jjohnson3803

No pic handy, but I use an Apache waterproof plastic case.  It came with pluck foam, but the pluck foam came apart after a year, so I replaced it with stacked sheets of medium density packing foam that I had lying around.  I turned a hole saw bit anti-clockwise by hand to cut vertical holes for the EPs in the foam. 

Excellent!  I have a Twilight 1 tripod that I'd like to use for other things, but that peg is in the way and I don't want to grind it off in case I sell the mount someday.  I like your aluminum box solution.

Perfect!  Shame on me for not being more diligent in searching for the correct button!

Apologies if this is the wrong forum or if it's in an FAQ, but is there a way to change the SGL screen display to dark print on a light background or is that something I have to do in my browser(s)?

Thanks!

Do you have an observatory to keep your rig in or does it need to be (semi-) portable?

I have a SW AZ5 and I've been pretty happy with it (purchased from FLO).  Might need the factory grease cleaned out and replaced, but it's not critical as far as I'm concerned.  The max load I've put on it (on a Manfrotto 475B tripod) is about 5.5kg and I think that's close to the practical maximum load (for my set-up).

I use the short slo-mo knobs which are a huge improvement over the long, dangling ones in my opinion.

I have a Manfrotto 475B which is a great piece of gear, but can be a bit heavy for travel.  Anybody have suggestions for an at least somewhat lighter weight tripod with a crank column that can handle up to 6kg?  I have a Benro 27-something or other (no crank) and while it's rated at 12kg, it starts getting a bit shaky at around 4.5kg.

Thanks!

Have you had any issues with the software?  I've seen some discussions of problems and although I was a software engineer once upon a time, the last thing I want to do is futz with software / firmware as part of a hobby. 

On 28/04/2021 at 02:01, jock1958 said:

I’ve owned both @Stu but still got the venerable and extremely flexible Skytee 2.

May I ask how you made your az pointer?  Looks like it's held on magnetically with a steel plate on the crossbar?  I've been using hour hands from clock kits, but they're thin and bend easily.

Same question about the az circle.  I buy vinyl 360-degree "gauges" and glue them to thin wood discs which fit over the columns.  Wondering if there's a better option.

Thanks!

My personal evolution (or devolution, if you prefer) has gone from a C8 with wedge (recently sold finally), to an ST120 on an alt-az, added an ST80, added a 90mm Mak for lunar.

The scope that sits by the door (and the one that is used much more than the other two) is the 80mm on a SkyWatcher AZ5 on a Manfrotto 475B tripod.  The 80mm rig is a one-hand carry and is convenient and fast when I'm time limited.  Plus it's ridiculously easy to transport to dark sites, etc.  I admit I wonder now if I should sell the other two.

I'll leave the apo /achro / 80mm / XXmm discussion to others.  If anything, I might consider something like an AT92 or one of the new 90mm's from TS if I ever replace the ST80.