Stardaze

Thanks for the feedback. I assumed that I’d use my Nikon 10x50’s more than the Stellar 15x70’s due to weight but I’ve been using the latter with a manfrotto monopod and ball head 95% of the time. Do the HR’s still suffer with bloat on planets? I think the HR’s are probably the binos for life, I like the idea of buying keepers. The Stellars are only really sharp for around 30% from Centre and light scatter is definitely there, sometimes from a stray lamppost for example, but it’s not a regular problem, just something to be aware of. There’s an 85mm version of the HR too, which may be worth looking at.

I might try a pair of those for what they cost. How do you find the lightquests? 15x70’s?

I'm not sure you can get away with it anyhow. The bandit grips quite tightly and so it's probably just a downside to them. I haven't used any other eye focussing type binoculars to conclude whether the stellar's are a little looser than normal.

Lovely report Magnus. I found myself looking at those clusters in Auriga this morning too with my binos, but they certainly weren’t as prominent as you had for sure. I wasn’t aware that there was a name for the line of stars leading up into M38, so good to know that. I’ll look into the smiley face too as that’s new to me.

I've been using this combo for a good year now and whilst I agree with the negative elements that Steve @BinocularSky raises in his review, they're pretty solid performers and I've actually found myself using these mostly rather than the 10x50's. The one issue however that I have found is the fairly loose focusing on the eye pieces, which is exasperated when using the bandit. For the bandit to work best, it really needs to be pulled to the top of the eye relief. When folded back down for storage, inevitably some movement happens which means refocussing every time. That can be a faff with a monopod as you need both hands, one to hold the bandit whilst the other focusses, it is really more of an issue with the BB I find. So, it left me wondering how much stiffer is the focussing on the Lightquest HR model? I'd possibly consider the upgrade for this, if the focussing would hold better. The sharper image across the field is the obvious real gain with a little more light transmission. The HR seems to be worth spending that little bit more for, over the Apollo?

I’ve still to buy a fan (did order one but it got lost and refunded) Which scope is that for John?

I’m going to add that overall, there’s probably more inspiration and ideas that have come from SGL which have been invaluable. The pocket sky atlas initially, but more sky safari since, have also been integral to finding my way around. This last year, the biggest help for me was the purchase of a sack truck that I’ve adapted, to help me move my dob around following an injury that left me unable to lift. The binoculars have also been indispensable during this period. Whilst kit is important to a degree, this great community is the most valuable resource without question.

Super first report, well done and welcome to this fascinating pastime. Look forward to reading more of your reports.

Great report. I've not managed to use my dob on Orion yet this year, but you've certainly whet my appetite here.

Just lovely that you get the opportunity to share those moments with her, very special indeed. I dragged my dob out of the garage Sunday evening to quickly show my 80 year old father in law Jupiter and Andromeda, it's really great to be able to do that.

I can't say that I've observed much more this last week as you list here, fleeting moments with the binos. I must get into the moon a little more, I did read up on Petavius and noted mare Crisium's perfect lighting last night. I bet your 6E made more of it though.

Interesting. I did have a few minutes rolling the laser around in the click lock to see how that looked, wasn’t perfect. I’ve checked the laser and it was a tiny smidge out, so after half hour faffing, it’s probably slightly worse. I’ll sort that with a fresh head but led me to think, what if the click lock doesn’t centralise?

The skywatcher focuser had 3 screws for aligning but the bresser, as you say, doesn’t seem to have any adjustment that I can see? So the only thing you can do is to make sure the tube sits squarely on the plate and check from there it seems. If it has no proper way of aligning, surely most people don’t bother? I did wonder if just tilting the secondary to ensure the laser sits in the middle of the donut is all that is needed. It does sit under the focuser.

Will do. I bought this dob really to get my head around everything. He did break the secondary in the video. I’ve had both mirrors out now so I’m not too bothered about dismantling, but definitely need some time for it all. I’ll have to get it something like for tomorrow night as it looks to be clear at last. I still want to add a cooling fan at the bottom and he had a great mounting plate for that in the vid, which I think I’ll copy.

Thanks. I’ll reread and digest that again later. The laser is fine as I’ve knocked up a little rig to collimate it. The hexaloc fixings are clearly different to the Quattro focuser, only two grub screws with small allen keyed screws. A basic measure isn’t so straightforward measuring 4 points around, I found earlier. Did you strip out and add a donut opposite the focuser to ensure the focuser is perpendicular?

I think having watched that I could do with a full morning to take the mirrors out and ensure the focuser is perpendicular and the doughnut is centralised, looks a bit of a faff but peace of mind. Removing the central donut, if needed, looks a bit scary though. 😱

I didn’t check whether the doughnut is centred I’ll admit whilst I had the primary out. Quite a few variables that I skipped early on. Didn’t realise how out the vanes were either, I won’t assume again.

Thanks for taking the time here. The laser seating is possibly the cause yes, though I have a click lock. I prefer the concentre to a basic cap. The Cheshire I find to be most accurate for the primary. I’ll have a look again this morning, realise it’s the focuser or secondary where the issue is.

I haven’t. Thanks, I’ll give that a look in the morning.

I keep mine in a shed for some of the year. Just be aware of packing it away after a heavy evening dripping with dew. I found my primary dewed up twice and so will hair dryer it from here after a session with heavy dew. I have got a fan heater too for a quick blast but ventilation in a shed is important. I found mould in mine last year so have vented in readiness this year.

I know I posted on the ‘what did the postman bring’ thread but with these addition pictures, looks a cracker. I’ll add it to the mix. I’m most on the fence about the mount for such a scope. An EQ5 looks a perfect match! Be interested to hear your thoughts after some use. Clear skies are due this week!

Hmmmm. Exactly what's on the shopping list for next year. They look the same as the Altair/Ts Optic/Starwave type options out there, same manufacturer? Is the FL53 glass worth the extra? Looks very nice regardless.

I thought I was well and truly done with any collimation talk. I cleaned my dob primary mirror for the first time recently and whilst I started off with a Cheshire for all collimation, which I still think is best overall, I added a cheap laser that I collimated and have been using barlowed, for visual use. It's much quicker to get 99% of the way there and convenient with little available light. I hadn't gone looking before but did have a peek following the mirror clean as to whether the laser centred on the primary mirror, perfectly in the central ring. It doesn't, it sits just slightly outside the central circle. Here's the thing, I had never checked whether the spider vanes were as they should be (equal distance) out of the box before now and so found that they were a little out. Thinking that would be the answer, it didn't prove to be, following their adjustment. Is it simply that the slight tilt on the primary when aligned with the secondary (collimated well) does throw it off centre? I use a concentre to set up the secondary, all is perfect there and the primary is simple to adjust from there. There does appear to be one axis that is not exactly the same as the other on the spider vanes, which could suggest the tube is slightly oval and not perfectly round. Maybe that has an effect. I'm thinking that it probably won't make a jot of difference for visual use, but I'd be interested to hear any reasoning around this. When I was using just a collimation cap and Cheshire, I would have been non the wiser, which almost confirms that in the real world, it doesn't matter? But I'm interested anyway.

I’ve not seen the Starfield frac before, looks super.

Thanks Joe for sharing. I must add Keid to my list, it’s a new one to me, sounds great.