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Greymouser

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Posts posted by Greymouser

    Zoom eyepiece?

    in Discussions - Eyepieces

    Posted

    I have a svbony 8 - 24 zoom, which whilst maybe not the best, it is decent enough and barlows very well, with the little  Baader x 2.25 zoom. In fact the barlow improves it. Used it at F10 and F6.3. I also have a Hyperflex 9-27mm Zoom, which is better and also goes well with a barlow. I recognise none of the faults that Don states in either of these. Though do not go below F6. Here:  https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ovl-eyepieces/hyperflex-9-27mm-zoom.html

    The 7.2 - 21.5 also gets a good press, also barlows well. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ovl-eyepieces/hyperflex-72mm-215mm-eyepiece.html

    From what I have seen and been told, Zooms do not suit everyone, so a cheaper one to try out can only be a good idea, at least to see if they suit you. :smiley:

    Most people tend to use the zoom, to zero in on the focal length that suits the conditions, then go over to the superior fixed eyepiece of that length. I quite like sticking with the zoom, just for that grab and go simplicity. :smiley:

    • Thanks 1

    What did the postman bring?

    in The Astro Lounge

    Posted

    Not today, but just a little while ago:

    2043466514_IMG_20220705_202259_22-Copy.thumb.jpg.3c4056d392cb2b6df9f094144684f4aa.jpg

    I feel I am standing on the top of a slope and my footing is becoming loose. Of course, it is to attach to my DSLR, which I have still not mastered, in basic mode. There may be trouble ahead... :grin:

    It also came with this:

    195037508_IMG_20220705_202705_72-Copy.thumb.jpg.02e4e403dc2e5468fbb51c22b1b8cdc5.jpg

    I have no idea whatsoever what it is for. only small, smaller than the rest. No instructions included. :icon_scratch:

    • Like 5

    Hello.

    in Welcome

    Posted

    Hi and welcome to SGl. I suspect it won't be long before you are ordering more stuff, in particular an upgrade on the supplied eyepieces you will get with the scope. Then there's... :rolleyes2:

    It seems I have been very, very bad...

    in The Astro Lounge

    Posted

    Well, it al started on the Solstice, when I cheered that the days were now getting shorter. :grin: Harsh words were exchanged, with the boss. Then just a few days later she was moaning about the heat and I said just be patient the frosts are coming soooon :grin:. Slap! Now today, I said I was going to Nottingham to get another scope at a bargain price, only to be told over her dead body! There are too many in the house, ( apparently, ) but there is only eight! Mostly of a smaller size! :icon_scratch: There are also six mounts, depending on how you count them, but she doesn't know that, so I should get away with just selling one of them...

    I now have a limit of seven, with a one out, before another arrives. I guess that is quite generous considering it is not the biggest of homes, added to which we may have to downsize soon. Never mind Bortle 6 skies. But, how can there be too many scopes? It does not really compute.  :sad: I doubt it does to some of you either who have far more than eight, I suspect.

    I can see one that can go straight away, but then it gets more difficult as they all have a purpose. Honest. :smiley:

    • Like 2
    • Haha 7

    Hello from Devon

    in Welcome

    Posted

    Hi and welcome to SGL. :smiley:

    Can I suggest you start a thread in the DIY section about your scope restoration, not only because I am nosy, but it could well end up helping others. :wink:

    New telescope and optics

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    27 minutes ago, Astro_Dad said:

    (Dew prevention is arguably a bigger factor in SCT’s than the cool down also) …Even on planets - and if planets are the main focus a Mak wins out anyway on contrast grounds. The reflector version of the StarSense will offer a greater versatility for DSO and planetary and will provide brighter views for a given eyepiece. Agree the focal reducers from Celestron or Antares for example work well on SCT’s  - apparently designed for photographic use but good for visual also. I’ve tried both manufacturers.  

    I referenced the 102 refractor option in my post earlier - has advantages in some areas and with no CO and the higher efficiency than mirror based systems will offer benefits - but CA will be visible on brighter targets.

    Except the obstruction on a newt seems bigger than a C5. not sure of the stats, but the view of lunar is much better in my C5 than it was in my 6" newt... ( Perhaps down to collimation? ) The dew problem is very easily solved with cardboard or a camping mat.  :smiley: Yes for a Mak if it is F15, rather than F12... My F13 refractor beats all the aobve!

    The base is, the 102 DX is very good and that is tempting me, even hough I have way too many telescopes... 

     

    • Like 2

    New telescope and optics

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    33 minutes ago, Astro_Dad said:

    I’m not sure about this suggestion - the C5 is a great scope in many respects as is the 6DX version but is it the case that the 130mm reflector has better contrast due to smaller central obstruction , has shorter cool down time and has a wider field of view? There are few advantages of a DX5 version over the the 130mm reflector version on paper other than being a little more compact - plus collimation is much harder on an SCT than a newt. The reflector will have diffraction spikes due to the design, but the SCT will have other aberrations - agree the 5 inch Mak is Uber grab and go (but then cool down time negates… ) I’d skip the 5 and go straight to the 6DX if an SCT was the main option, but then cost comes into play vs a reflector! Still, a 5 inch Celestron SCT was part of NASA space shuttle missions back in the day so what do I know?! 

    Sanity check - we are veering off course from a simple question of what scope to recommend for a new entrant to the hobby - all good fun 😀. Hope interesting nonetheless  @Lemonadex!

    I do not agree here. My C5 has never needed to be collimated from new, is very light and needs very little cool down time, certainly no more than my ED80. Collimation of a newt can be very daunting to start with, ( speaking from experience... ) though I am sure, easy, once you have the knack. I can carry the whole setup outside with one hand, even though I have a messed up back and a hernia! The C5 is EVEN better with a .63 reducer, which can be got as you progress, has similar light gathering ability and I dispute about the central obstruction. ( A F5 newt compared to a F10 SCT? ) The Mak is longer cool down time than a SCT, which has always put me off. The C5 is just so easy... :grin:

    That said, a refractor is even better, no obstruction, so perhaps consider the: https://www.wilkinson.co.uk/celestron-starsense-explorer-dx-102az-app-enabled-refractor-telescope/

     A F6 102 mm refractor, could well beat all, no central obstruction; no collimation worries and a decent easy view. :smiley:  £329!!!

    I used to own a F5 102 refractor and it gave very good low to medium power views. Even half decent high power views in certain circumstance. ( Though, your mileage may vary! )

    • Like 3

    New telescope and optics

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    I too like the idea of the Starsense Explorer, but if it was me, I would stretch to the Starsense Explorer DX 5". It is a little dearer at £ 569, but I own a C5, ( same scope... ) and it is superb. If you can stretch to £599, then FLO have a 6" Astro Fi scope, fully goto, which to be fair, the mount gets mixed reviews, but you can fine good reviews on YouTube.  

    https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-starsense-explorer-series/celestron-starsense-explorer-dx-5.html

    https://www.firstlightoptics.com/offers/offer_celestron-astro-fi-6-schmidt-cassegrain-sct_302366.html

    My C5 is just so light and easy to deploy, very grab and go. ( Though I do use a different mount, ) it goes well on a basic photo tripod too, for daytime use.

    • Like 2

    Hello from Oregon

    in Welcome

    Posted

    Welcome to the forum. :smiley:

    I would suggest a new thread in the beginner part of the forum, but remember to tell us your budget, weight and size limitations, to make advice easier. :smiley:

    Best bag for an AZ-EQ 5?

    in Discussions - Mounts

    Posted

    Well, there at least two options, probably more of the designed for bags, two at FLO. But which one is better, considering I would rather leave it in AZ mode?

    https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescope-bags-cases-storage/oklop-bag-for-sky-watcher-az-eq5-mount-heads-using-original-foam-packing.html
    https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescope-bags-cases-storage/oklop-padded-bag-for-sky-watcher-eq5-heq5-az-eq5-mounts.html

    Or for that matter is there a better option, such as home made? :smiley:

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