doubledoubleswifty

Thanks Geoff for your reply.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'm clever enough follow your recommendations without making the situation worse.

I think I'll also contact Celestron to see what they say.  

Do you know of any people or companies in the UK that might be able to repair it?

Hello,

I bought a Celestron NexStar Evolution second hand a few years ago now.

It was working perfectly fine the last time I used it a few months ago.

I got it out this weekend but when using the right/left keys on the NexStar/Starsense controller or the Skyfari 6 Plus App on Android - it won't slew at all.  There's not even any motor sounds.  

However, using the up/down keys is perfectly fine.

Please could you suggest what I should do?  😪

On 29/03/2021 at 00:55, Toaster05 said:

I'm really keen to pick up this lens. I've just recently acquired a tracker and I'm not sure if I should throw down on a small scope or go with the lens.

I've seen it advertised online via Tecobuy and have noted that it's been purchased by SGL members from there. Has anyone taken the plunge post brexit? Just wondering how the customs situation changes the price (£287 currently which seems silly cheap)

Cheers.

Hello, I recently purchased one.

Ordered 20th of February.

Arrived 18th of March.

I was able to track the item in DHL's website so didn't have any real concerns.

Hello,

My iOptron SkyGuider Pro has just arrived today and I've reached my first hurdle.

I live near Wigan and my latitude is 53ºN.

It's not possible for me to go any further than 44º.

Could you advise what I should do for my latitude?

Cheers.

On 02/03/2021 at 15:09, Richie092 said:

I bottled it and ordered from Amazon. It is sitting in front of me with the Atik EFW and 383l+ hanging off the back of it waiting for first light.

Hopefully get an hour tonight to see if I have the spacing right. M48 to M53 Adaptor 2mm -> Atik EFW2 22mm -> Atik 383L 17.5mm = (2 + 22 + 17.5) = 41.5mm (+/- 0.5mm) I may need to space it out a bit but will see.

Hopefully yours will turn up soon. What are you using it with?

It finally arrived today!

Ordered 20th of February.

Arrived 18th of March.

On quick inspection - no major problems seen 🙂

On 16/02/2021 at 18:21, Richie092 said:

Did you have to pay duty or import tax on the screen price? It looks a little too cheap to be true!

I've ordered one from Tecobuy as well.  Just got an email from them saying it's been dispatched today - I'll keep you updated how it goes!

Hi everyone,

I've always been a visual observer and never really considered doing astrophotography.

However, I would like to start dipping my toes in this field now.

Eqipment wise - I've got a SkyWatcher Skyliner 250PX, Celestron Evolution 8 EdgeHD and a Canon 1000D and T ring.

I know that as they are AltAz mounts astrophotography would be limited until I invest in an equatorial mount in the future.

Could you recommend/advise what I can with the above equipment for now?  I've checked out some of the photos on the No EQ challenge post.

Thank you!

Is the firmware up to date?

Loving the new update - it reminds me of Twitter!

8 hours ago, Starwatcher2001 said:

DoubleDoubleSwiftly,

I'm successfully using StarSense with NexStar (Evolution 9.25), driven from SkySafari and it works perfectly.

I updated the Evolution software to 7.17.0098 (April 2020), which fixes the WiFi bug in 7.17.0031.

Also updated the SySense handset to 1.20.20162 (July 2020).

The firmware history is here:  https://www.celestron.com/pages/firmware-update-history

Cheers,

Mark

Thank you!  

I spent a good few hours last night updating the StarSense camera, handcontroller and the mount.

Took a while to figure it all out but I think I've done it.

Can't wait to try it again - fingers crossed it works next time!

On 01/05/2020 at 23:50, Dave7 said:

Glad I have helped you too.

Hi Dave7,

Just wondering if you managed to solve the problem?

I recently bought the same telescope and starsense and tried to use it two nights ago.

Tried to use connect and align on the SkyPortal app and also kept on getting error messages.

Looking forward to your reply.

I think this book should be quite good for a 10 year old 🙂

StarFinder For Beginners - https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarFinder-Beginners-Maggie-Aderin-Pocock/dp/0241286832

2 hours ago, prusling said:

Slightly OT, where did you get your Rolson Load Straps?

I'd like to know as well!

Thanks for all your replies - I do find myself reluctant to go outside and set up the SW250PX.  

I would love to have something that does not involve downgrading the views but at the same time - I can lift up and carry outside in one go.

Sounds good, cant wait!

1 hour ago, bomberbaz said:

Ah Ok, quite a way from me then.

Have you got the wifi gti or just thinking about getting one.

Hi East Lancs!

I've got a SkyWatcher 250PX; I'm finding it a bit bulky so I'm quite keen to get something to "grab and go".

So quite interested in other technologies/different telescopes available out there.

How do you find your SW GTi 127 compared to your XT10i?

6 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

Yes it is, I own it. Where abouts in lancashire are you?

Burscough, West Lancashire!

12 hours ago, Dr Strange said:

Welcome aboard. After working with the product I recommend the Skywatcher AZ-GTi and 130mm Newtonian package when asked by people at the outreach events I do (prior to the C-19 situation I did about 2-3 a month). It is affordable. Allows you to see the moon, planets, many deep space objects (DSO) including most if not all of the Messier objects, gives you full GOTO as well as the ability to star hop, and is very compact. It can be seen here:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az-gti-wifi/sky-watcher-explorer-130ps-az-gti.html

If the power runs out - is it possible to manually push/pull the telescope? 

Hello,

I have a Sky-Watcher 250PX (10 inches) and still quite a beginner to astronomy.  

I was having a look at FLO's website and wondered how would it compare to a SCT/MCT.

For example https://www.firstlightoptics.com/se-series/celestron-nexstar-8se.html or https://www.firstlightoptics.com/maksutov/skywatcher-skymax-180-pro.html

Would the views be much different on a SCT/MCT?

Thank you!

Thank you all for your replies.

It makes sense we can never seen Mercury or Venus at midnight as we're facing towards the outer solar system 🙂

Is there a reason why Venus is normally found in the Western sky?  Sorry for the silly question!

Hello,

I'm just watching BBC's Sky At Night right now - 6 minutes in. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000db8r/the-sky-at-night-a-beginners-guide).

The presenter is explaining opposition.  "But you'll ever hear that Mercury or Venus are at opposition....have orbits which are smaller than the Earth's so they can't appear in the night sky".

Could someone explain the above to me in very simple terms?

On 30/06/2019 at 10:52, Stu said:

Tricky one. If you drop too much aperture then you may end up disappointed with the views you get, but then a scope you use is much better than one you don't!

 I assume you have to go somewhere dark to observe rather than your back garden?

One suggestion might be a Celestron 8SE. Not a cheap option but much easier to handle and set up in its smaller parts

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/se-series/celestron-nexstar-8se.html

What would your budget be?

Thank you for your suggestion!  How easy is it just to carry it outside in one?

On 30/06/2019 at 21:23, Ricochet said:

What do you mean by this? Just putting the OTA onto the base and screwing in the handles or is there more to it? 

Unfortunately I have recently moved into an apartment.  Carrying the OTA and then base up and down the stairs a few times and then through a few doors gets tiring.

Thank you for your replies guys.  Ideally, I would just prefer something that I can carry myself in one and just go outside?  Does that ideal telescope exist?  Not looking to do astrophotography at the moment.

Hello,

I have a SW250PX, I'm finding it a bit difficult to transport and tedious to set up each time.

Please, do you have a recommendation for something with similar views but easier set up?