadly no longer with us) and his wife, a lovely lady. Here's an image of the rings projected onto my attic ceiling for anyone who's never seen this setup. It has a squares option too though I never did figure out what that is for. These are clearly not representative of what it looks like when you use it properly with a mirror 😀 I've also used Cheshire which were fine for daylight collimating.

If it turns out you need an extra small counterweight let me know. I have a couple left over from an old Orion AZ mount, not sure if the diameter of the hole will be the same but I can check this weekend. Happy to send you one for the cost of postage so you can try it if the diameter is the right one.

Have a brilliant trip and let us know how it all worked out when you get back home.

I've used sand in the past to get tripod legs more mass. It is easy to get, cheap and can be removed easily enough. You can also experiment with various amounts to see what is effective. I also used the same principle in other applications (audio). Alternatively, buy a used widefield refractor and save your newt for visual until you can afford to buy a more substantial mount/tripod combo. It will save you the heartache of trying to get nice round stars when your setup wants to give you something less acceptable.