HollyHound

+1 for the Skytee, very solid and the supplied tripod is an EQ5 class 1.75" steel tripod too... might be worth considering for future proofing for another £120 ish (over the AZ5 and steel tripod) ? I have both and recommend them both 🙂

As I mentioned on your other thread... The ST120 works very well indeed on an AZ5, but you must use the steel tripod for this (I have this one... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/tripods/sky-watcher-38-stainless-steel-tripod.html), otherwise it would not be very stable at all and likely over the weight limit for the standard tripod supplied with the AZ5.

I have the same adaptor, but for EQ5/HEQ5 tripod heads (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/astro-essentials-3-8-photo-adapter-for-heq5-az5-tripod.html). It's a very useful and solid adaptor. I had my AZ5 mounted on my Berlebach Uni 28 (overkill really!), until I recently got the Skywatcher 1.75" steel tripod with 3/8ths head, so it now fits direct. Keeping the adaptor around (for now), in case it's ever needed again.

I did have one of these... https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/sky-watcher-star-discovery-wifi-az-goto-mount-tripod.html, but returned it as I found that I really didn't get on using the app. It was more that it was on a phone and I had to look each time to operate the on screen button controls, plus my screen kept timing out and then having to keep unlocking the phone. In addition, at the time, I couldn't run the SkyWatcher app and SkySafari simultaneously. For my GoTo mount, I switched to an iOptron AZ Mount Pro (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ioptron-mounts/ioptron-az-mount-pro.html), which although pricey (again!) has a lovely hand controller (which I can operate mostly without looking at it) and in addition, it connects using it's own WiFi to SkySafari on my iPad too... so best of both worlds. I suspect the SkyWatcher hand controls are also just as good, but never used them. Having said all this, I have read good things about the AZ GTI mount, and did consider getting it before I decided on the iOptron. Hope this helps, rather than confuse you even further 😬

I have that exact combo (AZ5 on the 1.75" steel tripod). I've used it with Skywatcher Mak 127, Celestron C5, Skywatcher ST80 and ST120, and confirm it was rock solid for all these. I leave this setup with the Celestron C5 and Hyperion 8-24 zoom, as a "grab and go" scope, it can be picked up very easily and moved outside in a minute as required. I did think that with the ST120 on board, it seemed at my limit for something I would consider moving in one go, and not sure how it would cope with a longer focal length refractor. I do have the StellaMira 800m f/10, but not tried it on this yet. I find both the normal motion (with clutches disengaged) and slow motion controls, to be very smooth and natural in use. The clutch controls are small but easy to operate. I also have the SkyTee 2, which I have used on the same type of tripod, but is now mounted on a Berlebach Uni 28. The SkyTee is a lovely mount, it can easily take any of the scopes either as a single scope or dual mounted. When properly balanced, it is a delight to move around either manually or with the slow motion controls. The clutch controls on this are excellent. As I have added ADM saddles to both end (the version I received was drilled for an additional saddle now!), I am also able to use the top saddle to hold a TelRad (which just slots into the saddle, holds nicely and can be adjusted using the SkyTee adjustment controls for exact centre), which is very handy indeed.

Hi Nicholas, Welcome to the forum. That is a fantastic observatory, very impressive 👍😊 Cheers Gary

Hi Grzegorz, Welcome to the forum 😊 Cheers Gary

Mine does the same. Not normally an issue, except once when I attached a DLSR and have to keep adjusting it. Other than this though, it is an excellent zoom eyepiece. I keep it in my “grab and go” C5.

Hi, Welcome to the forum. Enjoy Gary

Hi Steve, Welcome to this friendly forum and enjoy getting back into the hobby. Cheers Gary

Ok, slightly shorter update... managed to sneak 30mins with no cloud last night, so thought I'd try the recent eyepiece purchases in the StellaMira (800mm FL). Firstly, tried both the TeleVue 13mm and 18.2mm DeLites in and around Vega and Albireo, as these are my current "reference" targets for now. Nice dark, contrasting stars and impressively still in focus near the edge of the field of view in both eyepieces. I can see these two being useful medium powers (x40 and x60 ish). I do love the views of star fields through this StellaMira 😀 Next, the TeleVue 3-6mm Zoom, on Jupiter and Saturn... this was as amazing as my first view at the weekend (my third overall for these planets), but with the zoom I was able to start on the lowest power (6mm), focus and then zoom in and out, which is a really great way to go from more context to close up. What was interesting was that on going past 4mm towards 3mm, I didn't feel that any extra detail came out, just got bigger and a bit dimmer. I'm sure there will be a use for 3mm, maybe the moon is where this will come in really handy... we'll see. Are the TVs better than my current set of OVL Nirvana 16mm, 7mm and 4mm? They seem sharper towards the edge of field, but of course that field is narrower. They felt like they presented a better (more contrasty) image, but I think a good deal more time is needed to confirm that. They are certainly very impressive and I'm glad I have both sets for comparison 👍 Oh and on a minor (possibly trivial) note... I do like the green lettering, they just look so nice in the scope 🤣 P.S. I forgot to try the Burgess/TMB 8mm, but will give that a go next time...

And the second commercial software application I ever wrote and published, was for the BBC Micro... way back in 1984, so everything I've ever done since, has also been a direct evolution from that too... gosh, where did the time go 😮

Yes, good point... still originated here I suppose 😊

Hi, Short answer... yes. However, ARM don’t actually make chips, they license CPU chip architecture (with numerous varieties) out to many many manufactures, who will then create a chip incorporating that along with other sub systems such as memory controllers and interfaces, as required for the end product. These products can be very simple, or as in the case of Apple’s A Series, extremely complex and combined with graphics processors, AI, security etc, to create a SoC (System on a Chip). But yes, the fundamental CPU is the same and has advantage of high throughout per watt (unlike say Intel desktop processors). Oh and it’s British technology, based in Cambridge 😊

This is pretty much spot on how I first saw it, using my ST80, back in Jan/Feb. I was also able to see a similar view (but slightly less distinct) in my 8x56 binoculars. I seem to recall it was quite high up in the sky back then.

Hi, Welcome to the forum. It’s a very friendly and informative place 😊 I’m a fellow beginner too. Have fun Gary

Now that looks a really nice piece of kit... good luck with it 👍

TeleVue DeLite 13mm, again in excellent condition (from here on the SGL For Sale ads), to accompany the DeLite 18.2mm that arrived last week 😀

I have absolutely no doubt about that 🤣

Hi Patrick, Welcome to the forum. That scope is looking very popular... good luck with your first views 😀 Gary

Before I got the scope out on Friday night, I did view Jupiter and Saturn in my 8x56 binoculars and yes the four moons where very visible, although at first I thought there were just two (as they were paired up). Really lovely to see even at a relatively low magnification 😀

This just arrived this morning, and in excellent condition... Burgess/TMB 8mm Planetary Series. I don't have a fixed focal length 8mm (the Hyperion zoom lives in the C5 for now), so this will be used in the StellaMira... looking forward to giving it a go soon 😀

Although I have now realised that I have a large gap in my eyepieces between 18.2mm and 32mm. I gave the 25mm that came with my Mak away to a friend. See how I get on and then maybe garner some opinions on filling that gap if necessary...

Wow, I didn’t realise they got that tall 😮I think I’ll use what I have for now and “maybe” try one of those in the future 👍

Ah yes, of course, these have been around a good long while and I suppose optical technology/techniques improve like everything else. Thanks for the comparison 🙂