Richard_B

Great idea, thanks

You're welcome, glad I could recycle it

🤣 realised after I posted how old it was 🤣

I'm in a Bortle 4 apparently but struggle due to local light pollution (next doors flood light and street lighting. I have used an Android app (not sure if it is available for iphone/ipad) that I find quite useful for basic planning called Nightshift Richard

Do you still need a planishere? I realised I had a second older one (2000 I think - not sure if they go out of date as such) - you are more than welcome to it to see how you get on with it before stumping up the money on a new one. It's not the larger 12" version but works ok. PM me you address if you want it and I'll send it down. Richard

Didn't Messier do most of his work with a 4" refractor?

Managed to find out - they are M4 bolts so have ordered some 10mm countersunk allen bolts from ebay hoping that 10mm is long enough 🙂

Thanks

Do you happen to know the bolt size to attach a dovetail mounting plate? Can't seem to find reference to it anywhere.

I did think the same to be honest. However I already have the 102T and quite like it. This hobby is a money pit after all :-)

Thasnk you both for your replies. Looks like a new purchase is on the cards 🙂

Hi all I am considering the following for my Startravel 102T as I am finding the original focuser very frustrating:- https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-focusers/dual-speed-2-crayford-focuser-for-sky-watcher-refractors.html I am trying to workout the weight increase when the original is removed. Approx weight of the Dual Speed Crayford is thought to be about 1.25kg. I am a bit concerned about adding too much weight to that end of the OTA as I already use slightly heavier eyepieces than the originals.and am adding a 90 degree 9x50 finderscope. Has anyone done this upgrade that would be able to either let me know what the new weight of OTA and focuser is or what the weight of the original focuser and might be once removed? One other question sorry - are there any other available options for the ST102T that might be lighter? I am aware there used to be an upgrade kit from Lacerta (https://www.astromanie.ch/en/systeme-de-mise-au-point/1229-systeme-de-demultiplication-110-messier-hexafoc-bresser.html) that just removes the spindle and a new mechanism is inserted, but it doesn't seem to be available in the UK (and may not actually be compatible with the ST102T). Are there any inline microfocusers available similar to this https://www.365astronomy.com/optical-accessories-1/focusers/365astronomy-1.25-rotating-helical-focuser-with-male-t-thread-connection that might work? Thanks Richard

Wow, thanks both, all is not lost then😊 just need so clear skies and time to play.

Ok, thanks for the advice. I'll have to start saving for a tracking mount. I assume DSOs are out of the question.without a tracking equatorial mount.

Thanks for the reply. I realise the scope will have a fare amount of chromatic aberration but thought I'd have a go and see. Interesting to here about the exposure times - I'll trial a few and see how I get on. Do 4x barlows exist?

I have a SkyWatcher Startravel 102 on a AZ4 mount with Steel tripod. I am going to use my Fuji X-T1 via a T mount for lunar and planetary imaging by taking loads of 0.5sec images and stacking them. I have a 2x barlow that came with the scope but it is no where near enough for imaging Saturn and Jupiter so I was considering getting an basic 5x barlow. This will work ok with the pixel size of the Fuji and is actually at about the max recommended. Anyone got any comments on this idea. I don't have funds to buy a tracking mount or dedicated astro camera so thought I's see what I can do with the kit I have plus an inexpensicwe 5x barlow. Cheers Richard

The AZ5 was a non starter so I had to bit the bullet and get the 16" EQ5 one.

I did think of adding weight to the from but I've found a 18cm vixen dovetail at 365astronomy for £22 that has the mounting bolts recessed into the dovetail. This will mean that I can get the mount the extra inch or so along the bar. Hopefully this will do the trick. Richard

That adapter looks to be a good option however - I've decided to get a AZ5 extension. I am hoping that the lug on the AZ4 will just fit into one of the slots in the AZ5, if not I'll have to do a bit of DIY and cut a piece out of the plastic part of the AZ5 extension. At £23 delivered it is worth a try. If it's a non-starter I'll have to get the adapter. I'll let you know how I get on 🙂. Richard

Ok, so as I only use this tripod for AZ it should be not problem cutting it off. I'm unlikely to use the tripod for EQ as if I ever go down that route I will get an EQ5 with the tripod at the same time I think Thanks all.for you input 🙂

I had thought of that, not sure what the implications would be. I don't really know what it is for to be honest 🙂

Ah ok, my tripod does have a locator peg so looks like I'm stick with the 16" extension Thanks for the reply

I have the AZ4 on it's steel tripod. I was wondering if the AZ5 extension tube would fit the AZ4 mount/tripod. I need an extension but the EQ5 extension recommended for the AZ4 is way too tall for me so was hoping to use the shorter (and much cheaper) extension from the AZ5 setup. The AZ4 has a chunky pin which needs a recess, I notice the AZ5 tube has lots of slots in the base so was hoping the pin would fit into one of these. Cheers Richard

OK, thanks for the heads up 🙂

Really interested in how you did the leg extensions on your AQ4 steel tripod. I could do with between 5" and 7" additional height so was considering your idea of new leg extension options. What did you do about feet for the new extensions? It looks as though the existing ones are fixed so I won't be able to transfer them over to the new extensions. I would really like to do this rather then by the 16" EQ5 extension which is way more than I need. Cheers Richard