heliumstar

1 hour ago, Whirlwind said:

The mounts they were referring to were the RainbowAstro (e.g. RST135 mounts).  Looked impressive in the amount of weight they can carry for the portability.    

The refractors appeared to a be new (or not something that I recognise but the name escapes me).  There was a 102mm example of display. Didn't get chance to check out the specs in detail.  It will be interesting to see where they are pitched against something like the Esprit's.

HA! I was hoping for that and kind of predicted it.

I think I will be selling all of my eyepieces except for BCOs. RST here I come.

Can anyone chime in on  "new series of premium telescopes, a new (to the UK) manufacturer of premium astronomy mounts, a new manufacturer of astronomy accessories "

4 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

It might be an idea to take the scope into the house after observing, and leave it uncapped at both ends over night to allow it to thoroughly dry out.

Thanks for confirming this. I do this for both scopes and eyepieces. It always made sense to me to leave everything ucapped in a room for a few hours.

3 hours ago, Lockie said:

I'll be sure to film as much as I can (if allowed?) and link it here maybe (if ok?) Then if you don't get to go at least you can take a virtual tour  

Hey Lockie, go go go. Film and post please Eyecandy needed

Still debating with myself whether to go or not. The little one is sick so more no than yes. Any photos for us? Oh and those new scopes and mounts?

"We are especially looking forward to revealing the first of a new series of premium telescopes, a new (to the UK) manufacturer of premium astronomy mounts, a new manufacturer of astronomy accessories and, of course, the new Rowan Astronomy AZ100 Alt-Az mount. "

I guess these were shown so would be good to see these fine pieces

To the OP.

Read your post a few times and I feel that whatever compromise you make now you will not be happy. You have issues with 'high power' eyepiece. Just get one 8-10mm eyepiece that will be your high power eyepiece for now - something like Baader Morpheus 9mm - with that one there are no compromises. If you stretch a little 9mm Nagler for example. Spend all the budget on that one eyepiece. Save and buy more later.

About others involved with our hobby... Had my lady come out a few times with 'let me see it'. She does this whenever I am out observing on the balcony. I think she is hooked. That's why she doesn't object buying/hoarding??? astro equipment lately? I have a few things in carts on multiple shops so I guess now is the time

I am really happy today. Such a little/big?? thing and it got me smiling for the whole day. It was just half an hour all but so glad I was prepared for this.

P.S. On top of that it looks like 3 hours of clear skies tonight so perfect day

Great captures guys! Keep them coming.

Amazing, just amazing. Got a good 10-15 minutes.

All ready to go. Some clearance between the clouds today so hoping for the best!

We can all hope for a miracle.

Just received Pentax XW 5mm. Didn't expect such a beast. Not sure if I can live with it to be honest Tested it on some block of flats down the road. Looks good.

Baader Classic Orthos are very very good. 18mm especially is one of my favourite eyepieces. Get the whole set if possible and you will be set for life for many scopes.

This is my 'failsafe' set. No matter what other eyepieces I buy, try and sell...this one stays and so I am never left without eyepieces (it actually happened I had a scope and no proper eyepices). With this affordable set that is to my eye high quality you cover a lot.

Indeed, you don't need a spherometer for this. Use a simple ruler and feeler gauge. When I grinded my mirror some 20 years ago I used a protractor/ruler with a 26mm coin ( 5 Slovenian Tolars ) to measure sagitta. Check the photos to see what I mean : http://www2.arnes.si/~gljsentvid10/izdel_tele.html#globina

Just came to my mind would a simple Amazon tyre depth gauge work? 0.01mm resolution? https://www.amazon.co.uk/ULTRATOOL-0-25-4mm-Measurer-Motorbike-Batteries/dp/B0711S1XHY/

30 minutes ago, FLO said:

A new mount! We will shortly be revealing a premium range of astronomy mounts that are new to the UK and will be available exclusively at Ikarus Imaging. We will have one available for demo at the SGL Star Party.

 

Fingers crossed for RST

24 minutes ago, GlenM said:

I have a Benro S8 video head and my Sharpstar 61 EDPH.

 

 

 

 

Slick combo. Please report on the stability at high powers

49 minutes ago, GlenM said:

My new Berlebach 312 astro version for grab and go.

 

 

Looks great. What will you be mounting on top? Mount and scope?

Checked other pages on your astro society webite and your other obervatory looks great as well - https://aristarh.rs/drustvo/opservatorije/nostromo/

This looks amazing Miloše

Would love to visit next time I am in Serbia!

To update the thread. I collected information from multiple sources and all agree that considering the extender lens is further inside the tube and not close to focuser/focal plane it's okay to use Herschel Wedge plus I found one person actually using Herschel wedge with FS-60Q.

Now the question is which one? Lunt 1.25", Lacerta Brewster-angle. Want to keep everything 1.25" although Baader and Altair Astro ones look good with built-in solar finder. The other thing is you can get Lunt and SW Solar mount for the price of Baader...

I love it man. Love the 'keep up with times' phone finder

Beautiful setup!

12 hours ago, redhat said:

Good morning midatlantico61,

Thank you for your kind and prompt reply.

I can assure you I've given it a lot of consideration before the purchase, went for the local astro club meetings, star parties etc. Still, went for the second hand not to loose too much money in case my choice was wrong. Surprise, surprise, I'm very happy with that scope so far.

You see, not everyone has a luxury of living in villa under pristine skies of Azores. Some of us are living in 3-bed semi with limited storage, on the outskirts of light polluted London, and are still trying to pursue their passion in life.

There are those small things in life that make you happy and I clearly stated that I am very happy and excited with what I've got and simply asked for the advice on the eyepiece, not on the telescope. It is my first 'serious' scope. Maybe in the future, when I'll get bored with my tiny 6" I'll get me something bigger and then good ep will be already there waiting.

Sadly, the first one to reply to my post was the one that crawled out of his nerdy cave in Azores just to criticise my rig, instead of answering my straightforward question.

I wish you all the best watching skies through your massive telescopes you are so proudly presenting on your profile picture, pal.

P.S. Feels like you, old sport might have purchased the wrong scope, as where you live clearly good pair of binoculars would probably have been a better choice.

 

He's actually right in a way...

BUT

Your scope is perfect to get some EAA going and you will be able to see a lot with a simple entry level AA or ZWO camera with a 224 chip. You can even use it with 0.5x reducer attached to the camera.

As far as eyepieces are concerned. I would get Panoptic 24mm, 13mm Nagler and 2.5x Powermate. It'll hurt at the beginning but you will be set for life and this combination will work for many telescopes down the road as well

Separate thread please. A little eyecandy with both scopes on that Sabre would do us good as well

7 minutes ago, John said:

The Topic refractor looks very similar to my 1960's Tasco 60mm. The focuser wheels and lens cell / dew shield design are exactly the same.

These were sold under a variety of brand names back then. I think they might have been made by Towa - check to see if there is a "circle-T" logo on the label.

There is indeed Circle T on the sticker. So I got myself a classic Interesting that this scope was used as a finder/guider?? on Celestron.

5 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Aha, so you were the bidder.
looked at it myself as it was only up in Chelmsford.
That Vixen made scope does look mighty interesting and should be superbly made.
Look forward to you first light if it ever clears up.
 

I was surprised no one else bid on it. I was mainly after those Silver Top Plossls and Vixen 2x Barlow. Still very happy I got it and it was worth detour up from A127 You can see that the whole package was very well made and the tube is amazing since it's very light-weight. I'll closely inspect the mirror and do a star test and if all good I'll send it for recoat to OO. As for the mount I already contacted DarkFrame and am sending Dave photos of the mount so we can see what can be done. The idea is to get it all refurbished and get the whole thing into the showpiece state. Any othe recommendations for mount refurb?

John, yep. The focuser is of 'sled' design. I read that some people had issues with it but this one looks like in perfect condition and is very smooth. Worth cleaning and keeping.