Stu1smartcookie

I liked the 130PDs when i had one , but its all about personal choice and if i hd the choice i would go for the refractor . 

1 minute ago, Beardy30 said:

How would the startravel 102 compare in terms of optics to the Skywatcher Explorer 130PDS - similar price point but is it a better better as a 6” f/5 

you will have to take into account the central obstruction on the Newt , but of course there will be no false colour visible with the 130pds . You will need to use a collimation tool from time to time of course . 

Nice report , mate ... the winter constellations do not disapoint . 

1 hour ago, billy86 said:

I'm getting the itch for a second scope and quite like the look of the bresser 127l but it has the same focal length as my 10" bresser dob not sure if I'll gain anything with detail on the lunar surface and planets?

i've had one of those "monsters" (127L) and its a real looker .. it also gave me some great planetary views , but its a heavy beast and to be honest as Elp writes your dob will be the better bet . And i will second a small FL refractor .. i was using the 70ed Altair last night ... it was a pleasure to see M45 in all its glory .

Quite clear in Cambridgeshire , at present , just had a quick look at the moon before it disappeared behind the house . But that's good because it won't get in the way later . 

.... Update ... Seeing wasn't that good with some high cloud evident ... so in effect just half an hour on Jupiter and the Plaides , which is half an hour longer than ive had in the last week or so . 

Lovely image from a lovely part of the world . whets my appetite to get out there and take some wide angle shots . 

i took a photo of the sun the other day on the dwarf

17 minutes ago, LDW1 said:

 And you are wrong about the money issue because if it is with some they are in the wrong hobby, astro is no place to hem and haw, nickel and dime, lol !

So , are you saying you can only enjoy the hobby if you can afford it ?

56 minutes ago, powerlord said:

er..as usual not quite sure of the point you are making

1. wider views but actually pixel resolution is about the same if dwarf didn't do 2x2 binning, so we'll have to see if that is an option for the future, but its already an option for terrestrial photo and videos which is interesting to me.

2. 'LOW COST smart scopes money should never be the driving factor' - eh?? of course it is. it's on your own statement.

However cost aside, I maintain these do different things- for a start s50 is pretty rubbish for terrestrial stuff. Additionally, the much wider fov allows for targets and compositions that the S50 just cannot do - and even if a mosaic mode is added - they will take ages.

It's not a fight - one does not have to win. I'm glad the S50 is better FOR YOU. That does not mean it is better for everyone.

stu

I agree with you on this one Stu ... i was ( and am, to a slightly less extent ) excited to get the SeeStars but the more i see the more i like the Dwarf . I will have both because i believe they compliment each other , but , for now there are simply things tha the dwarf does better ... , they are even opening it up for basic planetary imaging ! And with the update imminent for the end of October its exciting times ahead . The see stars has a narrower field of view , but its results speak for themselves . 

Stu  

4 hours ago, Giles_B said:

I haven't been brave enough to test my french or deal with automatic translation, but the most obvious Achilles heels of the SeeStar seem to be the narrow field of view and the relatively low pixel resolution of the camera - you don't have to try many objects to get sense of these limitations. Some software tweaks will help - mosaic would help it to shine with larger objects - but it's hardly surprising that the higher spec'ed Vespera is the best performer.

Ultimately whether this is a deal breaker for the SeeStar comes down to cost - for the cash limited - i.e. pretty much everyone, there is always something bigger, better and more expensive in astronomy , but the SeeStar (and I assume, having never used one, the Dwarf) give a heck of a lot of bang per buck.

That’s why I believe the Dwarf and the SS50 compliment each other … of course having both means a hefty price that is getting near to a basic Astro photography rig .. but that’s not the point . I will buy both because I want instant results . Lazy so and so , yep .  

Well done . Quite rightly you should be proud . Congratulations .

15 hours ago, LDW1 said:

IC 1318 last night in my driveway about 10:30 with dim LED streetlights nearby and the neighbors kitchen lite dimly turned on and rain moving in. And lightly touched up with my ipads photo editor.

I like your enthusiasm for the SS50 , and showing the results , which are very encouraging for others . Good to see .

1 minute ago, DaveL59 said:

Well I'll join the lazy camp too then 😉

I certainly wouldn't have gone to the trouble of building my own and then spend hours collecting and integrating data after the frustrations of getting it all working, not to mention the cost (tho I do already have an EQ5 SynScan mount my scopes are F10 ish). EEVA was more what I was considering as my eyes are often too tired at the end of the day, but this little rig lets me have both options/advantages in a simple plug-n-play rig. win win IMHO 🙂 

Yes , the ss50, dwarf ... and any other "smart"scope are soooo appealing . I still love looking at stuff through the EP , but wtching Nebs and galaxies appear before your eyes on your phone is amazing and very satisfying .

29 minutes ago, LDW1 said:

I won't get into that type of back and forth, a heated discussion maybe (lol), try them both and you decide for your self, its the best way, the only way !  You will love the SS !

i will love the SS... i know it , as its right up my street being a lazy  astro photograher  😂

lucky Stu here !!! So it should be clear Saturday , Sunday and monday in my part of the world ... shame ive chosen this this weekend + to go somewhere where it generally rains a lot   

18 hours ago, LDW1 said:

 Much friendlier than my Dwarf II !

Why is it "friendlier" ... the Dwarf has a pretty straightforward interface as does the SeeStars . I ask because i am collecting my SS50 next week and i am interested , as i have the Dwarf as well

+1 for the AZ4 ... its a straight forward solid mount . The only caveat is that it doesnt have slow motion controls 

Magnus , your session reports are always a great read . Have to say it makes a change from constantly reading about astrophotography and its technicalities on SGL . 

Long Live Visual ! 

I reckon i will stick to the "BOG " standard SS 

16 minutes ago, powerlord said:

though my guess is a very similar construction to the az gti - which you can over limit by 300% and still works good

Really ????  That’s a bold statement Stu . 

16 minutes ago, powerlord said:

Genius or pointless ? I've just stuck a gopro mount to the pivot point. Gopro 1/4 camera clip let's me quickly attach any camera. Here is an apsc m100, and my rx100 mk4 for example, but could be any camera within reason

You now have an "AZ Gti" as well. You'll need an intervalometer either in camera or plugged into it to shoot subs, but can now shoot the target at different fields of view, much higher resolution or whatever. Simples !

 

Does that create any weight issues for the SeeStars ?

Whether its pointless or not depends on your pov . Maybe another string to the bow ?

Really nice photos , Chris . I am off to a similar part of the world soon ... better take the camera .

22 minutes ago, GasGiant said:

The tightening screws throw the collimation out.  Is this something I have to learn to live with ? 

I'm afraid so ... but dont worry too much . 

10 hours ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

Then it went searching for the Moon. After a while I realised it had found a streetlamp instead. 

Geoff , thanks for making me smile this morning 

5 hours ago, GasGiant said:

Just purchased the 10 "   😀 

Well done , and congratulations on your purchase . The Dob is as near to an "all rounder scope " as there can be . It will show a plethora of objects , and you can view planets such as Jupiter and Saturn in nice detail . 

BTW , you initially asked if Bresser were a decent brand ... well they certainly are .