HollyHound

11 minutes ago, ukskies said:

On the very day the DF was delivered FLO showed stock of 2 DZs, honestly you couldn't make it up!🤦‍♂️

As I've said before, the real world difference optically between these two is quite minimal (in normal skies)... however, I'm sure that if you wanted to, FLO would happily let you return/exchange 🤔I notice the DZ has jumped up in price dramatically though 😮

But again... you will be superbly happy with the DF I'm sure 😁

Wow, just wow 😍

That’s a real beauty and I’m sure it will provide a lifetime of superb observing 😀

4 hours ago, Don Pensack said:

My field analysis:

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/849945-new-85°-pentax-eyepieces/?p=12369694

and the following post as well.

If you just touch the eyecup with glasses on, but do not press, I think you will see maybe a 75° field?  I didn't analyze that,

but the field didn't get that much larger when pressing hard to see the field stop.

It also seemed a little easier in the 16.5mm than in the 23mm.

Thanks for those two field analysis reports @Don Pensack 👍

I’ve got the 16.5mm on order, so good to hear they’re performing quite well… field curvature seems to be good, but reduction. In eye relief is a bit disappointing… although I don’t use glasses for observing (yet) 🤔

Will be following that thread, but can’t wait to try mine out, once it arrives… intend to get the 23mm too (I have the full set of 70 degree XWs as my primary set).

10 minutes ago, ukskies said:

Hi Gary, thank you for your response.

I'm really looking forward to joining the Tak club as I've wanted one for many years but other things always got in the way and hence never had the money.

 

Well welcome finally to the Tak club… they are great scopes and never leave you wanting more 😃

Of course, once you join, it’s likely you never will have any money ever again… Have you seen all the Tak accessories yet, not counting other scopes… don’t go there 😬🤣

Congratulations on the new incoming Takahashi 😀

Can’t help with the GEM question, but having had a FC-100DC (optically the same as the DF) and now owning a DZ, rest assured there really is nothing between them optically in our UK skies with normal seeing… the primary reason for me going for the FZ was ergonomics, mainly the focuser, and the DF addresses that anyway 👍

15 hours ago, MalcolmM said:

How do you connect the Maxbrights to the Mewlon @HollyHound? I use Baader 2" clicklock + 2" to 1.25 " clicklock adapter to Baader prism. I have to use the 1.25 GPC to come to focus! I have not been able to use natively, though I have read somewhere that the GPC corrects for CA (though maybe not necessary at f12?

Malcolm 

Hi Malcolm,

Here’s the back of my Mewlon 180, in 2” diagonal (Baader BBHS mirror) configuration.

I use the same visual back end with the MaxBright IIs, but (as per second photo), they’re attached to a Baader T2 prism (which has a slightly shorter optical length).

I swap them using the three standard locking bolts on the visual back, but I do also have another visual back which has T2, so might invest in T2 changer system at some point (already have some parts for this).

With the setup I have now, it comes into focus with perhaps three or four turns max left in the focus range, so it’s close, and could well be I get lucky with the Hyperion’s 🤔

I’m also not sure that the GPC correction is required for a Mewlon at f/12. However, I will experiment with a GPC (I have 1.7 and 2.6), because it might keep the mirror closer to its “normal” focus… if there is any advantage to this. I may need these when I try the MaxBrights on my refractors, but I’m liking the Mewlon as my “bino” system 🤣

On 01/12/2022 at 12:39, doublevodka said:

On the Vaonis front I've always liked the look of these - https://vaonis.com/hyperia/en/ sadly it's eye-wateringly expensive and way out of my budget but I'll have a Sidereal Grey one if I win big on the lottery one day 😂

And yes, I know you could put together a better rig for less money before someone says it lol

The tech guy in me looks at this and goes “wow, that’s super cool, I want one” 😬

Then the other guy says “the one part of the day when you don’t have to deal with tech, is looking through a lovely normal telescope, in the freezing cold” 🤔

I’m happy with the latter 👍

Eye watering price, though anyway😮

1 hour ago, MalcolmM said:

Gotta say I had another jaw dropping moment with the Mewlon when I looked at M42. So much detail and so bright! Was not able to see E and F but I was looking through a lot of atmosphere, Orion being quite low. 

And congratulations @HollyHound, great photo of a great looking couple. Wishing you many happy years together!

Malcolm 

Same here... great views of M42, but I also couldn't see E or F (which have been almost trivial in the 10" Bresser Dob on occasion) 🤔

Thanks... we had a great day and we're super happy together 😁

4 minutes ago, Space Hopper said:

I'm glad you are enjoying them ; the eyepiece holders and diopter adjusters are excellent aren't they. Beautifully engineered the German way.

Was it me who sold you the Max 2's ?? I lose track.....

They are really lovely 👍

Due to timing and a good deal... I ended up with two pairs, one from @bosun21 (which @Stu now has) and a pair from FLO... everyone's happy 😁

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

You can’t leave us hanging like that Gary 🤣

No, don't worry, I'm still in the musing stage... very happy with my setups I have and enjoying "just using them" 😁

However, it's no real secret that I have a hankering for a refractor with a little more aperture, so sometime in 2023, I wouldn't be surprised if I looked at TSA120 or similar 🤔

2 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Image shift: no 😊

Diffraction spikes: yes 🤐

The diffraction spikes on the Mewlon are noticeable for sure, although I found on Mars and Jupiter that the brain seems to ignore them after a while 😬

The M180 has three vanes, which give six spikes, but I believe each one is fainter as a result... I guess the four spikes in your M210 are a little more noticeable 🤔

No question for me.... cleanest, contrasty views were the DZ.... slightly more details/colour, brighter, but "dirtier" view was the Mewlon... they both have a place. On the moon and DSOs (and when fully cooled), I think the Mewlon will reigh supreme. The refractors are better for quick(er) use and the nicest of views 😁

1 hour ago, Stu said:

I know! It’s been in my basket once already 🤣

Mine too, but popped it back it out, as the M180 is really as much as I need... besides, I might be looking to get a larger refractor next year anyway too 🤔😁

31 minutes ago, dweller25 said:

Gary, Which zooms are you using in the Mewlon ?

David... it's a pair of Baader Hyperion zooms, with the "simple" eyecups (I have one of the adjustable ones on my APM Zoom).

They work very well indeed, although a few times last night they dewed up a bit (usually at the start of each mini session). I kept everything covered between sessions, but may einvest in a heater strip for them (and the binoviewer) 🤞

The MaxBright IIs are an absolute dream, both optically and ergonomically... they lock tightly so that adjusting the zoom doesn't rotate or affect the diopter 👍

I also haven't had to use either of my recently acquired GPCs in the Mewlon, as the focus range is enough to cover what's needed... although it is close to one end of the range, so perhaps there is some value in using a GPC to keep the mirror in the "sweet spot" 🤔

15 minutes ago, Stu said:

Out of interest, does yours show any image shift when focusing?

Not an M210, but my M180 shows almost no image shift… it’s very solid indeed 👍

One more session completed this evening (the fourth, between keeping warm 🤣).

Some more awesome views of Mars… probably the best I’ve seen too, with distinct markings and the albedo features mentioned above (not sure if I’ve seen these before).

M42 awesome as always, Rigel double easily seen… tried for Sirius but no joy. Had a stroll around Pleiades and Hyades too 😃

Jupiter was too low by now, but am content to have seen Ganymede close and pass over the planet, the GRS and banding with great detail.

I’ve also proved that once fully cooled (over an hour), the Mewlon is sublime on Planets, giving just that edge over the FC-100DZ 👍

But yes, it was, and still is… absolutely freezing out there 🥶

2 minutes ago, PeterStudz said:

Basically clouds over the pole. From my limited experience it’s not as bright as when you see ice at the poles. I managed to catch that back in the summer and even though Mars was very small the ice at the South Pole almost glowed. 

That explains it… I saw an area of white, but it was faint, nothing like when I saw the (very distinct) polar ice cap in 2020 👍

9 minutes ago, PeterStudz said:

Some nice views of Jupiter, the GRS and Ganymede. Also lovely views of Mars with the North Polar Hood and albedo features clear and obvious. Possible clouds to the south too. Nice seeing for once! 

Ah, that Polar Hood must have been what I saw earlier then… thanks 😀👍

Two Taks tonight (FC-100DZ and Mewlon 180) … great sessions (between keeping warm) 😃

It really is freezing 🥶

This setup (AZ100, FC-100DZ and Mewlon 180) has been out since 6pm and am popping out for 20min sessions… beautiful views of Mars, Jupiter and now M42 😃

But it’s absolutely freezing out there 🥶

Going out again in a few hours before bed 🤞

Beautiful views of GRS and Ganymede., another look at Mars and delightful views of M42 and M31 before cold got to me again... time for some TV and then final session in a few hours 🤞😁

9 minutes ago, Alkaid said:

GRS also nicely visible and will be central around 9pm UK

Thanks for heads up... popping back out again right now to have quick look 👍

2 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Lovely colour of the GRS in my M210. Seeing pretty good too

The M180 is giving awesome views tonight, so I can only imagine how great the M210 is 😬😀

Just now, JeremyS said:

Yes it’s amazing see Ganymede and the GRS is such close proximity. Lovely colour of the GRS in my M210. Seeing pretty good too 👍🏻

Same here, I saw Ganymede just off the edge of Jupiter when I first started observing earlier and watched it cross over onto the planet... I'm still in awe as to how much those moons move, so different from night to night 😀

18 hours ago, JeremyS said:

Congratulations on your wedding Gary. I knew is was coming up, but had realised when. I wish you a long and happy life together.

Thanks @JeremyS… it was Saturday 19th November… we had the most amazing weather, beautiful church service and great party 🎉

Finally after almost 10 years together we’re glad to have finally tied the knot 😃

I believe your daughter has/is also getting married 👍

Edit: Warning, off topic photo attached… but at least you finally get to see the face behind @HollyHound🤣

12 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Amazing isn’t it Gary? I’ve also been enjoying superb views of Jupiter and Mars.

Cant feel my toes or finger topics after being out the 1.5 hours. Warming up a bit sitting next to the radiator 😊👍🏻

Yeah, I was really enjoying just flitting back between the two planets... awesome views 😁

Same, fingers freezing 😬 

Back in now... my wife (still find it odd calling her that, even after almost four weeks since our wedding 😆) has just made chilli and then we'll watch some TV and I'll go back out bit later for M42 etc 🤞