Andy0306

Just buy some pick & pluck foam, much easier. This is one seller on ebay, but loads of others if they don't have the size you need. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pick-and-Pluck-Foam-Storage-Tray-Select-Your-Depth-Great-for-G-W-Tabletop/183525502055?

I've got one as occasionally have to go into an industrial freezer. Keep you nice and warm and good for -25

Just a thought about your balcony issue. I suspect the hand railing is 1100mm high, so with a short Mak on the tripod, you would only need to have it just above the rails. Therefore you wouldn't need to fully extend the legs, keeping the footprint of the tripod smaller.

The SVbony diagonal isn't too bad and pretty cheap. I took a punt on one from the Banggood website https://www.banggood.com/search/svbony-diagonal.html as you can at least pay by PayPal. Took a couple of weeks, but it did arrive without issue.

Have you tried gently pulling on the draw tube as you turn the focuser? If there are a couple of teeth missing, it may re-engage and bring the tube fully out.

Buy a Pentax camera with their Astrotracer system

This might help explain

+1 for yr.no From the link above, click a day and then expand the table. Shows cloud cover hourly, although most days are showing 100, so not looking great.

I have considered a zoom eyepiece, but thinking this will be one for another day. Just need to use the scope more and build over time

The SVbony range seems to get decent reviews, so probably worth a look at their diagonal. I am leaning towards the BST 5mm as my next eyepiece, with maybe a 15mm and 2x barlow at some point later.

Your right in that it is uncomfortable to use, I think I definitely need more eye relief. I've read differing views on diagonals, mostly on this site. I will need to change it at some point, as the screw that holds the eyepiece in has stripped the threads of the plastic. I'm thinking maybe get a 9mm eyepiece (with decent eye relief) with a 2x barlow, which I believe should get me around 146x mag. Any more suggestions welcome

Just to note, I'm aware of the scopes limitations and I'm not expecting miracles. I had a Skywatcher Skyliner 150P, so know what I'm missing, but I needed a smaller more portable scope and this fits the description.

Hi, I currently own a Celestron Onmi XLT 102 F6.5 frac, this one https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/mounts/celestron-omni-xlt-az-102/ I've used the scope a few times on the usual suspects, Jupiter, Saturn, Pleiades and Mars with differing results. Pleiades was great with the supplied 25mm eyepiece, Saturn and Jupiter were OK, but lacked any detail, which I wasn't expecting given the scope size and 25mm eyepiece. My kids bought me a Vixen NPL 8mm, but i'm struggling with focus, especially on Mars. I can get more detail on Saturns rings, but not enough to see the Cassini division. I fully understand the above may be a limitation of the scope (and my eyes), but I would like to try and improve things. My options are below, but which one would give the best upgrade first? Replace the erecting mirror diagonal for a dielectric? Get a different eyepiece, but which. Add a 2x Barlow? One thing to add is that I have astigmatism, so may need decent eye relief. Thanks in advance

The entertaining Astrobiscuit went to the site below, which you can see in his video, also below. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g551655-d2433499-Yonder_Shippon-Widecombe_in_the_Moor_Dartmoor_National_Park_Devon_England.html

How much do you want to spend https://www.theheatcompany.com/en-gb/gloves

I have the Omni XLT version linked above by Alan64 and have to agree with the points made by the OP. The mount does shake a bit when focusing (which feels a little stiff), but settles fairly quickly. I can live with it for now, but may replace at some point. I'm looking at replacing the diagonal, possibly this one https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/stellamira-1-25-90-di-electric-diagonal.html as the thread has also stripped on the original. It's a great grab n go scope and getting more use then my 150 Dob at the moment.

I have a 102mm refractor and can clearly see the rings of Saturn with a 9mm eyepiece. It is very small, but that's only to be expected.

Have a look at the Astrobiscuit videos on Youtube

I believe the Heritage 130 can be removed from it's mount and used on a standard photography tripod. As it also collapses to a shorter length, it will probably work well for your needs.

Some good points here, shame you're not closer to me 😃

Thanks for all the replies. I've looked into Astronomy clubs and there are a couple that operate close to me, however Covid has stopped them operating meets for the time being. The Go Stargazing website looks pretty barren in the Northants area, with Bedford being the closest to me and is a private site. I've scoured Google maps (and still doing so) with a few options, but still not 100% sure I'd be confident setting up in those places. There is actually a farm within walking distance to my house (I live in a village outside Northampton), so may consider approaching him. With all this cloud around, I suspect I'll have plenty of time to find somewhere until the next clear sky. If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know

Hi, Is there a list of observing sites anywhere that can be used to find good, safe areas? I live in Northants and have looked at different possible viewing areas as I drive around, but most options seem to be laybys. I personally would feel unsafe parking in a layby at the early hours, so was wondering where people go? Do you speak to local farmers to see if they mind you going on their land, or are you lucky enough to have decent views from your garden? I'd be interested to know what people do to to get a good spot.

Hi from Northampton 👋

Thanks all

I've already posted in the beginners equipment section, but figured I should say hello properly. Having always been fascinated with all things space related, finally decided to get myself a telescope. Having done the usual Googling and Youtube, I found myself here. Based on advise given, I duly went on the hunt for a Dobsonian and found a Skywatcher Skyliner 150p. Had a look at the moon which was good, but felt it might be too big for my needs. I know it's not huge in the world of telescopes, but wanted something a bit more portable. A few days later and I picked up a Celestron Omni XLT AZ 102 refractor. It seemed to have a decent review https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/mounts/celestron-omni-xlt-az-102/ easy to use, move around, transport etc. Fast forward to today and I still have both, but think eventually I'll move to Skywatcher on to a new home.............maybe..........if the wife makes me 🤔 Between the two scopes, I have a 25mm, 10mm and a Vixen 8mm eyepiece. Due to work and the weather, I've not used either of the scopes other than a quick look at the moon, but hoping to get out and see what can be seen at some point, and maybe get out to one of the local clubs, once this damn virus ends. Anyway, looking forward to learning lots and maybe asking some noob questions along the way. 😀