Littleguy80

I was seeing it with a mirror diagonal too. Planning on trying it straight through tonight to see how that looks

I have a new Tak FC100DF. When looking at Venus there’s very noticeable CA around the limb. I see the same on the moon but it’s much less noticeable. I see this with my Baader Clicklock diagonal and Baader prism diagonal. Tried it with Nagler zoom and Vixen HR 3.4mm. Everyone seems to talk about how these scopes don’t show CA which is making me wonder if there’s a problem with mine. Just wanted to know what other people’s experiences are? I’m either expecting too much or there’s a problem with something I’m using.

Really interesting, Stu. I've never heard of this approach. The TS Optics wedge I have makes this quite easy to do so will have to give this a go. Good shout on replacing filters immeadiately afterwards. Too easy to forget otherwise.

Take a look at the review on this version of the Extender-Q: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/takahashi-adapters/takahashi-ex-q-16x-for-fsq-106ed.html I think that’s the version which Jeremy has. Doesn’t seem to need all the extension tubes which Mike’s version has. Looks like the perfect combination of performance and Ergonomics to me 😉

Thanks Alan. Yep, it's the home of the Norwich Astro Society. 30 mins drive from my house

Thanks Stu. Haha I’ve been telling myself that I’m covered with the APM UFF 30mm and Aero 40mm but now you’ve gone and put that thought in my head 🤣

There was a rather explosive prom around tea time this evening. With all the activity of late you’ve picked a great time to get a Ha scope!

Great stuff. I've been really pleased with my Solar Scout too. I often wonder how it would compare to a Lunt but there's quite a hike in price with that. The amount of detail I see with it is very impressive to me.

Last night I made my first trip out to my local dark site of the year. It was my last chance to grap a tiny window of astro darkness before the summer. I recently became the proud owner of Takahashi FC100DF. I haven't been able to properly road test it due to the cloud which FLO deemed necessary to pack with it. Alongside the Tak, I brought my 10" dob. I arrived early and took my time getting everything setup in the twilight. I settled down with Tak and spent time observing Venus using the Nagler zoom. There was some false colour, probably coming from the mirror diagonal, but not something I wanted to investigate this session. Venus itself hinted a some cloud structure. I think I need to try doing a rough sketch in the hope I can compare with someone's image to confirm any observations on this. I followed Venus with a split of Izar which was really nice in the Tak. I think I've only ever split this with the dob previously. With skies darkening, I moved onto M3 which resolved pretty well with the Pentax XW 5mm. Skies were now dark enough to test the Tak with some fuzzies. The Leo triplet was the target of choice. M65/M66 with the Docter showed up well but I wasn't certain on NGC3628. In went the Delos 10mm, some light tapping on the diagonal was enough to draw the final member of the trio out. Final confirmation coming with the 9mm BGO. I moved up up to Ursa Major for M81/M82 which both looked great with the high contrast views from the Tak. At this point, with the skies looking good, I sucumbed to aperture fever and moved over to the dob. M81 was nice but M82 was the real stand out in the dob. The dark lane running through it seen very easily. I lingered here for quite some time and then picked up NGC3077. M51 was the natural follow up. The Delos 10mm bringing out the spiral arms really nicely. I now ventured into Virgo picking off galaxies for awhile until views started to deteriorate. I was initially puzzled and then realised the secondary had dewed up. I popped a dew heater onto it and moved back to the Tak. With the time approaching 1am, the Milky Way was clearly visible. Fantastic to see this so clearly naked eye. A check with the SQM meter gave readings just over 21 at the zenith. The Ring (M57) was easy to spot even a low power and was well defined with the Pentax XW 5mm. I screwed the TV OIII filter onto the diagonal and then moved into Cygnus. Using the Aero 40mm (3.7 degree TFOV), I could frame the entire Veil nebula, the Eastern Veil coming through more clearly than the West. Really looking forward to see this high in the sky later on in the year. Moving up, the NAN also popped out really well with Pelican seen next to it much more faintly. The Tak passed it's widefield test with flying colours. The secondary on the dob was now clear. With the APM 20mm, I found and tracked all the way down Markarian's chain. It's one of those sights that just can't be beaten under dark skies. I picked off a few more galaxies including M88 and M91 before calling time. Everything was very damp from dew at this point. I arrived home at 2:30am with just a few short hours to sleep before work in the morning. Really happy with the Tak, a great new companion for the dob and I on our dark sky trips!

I now have this Atlas to accompany the 21st Century Atlas of the Moon. I’ve been slowly working my way through the Lunar 100 (26 to go). I’ve gone through and labelled up the pages with L100 targets that I’m yet to see. I’ve just done it on the refractor section as that’s what I plan to use for Lunar observing.

I have this observing hood which I use for both regular and Solar Observing. There is a white version specifically for Solar but I just use the black version for both. It’s one of my best astronomy purchases! There’s a review thread that someone started on here a few years back for it https://r-sky.org/en/products/observing-hood Though it is a full cover so maybe more than you want.

Thank you all. I have a much happier looking Equinox 80. Very much appreciate everyone’s advice

You’re gonna give the Solar Scout ‘little scope’ complex

Enjoying a bit observing over my lunch break. Lots of activity in WL and Ha.

I’ve got the GIRO-WR properly figured out. I’m now using a longer counterweight bar which allows me to to get the balance right with and without the Solar Scout. Works very nicely in dual scope mode!

I believe the DGM NPB was designed to include a Ha pass as well as OIII and HB. I think it’s the only visual filter that does it. It’s pretty popular as UHC type filter.

Nothing to feel guilty about. Hobby's are about enjoying yourself. If GOTO means you enjoy it more then you should feel more guilty about NOT using it 😂

They need to release matching carpet and wallpaper. It could significantly increase sales!

😂 It’s the new Tak camouflage paint job. Pretty effective!

I have to dedicate this post to @Stu for leading me down this path. My Think Tank Airport Essentials backpack proved too small for the Tak so I’ve replaced it with a Vanguard VEO Select 49. A large and a medium LensCoat Hoodie are used to protect either end of the tube. A rubber lens cap, from Amazon, goes over the drawer tube on the focuser. The dew shield is slid over the tube wrapped in bubble wrap to avoid scratches. The clamshell with 7” ADM dovetail is also attached to the tube. Alongside the scope I have: GIRO WR mount Baader Sky Surfer 3 RDF TS Optics Herschel Wedge Baader 2” Clicklock diagonal with Clicklock 2”-1.25” adapter ES68 24mm Baader VIP Barlow Nagler 3-6mm zoom Televue OIII and UHC filters Trusty eyepatch (for unexpected pirate conventions) The whole lot weighs just over 7kg. Tripod, counterweight bar, counterweight and SW pillar can all go in checked luggage. I’ll definitely fiddle about with eyepiece selections but very pleased with how this packs down for travels 😁

Excellent. Thanks Steve and John! Feeling more confident about it now

Thanks Nicolàs. Thanks so much. Will have a watch of the video

Awesome. Thanks Nik. I’ve cleaned the mirrors on my dob multiple times without issue so shouldn’t really be worried. Thanks again for the advice

The time has come to sell my Equinox 80 and on taking photos, I noticed that the objective is in need of a clean. No doubt this put people off plus I'd like to pass it on looking all shiney and new. I have Baader Wonder Fluid which I'm sure says it's not to be used on objectives though I also found an online guide for cleaning doing just that! I've never cleaned a refractor before so I would appreciate any advice on how best to proceed. Thank you!

With my 10” dob I use the Clicklock extension tube. There are two versions, 37mm and 47mm optical path. I need to use an extension with my dob anyway so this is ideal for me. Clicklock is a great upgrade IMHO https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-2-inch-click-lock-cl-extension-47mm.html