Trikeflyer

Great. One of these is on my list of acquisitions so which type would most users recommend - chromosphere or prom? No I cant have both!! Steve

Might not be relevant but I have the Altair 80mm ED Starwave and its a fantastic powerful scope. I love it. I use it lots and the build quality is fabulous, the focuser is top quality and it gives great views. I would think the big brother would be just as good? Steve

Me too😂

Thanks Doug, I agree, I don't even try doubles with the dob because the frac is sharper. I have a Mak 127 which isn't bad for doubles once its cooled. My weapon of choice though is the frac 80ed is great as it is easy to grab and go and set up on the goto mount. I'll look into the Cambridge double star atlas. Steve

Doug, Thanks for posting. Can you tell me the SAO numbers of these doubles. I have my Altair ED 80 on a SW star discovery mount and much prefer to find by SAO number. Id like to check these ones out. Steve

I’m interested to know what you think Glen as I have 2 other of this John Moore series of books and may consider getting this one too. If anyone else has this and could privide an opinion, I’d appreciate it. steve

I say this with a little tongue in cheek and with some lightheartedness but I think the rubbish uk weather has a lot to do with this very topic. I was only thinking the other day that when the weather is rubbish many of us get our Astro fix (me especially) by spending time looking for the next Astro bit or thinking about what we’d like to improve our experience. If the weather was better we’d most likely get our fix by spending more time observing or imaging and then we might not need to spend so much time pondering or searching for the ideal next bit of kit. Anyway, whilst the bad uk weather stops us getting our fix, it must be good for the Astro retail business and without a strong Astro supply and a strong used market (which is good for us all) we’d have nothing to look at when the weather’s bad. 🤔😂🤣. Steve

We must get this thread off big maks - it’s making me feel hungry 😛

Decided to upgrade the 12inch Revelation focuser to a Baader Diamond Steeltrack. Fitted it whilst the mirrors are off at Orion Optics for recoating. Feels like amazing quality piece of kit. Can’t wait to try it out. 😁Thanks to Harrison Telescopes for supplying so promptly. Steve

That sounds perfect! Don’t have any bush wheels though! Thanks

Hi, I’m looking for some dark sky camp sites to stay at this year. I don’t think I’m going to be able to get to any star parties due to timing. Can anyone recommend any good camping sites to stay at. I live in the West Midlands so Scotland is probably out due to distance but most other places will be do able. If you know of anywhere and ar3 happy to share the details please can you post a link for me. Thanks Steve

Looks great an£ will serve you well I think. I have the big brother equinox 120 so no good for travel. If an equinox 80 had been available when I was looking for my travel set up I’d have snapped it up. For travel I have an Altair 80 starwave which I love and I managed to bag the last of the handset star discover mounts which is perfect for grab and go and travel etc. Hope you enjoy using your set up as you did collecting it. Steve

If you find out let me know because I have a skytee 2 on a SW tripod with an extension tube already ?

Ade, I’ve been in touch with FLO regarding tripod pier extension, Grant says it is available from ioptron at about £180 and they are going to try and source one for me if I order the mount and tripod. I might not need it for the 900mm ED equinox but I think I’ll go for it anyway and that way be sure of no fouling problems. As you say it might be ok but I’m happy to go for it as an insurance policy. Currently they are waiting stock delivery of the tripods. Steve

Thanks Michael - If I read you correctly, am I to understand that the ioptron mount head might fit on top of the SW extension tube? If so, I currently have a skywatcher tripod with an extension tube fitted and that would solve the problem? I have asked the question to FLO as well, lets see what they say? Steve

Thanks for your reply. I am still keen on this mount. Does anyone have any idea if the mount head will fit a SW tripod and extension tube?? or if the SW extension tube will fit the tripod supplied with the ioptron az pro?? Steve

Thanks Uli, I agree. The options as I see it are skywatcher alt Az eq gt5 or 6 or the ioptron, not much else I can use I think? Steve

Thanks Uli, I was considering this for my equinox 120 but based on your experience I am now having second thoughts ?. I want an AZ got mount that can handle the equinox, anybody get any other ideas or does anyone else use this mount with a 120mm F9 frac successfully? Thanks Steve

I thought that exit pupil eyepiece (not scope's) FL in mm divided by scope F ratio? Is that what you meant Olly? Or have I got it wrong? Steve

I am also keen on this mount. Thanks for starting the thread, it’ll be interesting to hear the feedback - hopefully positive.... Steve

I’m saving for the AZ Pro as well Ade ?. Probably have enough by my birthday mid year. Can’t wait. Great news #FLO

Hope to see this at SGL star party next year Ade. Steve

I have the equinox 120 with feather touch and I love it. I use it on skytee 2 no problem. Haven't used it on AZ4 or 5 though. Since using my 80mm Altair ed-r with star discovery goto from my back garden in suburbia light pollution city (great grab and go set up) I have really found it helpful for double stars and the less easy to find objects. Now I want alt az goto for the equinox but they don't come cheap. Heard mixed reports about the az eg5 got and have been a bit put off by them Considering the ioptron az pro with gps, which for similar money seems to be much better spec. Options are limited for this weight of scope in az goto. I'm saving hard to get one of these though... @cloudsweeper Hope you enjoy your ed 120 as much as I love the equinox, whichever mount you choose to use with it.

Just got back. Wish I had known about you..... had an ok time with some clear nights. Oh well maybe next time...

Love this book. I've just been through it and marked all the objects it has in the lunar 100 on the actual map so that I can identify them more easily at the eyepiece.