Stardaze

Doesn't look like the SW finder scope?

I’ll vote later as I’ve ventured into the garden 😱

Take one from the ground, looking up 😉

Still to work out whether I’m a sitter or stander. I have an adjustable stool I use for indoor portraits so I’ll give that a try. Noticeable how much lower the dob viewing position is compared to a tripod mount, felt great though! Very quick and simple to point and shoot (too used to that photography phrase!) Looking forward to see the whirlpool, which was getting difficult last week from midnight, as hitting the vertical axis and the tripod leg! It’s now pretty much at the zenith.

I’m particularly impressed that Bresser supply a decent drinks holder! You should even be able to get a glass of vino on there too!

Well picture says it all, far too cloudy, but I got the finder aligned. Couldn't wait either and have stuck the Telrad on this morning too..

I’ll get my eyepieces in order before doing anything rash like that, it would only end up with expensive conversations.. Do those slide onto a dovetail bar at the bottom like John’s then? Be nice to have an EP heavy enough for it I guess.

As I google magnetic knife block.., Just clocked that Orion optics are on the same industrial estate as a company I occasionally call on...

Between clouds, the moon looked pretty awesome as a quick test. Typicall, the cloud rolled back in at dusk. Ah well, fingers crossed for a clearer night sometime soon.

That looks a proper collectible. Lost on me, but assume it’s really more a planet/lunar specialist?

Always good to have such friends! would you believe it! The cloud has almost cleared....

Very nice John. You say cheaper than the Orion, what's it work out?

But in practice do you ever use that side, because that would need another £25 shoe 😂 The wife doesn't seem to like her new ornament in the corner of the dining room..... she'll get used to it 😉 You seem to really like your dob John, what do you prefer over other telescopes you've had/got?

Needs a picture John 😉 There's always something to aspire towards...

What kinda money do they work out at? Still wood? Aluminium would be the way to go, no?

I knew there had to be some fancy custom options out there. They're not too badly priced for the discerning dob connosiuer. Theres a few subtle changes to yours John, I've noticed. Obvious one is mine hasn't the grab handle at the top. Your alt bearings are silver, mine white. When did you buy yours? What would you mount on the shoe below the eyepiece/focus unit? I've put the supplied finder in it for now but isn't the best place for anything that I can see.

Just needs these clouds to clear 🤞 Is it just me, being a newbie to dobs,, that I find it odd that they keep to a traditional wooden base when they are to be used outdoors? Appreciate not in the rain, but these days you'd think..

I think there's a price point where you expect some basics to get you going, suppose the model I've got is on the borderline. I wouldn't expect eyepieces etc if paying over £1k or so. I've drilled a hole in the one alt bearing as the plastic tab was held on by two small threaded screws. Sorted for now and they're sending me a new bracket but I'll be ok until that arrives.

Yes it's the Baader shoe that you recommended. I'll wait to get the scope first before sticking on the Telrad as the eyepieces will be quite close, unless I stagger the Telrad back a bit? I'd rather not have the scope or the bundled EP to put those savings towards better ones. Appreciate they have a price point to compete against others but there's little point to them. Whilst assembling the base unit, her indoors said, "is that made out of melamine?" 😂

Thought as much, great! The one bracket seemed dirty as if it had a yellow grease on it that I can’t get off, couldn’t been used? Waiting on a return call, happy days! It might just work yet. I’ve popped the universal bracket on and with the tape removed there’s a couple of mil more here but should work ok. Must say that the supplied finder scope is a bit poor, putting it kindly. Why don’t they just add an extra £30 to the price and supply a half decent one? If they sort the bracket out, I’ll happily use just the tetrad until the finder I’ve ordered turns up.

Is this correct John, I suspect that I have two of the same sided ‘half moon’ brackets? I assume that the tabs sit on the inside so that it can’t fall off either side? See mine here:

I think I'll wait till the new finder turns up to see how it sits before I get the hack saw or drill out. Let's hope this cloud clears this week.

Might be just as easy to saw a piece out of the base of the Telrad to sit around the shoe? Itching for the delivery now...

I’ll suss it out. The new finder is the one thing that is on a longer lead time, but I can sort it in readiness.

Ah [removed word]! Just measured the telrad base as 59mm wide. Didn't want to drill my new toy. I bought the Baader foot, they're widest in the least ideal orientation.