ScouseSpaceCadet

Hmmm... The OVL Nirvana ES 7mm is used a great deal when lunar observing with the 4". The new Vixen SLV 4mm has been used the most for planetary and double star observation. The Altair Ultra Flat 24mm 65° is my go to wide field eyepiece. The OVL Nirvana ES 16mm gets an honourable 4th place.

I feel the same. Although one wouldn't generally class people as 'equipment', interacting with other amateur astronomers has had a huge impact (especially on the wallet...). The encouragement and knowledge gained on SGL has led to BAA and recently Liverpool Astronomical Society membership. Other people have definitely revolutionised my observing!

It's very common in this country for families living on the outer urban or suburban areas to have two cars. It's very rare to leave one standing for weekends only. That is the preserve of the very well off or car enthusiasts. We're in the two car bracket, a commuting car - 45mpg and an AWD SUV - 35mpg... Although the smaller hatchback hardly gets used, so we *may* go down to one car to save money. The Fiat 500 is common sight on UK roads, although I believe the most common type is the slightly larger sub-compact/hatchback.If ever giving advice to UK members there's a good chance they will own one of those. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/best-selling-cars-uk

Joking aside, a 102mm Maksutov and accessories (diagonal, 6x30 finderscope, 32mm plossl and zoom eyepiece) fits in a camera bag. The tripod and mount are chucked in the boot willy nilly. Although I do tend to leave the kit in the boot. During the last five trips, I've been quite happy using those 10x50s. Only using the telescope once...

My 102ED is kept in a cheap flight case from https://www.cases-and-enclosures.co.uk/roc-cases-large-silver-flight-case-with-foam-insert-l680xw300xh190mm Not recommended for actual air travel but I'm happy the telescope is well protected from my partner's enthusiastic vacuuming , kids and cats. No qualms about car travel. They have several smaller cases suitable for eyepieces and sell more expensive cases should you wish to splash out or intend to fly. Loads of other assorted kit is stored in an Oplok bag: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescope-bags-cases-storage/oklop-padded-bag-for-small-telescopes.html

10x50 binoculars should fit in the boot. The rest of your luggage can go in a roof box.

Being only about three years in, some of the items mentioned previously I can't imagine observing without: Sky Safari Pro - A vast library of knowledge, a planetarium and telescope control in a pocket device. Goto - The AZGTI - a tiny power house and now the Celestron AVX. Goto and tracking make observing a very relaxed and comfortable experience. Although it's probably the low tech gear that makes the most difference being a city observer - a tent and decent binoculars open up dark skies. The ED102 refractor is also very versatile. This little 4" will keep me busy for a long time. I don't have storage space for several scopes so it will probably be replaced at some point, however for now I couldn't be happier.

True. I kept my 6x30 for a travel kit. It's a good match paired with my travel 102mm Maksutov.

As much as I feel slightly icky lining Jeff Bezos' pockets, I've had a Prime sub for years. Like anywhere else there's loads of tat but there's also bargains to be had with the added bonus of speedy delivery and convenience.

I've no idea why the 6x30 is less common, except to say I barely use mine at home. Compared to its larger sibling the 6x30 is useless under bortle 7/8.

When starting out, I found locating objects with the 130P improved significantly after retaining the cheapo plastic rdf, then buying a 9x50 right angled correct image finderscope and mounting them both on a double finder bracket. I've tried a 6x30 finder but at home the light pollution reduces its effectiveness.

Just remember when practicing the "Triangular Arm Brace" and "The Rifle Sling", you don't step back in the dark and perform the famously common, "Flailing Ewe". 😁

Jeremy you will be pleased to observe the Svbony variation has a smooth barrel. Just think with that £30 saved, your butler can this Christmas feed his kids with the extra bonus. Just imagine, "Little mites, smashing news! There's no need to queue at the food bank this year. We can buy a turkey breast between the six of us thanks to Master Jeremy's kind 'earted jesture!". " Little Johhny your rickets will be cured by January! Rejoice my little ones!" 😉

Hah.. well thanks for the link. It seems Svbony are undercutting the competition with essentially the same optics. Good news for us. 👍

New for 2021, the Svbony SV190 series. 'APM clone' ultraflat eyepieces. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Svbony-Eyepiece10mm-Telescope-Eyepiece-Multi-Coated/dp/B08Z3RYN7S?th=1&psc=1 and for comparison: https://www.altairastro.com/altair-18mm-ultraflat-eyepiece---precision-barrel-stainless-steel-236-p.asp https://www.astroshop.eu/eyepieces/apm-eyepiece-ultra-flat-field-18mm-65d-1-25-/p,60558 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-eyepieces/celestron-ultima-edge-eyepieces.html A review: https://star-hunter.ru/en/svbony-sv190-18mm-ultraflat-eyepiece-review/ What do the experts think? Worth a punt if you're trying to save a few pounds?

I have the 10x50s. Very nice binoculars. A step up from the previously owned Olympus DPSI. They see a lot of use. The only things putting me off mentioning the Opticron 10x42 was, they're 150g heavier than the Helios & £20 more. Maybe I was being too frugal. Does your daughter like them?

Very true. Stuart approach him slowly with a tape measure and check his interpupillary distance. 😁 The ones linked above don't have it stated but 8x40s start at around 53mm?

Hopefully Mr. Tonkin will pop by. In the meantime, if I was buying for my 11yr old niece I'd stick to 8x40s or thereabouts to reduce the wobbles and wrist strain. Helios Fieldmaster 8x40 WA Binoculars are a good price @ £49 from FLO and very light weight at 635g.

Cheaper than snow boots! I can recommend socks. Gelert Heat Wear are thick, soft, comfortable and warm. The insides have a fleece like feel. https://www.gelert.com/gelert-heat-wear-socks-mens-414332

A BCO 6mm courtesy of @Franklin. Hopefully the postman used an underarm technique to throw the parcel over the garden gate... Vixen and Baader... A slippery slope... Next I will be selling the car to pay for Televue and remortgaging the house for Takahashi!

Same here. Locking up the rear of the house, a blanket of thin cloud racing across the 97% moon. I don't know why but that sight of clouds whistling past the moon has an eerieness. Is that the result of imagery from oral stories, books & film or some instinctive response? Then the cat meowed , 'tuna' and the moment was lost...

I've everything I need but cannot afford everything I would like. Undoubtedly there's plenty of us in the same boat.

My particular cable reel just about fits but the box does keep the dew off. 👍

+1 for the orange box. 😁

A P150i tube is much lighter than a 150P & would work on an AZGTI but they are usually sold as part of a telescope/mount kit and it wouldn't be a huge upgrade if you could find one. The max refractor size mounted on the azgti would likely be 80mm @ f7, maksutov - 127mm. The chaps above have made a good suggestion, for <£400 a 200mm dobson mounted reflector would be the cheapest way to access increased aperture and use the azgti with the 130PS - a good match up.