HollyHound

I've replaced mine with an ADM saddle (as used previously on my SkyTee), as shown in the photo below. It's this one (the VSAD-TAK6 variant)... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-vixen-style-saddle.html However, as there are holes for 6mm or 8mm saddles (35mm spacing), it will also take the VSAD-TAK8 variant, but 8mm might be overkill for it's max weight capacity anyway 👍 Hope that helps Gary

Well, after many weeks of being super busy back at work (remotely), I finally managed to get an hour last night to view Mars for the first time properly. This is not a sophisticated report, no sketches or images, but for me very much a first 😁 A break appeared in the clouds around midnight, and Mars was reasonably high above the trees, so got both the StellaMira 80mm f/10 and Mak 127, loaded up with various eyepieces, giving magnifications between 100x and 250x. Keeping the magnification below 150x seemed to work best, as anything higher tended to give a mushy ball (possibly as it's still low in the sky). For reference, Jupiter and Saturn (which are now quite low) were not as clear as the last I observed them about a month ago. Through the Mak 127, it was a really lovely red disc, slightly mushy with hints of some darkness and a small white blob near the bottom. Switching to the StellaMira, there was a marked sharpening of the image and I was able to (just) make out faint dark marks, but the white area at the bottom stood out much more clearly... I believe I have seen the polar ice cap, which was an absolute first for me and something I've wanted to see since I was a teenager 😀 I'm going to try and get out more often and either much later or indeed very early in the morning, as I've heard it should be more stable air and of course it will be higher 👍Hoping for as many clear nights as possible, to enjoy this planet, especially as it's going to be as close as possible for a good many years! Cheers Gary

Just to confirm that yes, the ScopeTech Zero is quite sensitive to balance, and you will find that the Alt clutch should be quite tight. Once it's adjusted correctly however, it still remains very smooth to operate even with the clutch quite tight, for both free movement and slow motion. It's not required, but I have also replaced the standard (screw clamp) saddle with an ADM saddle, as I find it makes it a bit easier when adjusting balance quickly if swapping between light and heavy eyepieces. However, the standard saddle is good quality, lighter and more compact, so it's by no means an essential upgrade.

Nice one... good luck with that new scope, it looks really excellent 😀 Oh and even better luck with stopping the spending too 🤣

Agree with John on this, the StellaMira has superb contrast, although I'm only able to compare with Mak 127,150 and C6 so far. Planets, Lunar and doubles are fantastic with this scope 😀

And more notably, much much lighter... Uni 28 is around 9kg and the Report us around 4kg!

Indeed, good to see they are holding it now, as it's a great grab and go tripod and I'm using it much more than my Uni 28. The other evening, I was able to carry the 372 one-handed, with ScopeTech Zero and C5, quickly out the front door to catch the moon and planets in a 30min cloud break. I should point out that the ordering process from Germany (Teleskop Express) was very simple, quick and excellent customer service, but always nice to have a UK supplier, especially another good one like @FLO 👍

Bit late to this (work commitments!), but another +1 for the Berlebach Report tripod range 👍 Mine's the Report 372, and I've used it with C5, StellaMira ED 80mm f/10 and even just manages the Mak 150 😮

Great to see that @FLO are now stocking the Report 312 Astronomy... good price too 👍

Nice one, you'll love it, the Report 372 is my most used and favourite tripod now 😀 Also good to see that @FLO are now stocking the Report tripod, I had to order from Germany last month 👍

It was very brief and would not have been possible without the C5 plus 8-24mm zoom being ready to go on the ScopeTech/Report... the ideal grab and go usage scenario 👍 Better luck for you too soon hopefully 🤞

That could indeed be it, I do find the free movement is a bit easier when using the long StellaMira refractor than when using the C5, probably due to the increased moment arm. Good luck with it, I love mine and use it more than any other mount now, even managed to zip out quickly last night and sneak a quick peek at Mars between the clouds... first time ever 😀

You might want to check out the post on this ScopeTech Zero thread, @Stu details a small adjustment he made to the Az axis, which was stiffer for slow motion control. I had the same issue on my Az axis and resolved by doing this too. However, please note, I did have a major issue with my Alt axis on the first mount I received, which may have been a manufacturing issue, where I experienced extreme tightness on the axis and eventually it seized solid. Now there is a warning on the translation page supplied with the manual, which does indicated not loosening the axis with a heavy load onboard. As a result I now keep my Alt axis just beyond finger tight at all times, which seems to provide smooth movement still when using free movement as well as allowing the slow motion controls to work perfectly too. It also means I can't inadvertently swap my scopes whilst the axis is loose (I do check always anyway). Basically if it starts to really get stiff... don't force it, follow the instructions supplied, unload the clamp and let is settle back into place first. One additional point of note, these are very sensitive to balance in Alt, so check that your scope is moved fore/aft in the clamp and confirm that you can move it up/down in Alt with the slow motion controls with equal ease in both directions. Easy way to tell is if you can move one way easily and the other seems to be struggling, you have balance issue. As a result of this, I usually use eyepieces that are similar (ish) in weight only on my heavy StellaMira refractor (6.5kg), so I don't have to re-adjust each time. My Pentax WX 40mm does required and adjustment, but I can live with that. There's also more information on this mount here too, including my mini review and description of the issue I had with the first one: Hope this helps Gary

Wow, that is small... was very tempted until I checked the price 😬😮 Interested to see how this performs 👍

No worries. I'm going to try the Mak 150 a bit more when we have some clear skies again, I think it's usable, but realistically my C5, Mak 127 or the StellaMira 80mm f/10 is about as much as I'd want to use on this setup. You will love the ScopeTech Zero and Berlebach though... great grab and go combination, and I'm loving that I can move freely or use slow motion without locking/unlocking clutches 👍

I also looked at that very same Sightron tripod and was just about to buy it when I realised that it's maximum extended height was much too low for my requirements, so I went with the Berlebach Report 372 and couldn't be happier 😀

Sorry for the late reply, weather wasn't too good over the weekend, but I have been able to test this configuration terrestrially. It does support my Mak150 (which weighs about 6.5kg with rack and pinion focuser, diagonal, eyepiece and dew shield), as you can see from the photo. I noted that at 75x (with a PanaView 24mm), that tapping the scope, produced a slight wobble which lasted no more than 2 seconds and then stopped dead again, so the Report 372 tripod and ScopeTech are very usable like this. However, one issue I did find is that no matter how I adjust the ScopeTech Zero arm angle, I was unable to get any more than an altitude range of +0 to +75 degrees. This is due to the diameter of the scope (6"), as it's more than capable of going from +0 to +90 using either my 80mm ED or the C5. In order to achieve this I did also need to remove the altitude slow motion cable and just use a knob attached on the other side (easily reachable). It's certainly very smooth (both free moving and slow motion) and usable within this altitude range, but if getting to the zenith is important to you, then I think a 5" scope is likely the limit for the ScopeTech Zero mount, due to the length of its arm (and thus clearance with the mount). Hope this helps in your decision making 🤞

Agree with all on this, I've listened to both this weekend on quite good headphones/hifi, and the original just works better for me 😀 Wikipedia describes Richard Burton's voice as a "mellifluous" baritone, which is defined in Latin as "flowing like honey"... enough said 👍

You've inspired me to listen again to this album, first time in years 😀👍

This is in fact my heaviest setup, as this refractor and accessories weighs just under 7kg. The mount is rated for 7kg maximum if I recall. I do have a Mak 150, which probably weighs about the same, never thought to try it on here yet, so might give that a go this weekend and see how it copes (probably terrestrial views unless the weather improves 🤞)

That's my setup... Report 372 (almost identical model to @johninderby) with ScopeTech Zero on top, used with either a C5 or StellaMira 80mm ED f/10. With the C5 onboard (which is how I leave it in the house), I can pick it up and be outside in 30 seconds and it's super light weight, but still very stable 😀 It is now my most used tripod/mount combo, and I’m barely using my SkyTee on the Uni 28 now 😬

I have the same tripod and it’s a lovely thing... very light and stable. My grab and go setup with this tripod has become my most used equipment, so it’s well worth considering 👍

I’ve definitely found that both my SkyTee and Castor work much better when loaded with two scopes. I’ve setup a lightweight grab and go dual scope setup using the Castor mounted on an AZ3 tripod. With just the C5 on one side, it needs the counterweight bar, but even then it’s not super smooth in AZ, but with an ST80 on the other side, it’s remarkably smooth 👍

As to the OP question... I have DeLites (13 and 18.2mm) and a newly acquired XW 40mm, all of which are superb eyepieces. I do agree that the view through the XW feels more "relaxed" and I also love the eyecup design and comfort, but as my focal lengths are so wildly varied, it would be unfair to compare them directly on performance, so the other comments above are likely a bit more helpful on a direct comparison 👍

Having ordered a fair number of items (high and low value, from scopes to bolts) over the last 6 months from @FLO, I've always found their stock and delivery lead time indications to be spot on, delivery times very quick, plus response to customer support queries is excellent too. I did order one item (iOptron Tri Pier) from Rother Valley Optics, back in March, as FLO indicated it was out of stock and had a long lead time. Rother Valley Optics were also very helpful, told me they had one in stock (a demonstrator unit, with a small discount too) and dispatched it very quickly. I think it's fair to say they are both solid and reliable suppliers 👍 Gary