Mick H

Welcome, looks to me that you already know want you need. if you get stuck this site will help you achieve what you want astro wise, just ask.

Have a fun.

1 hour ago, Puffafish said:

replace the red dot finder

Yep agree with banjaxed about the Telrad finder, it is great on my 8se butt................... It's big.

For your scope you might want to look at the rigel quick finder: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/rigel-quikfinder-compact-reflex-sight.html

Make sure the mount and tripod are level, and the ota is balanced.

your latitude should be North and longitude should be West.

Do a auto 2 star align choosing maybe Altair and Vega as your alignment stars or...............

...........Buy Celestron Starsense AutoAlign to take the hard work out of it (I love it), if you can afford it.😉 

18 hours ago, bond19 said:

Plus add a high end pair of ED BT’s into the mix (say APM 100’s)

I will hopefully get something similar next year

Just recently I have brought Orion Giant View 25x100's with an Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount, which can bet setup in about three minutes, but to be able to change eyepieces would be amazing.

I also use WO binoviewer's with Celestron 8se and really enjoy them, but the ease of setup using the Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount setup is more convenient most of the time here in the U.K

You can plug your StarSense where the hand control goes if you are only using SkyPortal/SkySafari with wifi to control scope.

Or maybe buy another Aux splitter to give you extra port.

If that helps.

1 hour ago, Maclean156 said:

So will that be enough power for my telescope and accessories?  as I'm thinking of getting a zwo camera as well

Yes it be plenty of power

11 hours ago, Trevor Matthews said:

Looks like a heated dew cover will be the first purchase for this.

I have a AstroZap dew shield on my 8se, non heated but I use a hairdryer for lens and view finder.

I ditched the red dot thing and brought a Telrad finder like this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/telrad-finder-astronomy.html

11 hours ago, Maclean156 said:

So finally a clear night. Set scope up and started an auto align.....and........perfect. worked first time and calibrated perfect. Thanks a lot guys. So so pleased. 

Pleased for you, sometimes it just works.

For powering the scope I use a Talentcell like this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TalentCell-Rechargeable-11000mAh-20000mAh-Portable/dp/B06Y5G3C8Z/ref=asc_df_B06Y5G3C8Z/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309785494452&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18294235702756215668&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045886&hvtargid=pla-555508973253&psc=1

I have it in a bag which is attached to my mount, no more cord wrap 😉

Hi Maclean156, I checked your Lat/Long from your pic and I think your Longitude should be 001° 54 53

When entering your location the lat/long you must include a leading “zero” ie. 80 deg is entered as 080. 

You must have 7 numbers in the long and 6 in the latitude entry.

You can check your entries by selecting “View time site” in the menu.

Hi Trevor, agree with all of Shimrod words.

But will add it's good to have tripod levelled by using a bubble level.

Have fun

Thanks Kev, I like it.

9 hours ago, Knighty2112 said:

I’ve got the slightly smaller version of this mount, so would be interested to see how you get on with it. It looks like the sideways way that the binos are mounted might be much easier and more comfortable to use  than the way they mount on my mount mine.

Hi Gus, it's is very comfortable using the sideways motion, I tried them out yesterday during the day using a reclining chair very nice.

The kit came with a spacer for the bino's so you can set the inter pupillary distance better, I will do my write up when I get to see some stars. 

Thanks everyone for all the likes, was hoping to have a first light tonight but..........

We all know thats not happening when you get something new. 😡

I'm back after being away since last year.

I had a tumour removed from my Pituitary Gland at the Neurosurgery Hospital in London, it was pushing on my Optic Nerve making my vision blurred.

Anyway all good now, and have received a present which arrived by Fedex this morning.

Orion Monster Mount & 25x100 Binocular Kit

You are not daft, but looks like you are out luck updating version 4 hand controller on a Mac unless you have a friend with a Windows PC.

Your other alternative is finding a NexStar + HC but is it worth it with that scope.

Just trying to help.

12 hours ago, Lipsmack said:

I was wondering if this cable would do the same - avoiding buying two cables to go from 6p6c to serial to serial to usb. Any thoughts? 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Domoticz-Raspberry-FR232R-Kaifa-Sagemom-ISKRA-AM550-xs210/dp/B07JW75BZ7/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=6p6c+to+usb&qid=1615681756&sr=8-3

 

Yeah Lipsmack, that cable looks like what you need.

This one is more expensive but dedicated for Celestron Hand sets, also you could control scope from your Mac.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-mounts/lynx-astro-ftdi-usb-to-serial-adapter-for-celestron-handsets-5m.html

Edit sorry you need a USB/Serial cable found here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-18775-RS-232-Converter-Cable/dp/B0006O4DR6/ref=pd_lpo_421_t_0/258-0525508-9013146?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0006O4DR6&pd_rd_r=4286e15a-1b99-4f71-8852-382a111949ad&pd_rd_w=xSYdI&pd_rd_wg=f8wDm&pf_rd_p=5f46aaad-3d39-458b-be15-624123b74416&pf_rd_r=5MR7C7GCP3SBXNX3M83N&psc=1&refRID=5MR7C7GCP3SBXNX3M83N

9 hours ago, Lipsmack said:

I have wondered about that. It has never been upgraded. Unfortunately that hand controller is a serial  connection. I don’t have a PC. Always been a Mac person. So I have no clue how to update it. Any advice would be appreciated 

I use a MacBook Pro and have successfully updated the firmware for MC/HC, but I have usb connecter not serial.

But you can get one from Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-93920-NexStar-Interface-Cable/dp/B0000665UZ

You will need to download CFM and install java.

Mike Swanson has an excellent guide found here, just click on the NexStar SLT series:

https://www.nexstarsite.com/Firmware.htm

About 30 miles from me to Breck Farm campsite which adjoins Kelling Heath North Norfolk, or Wiveton Downs, its a dedicated Dark Sky Site, 360° views which is about 7 miles further.

This is taken from the excellent Mike Swanson on cloudy nights site.

Note that you can actually automate multiple alignment points into "User Auto Align".  I discuss this in detail starting on page 110 but essentially, you start an alignment at a consistent cardinal point (say, South) with the optical tube level.  You perform an alignment and add an additional 2 or 3 alignment points so that all 5/6 of them are scattered around the sky.  You then save this as a User Auto Align via the StarSense menu on the hand control.  Then each night you just point the same direction (for example, South and level) and select User Auto Align after powering up.  It will automatically point to the same 5/6 orientations, taking images and solving for the center of the image.  By the time it is complete, you will have set up your table and chair, poured a cup of coffee, set out your eyepieces and be all set with your extra-accurate telescope.

This is his website:

https://www.nexstarsite.com

On 08/03/2021 at 06:07, Lipsmack said:

The manual isn’t helping me troubleshoot my 127 slt. 

Another thought, How are you powering the scope?

For got to say this is the way to change the hand control arrow keys, also the tracing speed.

Press number 9 key and then select which speed  you want.

7 hours ago, Lipsmack said:

How to change the tracking speed on the 127 slt

Press number 9 key and then the 5 key.

On 20/01/2021 at 21:22, Stargazer31 said:

hi everyone

Hi Stargazer31, I won't give you any advise on telescopes but will recommend a book:

Turn Left At Orion it will help you out a lot:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/turn-left-at-orion-book.html

1 hour ago, Nigella Bryant said:

Challenging clouds today but managed some solar data.

Lovely images Nigella, keep them coming when you can please.