HollyHound

Good point... I can confirm that I use a 2" diagonal on this ST80 and it focusses with no issue 👍 I have used the Panoptic 24 in this and works well, as you describe. I've currently left a Skywatcher 2" 28mm LET eyepiece in permanently, which works well when it's used as a "finder" scope.

Yours must be one of these then (as it has the same mounting flange diameter as my single speed, link above)... https://agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/1378/s/gso-linear-bearing-refractor-crayford-focuser-86mm/category/67/ Some would argue, why bother putting a focuser that costs more the scope, but I think it makes it just that much more usable and the scope is such a lovely lightweight form factor. As mine came with it, that was never an issue for me 👍

Hi. I got the scope with the focuser already mounted, but it's one of these... https://agenaastro.com/gso-crayford-focuser-refractor-telescope-single-speed-86mm.html It's not dual speed, but very smooth in operation. It's possible they do a dual speed version too 🤔

I find the ST80 and C5 make excellent companions for a lightweight grab and go dual scope setup... one for low power widefield, as you point out, and the other for higher power views. I also use the ST80 on the second saddle for the IOptron AZ Mount Pro. Lovely little scope the ST80, especially fitted with a 2” focuser and guidescope rings to make alignment easier between the two scopes 👍

Just double checked and in fact I am already using the extension for normal use, so without that extension and (possibly) using the GPC I should be ok 🤞If not, it's not the end of the world for now, as I am more than happy with the Mak for lunar, but nice extra if I can use it 👍 Thanks Gary

Good to hear they work very well on dobs, I certainly will be trying with mine as soon as I can. I do have the extension which came with the dob, so can use that if needed... thanks for the heads up 👍

I'm with you on that. Suddenly lunar viewing has just become about perfect now with this setup. Haven't tried the binoviewer on the dob yet, but this grab and go lunar rig works for me 😀

I never was any good with accuracy on either rifles or handgun, give me the guided stuff anyway.... target, fire, track and forget 👍

I would imagine it should be feasible to create a finder as accurate as the Telrad but in a smaller and more aesthetically pleasing package 👍

The SkySurfer III I use on my ST80, but only as a quick “get me into the area”, for which it’s ok. The Telrad is indeed big and ugly, but it’s great on the 10” dob 😊

Ah yes, I do like the “pulsating” mode of the Rigel, that works fine for me. I haven’t tried the Baader SkySurfer V, but do have a couple of SkySurfer III and they are actually ok, but again, never quite get dim enough.

I think for Mak and SCT scopes like we’re using, with higher f ratios (f/10 and higher), almost any eyepiece is more then good enough, as it’s for smaller f ratios that the expensive eyepieces become more critical 👍 I got the second Hyperion as I already one (in fact it was my first major eyepiece purchase). The SvBony are well reviewed.

I too am loving the little 6x30 finders I have now on the Mak and C5... I forget how wide a field they produce and only the other night I didn't realise I was looking at the whole belt of Orion plus a good area around... really useful and almost don't need the RDF now on those scopes, although it's still useful. I find the Telrad is easier to set to a lower brightness setting than the Rigel, so would be interested to see if you do manage to get it less bright🤞

They are really very useful 👍 I did try with my C5 and it was more difficult to balance, but with the Mak 127 it works well, possibly due to the heavier corrector plate at the front 🤔

I aspire to about the same number, plus the two Hyperion Zooms and the focal extender of course. However, I think with a Ethos, it might be easier to have fewer due to the extra coverage in FoV 🤔

More than a Quartet but less than a full Orchestra 🤣

Yes, I did investigate these (Denkmeier I believe), and may still look at this option down the road, most likely as a complete setup 🤔

Funny you should ask that... I neglected to mention that I had already swapped out the wide (adjustable) eyecup for the narrower (fixed) eyecups that also come with the Hyperions... I have no problem at all getting these as close as I need for my eyes with plenty of space to spare. I could still use the adjustable ones too, but these give a bit more space and just more comfortable 👍

Exactly, this is what I've been trying to achieve for months now for lunar observing (admittedly bad weather has slowed things down too)... I can now just grab this whole rig which remains setup in the corner of my office and be outside viewing the moon... or rather "observing" the moon now, actually spending time looking at objects in greater detail... very liberating 😀 Admittedly haven't tried your method of varying magnification, glad that works for you too 👍

I'm finding exactly the same now that I routinely use two Hyperion Zoom eyepieces on my Mak 127 lunar/planetary setup... much more detail and the floaters all but disappear at high magnifications 👍

Be very careful... it's starts with just the one then you find another plus an observing chair living in your office... fortunately, they look so nice that (as we've mentioned before) they're quite partner/wife friendly 👍🤣

They do indeed work wonderfully for me. I find that I can now view continuously for a good time without any strain at all. In addition, because I'm using both eyes, I find that when the moon is brighter it is easier to keep viewing without a filter. With one eye, it gets bombarded with light and then it feels really weird as the other hasn't... almost like being blinded in that eye.

You are a very bad man 🤣

Well I've now had four sessions with the moon in various phases... happy to report I have now achieved lunar viewing nirvana with this setup 😀 It's also proving to be a very effective setup for double stars too, as having both eyes in operation seems to make them easier to spot for me 👍 Now I need to try the whole binoviewer/diagonal/zoom setup on the StellaMira 80mm f/10 too...

That's a lovely scope 👍