Silent Running

Oops, I didn't notice you asked this back in 2022... maybe no longer relevant!

Hi Dr Mike, I then asked TTS if they could make me a dedicated adapter plate to attach Q to the Panther mount which in due course they did! I did all this while I was working in Saudi Arabia, but then got worried about all the dust in the air and took my Q back to Scotland several years ago. I completely forgot about the adapter until I saw your post! I like the challenge of trying to use the Q for some deep sky astrophotography. Of course, with a Duplex, you can easily take the OTA off the fork and attach it to a vixen plate or piggyback it to another scope. While I was over there, I also acquired the Questar dec drive and Wildcard Innovations Argo Navis digital setting circle and encoders for the Questar 3.5. In theory, if you use the digital setting circles to get fairly close to a target, you should be able to use a Powerguide-3 tomake final adjustments! I have yet to try this though. What I want to do is set up my standard portable rig, small refractor controlled by asiair pro, then spend time trying to do astrophotography with the Questar! Now that Ive returned home to Scotland its on my agenda... I just miss the clear nights of Scotland!!

Hi Dr Mike, I have done this! Initially, I used the hole on the bottom of my Questar to screw it to a Primalucelab Losmandy-style plate and then attached it to my TTS Panther 160 mount. I did it with a Vixen-style plate too but didn't feel it was as secure. I guess you could attach it in the same way to any mount...

Ian! You were absolutely right, and I've got egg on my face, hahaha, there was an adapter ring tightly screwed on to the filter!! After removing it fits perfectly! I can confirm if anyone else had doubts that the IDAS LPS-D2 filter is completely compatible with the Baader UFC filter system. Thanks again

Ohhh! Thanks for pointing this out! Yes you're right... I've got screw threads top and bottom. When I get home I'll check. How embarrassing if I've got another adapter screwed onto it!!!

Has anyone encountered compatibility problems of standard filters with the Baader Universal Filter Changer (UFC) system? I have the Filter base assembled with their camera adapter for wide T-ring and telescope-side M48 adapter, together with a couple of M48 filter drawers. It seems beautifully engineered but not cheap when fully assembled. The filter drawer fits nicely into the filter base when its empty. I then tried inserting my Hutech IDAS LPS-D2 filter into the drawer... no problem screwing it in. But then trying to slide the drawer into the base, I found that it gets stuck half way! On closer inspection I realised that the height of the filter means that it stands slightly proud of the rim of the filter drawer! Pics below. Does anyone have experience of using other filters with this 'universal' system. Optolong? Triad?

The Rainbow RST mounts are very interesting too. I have a Rainbow RST-135... very light and compact, no counterweight, yet with a large capacity. Can be used in equatorial or AZ configuration. The RST-135 costs a bit less than the M-Uno, while the larger (though still small and compact) RST-300 costs more than a 10-Micron GM1000. If you need a mount to go through a small opening this type of mount or the similar Hobym Crux mounts seem hard to beat.

Its great to hear about this project. I think are are several people on this forum with observatories up here in Scotland... I am still at the planning stage, for when I get back permanently from the Middle East. Over there in the desert its mainly shielding from the never-ending Sun and clear skies in the daytime, and dealing with occasional sand and dust storms. Oh, and one of our group knealt on a scorpion last year when packing up his tent. Luckily one of the big black ones which are less venomous than the wee brown b*ggers, still had to rush him to hospital for antivenom!

Hi thanks for this. That is useful info on the threads on the reducers and explains why none of my other adapters fit!!!

I was reading a few threads here and looking at some surprisingly good images taken with the baby Tak... I recently acquired an FS60cb which I would like to use as an ultraportable imaging scope. I wonder if I could ask for advice on imaging setup. I find the Tak system chart a bit inconsistent. I have the dedicated 0.72x reducer. I want to use it with a Canon dslr. I couldn't find any reference to the back focus/metal back distance of the reducer in the official Tak material, although online I found people quoting 56mm? The system diagram for the FS60cb though doesnt seem to add up to 56mm, unless I am misreading it. Do you use the stock focusser or change to a feathertouch? Have you found adapters to attach to the Tak reducer? I would be grateful for any help on imaging trains that people have found to work, and if possible a pic or diagram/sketch of your imaging train with the FS60cb ? Clear skies and keep well everyone Jo

Hi Stuart, I recently acquired an FS60CB but haven't had much chance to use it yet. I like the fact that Tak provides the system charts which not all makes do... but then I too found they are rather capricious! Have you been able to resolve the back focus issue? Could you post any pics of your imaging setup for guidance? Thanks, Jo

Oops sorry, missed this. The Revell is much larger at 1:96 scale. I think the Airfix was 1:144 scale so maybe not fair comparison. I also added a bit of extra detail this time... there are accessory kits available, I think for both scales. 50 years ago... yes I dont think my painting was that hot! I seem to remember wanting to run round the garden with it!

Hmmm, not sure about much Sun in Scotland! Im at work in the Middle East at the moment.

Window open! I'm on 3rd floor, so they don't insist on hermetic sealing!! Now I'm just waiting for repeat test at weekend... and hoping to get back home to sunny (???) Scotland for Christmas