Greymouser

On 24/11/2022 at 12:42, Ratlet said:

I should be getting some shafowfoam (or kaizen foam) for Christmas.  Its basically layers of foam stuck together.  You cut it it shape to fit the tool/object.  I'm not a huge fan of pick and pluck historically.

Be careful of that stuff. Whilst it looks good, protects good, it also sheds little bits of the colouring material. Not good for optics. I will try to adapt mine for different uses, avoiding optics. Just trying to help.

6 hours ago, Ratlet said:

How dim are we talking here?  That looks great for my sketching.  Does it go to borderline useless levels of dimness?  That would be ideal if it does.

Also, we've achieved 500 pages collectively of sharing our joy in this hobby together.  Congratulations to everyone.  Here's to the next 500!

That is hard to judge, after all it is very subjective, I would say. What I would say is dim, another may say too bright. To try and give perspective, which a photo lacks, if I want to read with this, I have to raise the brightness above the minimum, on red at least, but perhaps that is my eyes? One thing though is that I would say it would be ideal for that sort of thing, as the light is very directional, so little light goes upwards, as it were. The white light version would be good for sketching too, as it is dim too, as well as being soft white. Hope that helps. 

I had another delivery later yesterday too, from FLO, even though it was due on Monday! Thank you FLO and DPD. Both top of their game.

Firstly an Oklop bag for my AZ EQ 5, which I must say doesn't look big enough!

Then a table top tripod for my Evolution mount, which again makes me doubt it is big enough, but we will see. Certainly it is much smaller and lighter than the full size tripod, so should be good for travel, but I am not sure how good with a C9.25 on top...

Then an eyepiece I have been wanting to try for a while, which could lead to more in this range... ( 82 degree Explore Scientific. )

Got this little light, which may help me find eyepieces on the table, rather than knock them off. It's meant to be a reading light, amber, red and mixed and clamps onto the top of a book. Here it is on the edge of a desk.

Not as bright as it seems in the picture and it is dimmable, as well as very directional.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amber-Reading-Lights-Books-Bed/dp/B0B12TR9GR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2U43WDTX4LU1O&keywords=red+light+reading+light&qid=1668277221&sprefix=red%20light%20reading%20light%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

They are excellent! Makes me get an itchy trigger finger, regarding a dedicated camera, even though I only have a C9.25.

21 hours ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

Cheap, keeps things dry and orange. A triple win! 😀

Tangerine, if you don't mind!

Got this rather boring, but useful item today after seeing @ScouseSpaceCadet ( I think, ) get one for not a lot of money, ages ago. Increases my options and I am probably a belts and braces kind of man, in most things, except the actual clothing items!

13 minutes ago, Ags said:

Solved the torch problem: red.png is now my phone lock screen. 

I know it is too late, but it just occurred to me that this could be very useful, if red light, ( or lack of ) is a problem: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petzl-Lite-Headlamp-Black-Size/dp/B01KYTR0HM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SCVPDB5VQM39&keywords=petzl+e%2Blite+head+torch&qid=1666816780&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjI3IiwicXNhIjoiMS4xNiIsInFzcCI6IjAuODAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=petzl+e%2B%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-1

It is tiny, runs on watch batteries, ( CR 2032 ) will last ages on red and will attach to your belt. I would highly recommend. Sorry it is too late... 

12 hours ago, Kn4fty said:

Its mostly fine. Still have periodic issues with it, but at least I'm functional now and able to lift the scopes again.  Had a 182kg+ patient take out everything from L1 to S1 in my back. Getting better everyday 😌 

I can relate to that, though to a lesser extent. I care for my disabled wife 24/7, ( she is in poor condition, with several severe disabilities, ) even though she is only 100kg  or so, it is not a good idea to pick her up solo when she falls, but needs must. My back made a very loud crack, which led to weeks of pain. My Dr refused to see me because of the Covid lockdown, asked me if I could still go to the toilet, which I could, so he prescribed Codeine and an anti inflammatory ointment, over the phone! He told me if I developed problems with toileting, I should phone and ambulance immediately, as at that point I was in trouble! He also didn't tell me about the side effects of Codeine, which has led to other issues. No matter though, I have muddled through and still care for her. I am afraid though, that this whole episode has very much lowered my respect for the NHS. Some great people, but some awful ones too!  

As you say though each day gets better, even with this lesser back pain I had/have.

Yes, welcome back. I too wondered what had happened to you. Hope the injury is fine now and just a thing of memory.

DPD arrival, courtesy of FLO. Thank you.

Have to say, I am surprised the Tak diagonal doesn't come with dust caps...

Having seen this on here, thought one would look good on my wall, now to decide if I will frame it...

Along with a little 12v hairdryer, to help with dew.

4 hours ago, ONIKKINEN said:

Sure, but some things like liquids and certain foods shouldnt be frozen. Its not a disaster in cities where heating is often remote and will flow through radiators even if the apartment building is cut from power to prioritize healtcare and infrastructure. Mild inconvenience at best. Cooking wont be happening though. I could theoretically run a microwave with my river 300 as it can supply 1200w AC for short periods.

I remember a video posted by a Danish man living in Russia where he proved you can keep liquids from freezing, when far below freezing air temperature, by burying it in snow. Seems odd, but it works, as snow will insulate very well too. It is the freezing air which will freeze the water in a bottle. As for cooking there are very many alternatives, most shown on You Tube, to an electric/gas cooker or microwave. Especially with all the resources there is in Finland. Even if you want to cook indoors, ( with ventilation of course, ) alcohol stoves will work well, even a simple oven powered by alcohol, shown on You Tube, again, by an American. He cooked a Chicken/cakes/bread in a modified cardboard box!
Here, check this fella out if interested in how to improvise, the link is to a play list, so scroll to the relevant ones: 

He has many videos on the subject, but there are many others, similar on the internet... Evolution:

Camping gas stoves are cheap, but gas cannister prices are going through the roof, but can still be a reasonable price if you shop around.

Personally, I am looking forward to the power cuts, not because of some anti social tendency, ( honest... ) but I am so looking forward to seeing the milky way from this light pollution hole I live in. Sorry to seem smug, but I am well set. ( Just a few more preps. )

Finally got around to getting one of these, been threatening for ages and this was on offer. It is also Pure Sine Wave which is apparently better, it seems, though not certain I understand why, but the energy is less noisy...

The best beans for scale, Weighs about 3 KG.

I just feel the need to suggest this from Steam, which looks interesting. I have not bought it yet, but almost certainly will as it looks like it will be good, even though only early access. It does have great reviews.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/314650/SpaceEngine/

2 hours ago, badhex said:

To be honest, I always liked the look of the EvoGuide as soon as I saw it, but not being into AP I didn't have a use case, as it does not natively work with most diagonals. I've read up on most of the threads here and elsewhere about the various conversion efforts, with one from a few years ago by @DRT having been extremely helpful with a teardown of sorts, as well as the use of the Baader T2 prism to achieve a very short light path, so after my holiday I decided to go for it. 

I'm going one step further and using an ultra-short Baader T2 EP holder which will give me an additional 10mm of in focus, so hoping this will result in an excellent ultra portable kit at less than 5 kg for everything. I'm hoping to test everything in another upcoming visit to darker skies, so I'll post a detailed thread once I can! 

I too have one of these, but ( because I am cheap, ) decided to go via the option of adding a barlow to an ordinary diagonal, ( Just the end of the barlow, ) which apparently works. I never did get around to a proper trial, but it seemed to work. Someone else did it before me,  @Mark Daniels, took it to La Palma I think. @vlaiv even explain to me how to work out the magnification, with the end of a barlow directly attached to the diagonal. ( Not sure I got it really though... )

I will try again soon I think after reading about your efforts here.

These came today, replacement feet for my Berlebach observing chair. The chair arrived in a damaged box with a foot missing, but as usual FLO sorted it and the replacement arrived today. Why shop anywhere else if FLO stock it? Superb customer service on the rare time things go wrong!

Now the bandage is removed and all is well...

Only problem is that the box from FLO was a right pain to open, loads of tape! They also lied, sticker saying clear skies contained! Its wall to wall clouds, despite their promise and the forecast! 

Surprised this has not been mentioned here, it is going live in four days. ( Unless I have missed it... )

Quote

DART is a spacecraft designed to impact an asteroid as a test of technology. DART’s target asteroid is NOT a threat to Earth. This asteroid system is a perfect testing ground to see if intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid is an effective way to change its course, should an Earth-threatening asteroid be discovered in the future.

I agree a headlamp can get in the way sometimes. I tried this from Nite Ize, which holds a torch on the side of the head. They are quite good, but the trick is finding a low lumen torch to go in it. Mine didn't cost that much either, but it was a while ago and I got it from a shop, if I recall correctly.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NITE-IZE-Headband-Standard-Black/dp/B000MF2ZLU/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3O8JR8P8DUHMI&keywords=nite+ize+headband&qid=1663360243&sprefix=nite+ize+headband%2Caps%2C52&sr=8-2

9 hours ago, F15Rules said:

Ok, I'll have a go..🤔😋

Reasons not to buy..

* Heeeaaavvvy!!

* Likely significant CA at F5.9 (but I've never looked through one)..

* Relatively niche market so would it be easy to sell on without a hefty loss?

* The "Marmite" colour scheme..you either love it or hate it..personally I hate it, cos scopes should be white!😋

There..I've done my best, but my money is on your buying one anyway!!🤦😁😂

Dave

Hmmmm...

Firstly, no, it is not light, but a little lighter than my C9.25. +
Secondly, I deeply regret selling my little, ( very light, ) ST 102. Either it was a very good one, or a little CA doesn't bother me.  +
Thirdly, If you are buying new, isn't there always going to be a loss, if you sell? ( Sell, Sell? What's that? Though I will have to do so at some point... ) +
Fourthly, yes a niche market, but it will fit a gap in the fleet... +
Fifthly, I do like white scopes, I do like black ones, I do very like red ones, ( this even has a red tinted lens! ) I even very much like orange ones! ( The orange Celestron SCT's have always appealed. As did a Konus once upon a time.) I do like yellow scopes. In fact the colour is less important than the use I will get from it. This red one is very striking though, eh? +

Yes, you might be right with that last statement, I appear to be talking myself into buying. ( Must get a scope sold... ) -

2 hours ago, Alan White said:

I know your temptation, I kept looking at a used one listed on Fleabay a month ago,
the distance away and needing collecting, fule prices and not least saving funds for other things stopped the itch,
well for now.

So I encourage you to be tempted, but and its a definate but, is it too niche?

I agree it is quite niche, but I need to rationalise my scopes. I need to cover all bases, all uses. I have two SCT's, both very good, but niche. I have a 72 EDF, which whilst wildfield, is small of aperture, this would expand on that enjoyable theme. I have a F13.4 refractor, which to be frank is excellent on solar system, even maybe makes the SCT's redundant.

Your comment about other commitments for the money, is all that is holding me back to be honest. Can I justify it? There again, life is so short and it could bring so much viewing pleasure...  

I have been tempted to get one of these for a long while, but the fairly recent price increase put me off. The wide field possibilities just seem to ooze out of it, never mind that red colour! I have also been considering the Tecnosky and Bresser similar scopes. But this is RED!

Can someone please persuade me of the folly of scratching this itch? ( I still have not cut the number of the current flock, despite promising to... )

Had this a while, but did not post, because there was a problem. Bought me by someone else, ( not family, ) all I needed to add was the footrest, so very reasonable...

As I posted elsewhere, the foot of the seat punched through the box, because I suspect, the chair was free to slide about in the box, so all it would have taken is a sharp break by Mr. DPD and Bob's your uncle! One of the rubber feet was missing, probably in the back of his van! FLO is on the case as they always are, very thorough, a new one is on the way. No other damage elsewhere, so asked FLO, then a quick running repair with a little foam strip and some conforming bandage, ( ? ) good to go short term!

I have to say, it is very comfortable and a vast improvement over the plastic chair I was using.

I already have the ES 20mm and 26 mm 62 degree eyepieces. The 26 is one of my favourites, it really is superb, you can grab it from my cold dead fingers! The 20 mm however is no where near as good, it is on the way out soon I suspect. I quite like the idea of the 20mm APM XWA. My finger is itching.

What I really want though, is to move to St. Helena. Heaven. Not asking too much am I?

I feel I just have to add in here, as I have both a C9.25 and a focal reducer. Don and Louis are both correct and I can add I prefer to use the reducer for deep space, then remove it for planetary. I use the reducer nearly all the time with the C9.25, because I have better for planetary. I much prefer the C9.25 with the reducer and must say, it expands options with the scope.  F10 and F6.3, two scopes for the price of one?

@Ags Well, I haven't had chance top do much with it, it has been a very long, quite stressful day, but it seems to be a very good book. Showing you around the moon, as you would expect from an atlas, with some brief descriptions. The fact that it is ring bound will make photocopying pages very easy, so I can use it outdoors in the dew, without risking the book. Like your book. 

If it is something other than maps you want, have you considered Haynes Moon Manual? I found that quite an entertaining read. https://www.amazon.nl/Harland-Owners-Workshop-billion-present/dp/0857338269/ref=sr_1_6?__mk_nl_NL=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&crid=3V872F3MIIUKW&keywords=haynes+moon+manual&qid=1661894823&sprefix=haynes+moon+manual%2Caps%2C61&sr=8-6

Hope that is of some help?

For me today, firstly after seeing others with one of these, I thought I would jump on the band wagon and give it whirl, because at this price, it is well worth a punt.

Goodness, look at my disgusting toes! In my defence, I have been in the garden and this is pre shower...

Then this book, which it seems is well recommended, I can see why.

Now all I need is @Ags to hurry up and publish the book, so I will be sorted!