HollyHound

Just to jump in here quickly... I have had the Canon IS 50x50 for a few months now, and they are nothing short of revolutionary for me 👍 Quick (or even fairly prolonged) looks at the moon are now something I can do instantly and (importantly) really see quite some detail. Jupiter's moons are now easy targets (amazing how quickly they move around in such a short time). Don't even get me started on how beautiful Pleaides has now become, I'm seeing stars and detail in just this that are worth the price of the binoculars alone. Same for M42 😮 Cruising the Milky Way is just stunning down here on the farm too 😀 I'm happy to extol it's virtues even further, but my vote would be an "upgrade" to these. @JeremyS has pointed to to that review site, which covers most of the models, and Roger Vine does seem to agree that the 15x50 are just that bit more usable even than the 18x50, without sacrificing much in magnification. I also love that you can lock the image stabilisation on (for 3mins at a time), so don't have to keep holding the button (although you can do that too). The only small criticism, is that they don't come with objective end caps (but standard camera ones work perfectly).

Currently 8... which is probably too many 😬 Bresser 10' Dob Takahashi Mewlon 180C Takahashi FC-100DZ Takahashi FC-76DCU(Q) Takahashi FOA-60Q Takahashi FS-60CB Skywatcher Mak 127 Celestron C5 I'm downsizing a little, so the FS-60CB is up for sale, but although I (very) rarely use the Mak127 or C5, I just can't bear to part with them, as they were my first "serious" scopes, and they are still incredibly good (Mak for lunar, C5 for DSOs and daytime spotting) 👍 My stepsons best mate is just getting into astronomy, so he's likely to get one as a gift sometime... just not one of the Taks 😁

Good to hear the FC-100DC works well on the ScopeTech 👍 My DZ is just that extra bit heavier and makes it less than ideal... however, that's where the AZ75 (or AZ100) come in, and I'm more than happy with the FC-76DCU as a grab and go... so much so, I've even removed the saddle and dovetail now and it's mounted permanently to the ScopeTech directly with the Tak clamshell, to save a bit more weight 😁

Glad you like it @Stu here’s hoping for clear skies soon, to give it a try 🤞😀

So glad you were able to pick this up (rather than wait) and get it setup… looks great 👍 We now have almost identical grab and go setups and you will use this more than your other other scopes 😃

I list my stuff at between 65% and 70% of RRP (depending on age and condition). Bear in mind the RRP may have increased significantly since you actually bought it, but the current RRP is usually the right baseline to use (I have made exceptions where the price has increased dramatically 😮) Usually if something doesn't shift at that price, then a (gradual) price lowering, can help, but best not to "give it away", so always have a lower limit at which you'll stop or even withdraw from sale

I’ve owned the StellaMira 80mm… it was a beautiful, super solidly built (and heavy) scope. Superb on the moon and planets (I had my best views of Mars during 2020) 👍 It was also fine for deep sky work, but will be noticeably dimmer than a 100 or 120 scope. if your primary purpose is solar system objects, then this is a scope to go for. One small point, as mentioned earlier, it is significantly heavier than my Takahashi FC-76DCU as an example, and the AZ-GTi “might” struggle with it… best check the payload. Oh and @FLO have one on offer if it is of interest… https://www.firstlightoptics.com/offers/offer_stellamira-80mm-ed-f10-refractor-telescope-with-rp-focuser_329571.html

The FC-76DCU with Extender is also f/12.5, and that has been a great scope for me (and @Stu too I believe) 👍 I've only dropped mine back to normal configuration (f/7.5) as I'm wanting it to be super portable again, and I'm intending to use my FOA-60Q (f/15) a lot more now (can't believe I thought about selling it 😬)... particularly as I'm moving on the FS-60CB 😁

Exactly... this (for me), has been the optimum grab and go scope setup 😀

This makes me really glad I've chosen to keep my FOA-60Q (60mm f/15) 😁 Thanks for the really great reports 👍

Ah thanks, apologies... I thought you had some special configuration and was very curious... situation normal, nothing unusual to see here 😁

EEVA does sound like a real boon to observing DSOs 😀 However, bear in mind that you're using a Mak127 (5" obstructed aperture)... I still have mine, and it was the second scope I bought (after a Mak102)... I remember looking in awe at M42 through both these scopes, but being disappointed with M31. That changed when I got a 10" Bresser Dob... the increase in aperture does make a real difference in what and how you see these things (I first spotted Trapezium E and F clearly in this scope). Of course, visual will never compare to EEVA (or night vision), but definitely it is an area where an increase in aperture does pay dividends 😁

Looking good, glad it's all matching again now 👍 I've just noticed that you have your tube cradle "upside down" compared to how I have mine... I normally loosen mine for balancing (not so much now with a limited set of eyepieces), and would worry that the screw knob might fall down in this configuration 😮 However, I suppose there is little chance that the cradle would actually open with in your configuration... intriguing 🤔

Only an hour with it so far last night (between the clouds) on Jupiter, Saturn and a couple of clusters… seems to work very well… good FoV, eye relief and very easy to change up/down magnification 👍

Really sorry to hear this Alan… we’ve all had a few scares, but when the worst happens, it must be awful 😬 Looking forward to seeing the new scope… I’m sure it will be a very suitable replacement 👍

Used a short spell of clear (ish) sky to test my new “grab and go” configuration… I’ve been using my FC-76DCU with the extender (954mm FL) for the last eight months, but have dropped it back to its normal (570mm FL), for a more portable setup again 🤔 I’m trialling a set of just three eyepieces with it… new ES 24mm 68, APM Superzoom 15.4-7.7mm and TV Nagler 6-3mm… apart from some initial issues with getting all eyepieces to focus together (now resolved), it looks likely to be a good setup 🤞

Get a Telrad… it fits perfectly onto a Mak 127 and works perfectly 👍

Just like my sales post... it's a tricky little thing to photograph and show the colour properly 🤔 Glad it's going to finally remove that mismatch on your FC-76DCU... post a photo when you get the chance... enjoy 😁 Thanks, Gary

Thanks for the useful information @Don Pensack 👍 I primarily use XWs and DeLites (which have excellent eye relief), plus some Masuyamas (also decent)... it was really curiosity as to what that little device was for 🤔 Tele Vue really do thing of (almost anything) 😁

Duplicate post!

Just happened upon this thread... I had no idea what that little black disc was in the Nagler 22mm box (I've just packed it all back for sale) 🤔 Now I do, thanks very much for this snippet of information 😁

Wow... great image, thanks for sharing 😀

As my Baader Zooms are now permanently fixed to my binoviewer, I thought I’d give this APM Superzoom a try, as reviews have been generally good 🤞 It’s smaller and lighter than I thought it would be, so this could be left on my grab and go scope, and along with the recently acquired ES 24mm 68, and my Nagler Zoom 3-6, might be a great little portable (travel) set 🤔

Yep… just bought the DeLite 13mm, having sold one two years ago… go figure 😬🤣

Can’t wait to see what you’ve got coming @Alan White 🤔😃