Second Time Around

Yep, I have both a Berlebach Report 112 Astro and a Leofoto Ranger LS-364C photo tripod. The Berlebach is wood and is even more stable than the carbon fibre Leofoto. However, the Leofoto is little more than half the weight (1.77 kg v 3.4 kg). The Berlebach is also available in non-astro configuration, i.e. without the accessory tray and brace. This reduces the weight to 2.1 kg but at the expense of stability. I haven't tested this, but suspect it'll still be more stable than the Leofoto. I haven't used the Leofoto for a long time and will probably sell it as I never have far to carry my gear and don't need the extra height as I always sit down to observe or take photos.

Superb! Looking forward to more.

My first OOUK Dob came with carrying handles fitted on to the base by the previous owner. I copied that on the second one I bought.

I'm doubtful that until nowcasts* become available that there's likely to be little or no statistical difference between the various forecasts. However, I don't know if and when nowcasts will become available on each of the sites. I'm therefore going to keep on recording the data. If nothing else it'll be a record of clear nights here in East Kent that may be useful to others. * See my post of 31/12/21

The accuracy over the last year has been very similar for all the forecasts. This is the first time there's been such variation. However, Wunderground wasn't so wrong as it first appears. If you look back to earlier posts you'll see that, because some sites use symbols and some percentage cloud cover, I wrote the following: "I have to use just cloudy, part cloudy and clear on my spreadsheet. Where total cloud cover is shown I interpret 0-25% as clear, 26 to 74% as part cloudy, and 75 to 100% as cloudy. This is because when cloud cover is shown as a symbol on a weather map it's based on oktas, i.e. eigths. I know it's not precise, but it's why I said last month the methodology isn't scientific." In many cases Wunderground forecast cloud cover of just over 25 % or just under 75%, meaning that I recorded part cloudy. A few per cent different and Wunderground would have been correct on many of these days. One other thing I take from the data is that few of the forecasts are totally wrong, i.e. shown in red. I think it's human nature to remember the wrong forecasts. However, the data doesn't support this.

An unusual result for May as Wunderground was abnormally poor for the first 3 weeks of the month. In particular, there were far too many part cloudy nights forecast.

I'm always worried that any cloth could have a tiny piece of dirt or grit on it that could damage an optical surface. So, like others, I prefer Zeiss single use lens wipes. These come in a sealed packet so you can always be confident that they're uncontaminated.

Don't forget that the heavier the scope, the heavier and more expensive the mount. In fact, I'd suggest deciding on the mount first, then choose a scope accordingly. My choice was a 72mm ED. Granted I put it on a Scopetech Mount Zero, but I also use it on a Skywatcher Solarquest mount that both finds and tracks the sun. This is a very similar design to the Skywatcher AZ GTi Go-to and has the same capacity. At f/6 and with a sliding dew shield it's highly transportable, both around my garden, for birding and for holidays. It also cools down quickly making it great for short sessions. The focal length of 432mm also gives a nice wide field, and the ED glass enables higher magnification without chromatic aberration. If you ever buy a Quark for h-alpha solar work this focal length is also about the maximum for whole disc views of the sun including prominences. Everything is a compromise of course, and everyone has different priorities, but a 72mm ED was the perfect fit for me.

Wow! Many thanks indeed! Not as many as Nexus offers I don't think, but it'll keep me busy for a while. I'll have a proper look shortly in my Bracken star atlas to see how many night vision objects visible in my 10 inch are listed.

I've used Starsense Explorer and very good it is too. However, although I've adapted it so I can transfer it to all my scopes, the number of objects in its database is, at least currently, extremely limited. Even beginners won't take long to get through all the objects. On the other hand, the Nexus II database is almost infinitely large, so much better for larger scopes. For my night vision devices it's in a different league altogether. I've also tried Astrohopper that again uses plate solving. However, it didn't work properly with any of the phones I tried, possibly because we've got overhead power lines on telegraph poles just outside.

I don't believe so. The UK Baader rep has been very helpful and, having checked with head office last year, assured me I'm down for one of the next batch. This is because mine were faulty from the outset and went back to Baader. Unfortunately, they couldn't repair them and had no more in stock. I'm very impressed with the design of the many Baader products I have, and expect the Maxbright II to be no exception. If it's any consolation I've been waiting 18 months!

Telescop Express in Germany say 1st Sept according to Baader. Mind you, it's already been put back several times already!

+1

Thanks, Steve. It's interesting that it's made by Alevmoom. It seems as though they make at least 2 designs. This good one, and also the taller, narrow one that's unstable.

I find ironing chairs don't go anywhere near low enough for me when using my Dobs. In fact, they start at the maximum height I use. And I put my refractor on a Berlebach Report 112 Astro tripod with the legs extended as little as possible. This gives extra stability, plus the 112 model is both lighter and less expensive. So even with my refractor I need a low chair. YMMV. There are several different models of telescopic stool on the market. I find the tall, slim ones to be unstable, especially when leaning forward. Steve, this one seems very similar to the first and best of three models I've bought. Which brand is it?

First Light Optics here in the UK stock Concenters. Many US buyers on Cloudy Nights praise their very fast and inexpensive service to the States. I'm a very satisfied customer of theirs too. They also sponser this site.

What do you mean, your eyepieces? Surely you know everything in a cat's house belongs to the cat! 😁

Wow! Absolutely stunning!

This is the model I referred to in my post of April 16th as being too unstable for me. However, I do use the starry cover as it also fits my original seat!

Forget this one! It arrived damaged in damaged packaging. Even if it hadn't been I can't recommend it. The plastic is brittle and I can't see the stool lasting. My previous one is much better and still going strong despite a lot of use.

Yes, almost certainly. My astigmatism prescription in my observing eye is 0.75 dioptres. I compared both 0.75 and 1.0. The latter was better.

Here's the April data. Elsewhere there were more clear nights in the last week. I'd forgotten how to do a print screen with my Logitech K780 keyboard. It's fn + del. Then the usual Ctrl + C to copy. Now I can refer to this post if I forget again!

There's no problem with using a 1.25 inch filter and eyepiece. I just tested it though to make sure. An ad here on SGL or UK Astro But/Sell may get you a pre-owned Parallizer. Good luck!

I encountered the same problem and solved it with a Glatter parallizer. This allows 1.25 inch eyepieces and lasers to be fitted into 2 inch focusers and hold them without slop. It works very well with my Baader Diamond Steeltrack and my Hotech laser.

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