Mr Spock

Excellent choice! A couple I have and can recommend: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/baader-clicklock-2-dielectric-star-diagonal.html On the Starfield: Oh, and I replaced the twist grip on the Starfield with a Baader Clicklock Not necessary, but I am a big Baader Clicklock fan https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/baader-t-2-prism-stardiagonal-zeiss.html On the Tak: Brilliant for planetary detail but only wide enough for the 2" 30mm UFF - something like the Nagler 31mm would vignette, as does my 42mm LVW. A very short focal path though, ideal for binoviewers.

I can see the moon... but it's very cloudy. Forecast says about 50% from 8 onwards. That's enough for me to get a session in with the 4" I think.

I have an 80ED and I would say your x170 is on its top limit. You won't see any more detail at higher powers and the image will get darker with floaters becoming a problem.

No. Less aperture equals less resolving power. The 102 is a much better planetary scope.

Altair water for me

4" apo yes, 4" achro no - the 6" f8 Newt is a clear winner.

I'm here for the free Jaffa Cakes

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-telescopes/stellalyra-6-f8-planetary-dobsonian.html

I have a Dob. It has an EQ platform. So no, I don't need slo-mos

Aw man, when it blows it will fry your eyeballs and leave the Earth with an inch of topsoil.

I use an EQ with tracking. It allows me to concentrate on what I'm observing instead of being distracted by faffing with controls. It's especially important when using high power.

The only group requiring some kind of approval/test score I'm in is Mensa. 98% of people don't qualify for membership

My eyes have always been different. Different brightness, different colour saturation. I imagine its normal.

These days I find all clubs a hassle. I don't need them to enjoy my astronomy! Besides, I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member...

Takahashi FC-100 & Powermate x4 Nikon D500, 1/250th @ f29.6, ISO 1600 - single shot. Processed in PhotoLab 7.4

With my f7.4 scope and 2.5mm eyepiece with Powermate I can get x1184... Not that I'd ever use it

Just use a different focal length eyepiece. Better optics will always give the better view.

Why do you think that? For planetary you want the best optics you can get.

I had goto on an EQ6 but never really used it. I went back to basics for my 4" - an EQ5 with drives. Takes away all the faff.

I'm the opposite. I've always been a left eye observer but recently my retinopathy has been putting floaters right across the middle. Tonight I did my observing right eye. It feels really weird but I'm going to have to get used to it.

It's not too bad in a FC-100

You can't get a scope on Betelgeuse 24 hours a day. There's this thing the earth does called rotation

Buyer beware as they say. I'd always buy from a well known reputable retailer. That's why FLO gets so many recommendations.

Anytime in the next 100,000+ years. We simply don't know.