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Everything posted by Stu1smartcookie
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I’m just going to add something which may or may not be relevant. I owned one of these scopes with the dedicated flattener .. but the flattener was faulty .. they actually had a bad batch so I changed it for the OVL flattener, and everything worked fine . I also couldn’t achieve focus with the dedicated flattener. ( I’ve not read all the comments on this post so please forgive me if someone else has mentioned the problem with the dedicated flattener)
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Quick, get the scope out !
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started With Observing
lol ... the downside to having good cams on a phone , for sure -
Quick, get the scope out !
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started With Observing
UPDATE ... Had a lovely clear night ( again ) .. a bit dewey but i managed to grab a photo with my phone of the Orion nebula ( 20mm EP , 200mm Dob ) The photo is unedited , which is how i like to see stuff ( although i will do some tidying up on the image later ) . Aren't phone cameras great now ? Stu -
Quick, get the scope out !
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started With Observing
yes with the unaided eye ... That space shuttle experience must have been fantastic . I actually saw one of the space shuttles at Stansted Airport many years ago as it was piggy backed on a boeing 747 . A brilliant sight . -
Quick, get the scope out !
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started With Observing
Er yep ... lol . As we know , some seem to be very fast whist others seem to "burn" for a longer time . I will take Louis comment as light heartedly as it was hopefully intended . -
Nice post . I am blighted by houses now when it comes to Jupiter and Saturn .. but they have been lovely sights (if a little low) over the last few months . Aquavit, Mars is actually quite challenging to easily see detail , so don't despair . Lets face it , just being able to see anything is a plus after the terrible weather we have been subjected to. I will remember viewing the various phases of Venus this year and also catching my first glimpse at Mercury . Clear skies .
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Quick, get the scope out !
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started With Observing
lol if they were then whoever owns them have two less satellites as they burnt up -
Your scope is a beauty ... but does indeed need to be cooled ... however you should be able to push the magnification . But , as Peter said ... there are other factors to consider .. the "seeing" is a particularly annoying part of viewing the two gas giants as they really are so low in the sky . Mars is always a difficult planet ... even with it being so high in the sky . Many people have complained about not seeing too much detail on the planet .
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Congrats on receiving the 200p ... its a great scope As for the weather , well , depending on location it should be better this week than last week . ( trying to put a positive spin on things ) Stu
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Quick, get the scope out !
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started With Observing
All lovely replies... it seems so many of us are alike . Of course we are governed by our , shall we say . Inclement weather ( putting it politely ) . Maybe that’s what makes us a unique bunch . We were so spoilt earlier in the year when the sky seemed to be clear every night . But , conversely the bad weather actually makes us more enthusiastic to get the scope out . By the way , as I write this ... it’s raining !!! Zzzz -
As someone who has changed his gear more often than I care to remember , I have seemingly drifted to a visual only set up . Yesterday I had the massive good fortune to buy a skywatcher 200p dob ( my second one I stupidly sold the first!) for a really low price . The scope is immaculate and last night the skies cleared for the first time in three weeks ! So , armed with my newest purchase I nervously ( it was nervous excitement.. not bad for a 58 year old ) plonked the dob outside and used the lowest power EP ( a 2” ... 28mm ) and pointed it at the Plaides .Wow ! This view will be in my memory forever ! Crystal clear white diamonds sprinkled on a black carpet .I’ve viewed it many times before but this time seemed different . Maybe it was the fact that it was the first clear night for ages , maybe it was new scope syndrome .. or maybe it was because there was no extensive set up time , with no polar aligning , no cables to plug in ! It was probably all of those. I then quickly set up my “new”( bought from a fellow SGL member) 102R star quest with its lovely lightweight mount .. set up time 5 minutes , and viewed the same cluster .. amazing clarity ! I even got to see a few meteors which were pleasingly slow moving. Sorry for the long post but I am so enthused by last night . Also , a big shout out for buying second hand ... as I have found recently , it’s not the minefield you may think it is as people tend to look after their gear . I hope everyone gets clear skies . Oh and thanks for reading . Stu
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Well , i am going to tell you otherwise ... this is a great photo because its something you saw through the EP and captured it . You will always be reminded of your views . There is far too much "snobbery" ( i hasten to add , NOT on this forum) regarding astrophotography imo . But there is so much scope (pun intended) where photography is concerned. I actually get more pleasure looking at a photo like yours than seeing a heavily processed image that has had star sizes reduced and colours enhanced . Its the sheer enthusiasm that shines through in your picture . And well done for highlighting the fact that we don't need an expensive piece of hardware to enjoy , what is essentially the most wonderful hobby there is .
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Second hand purchase?
Stu1smartcookie replied to Mary1976's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
I second the Bresser vote . Especially in line with the other scopes mentioned . -
Second hand purchase?
Stu1smartcookie replied to Mary1976's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Hi , Buying second hand isn't the minefield that it sounds . You will find most people look after their gear . I bought a 102R off a fellow SGL member last weekend ... it is immaculate ! I also enquired about the bresser you mentioned . The owner said the dents in the tube are not as noticeable when you actually see the scope . Its a fine scope ( Bresser do make nice Scopes ) Of course living where you live, you will benefit greatly from a dark sky and as such any of the scopes you mention will show nice views . I know its tempting to rush out and buy equipment ( i am guilty of this ) but , think about what you want to see . Do you want to see a range of faint fuzzies , are you going to use a scope for mainly planetary and lunar viewing ... do you also want to use a scope for terrestrial use ? Everyone on here will have an opinion , but only you know what you really want . I was always told to avoid buying scopes from department stores as they have no knowledge , generally, of the product they are selling . Try not to buy , just for the sake of buying ... the stars are going nowhere so you have time . I can only speak from experience about buying on a whim and not getting what i really wanted . I wish you good luck ... oh and of course , clear skies -
Hi , and welcome to this great forum ... I must confess , when i first looked at Saturn through a Konus 500 (reflector ) it was tiny !... but you have to see through that and realise you are viewing a relatively small object that is millions of miles away . If you are interested in viewing planets and the moon there are scopes that excel in that area , Maksutov's and Schmitt cassegrains . They are relatively inexpensive ... you can pick up a 90mm mak for around £150 ...a 127mm is about £ 265 , also look at the second hand market for good deals . The Maks are high magnification scopes which have a narrow field of view but will show nice detail on the planets and especially the moon. Look out for a YouTube vlog from Jenhams Astro as he has tested both scopes . . Obviously as most people will advise , Aperture is key , so maybe a dobsonian is a good alternative . in an expensive hobby they really do give great value , as most of the expense goes on the optics rather than the mount . Stu
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just bought a nexstar 5se ... it sits , tightly packed away in its box .. wondering when or if i will ever use it ! Frustrating to say the least
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Yes , although i ALWAYS have intentions of observing from a dark site i never seem to get there , this time of year is a bit of a nightmare with Xmas lights adorning the neighbours and our picket fence ! ( yes i know its only November lol ) ... I really like the bresser 6" .. i try to look at everything i can in the night sky so i suppose the extra aperture is useful .. but ... i keep coming back to that bresser ! So to round up , Portability is important only for ease of set up .. Planetary viewing is great , but i have an SCT 127, reckon i'm talking myself into a 12" Dob !!!!!
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John , Having owned a larger bresser and rather foolishly letting it go , what is a 6" Dob good for ? I ask this question only because i am very interested in purchasing another bresser but i never thought about such a portable size before . We know the quality is better than the skywatcher , but i can pick up ( another ) SW 200p for the same money . In my experience the SW is a good scope but nothing extraordinary , whereas the bressers tend to be built with more finesse. Ok , back to my point , will i see a lot less with a 150mm dob than a 200mm in bortle 6 skies . I am leaning towards the 6" ... does that make me crazy lol
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Portable mounts
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Yes , knowing the payloads on these mounts is critical for a good experience of viewing . I understand the star discovery has a payload of actually 6kgs not the 5kgs listed , but , as we know we have to aim below that limit . I like the look of the Az-GTi better than the star discovery as it looks even more portable . And I can change the tripod to a 3/8 steel one if necessary if of course stock ever reappears ( more money ) . I have a 127 SCT and I’m getting a short tube frac ( of course if stock ever reappears ) I will take photos which is I suppose another plus to the GTI or GTe as I can get a skywatcher wedge ( if stock ever reappears) . I have been through aperture fever and now realise that a large dobsonian or reflector on a large mount in my light polluted garden is not the way to go. So I’ve found my niche ( hopefully) ... of course , if stock ever reappears lol Another curve ball just thrown into the mix is the nexstar series .. but of course I already have a 127 SCT .. The 5* nexsrar even has a built in wedge ( I know it’s not as accurate as a proper EQ mount) and it comes in a very portable package . -
Portable mounts
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Hi Knobby , i'm impressed to say the least . i have two mounts in my " basket " on FLO and 2 at the Widescreen Centre ( i know the people that run that company ) so , whatever happens i will be buying imminently . I missed a really clear night last night because i got home in the dark , very tired and literally couldn't be bothered to haul out the EQ mount and set it up ! i felt really guilty about that as i am always moaning that we have too few nights to observe , so i really hope to make the most of the freedom a small goto mount will provide again . The old saying about the best scope is the one you use is also true when it comes to mounts ! for me anyway lol -
Portable mounts
Stu1smartcookie replied to Stu1smartcookie's topic in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice
Hi , i had one which was faulty ... and 2 which were great ... but i was "sucked " into the EQ heavy mounts that are fantastic but i have to say literally weighed me down . So , i'm changing ... not for the first or last time . I've not seen the GTe as a stand alone item -
Hi All I will be buying a portable GOTO mount ... the trouble is i have three choices . The SW star Discovery mount , The AZ-GTi ( ive had a couple of these before) or the AZ-Gte. Now i know the GTe doesn't have freedom find ... for me that's not really a problem , I know the star Discovery cannot be converted into a mini EQ mount but the mount looks a bit more , shall we say robust . The key factor is , these mounts are all controlled by the Synscan App , which i think is brilliant . I can buy an Az-Gti on its own and add my own tripod . Anybody help me decide on any of the three mentioned above ? Regards Stu
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Hi Katie , Welcome to SGL . Firstly ... i can speak from experience , that people on here are a friendly bunch . If you have a question ... always ask ! Good point about light pollution , most of us unfortunately suffer it . Make the most of your garden though , some people have to view from a balcony or out of their windows . Download stellarium ... utilise the program to plan your viewing times . ( you can even photograph a panarama of your garden and introduce it into stellarium which basically gives you a personalised accurate viewing platform) . I have the same problem as you , a nasty street light that wants to destroy my views every night , but it can't dampen the enthusiasm for this fascinating hobby . Clear Skies to you