Panda Alvin

Few things in my list of surplus -

• 15mm T2 Extension Tube x2
• WO SCT 2" Adapter
• OVL 2" Variable Polarising Filter
• Opticstar Vibration Suppression Pads
• Astronomik CLS Clip Filter EOS APS-C
• Baader M43 - T2 Adaptor Ring (For Baader Zoom) [Subject to me finding them]

Just saw this announcement dated yesterday on the Takahashi website. There are pictures in there but I won't link them here.

To save everyone doing a google translate, it states:
"We will release an extension hood for FS-60CB that has the same white color as the lens barrel. 
The extension hood weighs about 420g, so it not only prevents stray light but also functions as a counterweight. FS-60CB is a short aperture telescope with a small aperture, which makes the camera side heavy and difficult to balance."

I've always planned on getting a mini tak in the future, and this news came somewhat at a surprise to me.
The weight balance I can understand, but stray light is a new one for me. For those with the scope, do you think it may help with visual / photo, or just a fancy add on ?
I can imagine the 60Q is just about to get slightly longer though 

Actually had the sky meter for about 2 weeks now, but I received the Vixen 2x42 today. 
I think they will go well together - cant wait to test the binos under proper conditions.
Now all I need is a comfy deck chair maybe... 

I've gone way over the top boxing with my 5" beginner scope, as I like everything neat in one place and ready for a grab and go.

Package consist of
- ROC Aluminium flight case as the shell
- 3 levels of pluck foam, base foam and an egg foam from a MAX 430 case, which happens to had the same width & length internal dimension

The case fits hand baggage allowance for international carriers like British Airways, but unfortunately a wheel or trolley handle too big for regional airlines like EasyJet and Flybe.

I also know its not quite the same with your 130PDS, (I assume the OTA is around 60cm) which will probably breaks all baggage size allowance unless you split the primary like Dirk suggested.

The box holds the OTA, diagonal, zoom, barlow and RDF, leaving only the mount and a small manfrotto tripod to carry in another bag. 

Welcome Tony, nice scope you got there !

Just to let you know, there is a SGL club for Dorset should you be interested.
The guys meet up once in a while to stargaze, unfortunately slightly too far for me half of the time as I am based near Southampton. 

Hello Adam, Eastleigh here. Nice scope you got there, hope you get many good views out of it.

If you do go for the M12 bolt option, I would suggest buying the "coach" variant with a short thread, and between 200mm - 300mm in length.
This is because the socket eats almost 30mm of the bar and the mount battery compartment blocks another 90mm.

As for counterweight, TS do sell one that fits on the 12mm rod. 
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p10277_TS-Optics-Counterweight-1-kg-for-counterweight-rod-with-10-12-mm-diameter.html
I own one and it works OK, but the quality I got from them was below average in my opinion (maybe I am just picky). 

Looks somewhat like a slug trail... maybe a gastropod took advantage while you were out there, and wanted the front seat of the telescope ?  🙃
Ok... ill see myself out.

Probably not going to make this as I have an early Saturday morning
Just in case I do - where is this Creech Car Park ?

Sorry not much going to of help here - 
The only thing I could see is lack of central strut on your tripod / mount. Your long tak would probably hit the tripod legs when angled.
You could purchase a SW AZ extension tube but I personally don't like it as it could become a fiddle (if the screw between mount - extension is loose). 

New camera mount arrived today. Putting it on a 24 hours test spin at the moment. Cant wait to do some lovely time-lapses and exposures with this  

Can't comment on this specific can as I have my own one. Optimal time is normally around 6 months, between the two solstice to capture the full range of sun trails.

Great item to have for people who are into artistic photography or produce one with minimal effort. 

Don't think I will be much of a help with this one but thought I will chip in my 2 cents.

From my experience when I turn the mount on, a wifi SSID should quickly appear beginning with "ESP" eg(ESP_14CD09) while it is being "booted up". Don't bother connecting to this as the Synscan app wont recognise it and only delays the process. Give it about 10 -15 seconds and the SSID will switch to a name starting with "SynScan"  eg (SynScan_cd09). This is the one you connect.

As for your comment:

8 hours ago, mikeysweet said:

AZ-GTI WiFi can never stay on long enough to connect

Do the wifi SSID disappear for you after a while ? It should stay available as long as the mount is turned on. Similar to JimothyC suggestion, what are you currently using to power the mount?  Do you still get the blinking red lights after the wifi goes off ?

Not strictly astro astro, hope you'll forgive. 

Got the 11-20mm F/2.8 lens for Canon crop sensor today. 
Hope I can get some good Milky way / star trail / time lapse pictures with this.

23 hours ago, heliumstar said:

motors struggling when accelerating and then again when stopping. Grind like, unhealthy sound.

Double checked my mount tonight, other than the general slewing noise, I cant hear any grinding.
Out of curiosity, how are you powering the mount ? By battery or plug in power source ?
Also have you made sure the locking clutch have been fully screwed in ? For mine the screw for the AZ gear have to go deeper than I prefer to fully lock. 

Really sorry to hear the mount did not live up to your expectations heliumstar.
Could you describe how it is struggling ? Does it sound heavy on the gears, slow on slewing, or are you having tracking issues ?

The mount works wonders for my  4.6kg Mak (2" Visual back upgraded), though on a much shorter tube.
I was thinking the longer tube may increase torque required but it shouldn't be an issue if the scope is balanced ? 

The mount itself isnt the issue, it is a fairly solid construction and should easily hold it steady with that frac + accessories.

The main concern is the tripod that comes with the mount if you brought it in the bundle, it should be replaced with a better tripod if you want it really still at those powers. 

2 hours ago, London_David said:

Also, does anyone know where to buy a counterweight bar for eq mode? I’ve read it fits an eq1 bar but I can’t find that to buy separately. I don’t even know if the eq1 bar is correct. To date I’ve bought 3 different bars now and none of them fit. Very boring!

Try tool stores for really long bolts. The minimum requirements are M12 threaded (1.75 pitch distance) and suggest to have it no shorter than 20cm due to mount shape. I believe the rod from Star Adventurer mount will NOT do the job as I read from somewhere it has a M8 thread.

I personally struggled to find a suitable counterweight bar myself, so I ended up ordering a M12, half threaded coach bolt 300mm from Westfield Fasteners.

For the length I've ordered, they only have it in zinc coated and not stainless. Its around £10 with delivery, not the prettiest thing or quality but does the job for now. The threading can be rough but I used the hex bolt they supplied to clean the threads up. I also spray painted it with a black anti rust paint and taped over the areas where my weight screws would hit to have it better weatherproof.

It didn't really matter half of the bolt was threaded, as lower part of the GTI mount itself blocks the counterweight going that far up anyway. (unless you have a really really thin counterweight).  

Does anyone have the dimension of the rings / holder at its maximum ?
Just wanted to see what is the smallest bag or case it could fit into.