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Everything posted by Stu1smartcookie
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Skywatcher AZ GTI mount owners thread
Stu1smartcookie replied to AstroNebulee's topic in Discussions - Mounts
I certainly used a 130 pds on the AZ-GTi without any issues, ive also had an evostar 120 on it !!!!( although it was only to see if it could carry a long scope ) ... it worked but i would not recomend long scopes on that mount ! The counterweight system does indeed take the strain . I also bought a weight arm from TS optics ( Germany ) which sat the scope above the mount , with a counterweight underneath ... it seemed to work fine . But , there is a reason why the mount is listed as a 5KG payload ... I think we all want to believe these little mounts can carry more but if you look at the construction and , lets face it fairly weak motors , reality kicks in . -
Hi Francis ... this has got me very interested ... especially as flo are now selling the 80mm at a reduction of £44 ... i have a couple of scopes on a skytee but also use an 8" dob ... so interchangeble starsense unit would be perfect . and , it seems a fairly simple mod . ( luckily i have an engineering place opposite where i work , who are very keen to help in such matters as i am completely useles at DIY) thank you for the post .. very helpful Stu
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Wide FOV EP upgrade for StellaLyra 8"
Stu1smartcookie replied to HonestGazer's topic in Discussions - Eyepieces
I hope the OP is following all the above , or , doesn't think he's reading an exert from a topic on Cloudy Nights ! ... all getting a bit heavy , isn't it ? Pretty simple question of a suitably widefield EP wuithout breaking the bank ! two suggestions , Nirvana or Explore Scientific , both proven . Just personal choice ! Reviews can be gleaned on this forum , somewhere , i imagine . -
Hi Marc , i am hopefully giving the Mak its first light tonight , although we have a hundred mile round trip and a chinese buffet to negotiate first , so i wont be home until after 8 ... who knows what the sky will be like then lol ... message to everyone , leave a bit of clear sky for me pleeeeease ... report to come on both the Mak and the 152 Starwave
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So the postman has been busy again ( got to get in before the next strike ) Actually it was the DPD man who made me wait right until the end of the working day before delivering an ADM clamp for my skytee 2 and a nice little Bresser 127 Mak which I have been busy upgrading with a 2"baader clicklock and a decent red dot finder of course the obligatory clouds were present in the box zzzzz
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seems like you are losing your head in one of those photos Magnus
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So like others I have been conscripted to a restaurant where I have spent precious astro money on , admittedly, a decent meal .. I was desperate to get the new scope (starwave 6" ) out but as we know , rushing stuff isn't advisable in this hobby so I contented myself with just a quick peek . Almost stumbled on the Beehive which looked fantastic , a couple of bright stars did show a bit of CA but it's expected . Can't wait to see how it fares with globs. As with all purchases it looks like clouds are guaranteed for the next few nights zzzz I need to upgrade the saddles on the skytee as although it held the scope , I am a bit nervous with the stock saddles . . Can anyone tell me if there is a knack in removing the slow motion knobs , after removing the grub screws they still feel like they are welded !!!! Looking forward to a proper nights viewing .
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So , let’s see what arrived this morning ! DHL , thank you ! Altair Astro , many many thanks for your help . A bit of a beast but a beauty at the same time 152 mm Starwave … and a small bag of Haribo … a lovely sweetener .
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Nice report , Lee …. I’ve been clouded out all weekend zzzz . The ST80 is a great little scope isn’t it . I rate all the ST “gang” … really great value . Stu
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So. , trip to Widescreen Centre , and a delivery from Altair Astro ( although a few niggles to sort out ) has got me a new scope and mount . A 6” Classical Cassegrain and a skytee 2 mount ! Of course the skies are cloudy … and I think the scope has arrived slightly out of collimation , plus I am waiting to hear back from Altair regarding a rather annoying dust spot on the primary and some rather rough areas around the edge of the mirror . But all things being equal it will hopefully have 1st light tomorrow evening . 🙏 EDIT ** Altair Astro , take a bow ... after emailing yesterday , Ian from Altair emailed back , great service ... and on a sunday too . In the end and from a discussion this morning Altair are taking the scope back and replacing it with another ... although if i can add , watch this space for what turns up . In an era when companies very often do not care about customer satisfaction and service , i have to say Altair Astro have addressed a problem and rectified it , no arguments , no issues , just good old helpfulness and positive action . 2nd EDIT** So , New scope arrived , 6" CC , will be returned today .
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Nice , Lee …. Glad you have clear skies too… very cloudy in Cambridgeshire… which is my fault .. details soon .
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Mount , what mount ?
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
So , despite the advice I have gone with a skytee 2 … as I indicated I am very much visual only and like the idea of having 2 scopes on show . But , watch this space … the Dwarf Labs 2 scope is due out soon . -
Mount , what mount ?
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
I would t be allowed home if I spent there 😂 -
Mount , what mount ?
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Yes I agree , and it makes perfect sense as the 6”cc ‘s forte is planetary . -
Mount , what mount ?
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Many thanks and to be honest my thoughts really , I kind of want the skytee as it’s a really solid piece of kit but as you write the EQ5 with motors , NOT goto, is probably the best choice overall .. I must add though , weight is an issue as I am trying to keep things as practical and light as possible ( not easy with the scopes I have as they demand stability and that usually means weight ) , the EQ5 is fairly manageable as I remember . -
So I have just purchased a 6” classical cassegrain (6kg) ,( lovely scope) and I have my ED80(5kg) but I do not have a mount for them . I am 90% visual so generally speaking tracking isn’t required. What mount do I get ? Now I am not a newcomer here but the choice , although restrained a bit by finances , makes it difficult to decide . My options EQ5 , manual ( which can be upgraded) Skytee 2 , with steel tripod Az-GTix the new dual saddled mount from SW ( yes I know the two scopes weigh around 11kgs) but it can be used with just one scope . The trusty AZ4 ! An EQ3-2 goto , lightweight, convenience of goto bit just about on the limits for weight . Also the way those mounts “scream” when moving in the dead of night may be a problem as our neighbour has two small kids . anyway , thoughts please on the above much appreciated kind regards Stu
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Refractor for visual
Stu1smartcookie replied to Beardy30's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Ok so I took your advice ! 1 Ed80 2 6” class cass 3 8” dob not quite mirrored your three but , hey , they all “work” 😂 -
There is something very satisfying just putting a scope an a mount and relaxing ,taking in the views
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HAPPY CHRISTMAS , Jeremy
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So , the 8”Dob was out nice and early … I had a glance at Orion and then found the comet … took a crude but nonetheless decent shot of it with the phone hovering over my 30mm EP
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Hi Greg , welcome to SGL
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M42 with Google Pixel 6 Pro
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu's topic in Imaging - Smartphone / Tablets
The Google phones currently exel in night time photography although Samsung are catching up ... alas the iphone seems to be a bit behind . i run with a sony 1 iv which basically is a dslr in a phone but the google spits all over it . In fact the google phones have been great at this since series 5 was released . Amazing what software can do . -
RVO 60Ed Doublet
Stu1smartcookie replied to Beardy30's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Hi James , i briefly owned one but didnt get into astrophotography at that point , what i can say is the construction of the scope was very solid and they get a good reputation for widefield photography . I believe there was a very favourable review in "Sky At Night " magazine . Stu -
A couple of “almost “ essential accessories from FLO . I feel I have shares in Bobs Knobs lol and a collimation cap .