Trikeflyer

Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

i love ste1 as well. 

5 hours ago, Ruud said:

I'd want a Morpheus 17.5 to use it with five or so telescopes ranging from 500 to 3000 mm.

Of course keeping one eyepiece is easy if you have several varying focal length scopes to put it in 😂. If I am keeping all my scopes and only one eyepiece it’s the 10mm Pentax XW, if I can have a 2x Barlow then the 17.5 morpheus stays instead of the Pentax 😃. The real challenge is if you can only keep one scope and one eyepiece what would that combo be? Maybe that’s the next thread? Btw I took my travel scope to Sorrento where I’m on holiday and guess what there is cloud right where I’m staying. It’s clear everywhere else 🙄I took a pic. That said the other night I managed quite a few southern messiers - 4 to 26 and then a few more. Still love m11 and the swan nebula - what is it about the messier birds 😜

This is so hard because I think the reason most of us have more than one is because one just won’t do. Most of us like lunar, solar and deep sky faint fuzzies. It also depends on budgetary constraints and mount options. I love my equinox 120 and out of all the scopes I have that’s the one I’d keep. If I had the budget, the obsy and the mount, even though I don’t own an sct  I’d probably have a 14 or 16 inch sct permanently set up in a dark sky area @ollypenrice 😂. 

Steve 

1 hour ago, GlenM said:

Not been so well lately so all I've done is charge it. The weather up here not playing ball either. Looking forward to the shorter days as well.

 

Glen.

 

Hope you get better soon and that the weather improves.  I've been happy with mine in general and just wondered how you were getting on.  

Steve

On 27/05/2019 at 16:07, GlenM said:

Well, I've gone ahead and ordered the mount with the 2" tripod. My first go-to alt-az.

 

Glen.

 

How Is the ioptron mount performing Glen?

steve 

On 23/07/2019 at 14:02, John said:

Just for info, the Meade mak-cassegrains (eg: the ETX range and the old Meade 7 inch mak-cass) do seem to operate at their full stated aperture. They have oversized primaries. I've not been a big fan of Meade products over the years but I have heard that the optics of their mak-cassegrains are rather good.

 

The ETX 125 was the first scope I got, I bought used. The go to mount was rubbish at goto! The focuser is typical of this type of scope - a bit sensitive and quite mushy so to speak.  I decide to defork it and mount it on a star discovery mount.  I have to say the optics are very very good indeed although I have not looked through another mak to compare it with. I’ve recently fallen back in love with this scope after dismissing it for quite some time. I use it for looking at double stars and the moon/planets. I don’t think it’s as good as the equinox 120 but it’s not the optics that let it down, its  the focuser. 

Steve 

Also had some good views of Jupiter. Used the etx 125 as the Ed 120 was set up for later and Jupiter was not in the line of sight due to trees. GRS was nice and clear, belts were also very visible. Saw the start of the transit where the moon looked like an extra little lump on the edge of the planet. Very nice. Only got about 10 mins before it was obscured by aforementioned trees but never the less, thanks for the heads up Mark and all the reports posted. Nice to observe in warm weather for a change...

Steve 

Equinox 120 on ioptron az pro ready to go! Sky clear at the moment - that’ll change now I’ve set up I bet ya.

steve 

I have the Pentax XW10 and I love it. If I was looking in this focal length I’d go for the Pentax based on overall experience with the 10mm. That said, I’m sure there are plenty of reasons for choosing the other ones you have short listed, I just haven’t used them so can’t comment.

Good luck in choosing.

Steve 

I have a dob base for 8 inch 1200 scope. I’ve de dobified the scope i had on this dob base (revelation 8 inch 1200 so very similar to yours) and I have the scope on an ioptron az pro - it vibrates a bit when focussing (but settles pretty quickly)even on this substantial mount but I am happy with it.  If you want the dob base and tube mounts it’s yours if you can collect it. I live near Walsall so i know it’s a bit of a trek, that said it’s free if you want it.

pm me if interested.

Steve 

I’m going to Sorrento in Italy, I’ll take a travel scope but I’m not sure how dark the skies will be. The main thing is that I might get to see things that are hard from the UK and also the giant planets will be a few degrees higher which might help the views. This isn’t an Astro holiday but I’d hate to be there wishing I had a scope with me.

Steve 

Here is the link https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/skywatcher-synscan-v4-handset.html

Steve

27 minutes ago, Greymouser said:

Interesting thread, thank you. I would add a question regarding the AZGTi: I have read that you can use it via a hand controller as well? If so which one and how well does it work with it? I would like the option, if/when I get an AZGTi, as I doubt the wifi aspect being reliable, probably without foundation, but I have always been a belt and braces man!

My thoughts too. I only have star discovery mount but this can be used WiFi too with the WiFi  dongle. I suspect that the handset will bethe same as the one on the star discovery mount. I am sure others will confirm if I’m right or wrong.

Steve 

I have an Altair starwave ED 80 on my star discovery mount. I also put my etx 125 (deforked of course). Love it. It’s my grab and go set up but I find I use it a lot. I don't have an az gti. 

Steve

Some of my absolute favourite objects.  The swan nebula is just awesome and draws me in every time, the wild duck cluster is one of my favourite messiers.  Perhaps there's a bird theme going on??

Sounds like you are having a great time, i'm envious!

Next year I've booked to stay near where you are (Eddington Lodge) they have 20 inch dob to use for guests so hopefully the skies will co operate. Oh that's gone and done it then!

Steve

I only recently got an Ioptron AZpro which has handset but can be controlled by wifi skysafari.  I feel the wifi with an Ipad and skysafari plus (not the latest version 6 as this doesn't work with ioptron mount) works brilliantly for me.  I like double stars and the ioptron handset catalogue is limited as it doesn't have SAO catalogue it has HIP instead.  I have the Cambridge double star atlas and this lists SAO numbers so wifi is easier because I can set up an observing list in skysafari using the SAO numbers straight from the Cambridge atlas.  There are also many other downloadable lists for sky safari that others have put together.  That said, I agree that there are limitations especially in the cold and damp.  For the moment on balance i'm favouring wifi.  I've set my tablet not to sleep, so don't have this issue.

Steve

1 minute ago, GlenM said:

Hi Steve,

 

The only scope I have at the moment is my Borg 77ED II. I have been looking at short tube newts lately... Shameful I know.

 

Glen.

 

Nothing to be ashamed of. I de dobified my 8 inch revelation newt and with a bit of weightbbalancing and the pier extension it works fine on the mount. It’s at the weight limit though.

a short tube newt will work great on this mount. 

Steve 

On 28/06/2019 at 19:07, Paz said:

I've been researching binoviewers for ages but this brand new thread is one of the most helpful I've come across!

I've read so many observation reports from binoviewer users that report consistently better detail than I can see that I think they are worth a go. 

I tried a pair of binoviewers recently ("entry level") but it didn't go well. One side was dimmer than the other, and there were collimation problems sideways and vertically. No amount of checking/tweaking eyepieces, eye placement, or i p d resolved the alignment issue.

They therefore went back but I'm not put off the idea of binoviewers fundamentally. The trouble is that it seems that the options are either entry level or hugely expensive top end level. There is also it seems the issue of needing to practice and test to get the best out if them - it's easy these days to be put off if something that isn't immediately better.

The additional weight/length/set up hassle is also something I realised when trying them, but those challenges can be solved.

I think if there is an opportunity for me to try another pair directly  and know they are straight then I'll be happy to give  binoviewers another go. I'd prefer to avoid the process of buying and returning many units in the search for a good pair.

Paz,

I have wo binoviewers. I live near Walsall if you are anywhere near you are welcome to come and try them?

steve

On 07/07/2019 at 11:18, GlenM said:

The voltage is okay Gina. It just had a euro plug. Bought a adapter yesterday and it charged just fine.

 

Glen.

 

I got my ioptron az pro set up last week - same problem with the charger- a bit frustrating but I got the euro to uk adapter and like you, mine charged fine. The mount is awesome. Make sure you get the set up dead level though, I have found you have to re level slightly when you load it with scopes and counterweights. Once level properly it works like a dream. You will love I’m sure, I know I do.

what scope are you planning to use it with?

steve 

Nice picture of one of my favourite messier. I think the wild duck cluster is M11 though? Unless there are two little ducks making it 22 🤪. Either way, love the picture.

Steve 

It was a good night last night.  I wish I could see these nebulae from home. of all my targets, nebulae are a real favourite.  All I could see was M27 and M57 which were nice but not the NAN or the Veil or the swan!  

Had the equinox 120 on the new Ioptron AZ pro.  Made sure the mount was dead level and rock solid and it performed impeccably. I love this mount, it really is very accurate and so simple to use.  If you get the set up right it's amazing! I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an Altaz that has good payload capacity.  It's whisper quiet and a joy to use. 

Spent time an various things last night but the highlights included M11 - probably one of my favourite Messiers - there's so much in that cluster, I always spend a long time on it for some reason.  

The rocking horse (thanks old Nick) NGC6910 in Cygnus was nice as was Graffs Cluster IC 4756 (thanks again Nick).

Some doubles, split of izar was nice, and then a few doubles and clusters in Cas to finish.  Had to go to work on Saturday so although I wanted to stay up past 2.30am I couldn't justify it! The skies were still great when I packed up. Now its raining here and 100% cloud cover. Tonight not looking likely.

Steve

Great to see you got what you wanted. Enjoy the views and the other projects when it’s cloudy!

cant wait to hear more!

steve 

Great report Nick. I think the Swan M17 is the favourite of all the nebulae I’ve seen so far. No imagination required - it’s a swan for sure 😂. Tried the 8 inch De dobbed newt on the iOptron az pro mount for the first time. Some challenges but managed to sort. My highlights last night were M15 glob, the garnet star, my absolute favourite the owl cluster Ngc 457, M11 looked great in the newt compared to the equinox 120. Not bad in the 120 just better in the newt. Ste1 on Lyra was a great open cluster. Managed andromeda galaxy m31 and it’s neighbours too - filled the eyepiece - Pentax Xw10.

Clear skies

Steve 

Olly Penrice’s place les granges in France alps has dark skies and some great tips on Astro photography. 

Steve 

5 hours ago, John said:

Last nights seeing conditions showed me the best views of Jupiter I've had this opposition by far - quite like "the old days" in fact

During the better moments the structure of the 2 main equatorial belts was intricate, especially in the SEB which seems to be split into two parts for much of its diameter. 2 clear festoons were seen and one of those was an extensive loop down into the eq zone.

At points I was getting 6-7 cloud bands.

Not trying to rub salt into the wounds of those who were clouded out though or those for whom the seeing was not cooperating (honestly )

I'm fired up over planetary observing more after last night though !

I went out last night and the seeing was just rubbish by us.  Sky looked clear but Jupiter was like a wobbling jelly all the time I was looking.  Compared to the previous night which was really good, the contrast (or lack of it if you know what I mean) was obvious.  Packed up after half an hour.  Oh well hope for better tonight.

Steve