jjohnson3803

9 minutes ago, badhex said:

Hello @jjohnson3803 (I am also a J. Johnson 🙂)

I don't know the specific manfrotto tripod you mentioned but could that be the culprit? I'm using my Starfield (I have the identical TS-Optics version) on a Scopetech mount zero and Gitzo Systematic Series 5, which is an excellent combo. I believe a few others are using some of the lighter Berlebachs, although they also may be slightly less portable. 

I have nothing bad to say about the Gitzo apart from the terrifying price! It took me a while to finally take the plunge but I have not regretted it. 

I was under the impression that the Frotto 475B was a higher-end tripod, but I'm thinking it probably is the culprit.  I've been looking at the BB Report 212 and 312.  Hopefully they could handle it, but I do need some degree of portability for grab-and-go and / or taking it to a darker site.

Maybe I missed it above, but what mount / tripod combo are people using for this?  I have a seemingly identical AT102ED and find neither my ScopeTech Zero nor my SW AZ5 on a Manfrotto 475B do well at high magnification.  The Zero does somewhat better on a Twilght-1 tripod, but that reduces the portability a fair bit.

I use an adjustable height Vestil chair.  It folds down relatively flat which is good when traveling to dark sites.  It's probably the best astro accessory I've purchased so far.  🙂

I've read of a few ideas for cases / bags.  Not sure what's out there, but you might consider duffel bags, musical instrument cases or bags, sound system equipment bags, or even hard-sided golf club cases.  FWIW.

My scopes are small refractors; I just wrap them in medium density foam rubber in plastic tool boxes.

I have an AZ5 on a cheap photo tripod (Benro something or other).  It works fine with lighter scopes, but experience indicates the max scope weight should be no more than 3.6 kg.  I haven't used a hanging weight often, but I do have a 5 pound plate weight I've used a few times which helps with stability a bit.

50mm f5 RACI finder converted to a wide-field scope is just fine, as is an ST80 refractor with an upgraded 2-speed focuser.  ST120 is over the limit and I'd be fearful of trying my f7 102ED on it.

There are inexpensive 1/4 to 3/8 adapters available.

I notice your pod has a spreader on it, which I would think would help with stability as long as you don't overload it.

I lean toward old school:

Whoa.  Never would have guessed that the EPs have "filler" in them.  I'd try it on my 25mm, but I'm leery that I'll break the thing somehow.  Oh well, wish me luck!

This is not quite your situation, but I have a small finder that I use as an RFT.  The diagonal was designed for use with an illuminated EP, so regular EPs don't focus unless they're backed out of the diagonal a bit.  To solve the problem, I bought several very inexpensive 1.25-in rubber O-rings which I slip on the EP barrels.  Provides just enough spacing to come to focus.

O-rings might be useful (and cheap) to experiment with to see if parfocal rings would work for you.  YMMV.

Although I usually keep my glasses on to observe, I'll sometimes use a lanyard if I'm switching on / off.  

I recently upgraded my SkySafari to Version 7 (?) and the coords display on my phone screen are too small to read easily in red mode even with my progressives.  I was about to start using a hand magnifier, but I discovered early this morning that my iPhone has a magnifying function that kicks in with a 3-finger triple tap.  Quite handy even if it makes me feel apprehensive that I'll be browsing the large print section at my local bookstore soon.

👍  Very nicely done.  I particularly like the Veil shot.

Got an itch for something in the 8-10mm range to use in my little 50/250 finder / refractor.  I have a couple of Vixen SLVs and a couple of Astrotechniques / Starguider / Whatevers.  The SGs are not bad for the price although not as crisp, etc. as the SLVs.  I've been swapping the SLVs and the SGs in / out of the 50mm, but I'd like to have an EP that stays in the scope for something of an uber-quick grab-n-go.

So I was thinking maybe try a 9mm Lightwave or use the LW in my other scopes and keep my 10mm SLV in the 50.  Maybe that's overkill; I could just get an Altair 10mm flatfield for quite a bit less.

I do wear glasses most of the time while observing, so I need long eye relief.

Any thoughts?  Thanks.

On 02/07/2022 at 08:07, Mr Spock said:

It is always tempting, no matter how many scopes you have 

I have 50mm, 80mm, 102mm, 120mm fracs, and a 90mm Mak.  But...must...have... 90mm frac!  (Or maybe an 80ED or maybe a 72ED or maybe...)  All alt-az mounts BTW.

I'd cull the herd, but you know that later on I'd regret selling whatever I sold.  🤪

Another possible alternative is rubber craft foam - comes in several thicknesses and is very inexpensive.  You'd have to glue it onto the rings though. 

I used it to reduce the inside diameter of a camera lens ring mount for a 50mm finder.  And I did use non-super glue so I don't have to chisel the stuff out if I want to remove it.

Any experiences - good or bad - with Innorel RT90C tripods?  I'm thinking about replacing my Manfrotto 475B.

1 hour ago, Ags said:

[...] my drive to buy a new scope is diminished. But now I am rethinking my eyepiece collection...

I'm in a similar situation, but in addition to EPs I'm rethinking my tripods.  🤔 🤪

10 minutes ago, OpusElite said:

I've heard that dedicated observers wear an eye patch during the day and was told it's to enhance their dark adaptation. I think they might secretly be pirates

Yarrr.

3 hours ago, Alma said:

Most impressive of all is the degree of “stiction” control.   I’ve used other alt-az, push-to mounts in the past which use conventional Teflon pads and been frustrated with the constant, often inaccurate nudging to keep the target in view

That's been my experience also, which is why I'm hesitant about friction mounts.  The other end of the spectrum is you have to loosen them to the point that the scope is basically flopping about.

Quote

but the Rowan solution works MUCH better and is a dream to use. 

Ahh, now that is good to hear. 

I've found that the vast majority of CN sellers accept PayPal.  But yes, there are some who insist on US$ money orders and such.

Superb!

Wow.  That would most certainly win a prize in any astrophoto contest.

I hang black polyester shower curtains from a PVC frame or a closet rod and they work pretty well.  However, that's at ground level or on my deck.  I've often thought that a double flagpole / mast solution could work well if I needed something higher. 

An added bonus is you could talk like a pirate as you hoisted your black "flag".  😉

I should add that I think there are seller ratings posted somewhere on CN, but I've never looked for them.

I have bought and sold on CN classifieds and not had a major problem.  I haven't shipped anything outside the US though.

I will say that I'm leery of buying used optics or electronics from private sellers without seeing the item in person - my definition of "pristine optics" might not match yours and so on.

Good luck!

Outstanding!

1 hour ago, apaulo said:

i made a simple but strong handle out of a bit of webbing. for my starfield 102 ed

Great idea!  Wonder if I could cut down a yoga mat carrier strap thing.