Mick H

13 hours ago, Adam J said:

Sightron Stellarscan 2 x 40 Widefield Binoculars | First Light Optics

 

Thinking of taking some of these up the mountain in Tenerife. How effective are these types of ultra wide binos at observing the milkyway?

Adam

Hi Adam, I don't have that model but I do have The Orion 2x52 Wide Angl Binoculars, here in my bortle 4 sky they are amazing for constellations. I'm sure the 2x40 will be wonderful in Tenerife. I would also take another pair say 8x40 with you.

All the Best

Mick 

On 29/11/2016 at 10:34, bobxuk said:

Astronomy equipment is analogous to fishing tackle, which catches a lot more fishermen than fish :-).

😀

Agree. One rod is not enough, two is too many.😉

15 hours ago, Aquavit said:

Thanks Mick, neither of those options work for me, one is in the US and the Amazon option won't post to Hungary. I'm still working trying to track down Fujinon dealers in Europe, you would think a company of their size would have some sort of service network ........

Sorry Aquavit, I only just noticed where you are living.

And yes a company of that size should have a service network.

I don't have the Vixen SG2's.

I have the Orion 2x54 ultra wide field angle, and as you all have said these constelllation binoculars are a brilliant accessory.

Also when steadied against your eye sockets and gaze with no wobble, lovely.

3 hours ago, Aquavit said:

My Fujinon 7 x 50 marine bins are getting on a bit and the rubber has perished. Originally bought for boating use, I find them really nice glasses to scan the night sky with so would like to get them back in shape.

I've scoured the internet but can't seem to find anything, anyone got any ideas?

 

Hi Aquavit, found these on amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-Optics-Research-B002-Cups-Compact/dp/B00A45OHP0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=119D5WJXL1K00&keywords=Field+Optics+Research+Compact+Binocular+Retail+Packaging+Assy+EyeShield&qid=1676484107&sprefix=field+optics+research+compact+binocular+retail+packaging+assy+eyeshield%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

I don't know if they would help.

Edit: also found these for Fujinon 7 x 50:

https://www.bakermarineusa.com/product-page/eye-cups-7x50-10x70-10x50-fujinon-fmtr-sx

9 hours ago, BinoView said:

Looking to attach a laser or Red dot finder to my Zhumell 25x100 Astronomy Bino. Does anyone know what I could use to make this happen. Thank you in advance

 

Hi BinoView, maybe you need something like this:

https://astrograph.net/Red-Dot-Finder-with-APM-Bino-Bracket

Also a lot of info here:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/676360-any-help-mounting-a-finder-scope-on-a-binocular/

This is also a good solar system compare:

22 minutes ago, Rustang said:

I spent the Christmas weekend in Gorleston-on-sea, a place that I will always have a soft spot for because it was where all of my child hood holidays were. I had a clear night on the Friday when we arrived so I thought it would be nice to capture Orion over the beach. The data took some hammering because of the lack of calibration frames and light pollution from inland but I'm pleased with the result and it was nice to have Mars in frame too.

Fuji XT-2, Fuji 16-55mm f2.8 lens

SW Star Adventure

40mins of 90 sec exposures at f2.8 iso 800 - stacked in DSS and processed in Photoshop.

 

Nice Pic Rustang.

I do a lot of sea fishing from the Gorleston Pier.

I spent a week at Caister beach in a static Caravan overlooking the sea last week of October, and I took my Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount and Giant view 25x100 Bino's and one night I viewed Orion Nebula over the sea/beach there, it was marvellous, also had a weeks sea fishing during the day.

18 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Is Sky Safari a free or one of payment or a subscription service? And does it work well on Android devices?

Thanks!

Dave

There are three versions Dave, SkySafari $2.99, SkySafari Plus $9.99, SkySafari Pro $24.99.

SkySafari Plus is a good buy.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simulationcurriculum.skysafari5&hl=en_GB&gl=US

9 hours ago, user12666666 said:

I had the same issue. Were you able to find a solution?

 

I think you might need Java Runtime installed on your machine.

http://aladin.unistra.fr/java/FAQ-new.htx#ToC12

Hi Coxy80, I use a hairdryer for a quick blast on lens and eyepieces/finder, plus its a cheap alternative.

3 hours ago, Franklin said:

 I did try some big bins, 15x70 and 20x80, to see if they could be used for observations. Impossible for me to hand hold binoculars of this size and when tripod mounted.

Hi Franklin, for big binoculars 20x80 0r 25x100 you need something like a Parallelogram Mount, and a reclining chair/camping bed. or go 45 degree Bino's but they cost quite a lot of money mounted on something like this:

23 minutes ago, Chrissh said:

Good evening

Can anybody give me some advice on what external power sources please as my trusty Skywatcher battery has given up the ghost. Have been looking at a Jackory but would like to know if they are reasonable and reliable. Main use would be when I am away from.

Hi Chrissh,

I use a TalentCell rechargeable 36w 12V/6000 mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack attached to my NexStar 8se, works for a few sessions no problem.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0713T4XT9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I do not know if it is good enough for your Skywatcher.

Maybe someone else can help.

Can think of much more except maybe run firmware update again.

Or maybe a loose connection in the StarSense HC.

14 minutes ago, CroftWeatherman said:

Hi Mick, when I power up whilst holing the Celestron button I get into the screen that says " BOOT LOADER Serial Debug or Forced" I think this is the screen I get when I want to do a CFM update

 

Sorry I meant the 0 key (bottom middle key), also how are you powering the scope?

Hi Croft, I know you said you have tried factory reset, but did you try powering up holding down the celestron key (bottom left).

Might help, also could be a loose cable.

StarSense Hand Controller from in the UK:

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/celestron-starsense-hand-control-usb.html 

£185.00 😡

3 hours ago, CroftWeatherman said:

Any thoughts?

Thanks 

 

 

You could try powering up without the StarSense camera plugged in, then see if you can change motor speed.

Then power up again with camera plugged in again.

Also from the Manual:

The hand controller has a “double button” feature that allows you to instantly speed up the motors without having to choose a speed rate° Simply press the arrow button for the direction that you want to move the telescope° While holding that button down, press the opposite directional button° This will increase the speed to the maximum slew rate° When using the UP and DOWN buttons on the hand control.

1 hour ago, littlemermaid26 said:

I'm looking for a nice portable way to power it.

I use this with my 8se, TalentCell Rechargeable 36W 12V/6000mAh 5V/12000mAh DC Output Lithium Ion Battery Pack It will last for several sessions.

If you velcro it to the mount then no more cord wrap.

Found here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0713T4XT9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

12 hours ago, Trippelforge said:

If they are out of collimation is it possible to calibrate binoculars? I appreciate the help!

Here is a thread on Binocular Alignment check with a mirror:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/843496-just-tried-binoculars-alignment-check-with-a-mirror-by-rafael/ 

Post by Raphael

https://sites.google.com/site/rchamon/home/optics/collimation-of-binoculars/binoculars-collimation-check-with-a-mirror?authuser=0

Hope that helps Tripp.

9 minutes ago, Trippelforge said:

That probably explains it then, so you don't have issues with smaller ones? I never tried to roll the eye guards, I will do that tonight. Thanks for the help!

No Tripprlforge, only the 25x100's they will not close enough for my silly eyes.

15 minutes ago, Trippelforge said:

Hopefully that makes sense and someone can give me some insight.

 

 

Edit: Sorry it should be a single view without obstructions.

I believe it is all due to IPD (Inter Pupillary Distance).

I had trouble with my 25x100 Binoculars, I could not get them merged to a single view.

I rolled the eye guard rubbers down, and the single view was there. 

My eyes are definitely not the 63 mm average.

I agree with Gfamily you would be better off getting a small telescope.

The first time I viewed Saturn was through my first scope a Celestron NexStar 90 SLT Mak, and I could clearly see the rings and Cassini Division.

1 hour ago, flake said:

What are the best size binoculars to view Saturn ? Newbie 

To be honest, binoculars will not show much detail of Saturn.

Try this tool out:

http://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/

On 29/09/2022 at 23:54, Bettyboop said:

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Could also try holding the Celestron key (bottom left) while powering up to reset.

Or a zoom lens EP:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ovl-eyepieces/hyperflex-9-27mm-zoom.html

You could always sell it on when you find out which mm is best suited for you.