Sky-searcher

As Andrew says it’s a glass path corrector. A binoviewer adds around 180mm to the focal length meaning you can’t get focus with some scopes. The GPC shortens the the focal length ( 2.6x GPC Gives you the 180mm back & gives 2.6x Barlow). I need it on my 80mm F7, but ok with my MAK127. Thanks Andy.

GPC is glass path corrector. Mine is a 2.6 x Barlow that shortens that focus path by around 180mm (same as binoviewer adds) so I can get focus on my 80mm frac with 2” diagonal. I use my t2 prism on a Mak & have a Baader t2 1.25 micro focuser as eyepiece holder.

Had a look at them a while ago as I have a WO binoviewer & a TS T2 prism. But I use a dual rig & like to swop the binoviewers & eyepieces in the 2 scopes, so it’s too permanent a fitting in the diagonal for me (also use a GPC on the nose). I remember that you can only get from Russia for some reason & just had a look a delivery time, a bit excessive 2 months.

You can get an adapter on eBay . M26x0.75 to T2. Get the locking ring also. Got the info elsewhere on SGL a while ago. Thanks Andy

The Bortle scale is very good, but there are so many different local factors that make the difference within that. I’m in a Bortle class 4 area. The front of our bungalow has an old type street light across the road, due to the light pollution from the lamp, some less bright objects are not visible. At the rear it’s light shaded & with dark adaptation, the Milky Way is quite easily seen. After 1am the street lights turn off leaving it at something around Bortle 2. The skies are then amazing! I am lucky to live on an island in the Irish Sea, but still under fret of more street lamps, security lights etc from an every expanding town. Think people should eat more carrots, then there wouldn’t be the need for street lights 😂

I doubt it. Don’t know the measurements of the ethos barrels, but I wouldn’t use my Morpheus that way in the diagonal. Wouldn’t try it as hitting the mirror with the 1.25 barrel at 45 degrees would probably damage the coatings. You can use parfocal rings on the barrel to set the depth if your brave enough though.

That is certainly correct. The clicklock diagonal has a adds around 112mm, so can be a problem with inward (back focus) on some setups. Touch & go with my 80 mm frac. Can focus at distance at present, but not a lot of travel left & not had a break in the clouds to find out as of yet. Not a problem if so as can use it on my Mak & swop my T2 prism to the frac if needed.

Hi Dantooine, diagonal only arrived on Tuesday & not had any clear skies since to use it, but build quality is the usual excellent for Baader accessories. The clicklock mechanisms are really easy to use & the clamping is strong. If you want to upgrade a diagonal, I would recommend looking at the Baader range.

2nd Baader clicklock accessory to arrive this week. 2-1.25 adapter for the clicklock diagonal. Thanks @Littleguy80.

It is smart isn’t it. You must get a smile when using that Stub. Doesn’t even look home made, fantastic job!

Baader clicklock diagonal in great condition, thanks to @Solar B. Couldn’t believe that it came up for sale in the ad’s the following day after I had put it on my wish list 😃

Postman brought my TS-Optics 2.6x GPC with full compensation of back focus for my binoviewers. Bought from 365 astronomy. Can now get focus with binoviewers in the 80mm f7 refractor with a 2” diagonal.

Barry, I would persevere with the Starguider’s at present & not rush into buying anything yet. John is right in saying there isn’t a big jump between BST’s & the likes of Morpheus eyepieces like there is from stock to BST’s. I also have several Starguider eyepieces & can vouch for that. It shows how good they are for the money. Thanks Andy

As John mentioned it is a slippery slope. I purchased a used Morpheus 14mm for a great price as I liked the look of them & wanted to try it out. I was hooked as soon as I used it. I have so far ended up with a 9 & 6.5 also ( bought used). They are a fantastic eyepiece & will add to the set as I can, but don’t come up for sale used very often. I did see a set of 5 Morpheus for sale on ABS today, ad price a bit wrong ( says £45000, think it supposed to be £450 ). If it’s correct that’s a good price for them.

SW 150P. Easy to store & move around, but punches well above it’s weight. Fitted a auto focuser, Rigel quikfinder & 60mm RACI. Got some flocking & a handle for manoeuvring alignment still to fit.

1st light with my new TS-OPTICS 80mm F7 fpl53 doublet last night. Must say I’m impressed with my first experience with the scope. The views of Saturn and Jupiter where at time breathtaking. Taking it to 165x with a 6.5mm Morpheus & 2x focal extender it Coped extremely well. 1st adventure into fracs & glad I taken the plunge. (Sorry for the poor pics, taken in the dark with flash)! & thanks @Stu for the guidance in choosing the scope.

Appears that these TS optics fracs should come with a warning ⚠️ that you will never see clear skies again! Make a great ornament though 😂

Delivery from Germany 🇩🇪! TS-Optics 80mm f7 fpl53 doublet. Well packaged, 4 boxes to open, more like pass the parcel! Beautiful looking frac. Well finished. Waiting for the clouds to clear to gets its first light, but forecast not great 😫

Hi Gregoire, I too have the same WO binoviewers & have noticed that the left side is Slightly darker than the right when focusing. Doesn’t seem to effect the views when binoviewing though. In fact I find them really comfortable to use & get really sharp images even at high power. I use hyperflex zooms with mine without the supplied Barlow.

Nice pic & welcome. Just had a look at a couple of phone pics I had taken tonight, had noticed that detail. 👍

Forgot that, I’ve also fitted just that as well. Made fine focus so easy now!

Probably would 😂 like a bit of bling

I recently used a outside tap adapter to make a larger dial for my MAK127. Does make focusing easier. Cheap and easy mod.

Thanks for your thoughts. You have both mentioned what I was starting to think that the 100ed wouldn’t give anything much more than the MAK127. Don’t want to duplicate with the 2 scopes & not looking for it to replace the Mak at present. I normally use the 150p on moonless nights for DSO & happy with that. The Mak is used a lot now with binoviewers as I took to them easily & with my 50 year old eyes the floaters don’t affect as much in bv’s. Your time & comments are very much appreciated & I will sit on this for a while.

Advice/opinions appreciated. I currently have a 150/750 f5 reflector & a MAK127. I am currently thinking of possibly getting a refractor scope. I like to try & take in as much of the skies as possible, but do like the planets & moon especially. The little Mak does a good job, but have been thinking about getting a bigger SCT or more recently the possibility of a frac. I have been looking at 4” scopes & the one I have kind of settled on is the evostar 100 Ed f9. It will be used for visual only, single eyepiece & binoviewers. I would like it to complement the scopes I currently have, rather than pushing them aside. The question is am I going to gain anything different with the 100 Ed compared to the scopes I currently own? Thanks Andy