Ande

15 minutes ago, nephilim said:

Hi Andy,

This is the problem I'm having, the ideal case for me would be 600mm x 500mm x 500mm but can't find that anywhere so I would have to go for a custom made case which is just silly expensive.

The tool box you've linked looks ideal & is a really good price, all it needs is the foam which I can get from the link I posted above.

I'm going to have another measure (not that It's going to have changed size since I last measured it 😂)

The main problem I have is because my setup is side by side mounted it makes it a lot wider & stripping that down even in the smallest way would mean pretty much taking the lot to bits. 

I don’t know what impresses me the most….  Your gear, or your location. Either way, you’re a very lucky boy 😃

Stanley do seem to make quite the assortment of sizes at very keen prices.  £29.99 was the price I paid.  Worth a peep 🙂

Thanks each. Both of those options look decent.  However, I’ve just collected my Stanley case from my local Screwfix. Once I have foamed it out it should be just about perfect.  Although I’ve pictured it with the guide scope on, the lid doesn’t come down. So I’ll only have to remove that for storage, which is fine by me 🙂. The case seem very robust, and could probably stand the weight of an average person. I’d be sure to make sure the scope isn’t inside whilst testing that theory though 😂. 
 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatmax-tool-box-26/8380p#product_additional_details_container

9 hours ago, nephilim said:

I'm wanting the same so that I can move my gear about without stripping down. No surprise but its not cheap 😂 Some places such as this also make custom cases to suit your required specs https://www.trifibre.co.uk/product-category/type/waterproof-cases/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAk4aOBhCTARIsAFWFP9HqDWmU-dAwCprQDwATmMyUMVmQmNqPEFRD3tJLdzrA9hLNESHYQHYaAvuaEALw_wcB

If foam isn't included in any case you decide on you can buy it here. https://www.gwp.co.uk/protective/foam-inserts/flight-case/

They look quite good. But, again, the only way I could accommodate my scope would be by going way over size in height. The foam link could be useful though. Anyway, panic over as I’ve found the ideal case. Drum roll please……

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-fatmax-tool-box-26/8380p#product_additional_details_container

9 hours ago, cajen2 said:

Or something like this, with foam included:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/PeakTech-7270-Universal-Aluminium-piece/dp/B00I1GP1RC/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=2CI7RGSP2IW1P&keywords=clas+ohlson+flight+case&qid=1640129870&sprefix=clas+ohlson+flight+case%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-6

I did look at similar, but it’s getting the right proportions….  That one is way too shallow.

12 minutes ago, cajen2 said:

How long is the ZX61?

About 45cm, with the image train attached.

Okay, thanks to each of you. Although they look interesting, I’ve discluded the Neweer bag, as I’m not entirely sure how protective it would be if it were to take a knock. So I took a look at tool boxes, as suggested, and spotted a Stanley one that looks like it could fit the bill with a bit of foam padding: https://www.toolstop.co.uk/stanley-1-94-749-toolbox-fatmax-waterproof-23-inch-p14024/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAk4aOBhCTARIsAFWFP9H8UKNBL_-OsLlXnk2VDVqyUUFDo-BS92wCPndL6ycA8tygdDD4s4oaAhTZEALw_wcB

I think I could probably pick one of these up locally too. 
 

Thanks again 🙂

I’ve got a William Optics ZS61, which came with a very nice padded bag/case. However, once an EAF, flattener/reducer, filter drawer, spacers, guidescope, guidecam and main camera have been added the case suddenly becomes useless. I don’t want to break my rig down after use, and would prefer to be able to put it away “as is” for storage or transportation, and also for faster setup.  I don’t mind popping the guidescope off, but that’s about it.  Does anyone know of any suitably sized cases, preferably foam filled, so they can be custom cut to fit?  I did look on the FLO site, but all seemed to be cases for specific OTA’s.

Thanks Steve. That is most helpful.  The over-tightened taper bearing theory seems a strong possibility, as it does feel like  it just needs something backing off inside.   Although I’ll wait until after Xmas before I go upsetting myself by breaking anything 😂. 
 

Much appreciated 🙂

Thanks each.  I’ll have a look at them both, and figure out who’s approach is the most understandable. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so something along the lines of the Janet and John books would be just about perfect 😃. Much appreciated. 

Hi all. I’ve recently bought an HEQ5 Pro, with the Rowan belt mod.  The problem is that both the RA and DEC axis are quite stiff. It’s impossible to balance the load out properly because, unless it is crazily biased at either end, it just sits there.  Consequently, I have to guess the balance point more by how much pressure I have to apply to get it moving.  I know that the problem’s not unique to me, but just wondered where I could find the best guide to freeing things up a bit? 

Well, that was a rollercoaster of a read 😂. Really happy for you having arrived at a decision. Looking forward to the next chapter 🙂. 

That should do the trick. Thank you very much 🙂

Oops 😂.  No need to apologise. It’s just me being thick. I certainly won’t be buying a manual controller. I’ll try and get rough focus in daylight, hopefully via the “video” mode. 

Thanks Jonny. Not what I wanted to hear, but you’ve probably saved me oodles of time and frustration.  I’m not using the hand controller as I’m using an EQMOD Cable. 

Hi all.  Tonight was the first night of trying to get my new gear up and running.  It’s all centred around an ASIAIR PRO. I’m a bit confused about focusing, as it says in order to autofocus, I need to do a rough, manual focus first.  The thing is, with the ZWO EAF connected, I don’t seem to be able to turn the knobs by hand. They are rock-solid. They turn fine via the EAF, but that is a real faff. Am I doing something wrong? 

1 hour ago, HollyHound said:

Only bought this from @Dean Hale on Sunday and it’s already here… excellent condition as always, thanks mate 👍

An Asiair Plus to upgrade my Asiair Pro (coming to sales corner very soon)😃

Unfortunately was only able to use the Pro a little this year due to lack of time, but hopefully this can get me back into imaging, at least on a beginner/casual basis 🤞

Really glad you snapped that up as I was about to. My wallet thanks you 😃

Sorted. It just required me having my Weetabix, then having a run at it. I need a lie down now 😅.

Just taken delivery of a new HEQ5 Pro. Upon checking it over it appears the large, white cap/cover that hides the polar scope has been installed by a gorilla. I’m 6’2”, and 17 stones, and cannot budge it. Any tips?

The results of a chrimbo spend turned up today. If I buy anything else I’ll fully expect Santa to come down the chimney and give me a punch in the face 😯

That’s a cracking scope by the way. You’ll be in for a treat once you get sorted. Good luck 🙂

Even if you’re way out of focus initially, you will see light, shade and colour whizzing across the eyepiece as you move the telescope in daylight whilst scanning the terrain. An out of focus sky is just a blank page.

I should have said that it’s easiest to find something with the telescope first, and then adjust your guidescope to match it.

1 minute ago, Az9 said:

Hi Ande, yes I am going to be trying that tomorrow but I still expected to see something through the eyepiece even if its not in focus...

When aligning do you mean looking through the eyepiece and putting the object in the middle of the finder ? 

Yes. Find a distant object, one of the x’s on an aerial or similar, and get both telescope and guide to display it centrally.

If your guide scope is just a little out it can equate to being way out when you point it at the heavens. In other words, your telescope might not be pointing at the moon at all. Experiment with it in daylight. It’s much easier to find out if you have a genuine problem or not.

Also worth aligning your finder scope with your telescope in daylight. Pick a distant tree, or chimney or something.