swag72

Is there any plans to add something other than Messier objects to the FOV calculator. In others they seem to link up to the DSS so you can put in any object designation that you want to look at.

I'd put this on my favourites bar a couple of nights ago and decided to give it the maiden voyage so to speak, last night.

The setup is good and the level of information is very comprehensive - It's a nice format to view.

On the other hand, and no reflection on you guys, I am pleased to report that it's as hopelessly inaccurate as all the other weather predicting services

Holy Moly!!! Stunning and superb don't even begin to describe this work. Such dedication, it's beautiful Jonas, it really is

Welcome to SGL Nagarajan - Glad that you found us and hope that you enjoy the forum.

Look forward to seeing you around

Looking at the images you have posted and the corner crops, I don't think I'm seeing round stars, but will gladly stand corrected. How do you feel about these test images Gina?

For a better look see, I think you'd do better posting a single fits sub, unprocessed or stretched at all.

When I came to changing my Skywatcher scope to a shorter refractor I had a budget of about £1k. In doing my research I was told by many a good imager on this forum that a good doublet is better than a poor triplet. To that end I found and bought a Pentax 75SDHF - A quality doublet. Another doublet I would have considered was a TV85 - Televue is a quality brand.

For £1k I felt that there was too much scope (excuse the pun) to get a poor triplet - I am pleased I took this advice, the little Pentax doublet was a dream.

Over a year later and I feel there are still few triplets I would consider in that sort of price bracket.

I've also been delighted with my 2 second hand scope purchases - the duffest scope of the lot was a brand new Skywatcher. I'm afraid that has probably mace me rather jaded. Do your research and a second hand scope is a good buy.

While I couldn't possibly comment on your new toy  I am nonetheless pleased to hear that Cachou is doing well after her operation :grin:

If you are using an aperture mask and the problem sorts out, would this not be a design issue that would apply to all of the scopes? Surely whatever is causing it would be the same in all of the scopes?

Are you planning on having to use a mask all of the time then Gina or is this just diagnostic to then return it for fixing?

Return it, save up and get a Tak - That's what you ultimately want!!

Make sure that you don't end up over your 30 day returns promise while waiting for your lathe and adapter making if you think you'll not be happy with it and there is an optics problem.

What's your thoughts on the star shapes Gina - Are you happy with them?

The spacing has been confirmed Gina, in case you miss it - 54.9mm from the mating surface - So again optimal for DSLR's

Just out of interest Gina, how did you put this together without any spacing information?

I made a cut in every one - I just assumed that this was what everyone had to do. I tried to fit them over a T thread with no avail. They still work!

I use these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWER-GRIP-JAR-OPENER-JARS-BOTTLES-LIDS-MULTIPURPOSE-ADJUSTABLE-RUBBER-STRAP-/261226256264?pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item3cd24c5788) on one of the adapters and plumbers grips on the other!

WD40 has also been used in the past. A top tip when you do separate them is to wipe the threads with boot polish before you use them.

Ian king of Ian king imaging consistently delivers good service and he answers the phone and is happy to spend however long talking you through stuff. He's a top bloke and an honest guy, won't sell you anything you don't need.

If you are interested in the 6" RC for imaging, then you need look no further than Johns images, frankly what he produces is superb

I emailed Bern about a couple of adapters I needed - He got back to me that day with an answer. I phoned him up and gave my card details. I paid for International signed for out to Spain and he sent me a tracking number later in the day. The rest is down to the postal systems in UK and Spain and I'm glad to say that they behaved well.

Once again, Bern has delivered top notch service. He's my first retailer of choice now for accessories, adapters etc. He is knowledgeable, helpful and to top it all will post abroad. His business model certainly meets my requirements.

I'll stick with my frac I think! Whatever possessed me!!

Good link to that commentary, I think your job is done, I shall be leaving an RC well alone. Now to take it off my CCDCalc before I forget what I've just read and think that it would all be OK.

......................... If you have only ever owned refractors this may be unfamiliar territory...............

Probably understatement of the century. I must return from La La land and stop wishing for a longer focal length!

...... Howie Glatter stuff......... I've so far just used a Cheshire eyepiece to collimate and I seem to get a reasonable collimation but would certainly be interested in any tools that may be able to really nail it down.

Perhaps I am being cynical, but I would be surprised if the Howie Glatter stuff is that cheap and two things were mentioned in the thread up from this one. Then it is stated here that the Cheshire gets a reasonable collimation, suggesting that to really nail it, you need additional 'stuff'

please elaborate, I'm curious to know.

So, lets assume I'm from the camp that wants the collimation 'nailed' and not reasonable - The 6" from AA costs £399 and I bet the goodies to get the collimation spot on aren't far off this price? Or do you think I'm just being cynical about the prices of astro stuff and the niche market

If I'm wrong, I look forward to being corrected - If not it will help me to somehow stop looking at this thread and dreaming!!!

On the other hand - Having never used anything but a refractor, perhaps I'm just getting all this collimation lark wrong as well!

I wish I could stop looking at this thread - But I can't!!

My concerns are two fold - Firstly, collimation and then that in order to really nail it you need to spend probably as much as the 6" in order to get it spot on. Madness!!

These images make me wish I was less of a big girls blouse and had the confidence to try this fandangled collimation thing!! You've got it all working very well together John, well done for persevering and also writing such a comprehensive review.