Sunshine

Welcome to SGL!

Nice write ups, it seems you have found a scope which will keep you busy for a long while!

1 hour ago, MalcolmM said:

Hmmmm I'll try

Because the scope is attached to the Giro about 6 or 7 inches from the centerline I cannot grab the diagonal say and twist it left and right (which you could do if it were attached on the centerline).

Instead, to turn the scope to the left, I have to pull the scope back (if it is on the left hand side of the mount), if you see what I mean?

On looking at the picture of your mount again, your scope will be much closer to the centerline and so you may not have this problem (and it's not a problem, it's just I find I'm trying to turn the scope left rather than pulling it left!)

And now I'll shut up having probably confused you even further!

Malcolm

No lol, I completely understand what you mean, the further the scope is from the pivot point the more it seems like a push (on right to point left) or pull (on left side to point left) it’s clear as a London day now 😂

6 hours ago, MalcolmM said:

The only thing I still get wrong occasionally, even after 6 months of use, is trying to twist the scope round (in azimuth) rather than the push pull it requires.

Please explain what you mean by this, it sounds like something I need to know, also. 😀

13 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

That’d be a TOA 130, then 😊

Sure! the mount can handle the strain, my marriage may not! 😂

2 minutes ago, Stu said:

Looks great, very intriguing looking mount, I think I have seen a picture of one before but never in the flesh. Being able to align the two scopes is a great feature. Enjoy it 👍

Thanks! I do recal one or two members here on SGL saying they have/had other smaller mounts by same maker and they  really enjoyed them, I think this is begging for a 130mm refractor, my 102 at 12lbs is like a bird on an elephants back 😂 just one more excuse to buy another refractor, but a good one at that!.

22 minutes ago, Stu said:

Good stuff, glad you are getting to grips with the mount. I have used totally manual AltAz mounts for years and find them delightfully simple to use. Yes, there is some work to do balancing the scope properly and adjusting clutches, but for quick grab and go use they are great. There is an attraction about not having to turn two different controls to track an object.

More recently I have been using mounts with Slo Mo controls and have been enjoying these too. Unlike you I actually like the long floppy control handles, and dislike having to reach up to the mount to turn those little stubby knobs. But life would be boring if we all liked the same thing!

So, I think you are doing just fine, just get your balance and clutch tension right and you are away.

Could you post a picture of the mount? I’m not familiar with the model.

Thanks!

Hello Stu!

From what I was told the mount was made by a one man company no longer in business, Universal Astronomics in the U.S. which made a few models of which mine is the largest, the Doublestar Tandem. 

This model of which only 40 were made can accommodate dual scopes with a combined weight of 70lbs, 40 on right and 30 on left, the saddle on the left can be precisely aligned with the right so both scopes are on target at the eyepiece. My scope does not require such a mount but I bought with anticipation of larger refractor in the future, and I do like rare things 🤣

A Tak attack no less! 

Since I acquired my Universal Astronomics mount I have had a few night (three) to get used to using a push to Alt-az as I have never used one before. At first I was a bit concerned trying to imagine me following a double at high power while physically moving the scope on both axis simultaneously, in my mind it seemed impossible yet many do it or I would not have purchased one. 
 

Now, after a few nights I am getting on quite well and am liking push to alt-az, it seems one of the tricks is getting the friction knobs just right, a bit too tight and any force applied causes a sudden jerk to break the static friction, not enough friction and the mount moves too easily when focusing. Looking up near zenith will take some more practice as it is a pain in the neck, literally. What I do find very convenient about a smooth push to alt-az is that I can move the scope without having to reach for the slow motion controls on my Vixen GP as they are not those long floppy slow mo knobs (can’t stand those things) I was able to move the scope with my hands as I cupped my hands around the eyepiece. 
 

So far it has been quite pleasant learning how to get in with this mount, I’m sure that as time goes by I will become more adept at using it, I look forward to any advice other push to alt-az users can dispense.

Clear skies!

Wow! an observing sessions equivalent of the Hubble deep field! those images of your 500P encrusted in frost are both scary and speak of your dogged determination.

Amazing report!

Maybe it is more common than we think, we are used to being "alone"  in our back yards so naturally we assume we are an island unto ourselves. 

Is this true? I once thought I was literally one of a handful in this hobby but in the last few years I've come to realize there are many others, more than 

I thought. What changed my view was the classified ads, over the years I have met up with and made friends with many others while making

exchanges, many to my surprise were within a few Km's from me and the steady list of sellers/buyers in my region alone is surprising. When once 

I thought I would never run into a fellow amateur within the borders of my small town, now I have found several by way of classifieds. Yes I may 

be alone in my back yard but I am definitely not the only lonely one, if I could see from the stars down I'm sure I would spot many other telescopes

looking up at me.

OMG that is gigantic! I shudder thinking about what Jupiter must look like under good seeing, bad seeing, barely see, it would still blow ones mind.

Very nice images, such sharp detail.

6 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Crikey, it’s not aged as well as Macca, has it? 🤔

I’m not sure what Macca is but I posted a laugh emoji anyway cause I’m sure it’s funny 😂

Imagine what the corrector looks like, if it still has one.

There must be a line drawn at some point! if you get a 125 then you'll just want a 140 next year, then a 150, I know that way of thinking is rare among us amateur astronomers but it can happen.

WOW! they are stunning! my favourite is the first, the contrast against the inky black and detail is breathtaking.

What a beauty!

Right now I am out for the first time in a while and marvelling at the trapezium which even at high power looks pin sharp with E&F stars visible which seeing does not allow for usually. 

Just came in to warm up and check on my SGL friends, hello everyone!!

Well that could be, where is Dunoon? 

I'm sure there aren't any eyepieces with the name Televue stamped on them which are disposable, they may be older but at one time they were top of the line, I bet.

Some great images here, welcome to SGL!

1 hour ago, Skipper Billy said:

I have had a Heq5, AZ EQ6GT, Avalon Linear and currently a Mesu 200.

The Mesu 200 wipes the floor with all the others although the Avalon was very good and much lighter.

I often refer to the Mesu as the most boring thing about astroimaging - turn it on tell it what to do and it does it - again and again and again. Nothing to fiddle with, clean, adjust, swear at.

 

That is one serious as a heart attack imaging rig you have there, wow.

5 minutes ago, Stu said:

Yep, works fine with the EQ5 version. I think I ‘mixed and matched’ the top plate between a 16” and 8” here to allow the GP to fit.

This is great, and an option for me as well, thanks!

25 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

Many years ago I loaned a white Vixen GP to a friend so he could mount his Meade 127mm Triplet. It was heavy scope, but the GP was mounted on top of a steel pier similar to mine. The damping time was less than 3 seconds. And below is my 6" F10 mounted on my GP. It could perhaps do with a Hargreaves strut, but otherwise the mount has no issue carrying the long heavy tube. When a GP is attached to a solid base it is a phenomenal mount. Any weakness tends to be in the choice of tripod.

This is impressive, I wouldn’t have thought.