Greymouser

OK, I can get that, but it does seem to me that there is a certain amount of ' snobishness ' about the whole thing. From what I read, most of the time spent is about post data collection too. Of course I do understand to a good extent, or I would not have ever bought any equipment, even for observing, just surfed my way to observing astronomy. Edit: Indeed the food analogy you offer is a good one, the best meal I ever ate was one where I had grown al the vegetables and caught the fish, very satisfying.

You see this is what I mean, about not really getting this whole ownership thing about an image of a natural object. Does it really make any difference if you produced that image in your backyard, or via someone else's equipment, rented for the purpose? I just cannot see any difference at all. No one actually owns the object imaged itself.

I think I have not been clear enough, again. I don't regret any of it. It is not so much the amount spent, ( though that is shocking enough to be honest... ) but the fact that it has sort of crept on me, somehow I just never realised how large the amount had got. What is more, as is often said here on this forum, I still have so many other things to try, am far, far from a perfect set up. Will it ever end? No of course not, at least not until they nail me shut in a box! I suppose I was guilt tripping myself over the cost, both past and future, especially as I keep considering taking a step into the dark side: imaging. I know people say, it doesn't need to be expensive, that you can just make do with what you can afford, but from what I can see from everyone's experience here, it is a very slippery slope. Therefore after seeing adverts for remote imaging, I just considered that option. As for " owning " an image, does anyone really own that image, whether it is produced in their backyard, or remotely in the Canary islands? To me there is not that much difference, perhaps. The universe is everyone's, no one owns it eh? @Rob Sellent You are right of course, there is definitely an element of " keeping up with the Joneses " with this hobby, especially this forum. This forum is a great tool for the likes of FLO! One big advert, not that I begrudge them their business, they are brilliant, the best, just that I think we all could benefit from taking a step back, consider the law of diminishing returns more perhaps. The difference between my most expensive eyepiece and the cheapest, is not in fact that far at all!

So I was looking at the progress of a recent order I had made, for a couple of items that I had ordered, looked at my orders from that supplier and added up how much I have spent on astro gear in the last 15 months or so. I will not post the total, but it was more that I had thought and without a doubt a moment. OK, so it is done, no worries, I suppose, but it set me to thinking, was it well spent? I would not spend it that way now, my choices would be different, but after more thinking, would I even buy it all at all? I started along that train of thought after trying to watch the transit of Mercury, with my own gear, failing due to the awful weather and my inability to travel to a better site, but watching it online, through someone else's gear. Well I saw it at least, but what with one of the sites pushing their own telescopes for use remotely, by anyone wishing to purchase time on them, it set me to thinking: is that the better route? I counted up the number of opportunities I have had the last 15 months of observing, from this wet isle, it is not a huge number. I cannot help wondering if it is better considering the weather in the UK, if observing remotely, with a telescope on the Canary islands, ( or elsewhere, ) is much more effective? Not only cost per minute of observing, but the results gained... So, does anyone have any experience of using someone else's gear remotely? Is it worth it? Or is it just faking it?

Dairy production can be very cruel, the cows are often only just short of completely insane. So a farmer once explained to me, as well as showing me some of the very alarming evidence. I soon after stopped eating dairy. He also said, to contradict himself, they only really needed to be feared if they had just had a calf. He also said that cows were far more dangerous than bulls, unless they were in a field with cows! On the subject of Ticks, this Danish fella, living in Russia, gives some useful information on avoiding them. It seems that he is inundated by them out there.

I bet that was fun... I have considered the 6" IOptron Photron Ritchey-Chrétien, to replace the C5, but think I might well regret it as my C5 is very good. I would probably find a replacement for the C9.25 first. Also the Altair 80ED-R has a rack and pinion, so that is decent.

No need to cut a normal sleeping bag, there is a solution ready made from the world of surplus: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-German-Sleeping-Sleeves-Removable/dp/B007JGBUPC That is out of stock, but there is a variant available at Military Mart: https://www.militarymart.co.uk/austrian-sniper-sleeping-bag/ As long as you do not mind a used condition, it is hard to not take a punt at that price. I feel sure if you look around there will be other options too.

Thanks for that. I am aware about the drop down in brightness and reach with the loss of aperture, but think I will cope with it. I also have a C5 and a C9.25 and to be honest prefer using the C5 as the contrast appears to be better. I have even considered even smaller options, ( 60mm? ) having a certain nostalgia towards the memory of my first scope, that I still have, but have not used in ages. I am also aware that the Skywatcher 80ED is a KG heavier than the TS one. Of course there are plenty of other options too, which is not that much of a help really. The Altair 80 ED-R is even lighter for instance. The urge to get a decent refractor, will not stop here either, my intention was to get a 100mm refractor, but considered that came too close to my C5 in performance. Now my plan is to get a smaller one and in the future, perhaps far distant, get a 120mm one, or around that. Then maybe I will have a group of instruments to cover all bases and stop looking for that perfect scope. Then again, does the search ever stop?

On my C9.25 I have a dew shield with a built in heater and it is, it appears in contact with the edge, of the corrector plate. Therefore I would say under the dew shield. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/astrozap-flexi-heat-dew-shields.html They do one for all the SCT it seems, but they are not that cheap.

I am considering a new, small refractor, to replace the 102 Star Travel that I have. Considering it needs to be portable, have considered the ED72 or 80, but find myself unsure which to go for. So is the TS Optics version better than the Skywatcher version, is the extra expense justified? I read that the TS is a better engineered option, as well as being easier to to transport, but what about the optics? I will be only using it for visual, at least for now. The Skywatcher scopes are easy to find, so I will not link them, but here are the two TS options: https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p8637_TS-Optics-PHOTOLINE-80-mm-f-7-FPL53-Apo---2-5--Focuser.html https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p8866_TS-Optics-Photoline-72mm-f-6-FPL53-Apo---2-5--Zahntrieb-Okularauszug.html All opinions appreciated, thanks.

I will add one thing the AZGTi mount can have issues regarding how good it is out of the box. I have had issues and am on my second one, thanks to the great service from FLO, I have not had to give in. I am not the only one to have issues either, I suspect that there are quality control issues from Skywatcher and this mount.

I have finally found time and a cloud gap, to have another go with this mount, so thought I would update this little thread. I set it up again as per instructions, did a single star alignment, which I am sure is less than perfect, but I was very tired and do not have a great deal of time. Anyway, proceeded to get it to goto another star, where it pointed to the ground! I then aligned properly on the star, confirmed and it told me it was successful. Sent it to Polaris and it was not too far out, in the field of view, but not perfect. Then to test of I sent it to Altair, it was quite a bit out, but manageable. Then back to Polaris and it was much better, almost centre. Back to Altair and again quite a bit off and it was now not tracking, at all. This time as I altered and centred on Altair, the direction buttons got an odd reaction out of the mount, taping up and it went up and a little to the left. Then it started to make a slight tapping noise, but now the tracking was at least partly working! I now remembered to engage the second encoder, doh! I then sent it to find M31, but it was no where near, this is an easy target, but no. I then sent it back to Polaris, just to see how far off it really was. It found Polaris almost dead centre and now the tapping was gone! This is starting to annoy now, again. I tried several different variations on the theme, but got similar results, to say the least intermittent success. I decided to give in, pack up and consider my options. As I have said this is my second version of this mount, FLO have been great and replaced my first one they sent out, that one I could get working not at all. This on is better, but best described as temperamental. I do not know what to do next, but am beginning ( again, ) to regret buying this mount, Skywatcher seem to have issues with this mount, perhaps quality control issues. I am considering if it is a power issue, but surely the Duracell AA batteries should last beyond one session? I have thought about getting a Lithium power supply, indeed fully intended to after testing, for what seemed like a great mount, ( before purchase ) also intended to get the hand controller for it. Now however, I am wondering if it would just be good money after bad? Any ideas people? Edit: Just to add, I was using the Pro version and in AZ mode, it makes no difference which though, the same results. I am running the app on an android tablet and I have tried only one side of the mount as it is AZ mode, but have tried to reverse it, as in upside down even! Also FLO replaced the faulty extension tube, they are great!

I used to live in Blackpool and the illuminations are not year round, nor do they stay on all night, but turn off at 11 or 12 pm, can't remember which. Where I lived one direction was a wash out, but the general effect was better than what I have here now. It is Bortle 5 there, it is Bortle 6 here and again, terrible in one direction. I am defending neither Blackpool, nor light pollution, just pointing out, it is rarely as straight forward as people suspect. Personally, I hope for and dream of the power cuts I remember from the 70's, I loved them...

That looks very similar to one I saw from Orion Optics, but theirs is more expensive. Thanks for that John, you might have solved my need for something of a stop gap measure. https://www.orionoptics.co.uk/MOUNTS/alt-azmount.html

I have indeed taken out the screws completely and still the top does not come off. They appear to be the same length. There is something rattling about inside, the top will not shift and the top male screw is recessed. I am having little luck with this mount so far.

No, I know there is next to zero chance of any effect, even from the very strong cannabis she smokes. The issue is that it has the nickname: " Skunk, " for a very good reason, she smokes them about four metres from my back door. I would have noticed by now if there was any effect. There is a group about 50 metres from my back door who smoke it too, the smell is very clear to notice and truly foul! Your nose really does not need to be particularly sensitive and it can be smelled even further away. I do not care about drug use, in any form, but do so when it is anti social. Indeed there is a very good case to legalise drugs.

Thank you for that. Yes I loosened the three thumbscrews, then attempted to remove the top, but it just turned then stopped. It did not come off, even after completely removing the thumbscrews. It seemed to jamb, no more movement. 🤔 Edit: I was considering trying some WD40, to see if that helps, but though I would give Rob at FLO more time to answer my questions.

I used to have a neighbour a few doors down, who used to like gardening after dark. ( Not Ozzy Osbourne either! ) He was quite an odd fella and used to feel insecure, because of the neighbourhood, so used to keep an ice axe nearby the whole time! A bit extreme I though and dangerous, for several reasons, especially as it is not all that bad round here, in respect to crime, assuming you can ignore the drug use! Which is why I cut my observing session short tonight, as my neighbour lit up her nightly spliff of Skunk canabis, I have no wish to share it with her! She has got kids too. The axe toting fella is dead now though, he got cancer which finished him soon after retiring. Turns out it wasn't an axe he needed for protection, but a lifestyle change perhaps.

I got this in the post today. Quite pleased, it is a good eyepiece, probably the best I have, certainly the dearest so far, but after a little test, I am just not sure how much better it is. Certainly diminishing returns. I need to think about future eyepiece purchases. 🤔

Another update. I had an unexpected clear spell tonight, so gave my second AZGTi another go. Much better this time, got better and better, not perfect, but at least it was quite close in GOTO, mostly in the FOV. Still behaving oddly in some ways, but a huge improvement. Unlike past times, the tracking was almost perfect and everything improved after engaging the second encoder. It did still seem to be stuck in alignment mode for the whole session, but maybe that is a problem with settings. Anyway, I am feeling much better now about take 2, oddness aside! It must be haunted!! I do have another problem though. I got a Skywatcher AZ mount extension tube, to make it easier to attach a refractor. The problem with this is that the male connector on the top is recessed and I could see no way to get it out, as it were. Assuming I needed to remove the top, to get at the mechanism, I tried to do so. It did not come off though, turned somewhat, but then jammed. Anyone any idea how to get this working? ( Yes I did remove the bolt things first. )

Very good post, couldn't agree more. I have already contacted Rob at FLO and he has been very helpful, offering to help me sort it, or even accept the mount back and refund me the money. Which is all well and good, but I agree with you, the concept of this mount is just so wonderful, I would only order another one. Then maybe another, etc., etc. I intend to try a couple more things then will attempt to get a viable one, I have no wish to give in with it. Your experience with only getting one great one out of five, is not very encouraging, but at least the good ones do exist!

I need to update this thread. I returned the mount to FLO, which all seemed painless and easy enough. Rob gave it some attention, then returned it to me via DPD. So far, so good. I got the chance tonight to give it another try, with an unexpected window in the clouds. Nothing has changed. It still, will not GOTO at all accurately, will track to an extent, but not very well, or for very long. I did level it and aimed the OTA North, before starting and tried a three star alignment, without success. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. I also have no idea what fault Rob found. I did not do a firmware update before retuning it as I was very unsure of success. I have read of quite a few other people having issues with this mount and cannot help wondering if Skywatcher have quality control issues. I am also not impressed with the app. offered by them either, it is in my opinion, inferior to the one offered by Celestron, even though they belong to the same parent company! There is way too much white writing within the app, which spoils my night vision. I am left feeling as if I have a right lemon here and am beginning to regret getting this mount.

Sorry for the stupid question, but what is the principle behind the encoders? I have seen it elsewhere before, but I have no real idea, could only guess, so would appreciate some information. This mount looks good I must admit, but I am very unsure of the principles so do not know if It should be considered. Edit: Its OK, I have found out now I think, what a good idea.

So what's in here then? Well, it looks like a box of clouds, ( sort of, ) it says it's maybe a box of clouds, but: It is in fact an AZGTi, take 2! The first attempt was faulty, but Rob at FLO, sorted it and here it is in another incarnation, which hopefully will work great now! Ta very much FLO for sorting it. Edit: No idea how many weeks it will take for me to be able to test it, considering the sent clouds though... Edit2: Still not working. Starting to think I have got a right lemon here.

Well, if you are, so am I! I do not have the C6 but the C5, along with an AZGTi, ( when it comes back from FLO after attention, because it was faulty, ) it seems to work very well. My only regret is that I did not go for the C6, which is only a little heavier and was the same price. Still is the same price in one place. https://grovers.biz/optics/optical-tube-assemblies/7509-celestron-nexstar-evolution-6-ota.html They have several different versions, not all the same price, even though they each have the same standard optics, I am assured...