Dark Vader

Have a look here https://skys-the-limit-108154.square.site/shop/1-25-bst-starguider-ed/8 looks like they still have some... Tbh i find the 5mm is pushing it a bit most nights. The difference between that and the 3.2? - it will push your magnification up by 135x and very often at the expense of clarity. I've seen more detail on Jupiter with the 15mm than the 5.

I only had the 25 and 10 that came with my 200p, and apart from a 21-7 zoom, I got 2 BST Starguiders - the 15 and 5mm. The 15mm may only give 80x but it's a great bit of "budget" kit. The 5mm gives 240x and I've had good views of Mars with it, but even 240x is on the limit of "useful" magnification most nights. Both are great on the moon, I much prefer the clarity of the 15mm. It Barlows well too. Sometimes less can be more. They do a 3.2mm that would push your scope up to 375x but only when conditions allow, and in the UK that won't be often.

Just had one of these drop through the letterbox - has a magnetic base so sticks nicely to the 200p.

Personally I'd wait for the 200p but that just me. When mine arrived I didn't say " I wish I bought a smaller scope" 🤣 A 9mm eyepiece is a medium high magnification and will give 133x in the 200p. Wide angle (degrees) and magnification (mm) are different. Low magnification for DSOs I think something 25 - 35mm and 60 - 82° FOV might be more use to you. Andy

I put the scope out about 5pm on the off chance the fog warnings were wrong. Managed to get out from 6-8 until that horrible damp cold got the better of me. Some nice views of Mars though. I got up to 240x with the 5mm Starguider (as high as I've got). Switched to the moon, nice sharp views along the terminator. Then a change to the 15mm Starguider giving 80x. The clarity was astonishingly good and this EP is fast becoming a favourite. Anyone looking to upgrade from stock EP's - these BST's are great for the money. Andy

I'm in a Bortle 6 area in suburban north Bristol. The council in their infinite wisdom sited bright orange street lights at East, South and West all within 10-25 yards of my "orange" back garden. One of the houses opposite has a 500w "insecurity" light that comes on if a cat coughs within 30 yards of it, and it is angled 90° to the vertical so I never have problems finding eyepieces in the dark!🤪 I have the 200p and can recommend it for viewing in pretty bad light pollution. I'm still quite new to this and not the best at finding my way around the fainter objects, including Uranus and Neptune. Views of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have been pretty good so far. I've just come back in after spending a good hour or so on the moon. No light pollution problems viewing that... HTH Andy

That's great, I saw a few reviews saying the 15mm was a good one. Had some good views of the moon last week with a cheap Celestron 6mm but I struggle with the small eye holes - like looking through a drinking straw!! Mars - I've not had good views yet. Largely very wobbly with the odd second or so of "almost" stability so far. Andy

Just had a couple of BST Starguiders from the postie 😀 now for a clear night without an early morning start to try them out.

I bought a collimation cap for the secondary and a premium Cheshire for the primary. For checking collimation in the dark I just shine the red torch at the reflective surface of the cheshire.

I forgot what it was called - Google says its called atmospheric refraction. I call it a pain in the proverbial... 🙄

I've been getting a lot of that with Mars through my 200p. Haven't noticed any with Jupiter or Saturn as such but lately they have all been bouncing around a fair bit. Pretty sure its atmospheric as my collimation looks good (he said knowledgeably) 😃 Andy

We saw that as well. My son thought it looked a bit like a face but he is only 9... I can't see it on the Lunar HD app, unless it's part of Montes Riphaeus. Some great views had of the Jura mountains / golden handle tonight.

Bought a Starguider zoom from them recently. No problems at all and I'll certainly use them again. Andy

I found a Giottos 3290B monopod on fleabay for £30. It extends to 190cm and with a pistol grip ball head comfortably gets to just over my height (6'5") I don't know if they still make them new though..... its this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Giottos-GTMML-3290B-Section-Monopod/dp/B001AZ3UHY Hth Andy

Not technically brought by the postman...however, I'd just finished pushing a trolley around the local Tesco and on the way out saw a shop called The Works. Remembering a post I saw on here a few weeks ago about this, I went in for a look and snapped up one of these.

I was that concerned about collimation that I actually held off buying a scope for a couple of months, then even looked at buying a sub £300 refractor instead. I read and re read the Astrobaby guide until it started sinking in then saw some comments on here saying that unless an Allen key fell down the tube and hit primary, there was little that could go wrong that couldn't be undone. My 200p arrived pretty much ok and with the FLO premium Cheshire, a collimation cap and the Astrobaby guide is now (I think) spot on. Go for it, it's easier than I thought it would be.

8" dob. Very glad I got one...

I had a good view between the passing clouds. I'd set up on the off chance to give my boy a look at Jupiter and Saturn, clouds permitting, before bed. Now the schools are back, he can only stay up late enough on Friday and Saturday nights. A lot of wow moments followed as he kept running back in to tell Mrs V what he just saw, then coming back to see more. In the space of an hour, cloud bands on both planets, the Ganymede shadow transit and Saturn's rings with an occasional sight of the Cassini division. A good night... we're loving the views through this 200p. Andy

The 4mm eyepiece in that scope I think will give 300x magnification and should be better for lunar and planetary use. The more mag you use, the dimmer the image seems to get. Galaxies and nebulas should benefit from way lower mag than that, maybe 20 - 30mm. I'm sure someone more experienced than me will be along shortly with a better explanation 😀.

Aarrrrgh - clouds!! That wasn't meant to happen...

I put the Dob out at 840, had a quick look almost straight away and sure enough the GRS was there. Its the first time I've seen it, a bit "wobbly" but very visible. I'll be going out again shortly now the scope's cooled. Andy

No problem at all Phill. I managed to get my 200p out last night for an hour for only the 2nd time and got my first proper views of Jupiter and Saturn. Cloud belts visible on both and and the Cassini division in Saturn's rings nice and clear. Blown away, went to bed grinning like an idiot 😀. Clear skies Andy

Welcome to SGL, you're in the right place. I'm quite new to this as well and went for the same scope. Could you post a picture of your focusser? A frequent error when putting the scope together is to use both eyepiece adapters. Assuming you have the eyepieces that came with it, you just need the 1.25" one. Hope that helps Andy

The table is yer average dining table height. The scope as pictured is 52 inches top to bottom and on a small 4 inch high trolley. If you're thinking of carrying it 1-2 km, you'll probably need a smaller, lighter, more portable one. Maybe the Heritage 130p or 150p flextube would be a better option.

I tried it a few times, picture file wouldn't upload from my end. Tbh I'm not renowned for my technological ability - after all I had to get my minions to build the Deathstar!! 😂 I'll just force choke the phone and try again.... "I have you now"..... etc. etc. 🤣