Stu1smartcookie

8 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Managed to get my first light with the 8” Nexstar SE purchased from @Stu1smartcookie. I made the grave error of not reading up on the Celestron hand controller. It’s alien to me after years with the Synscan. I was getting stressed as if it’s left sitting for a short while the directional buttons don’t operate. I was constantly having to switch it on and off again. I sacked the HC and switched to the WiFi adapter and Sky Portal. What a difference. Simple, intuitive and it works extremely well. First 3 star alignment and then slewed to Mars. It was I just off of centre with my 17.5mm Morpheus. Despite the seeing being a bit poor in Oxford tonight I still cranked it up to 225x with my 9mm Morpheus. Then while waiting for M42 to appear from a neighbors tree I selected Jupiter.  I used a 12mm Morpheus for 169x. Some decent NEB’s and EB’s but the poor seeing gave it a slightly underwater appearance. M42 was visible to me now so I put an Astronomik UHC filter on a 17.5 Morpheus and used the Sky Portal app on my tablet to go to M42. Once again it was in my FOV! Impressive. The difference that a decent UHC filter makes on M42 is not to be underrated.The nebulouslity was increased no end and stood out more against a darker background sky. Looking at the trapezium stars I could very easily spot 5. In better seeing with more magnification I could do much better. I quickly asked for the scope to go to Capella to check the collimation of the SCT. It was almost spot on with just a tiny tweak here and there to get it perfectly concentric rings on both sides of focus. Now for my favorite view of the night. This was the first time I had ever viewed the pinwheel cluster. With the 17.5mm Morpheus back in minus the UHC filter I was hooked on the this cluster and viewed it very intently. I had to call it a night despite there being no clouds due to the freezing temperature. I had endured 4 hours outside and had to seek warmth. Glad to say despite everything being iced up my dew ring that I recently fitted and a dew band around my eyepieces, my corrector plate was clear as a bell as was each eyepiece used. The Astro gloves acquired from @Littleguy80 were the best £13 I’d spent in a long while. Now to strip down and get into the warmth.

Seeing in my part of the world wasnt great , too ... but , you gotta take what you are offered i suppose ... a bit frustrating though as i had the same experience with Jupiter ...i set up just after 5pm and was back indoors by 7.30 as cloud rolled in . Tonight and tomorrow forecast to be ok , but then we will be back into milder cloudier conditions . My scope deinitely needs a collimation tweak... something to do during the day tomorrow . Nice report , @bosun21. 

Out with the Stellalyra 8” d dob for its first light… no collimation device but it looked quite good.. will need a tweak. Schoolboy error setting up to close to the house but just about caught Mars and the Hyades using the 31mm EP some really nice widefield views . Switched to the much maligned supplied  9mm and centered on the Orion Neb … wonderful  view with loads of nebulosity . Quite Dewey tonight but I didn’t use the built in fan although no doubt it’s a useful addition . Dual speed focuser was nice . A few extras needed including bobs knobs and a digital angle  finder . Maybe a telrad although a red dot finder would compliment the included RACI . One of the best things is the set up time of 5 minutes ! No stress or fuss … just how it should be . This scope is about 80 pounds dearer than the skywatcher version but the included extras are worth the extra investment . Looking forward to having a full session tomorrow evening . 

5 hours ago, bosun21 said:

DPD dropped off my new Concenter today. Bought this for my new 12” dobsonian as I modified my secondary mirror holder to allow it to be rotated. The Stella Lyra holder has indents that the adjustment screws fit into stopping any rotation. I also fitted heavier springs on the primary mirror so as you can imagine the collimation was way out. I found the concenter invaluable in positioning the secondary correctly. Collimation is spot on now, with my cap, Cheshire and Hotech laser all in perfect agreement. Now for the dark to descend.

If I need any modifications on scopes etc I’m bringing them down to you,Ian   

So , a delivery by DPD from FLO  to my work . And after transporting home one very large and one very square box I set about building the base , which went remarkably well for me , especially as I have no DIY skills at all . I decided to put the EP rack on the opposite side to the focuser because I was pretty sure it would be in the way whilst whilst viewing . To be honest I might take the damn thing off all together .. I can’t see me using it much anyway .. I think the scope looks great in black and actually will sit very nicely in our large kitchen just one patio door away from outside .  

2 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Oh and I also got the 8” dew heater ring and dew shield which are a must in these Arctic conditions. If I were you Stu I would probably opt for the 8” or the 10”

just ordered the 8" , Ian . 

6 hours ago, Pixies said:

 

Just raising a quick toast to the memory of JohnInDerby, then I'll be out.

Very classy and a nice thought , mate .

6 hours ago, bosun21 said:

I will giving both the 12” dobsonian and the 8SE a first spin tomorrow night.I have bought a short 2” WO visual back and the WO 2” diagonal that allows me to remove the nosepiece from the diagonal and screw on to the visual back. This enables the 8SE to slew to the Zenith without the diagonal hitting the battery compartment. FLO have sent me a replacement focuser for the dobsonian so fingers crossed that the Clear outside app is accurate for tomorrow.

I’m glad FLO have sent the focuser to you Ian( so they should ) I think we are due a few clear nights this week . Can’t wait to see the report on the scopes mate . I am looking at dobs as mrs smart cookie has said I can keep one by the patio doors ( happy days … I must have been good the last few days lol) .. just wondering what one to buy … 8” or 10” or be really naughty and go for the 12” , although I have to be realistic (ish

clear skies mate 

8 hours ago, Saganite said:

Very nice Stu.  The Cambridgeshire skies are incredible this evening.  Have fun.

I have never seen the skies so clear , amazing 

First official light of the Star Adventurer GTi and the Skywatcher ED80 , tracking was spot on. But I am no Astro Photographer, and I can’t help thinking that a 12” Dob is calling me ( @bosun21… I’ve got aperture fever after seeing the Stellalyra on Saturday ) 

Anyway an enjoyable if very chilly 2 hours of mainly star watching , and the inevitable Orion Nebula and the Beehive cluster which is always a welcome sight . 
 

I may attend . Never been to one of these before . 

So here is the field flattener that I collected from @bosun21. Looking forward to trying it in my ED80 … maybe Monday evening . 

9 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Don’t worry I’ll provide you with both first light reports as soon as these dammed clouds depart. I generally try to avoid the Bicester centre as it can be an expensive place to frequent. Once again a huge thank you to yourself and your lovely very understanding wife. PS:- Have you confirmed with Paul that you dropped off his AZ EQ6 at mine? As I would like Paul to give me 24 hours notice of his collecting it so that I can arrange to be at home.

     Regards    
          Ian 

Just about to contact him now , Ian  

This looks a great addition to the portable AZ goto range. Is there any reason why one would need to use the L Bracket at all , can two scopes not sit side by side without that bracket ( sorry if that’s been answered before ) 

2 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Last but not least today A Celestron Nexstar 8SE which was very kindly delivered to me by @Stu1smartcookie. Thank you. Fitted my spare new Telrad with a 2” riser to it. Now to work on the visual back, diagonal etc.

Ian , it was a an absolute pleasure meeting you today . That scope looks great mate . We were home at about 6 … after the terrors of the Bicester Village lol .

Looking forward to reading the report on that huge Dob mate . 
Stu

by the way. Elena was well impressed that you knew the Russian singer ( browny points there mate ) 

RIP John . Always liked his input on here , he will be greatly missed .  Condolences to all Johns family . 

23 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Wonder what this can be?🤔

 

It's like an astronomy shop in there , Ian   

14 minutes ago, Figgis said:

Thank-you everyone for your time and comments, I've bought one, but have still yet to fire it up due to Ill-health. Bah.

Just seen this thread ... i own one of these but was about to sell it , only because lifting the damn thing up and down stairs is a chore . The mount itself is faultless in my opinion . I mainly use it in Alt-Az but on the occasions when its been in EQ mode the tracking is great . One upgrade you may want to consider is getting an ADM clamp . Also i like many others did away with the handset and bought a wifi dongle , and used the synscan app which seems to work fine .  Anyway , i hope you enjoy using the mount . 

15 minutes ago, Stu said:

A 6mm and 10mm BCO for me. Mainly wanted the 10mm to try out as a Bino pair with one I have already.

often thought about these EPs , as they get a good write up . ... hmmmm may be tempted to buy ... 

Just now, Alan White said:

So sorry that you have had a similar fate.
I truly feel your pain Stu, it really makes you feel sick.

I didnt even notice the damage on the tube until last night , Alan . lol 

Hi Alan , I have had a terrible moment with my scope , too .... Thought I had secured my 8" SCT on my AZ-EQ6 , turned away and then heard the sound of doom as it fell out of the ADM clamp .. thought I had got away with it but there is a sizeable dent  the tube ... Luckily the optics are not affected and collimation is spot on but for me , seeing that cosmetic damage is heart wrenching . I suppose it's one of the hazards we have to bear In  The hobby but I NEVER want to have that feeling again ! 

When I commented on your sad post a while ago I wrote that unfortunately you would t be the last to suffer the fate ... How right I was . 

Stu  

Edit ... The above was even worse as I had it up for sale at that point ... Guess it's destined to be a permanent reminder for me . 

I purchased a 12" Dob and the mirror had badly degraded ... but as in an earlier answer by Peter , take the mirror out and clean it .. whatever state the mirror is in now , you will at least help the contast by cleaning ... i was shocked at the positive difference cleaning made . in the end i had the mirror recoated , which wasnt that expensive . 

Finally a chance to test the ED80 and of course the 8se , on the moon and Mars ... A bank of cloud coming in but I think I may be out here for a while yet . Good seeing at present with the moon showing exceptional detail , bless it . 

Hi and a warm welcome to SGL . You've already started well by doing some research . Think about what you want to see in the night sky .. ie planets/Moon and double stars or deep sky objects , that might narrow the search down a bit . Good luck and clear skies 

Welcome to the forum .   

Thanks David.. Happy Christmas to you too .