Martthebass

Wow...the observer's book of astronomy. I recall being bought this when I was about 7 - it set me on a the path. Unfortunately my copy was lost long ago; still got a 1972 copy of Guide to the Planets though.

I think you'll be fine. I was in a heavily LP area and got a great colour contrast on Albireo, when it rose out of the murk, with my 8" SCT. Alpha Hercules was another great colour contrast.

Ahhhh...Pulsar CP1919....know it well. Much faster than Shadowplay though.

Same here T, except replace the Meade with a WO GT81. I'll be picking up the book as I'm sure it will be essential to enable even a snail's pace progression in the minefield that is AP but I would like some specific info on the programmes required/desired that will work on OSX. If the MBP route is too arduous then I'll have to factor in a cheapish windows laptop (sorry for the hijack).

This scope was on my hit list, but like others above I thought the new price was on the steep side compared to the analogous competition. In the end I was fortunate to acquire a smaller triplet WO scope used for significantly less. I'll probably add a larger aperture Mak at some point for visual obs and still come in less than the cost of the new ZS103. It is a looker though - can't deny that.

Thanks for the reply Ruud, I'll check that one out.

Sorry if my first post is on the dumb side. I'm in the process of putting together an imaging set up, but due to the learning curve (and cost) I'm doing this bit by bit as I think this will best prepare me for the 'fun' ahead. Anyhow, I've managed to acquire (when delivered) a WO 81mm APO Triplet (courtesy of this great forum) and was planning on adding a mount (probably an HEQ5pro or equivalent) towards the back end of the year. However, I've booked a cottage up in the North Yorkshire moors in August and thought it would be nice to take the scope up with a basic photo tripod for some visual obs. Could anyone recommend something suitable, it doesn't need to be capable of anything other than reasonably jiggle free visuals - both night time and daytime. Thanks, Mart