Robindonne

So its kind of safe to say that a 12/14” dob, 130mm refractor and a c11 are the ones to bring with you to the end. All smaller versions will probably always show you those “missing” details.  

3 hours ago, igorigs said:

I would suggest either Dob of 8’ or maybe SW 130/650PDS as it can be used for Astrophotography if you ever want to jump in that..

Episode 6, this fall on SGL

Overprizing a single clamp makes the set look like a great deal🙄

Dont know.  But 24£ ???    They sell complete used astromaster sets for that price.

Did one of the arms broke, or the tripod leg clamps?   
 

there is a website,i better dont mention, but they probably sell these clamps

I saw this link from John yesterday.  And warnings to not click on it came too late

6 minutes ago, Sky-searcher said:

35mm film canisters, desiccant packs & M6 countersink bolts. Canisters fit snug into 1.25 adapters & make cheap desiccant caps.

I hope these bags dont lose fibre etc

oh i see canisters.  Didnt know what they were.  Understand it now🙂

56 minutes ago, RobertI said:

Thanks Robin, I did look on the Altair website, but the hole spacing on the ”180mm” handle is 129mm! There doesn’t seem to be one with the correct spacing. 

Ai i see.   Sorry.  

I personally like the altair ones.  The 180 is in stock.   

I bought a 60d this year.    It wasn’t that expensive, has a flip screen, used the same batteries as the 5d (very handy if you own one already).  
The rotatable screen comes in handy to avoid kamasutra-like positions when checking the screen during a session.  

Another reason to not just buy any model, was that when connecting it to astro-dedicated computers, like asiair or stellarmate or primaluce lab, some dslr models are not supported.   So all might work proparly but miss the option to automate your setup In the future.   

Also consider to buy an as low as possible model number.   The lower the number the longer the shutter mechanism will work.   From what i read!

I think FLO is the best i know.   Have to admit i ordered just once recently.   But prices are good, service is good (i asked a lot before the purchase) fast sending and even the package was like a crown juwel was shipped, very good protected.   
I dare to make a bet you wont get negative reviews about FLO🙂

10 hours ago, maw lod qan said:

I enjoy science, but am no where close to being a scientist,  but really enjoy seeing scientific processes happening.

Personally I have always wondered why ot was always assumed you had to have the perfect conditions like we have to support life!

I look forward to more being done on this discovery.

If even microbiological life can exist in the extremes of Venus, image the possibilities!

Metoo. The interest in it as a non-scientist   But the perfect conditions to find life as we know, does ask for an almost perfect climate i assume.   If earth is getting just 20 degrees hotter we can better all pack our bags and leave.   Dont know what life forms will survive a +/- 450 degrees warmer climate.  We are lucky to live in the sweet spot🙏🏼

Im pretty sure all of the answers will be: scope too heavy or mount too weak.   
 

these mak newtons want to go earths core way more than standard newtons

2 minutes ago, Nair al Saif said:

Thank you to all!

Nothing beats the 8 inch dob! Is it really that good for that price! I think a runner up would be the evostar 120.

So you’re going for the mak?😅

Ok.  That I didn’t know. Thx.   

Last night i wanted to use the lens-part of my 2x barlow in a binoviewer, instead of the 1,6x that came with the binoviewer.  No problem, it fitted and worked properly.   Later i tried to fit that same 2x lens-part in the barrel of an eyepiece, but it didn’t fit for some reason. So put the 2x back to the binoviewer and tried the 1,6x in that eyepiece, but it also gut stuck after 1/2 turn.  The only solution to use that 1,6x with that eyepiece was to put the 1,6x in the barrel of that empty barlow, and again it didn’t fit.   

the strange thing is that both the 1.6x and 2x fit perfect in the bino.  

Whit all the attempts the lens was perfectly parallel and carefully tried to screw in.  But they definitely got stuck.  

I tried a filter in that eyepiece but it also got stuck.   

I have a lot of mediocre eyepieces that all accept the filters and just a handful more premium ones.  This happened with a Takahashi eyepiece.   
it didnt accept the barlows and the filters.  
the thread in the barrel looks like its never used.   
 

is there a chance of differences among filterthreads, like e.g. the m49x1 and m49x0,75 thread?  Or do i have to use some force?
 

Dive into the used market for a goto set.   If you keep your eyes open, you will find a 6” newton on a goto for your budget. A cheap dslr (eos1000d?) and you can experiment with ap and visual.   Im sure you can find an ok set with dslr for € 400/450,-
 

i often see a Meade 6” newton on a goto mount coming for sale around 350,-    
 

resell will give you the same amount in return, so experimenting in the end for free🤩

On 08/09/2020 at 21:51, jock1958 said:

That hanging mill flexible shaft looks like it may work but until you try it you will never know?

The last few days I’ve been trying to source the bits I need for my ideal flexible slo mo control cable and it’s proving a challenge!! 

Lol.  Metoo.   I just cant decide.   Would you choose a connector with both hex screws, or a..... dont know the english word....collet/nut?

maybe you can help or advice. 
 

the shaft:

€ 9,51  25％ Off | 80 Cm 84 Cm 85 Cm 89 Cm 90 Cm 100 Cm 150 Cm Lange Flexibele Binnenkant As Voor terug Pack Pole Gras Bosmaaier Heggenschaar
https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0Zr5AP
 

the connector for both ends Option 1:

€ 10,28  11％ Off | Rc Boot Flexibele Koppeling Cnc Rvs 5 Mm/6 Mm/8 Mm/10 Mm * 6.35mm Cw/Ccw Flex Spantang Koppeling
https://a.aliexpress.com/_msqXf8b

the connector for both ends Option 2 (I hope to find one with 3 screws in a row, to use 2 for the cable):

€ 2,58 | 1 Pcs 4 Mm/5 Mm/6 Mm/8 Mm/10 Mm/12 Mm Koper starre As Koppeling Koppeling Motor Connector Mouw
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtjoOhD

the knobs and steelcable protection is not that hard to find.   
And hoped to find some connector who have on one side a crimping connection with the cable.  
 

im very curious about your slomo cable ingredients.   

https://www.365astronomy.com/lacerta-2-45-degree-erecting-amici-prism-diagonal.html

https://www.365astronomy.com/lacerta-hybrid-2-t2-45-degree-erecting-amici-prism-diagonal-with-1.25-eyepiece-holder.html

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/skywatcher-45-degree-erecting-prism-2.html

uk is great for shopping at this moment

Was hoping for a permanent price reduction on Televue stuff.  

They are more often older then you think. Not thats that much of a problem. I find it hard to know what currents specs are.  Black dovetail or green as the latest edition etc.   I’ve bought a green dovetailed version last month for my daughter, looked better then the black dovetailed version i own.  Found a 9 years old advertisement of this guy, who tried to sell that green dovetailed one in 2011😬. I think he decided to keep it for a while.  

1 hour ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

I have found that i have a side effect ... i am addicted to buying and selling ( usually at a loss of course ) to get to my " sweet spot" ( which i honestly know i may never find ! As i am writing this i can see its a ridiculous condition , but , its also exciting , in an expensive sort of way . 

Yes i have the same.  And i think we’re not really alone🙂.  I do have the patience to wait for offers that wont cost me money.   With patience it can actually bring you money.  But finding that satisfying scope for each task can be indeed a matter of taking small steps or trying to skip most of the small steps and search for one that is proven to be satisfying by many people.   

Oke so I survived the big covid peak, but now having all sort of symptoms of an aperture fever.  

Started with 8” reflectors, newton an sct, but ended with 5” refractor

The only scope i have now is a 120ed and a mak127.   I like the detailed view, and the “stand-by for direct use”, that comes with a refractor, a lot, while the hunger for bigger planetary view is growing.  But is it aperture fever or detail fever? Or is it the same?  I mean, is the jump to a 12-16” dobson the only way to reach that satisfaction from larger or more detailed images? 

i just dont want to reach a satisfying final scope at the age of 70 because of all the phases we go through.

So my question is basically for all the 70+.  What (planetary)satisfying scopes do you use?

This is a way to get that prefered 45 degrees.

and i agree with the comfort of 45 degrees    I have a short tripod, and just sitting on my heels or a low chair makes me also miss that 45 degrees diagonal

I think a fair price.   Just bought one in very good condition for less than half, but just the Skymax127, no mount