Red Top Miguel

Hello, This is fantastic, I joined last week and this post just confirms this is a great place to be, for help, advice and free stuff (only kidding). This post is a massive positive reflection of the good people apart of this forum! Enjoy Mick

Hi Sam, The setup was nice and straight forward, nothing to difficult however I do have a different mount to yours the AZ5. The instructions were well worded and easy to follow so I’m sure your EQ-2 Mount will no doubt have something similar. Before you know it you’ll be in your garden/open space searching the night sky. I do recommend the following apps if you have an iPhone which were particularly helpful last night when out with my telescope. 1. SkySafari 2. Clear Outside (Made by FLO) Also a lot of people in SGL also recommend the book “Turn left at Orion”, which I’ve ordered from amazon today. Enjoy/have fun Mick

Hi Sam welcome to SGL, My first telescope arrived yesterday, the “Sky-Watcher Explorer 130” also! I took it out late last night/early morning really good and if the sky is clear for you there is lots to see! I’m a total beginner, so being apart of SGL will help. I cruised around all the different forums sucking up all the information and experience people have on here and if you have questions ask away everyone is super friendly and helpful! Enjoy Mick

Good afternoon John, It was brilliant and cannot wait for more! The weather isn't great for the next week or so which gives me plenty of time to learn from books and YouTube prior to my next escape. Thanks very much for the attachments above will definitely need one for future outings. Mick

Good Morning SGL, So the report is in...........!? So I put the telescope outside at 2230 as the clouds were still about and I wanted to let the telescope acclimatise (still not sure how long this should take). I went outside at about 2330 as the skies were clear and I was itching to get out and see what was in the sky. I started off by star hoping, something I’ve not done before and thought the practise would do me good. I started on the bright stars and tried to navigate the sky from there while using SkySafari to aid in my search. I will be honest I did get lost (a lot) haha, which was a little frustrating but it’s my first night so very much expected. I then moved from my garden to the cricket pitch around the corner, very dark and a great open space with very little getting in my way! The first thing I did was set the telescope to the moon, WOW just WOW! So much detail, I was amazed as I didn’t realise how much I would see, point to note though it’s bright so I’ve definitely learnt I need some filters! Next the novice in me thought that’s a bright star let’s have a look at that, I centre the finders scope on the star and then look through the telescope to my amazement I can see what looks like a planet and four moons in a diagonal line, I’m dumb founded I bring up SkySafari and confirm I’ve found Jupiter (please correct me if I’m wrong) the feeling of seeing another planet and it not being on the TV or in a magazine was truly amazing! Finally I use SkySafari to pin point the location of Saturn as I’ve seen it’s started to rise, again to my amazement I found it, I could even see the gap between the rings! My first night/early morning (finished at 2am) has truly been unbelievable and I cannot wait for the next! Anybody looking for a great starter telescope the Sky-Watcher Explorer-130PS AZ5 Deluxe has been fantastic and I have no doubt my interests and finds will only develop further the more I go out! Thanks for listening to one happy beginner Mick

Good Evening, So I joined SGL this week following a recommendation! I promptly asked many questions, read many reviews and other people’s Q&A in the forums to get the answers I needed to progress into the world of Astronomy. I’m a beginner, so following advice from (JohnInDerby) and many reviews I order my first telescope from First Light Optics: Sky-Watcher Explorer-130PS AZ5 Deluxe It arrived this afternoon and I felt like a kid in a sweet shop (excited is an understatement), although I had to wait until my young children were in bed before I could get it out, the anticipation killed me. I’ve now spent the last hour building my new telescope , I’ve also had a chance to look at the clear skies app and can see I’ve got clear skies at 1am! Guess it’s gonna be a late one tonight, might be a little excessive however I’m so excited to use the telescope and tonight is the only clear sky in a week. I will post my finds and issues tomorrow, wish me luck! PS: Thank you all at FLO & SGL for all your help, advice and guidance it is very much appreciated and needed! Mick

Good afternoon John, Thank you very much for your help and advice, I have decided to go with your choice: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-az5-deluxe/sky-watcher-explorer-130ps-az5-deluxe.html I placed my order earlier and cannot wait for it to arrive! Many thanks Mick

Just a quick one John, Will the telescope setups which you listed above work well with lunar/planets and DSO or would you recommend something else with a £500 budget! Sorry to be a bother I just want to get out viewing but worried I will waste money and set myself back! Thank you

Good morning John, Thank you very much for the advice, it’s much needed and appreciated. I have looked at a dobsonian however was put off slightly by its size (I would like the ability to take my telescope away in the car as I live in the city, please tell me if I’m wrong and I would consider a dobsonian). As I’m a newbie my interests are lunar/planets, but I would love the chance at DSO (money depending). My budget is no more than £500 at the minute, but can add to my collect as time goes. Thanks Mick

Hi all, I just joined this community today after reading telescope reviews and someone recommending the site. I'm a complete newbie, however I’ve always had an interest in the nights sky, which has since been fuelled following the SpaceX launch of dragon. I’ve read many reviews however I‘m stumped at which telescope to buy. I have been looking at the following: Sky-Watcher Evostar 120 EQ3-2 Bresser Messier AR-90/900 EXOS1/EQ4 Sky-Watcher Skymax 127 Synscan AZ GOTO (will get the powertank, concerned GOTO takes the fun out of the search) Any advice regarding the telescopes above would be greatly appreciated and if you have better ideas, you guy/ladies are the experts and the help would be great. I don't have a clue what I am doing so this is all new to me, but I look forward to learning more and seeing things I have never witnessed with my eyes.