PaulM

i use a 2" barlow

3 minutes ago, Daf1983 said:

Great👍 Is that one with a 2inch adaptor?

yep good fit and can get prime focus

First attemp of mars just 6 best images stacked

this is the t-ring i got

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0759X99NQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_G-5sFb4J7HK1Q

Recently bought a used 350d camera for £30 to see what I could get from my 350p dob and managed this last night of mars 6 best images stacked not processed further. i use a Canon 4524B001 Remote Control RC-06 to take the images quickly after each other

Ive also had to buy a 2x barlow to achieve close up focus as well as a short t-ring adaptor for the camera to achieve primary focus

Don't forget you can disconnect the tube from the base with a dob such as a skywatcher very easily and quickly, place the base where needed and then put the tube back on

You can also put castors on the base to make it even more manageable so if your budget is no limit then this may give you the option of a larger scope, the larger the better for DSOs

Hawkings thinks go shame this never went anywhere

BBC News - Hawking backs interstellar travel project
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36025706

As for the comments about sorting things out on Earth first. We will be the species that travels the stars and does bad things we are the evil empire unfortunately

Right angled viewfinder (RAIC) is a must

Based on my observations through my 200, 300, 350p dobs I would get a wide angled high focal length eyepiece to take in the larger objects up there

16 hours ago, 200pman said:

You need this.i built it a few years ago.works really well.very stable .you wont go back to a std dob ever.

im not skilled enough to do this haha

1 hour ago, Daf1983 said:

That's interesting, as I've been struggling a bit with jupiter. I can just about see the bands, but nothing much more. Not sure if that's because of poor seeing, their low altitude or a combination of both. But I think some sort of filter could help

I would say a combination of both - my experiences of viewing Jupiter \ Saturn in the dobs I have owned have been quiet disappointing, the Neodymium filter did bring out more detail\clarity but Jupiter \ Saturn for me are always not far from roof tops so suffer badly from heat\convection currents

also any suggestions on how to improve the vertical motion/smoothness/control most welcome

yes thats it are they not standard?

I used my new Neodymium filter on Saturn/Jupiter but seeing was awful but could see a benefit vs not using the filter

3 minutes ago, Daf1983 said:

Which filters would you recommend?

I started with a UHC and Oiii filter and tend to get the better views from the UHC filter

Interesting post, may have a go myself if we get any clear skies here in the UK in the same week\month to do so haha

Do you have tracking on your telescope?

Would recommend anyone who hasn't done with with a skywatcher dob to do this

Took the base apart to reveal two silver plates and in between a black plastic plate with numerous little cylindrical runners around the edge.

Around the edge of the two silver plates where the cylinder runners contact was absolutely filthy so got some oil out and gave it a all a good clean down and oiled each cylindrical runner and put it back together - all in all a 15 minute job but what a different its made to observing much easier and more precise movement 

Excellent set of objects observed, very very reminiscence of my first observation sessions through my 200p and likewise my expectations were exceeded when I first observed M81\82 together in the same FOV 

Dumbell Nebula is worth hunting down just as a challenge in itself as it is quite faint

If you enjoy M13 then I would recommend spending some time viewing the double cluster in Perseus and also the double double in Lyra (I was just able to split these with my 200p) which isn't not too far from M57 which like yourself I always try to get a view of and using filters give it a more dynamic almost 3D appearance 

Hi

I have some 2" filters which work fine with my 2" EPs

I can connect the filters to the below revelation extension tube but with the adaptors shown put together when placed into the focuser im unable to focus my 1.25" EPs with the focuser fully down

Could anyone kindly direct me to shorter adaptor tubes so i can achieve focus ideally a shorter 2" to 1.25" adaptor tube

many thanks

had a goto dob and its a lot of faffing around with the initial alignment and I spent too much time looking at a screen and loosing any dark adaptation i found you dont actually observe properly

from experience and owning a 200p i would go for the 200p and the larger aperture

I have a 350p skywatcher dob and can get primary focus with my EOS 350D not sure if its the same as a 200p in this respect and therefore should be achievable i also have a lot more room so to speak when my 2" barlow is fitted as to get focus i dont have to fully wind in  the focuser

Taken delivery of some castors for the dob base50mm x 4 and a 2" Baader Neodymium moon and skyglow filter

Consider buying used/second hand

my 14" flexi SW was the same price as a new 250

I can also  image the moon and planets with a DSLR camera so getting into how to stack images and process

I'm quite happy with the eyepieces I have which I've used on several dobs, see my signature for what I have

Great image captures the intensity of this object when viewed visually