Richard

I didn’t set out to measure this, but my ED 1.5x didn’t bring a binoviewer to focus in that way. While there may have been some shift, there was not enough to help.

A bit late on this one, but I use the chart attached for the various Tak Extenders, and all seems well. For visual, the ED 1.5x works very well with my FSQ85, and the 2” 1.6x with the FSQ106, despite rumours that they are only for AP. Both have given excellent views of Jupiter over the last year or so, and Mars during the 2022 opposition. Views through TSA102 are superb with the ED 1.5x, and the ‘old’ 1.25” 1.6x works well with an FS60.

It’s less than f/6, how much faster do you need…? Richard

Going a bit off-track, but my first view of the Veil, through a 16” Dob and Lumicon UHC, was the first time I’d seen something that looked something like the observatory images available then (~25 years ago). Even from pretty dark skies (Bortle 2/3), the UHC filter made a big difference. Without it the Veil was clearly visible, but with it I could see quite a lot of detailed structure.

I used to give a talk for CfDS in the late 2000s, and even to audiences of EHOs, who would enforce the then-new ‘light nuisance’ legislation, the facts that really caught their attention were around CO2 emissions and reductions in energy costs. The LP was a bit of a side issue. Still, if it does the job…

I feel the same way - it was about the thrill of what I could actually see from my own garden, with whatever basic kit I could beg, borrow or otherwise scrounge as a young teenager. My 1970s ‘Observer’s Book of Astronomy’ by a certain P Moore is something I won’t ever happily part with. Still has my pencilled notes in it from those days.

Despite saying for many years that I’d always ‘want to see the photons with my own eyes’, i.e. remain visual, experience with modern filters - an l-Enhance initially - and a DSLR a couple of years ago has tempted me into imaging. It’s so easy to take reasonable images. With almost universal LP, to some extent, in the UK it’s easy to see why people have shifted largely to imaging. As technology continues to provide ever-better imaging kit, it’s hard to see this changing. My imaging tends to be a simple affair, without Pixinsight etc, nothing more than simple stacking and maybe a fiddle with contrast. I like the idea of the images being representative of what I might actually see, with a large enough scope and dark skies. I am still predominantly a visual observer, though, and can’t see that changing, since, for me, nothing beats the thrill of sitting under the stars and just looking up, as often as not with a pair of Vixen 2.1x42s or a 4-5” refractor. As the previous post says, though, each to their own! It’s supposed to be enjoyable, rather than proscriptive.

Just returned from a week in Wales (Anglesey), dark skies and booked to coincide with the Moon-free (ish) Perseid maximum. Not a chance! One clear night (8th) and the mist rolled in… Richard

I wasn’t aware, thanks; I’m pretty new to AP, finally succumbed after decades of visual, so my questions will probably seem a bit basic!

Thanks - I’ll give it a go. I generally consider ‘live’ to be a bit of a pain, and switch it off, but maybe it has its uses!

Isn’t it amazing what iPhones can do! Wonder can you help me with a query? I’ve taken some casual wide-field images with my iPhone 13, and it easily captures e.g. M42 even when hand-held. I’ve bought an adapter to use on a scope, but I believe it stacks images automatically - is there any way of ‘unstacking’ the images? Any tips welcome! Richard

I was offered an ED130SS in response to a ‘wanted’ ad a couple of months ago. I didn’t go for it in the end as it was located in Italy, and after import charges etc would have been more than I wanted to pay. I’d be happy to put you in touch with the chap who replied to my ad? I love old ‘Vixen green’ kit. I regret selling an ED114SS a couple of years ago, but did manage to re-acquire my FL80S last year, nearly 15 years after swapping it with a friend, via a third owner. Lovely, sharp optics, and really portable. Keeps up with my Tak 76DCU. Richard

Superb! I bought a new tin of the Tak paint a few years ago, and it’s horrible stuff, more like glue than paint. This looks a much better match than the stuff I bought - the Tak greens varied over the years in any case. Now, can you tell me how to change my 100DC into an FS128? Please??

I’ve been watching the price slowly creep down, and have been sorely tempted, ultimate planetary scope, keep it for life, develop a sudden interest in planetary nebulae, globulars and so on, all the usual ‘excuses’ I make to myself. The price is more than fair, relative to a new one, but therein lies the issue - they’re v expensive new, for what they are, and ridiculously so compared to the old Al tube model. Too much of a ‘one trick pony’, too; it might ‘just’ beat my 6” APM/LZOS on Solar System - none of the planets are well-placed at present - on a (clear) night with perfect seeing, once cooled, but how often does everything come together? The APM is adequately cooled after 90 min for all but critical viewing, less for deep sky, is much more versatile and available (for now at least) for about the same price - similar scopes can be had for less, a TEC140FL, for example. I’m still tempted, though!

Just added a link to my FB profile - not sure that my few friends will make much difference though