hms_furious

This is where I have got to so far thanks to Pixes help. 

Hopefully the photo is clear enough. This is a 150i so the primary is NOT collimateable. 

My daughter moved the secondary quite considerably to the point it was more a sausage than a circle so it has been a learning curve!

I think I have the secondary in a nice circle and centred. The doughnut on the primary is in the centre of the collimating eyepiece. 

Does it all look ok? The bit that is niggling is the bottom seems to have quite a wide gap but moving it up or down takes the centre off of the doughnut.

What do I do!? Having dreaded doing this and it taking much longer than no doubt it should, I have no idea anymore! 

Thanks all, again.

Hi all, 

I have a 150p and a 127mak. I have a nice focuser in the 150 and a 2" diagonal on the 127mak.

I have the baader 8-24 zoom and the accompanying Barlow. 

I also have a baader solar filter for the mak and a 1.25 baader neodymium filter. 

How do I calculate what mm eyepiece equals what magnification each scope and also what it's maximum useful magnification is? 

Given the equipment, what eyepieces do you also think would be useful to get the most from these scopes? 

Anything else you think would be useful? 

I have a 150i so only need to check the secondary, does it matter whether you have a short one or a long one? I have trawled this forum and there seems nothing conclusive at all!

Thanks again

So, todays stupid question is regarding focuser placement on a newt

Is there a correct placing for the focuser when viewing? If I put it vertical the image is sideways if I rotate the tube so it is horizontal then it is upside down (which I know is the correct way it should be) but then it feels a particularly awkward viewing position to be in. Is it me?

Thanks all. A work of art it is.... I just need a short additional extension and I won't need a scope to see the moon close up, I can just stand on the eye piece instead!

I got the Barlow when I purchased the baader zoom and haven't had cause to use it as yet. Whilst it all screws together nicely it does seem to extrude somewhat out of the focuser. Which leads to the embarrassing questions. I am doing it right?! First picture is how it seems to be attached and the second is on the focuser. 

If I am, do I then simply just screw any filters I want to use onto the bottom? 

Thanks 

As a relative newbie who has a 127mak who just last weekend got a 150i, I purchased that exact package. For ease of use in the dark and for not being sure exact what eye piece you need in the pitch black it can't be beaten in my view.

Which scope would be best to view the sun? I have a 127mak and a 150i newt. Need to buy a solar filter but which scope should I get it for? 

Thanks 

Thanks John. Appreciate the fast reply. How far sticking out should it be?

I am embarrassed to ask this question, but whereabout on the tube do I put the dew shield on a 127mak? If anyone has a picture that would help! (I apologise in advance). Thank you

Probably don't need to do nature watching Unless there is life on the moon....

Thanks again, really appreciate the help. January is quite a way away!

What do you think of these types?

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/william-optics-125-90-degree-erecting-prism.html

Do I have to buy other stuff for it to connect to the 127 mak and use it with the eyepieces etc? Looks like there may be...?

Thanks. If it is worth waiting for, I will hold off and hope it comes into stock soon. What do you think?

Sorry, is this the T-2 or have I got the wrong one?

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/baader-t-2-prism-stardiagonal-zeiss.html

Thanks, are the moon filters in addition to the baader?

After prioritising eye pieces, dew shields etc I am finally looking at the upgrades for the Diagonal and getting a filter for my 127 mak.

There are 4 what look like decent diagonals at less than £100...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/SWdiagonal-20967.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/stellamira-1-25-90-di-electric-diagonal.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/william-optics-125-dura-bright-dielectric-diagonal.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/diagonals/takahashi-125-diagonal.html

Are any of them better than the others for this scope?

Was also looking at the Baader filter.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/light-pollution-reduction/baader-neodymium-filter.html

Should I got for this one or again, anything better?

Moon and planetary are what I am aiming for to the scopes strengths.

Thanks

Thanks. I have just unscrewed it and it looks closer to 45mm edge to edge....

Hi all, I am looking at the above that Solar B has for sale but I am struggling to find a good and reasonably priced set of adaptors to make it work with my 127 mak. It is a new one so currently there is a thread on the OTA and then a straight bit with a nut that attaches the cheapo diagonal unit itself onto.

Any pointer would be really appreciated. Thanks

18 minutes ago, Tomatobro said:

This is a personal view but I hate spending the same money twice. An Astrozap heated extended dew shield from Flo will work first time and every time. Yes its double the cost but it has a zero risk attached. The corrector on the front of the Mak is very prone to dewing so the alternative might but there again might not be enough for extended viewing sessions.

That's true but then don't you also need a power supply (you can use a USB power bank with the coowoo) and then also need a heat controller for it too which adds more to the price?

I have a 127 mak and I am getting ready for the dew season. I was thinking a heater may be better than the passive shield and I saw someone mention one of these in an earlier thread.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/COOWOO-Temperature-Regulator-Universal-Telescopic/dp/B07MHGW4DG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=coowoo+dew&qid=1597740390&sr=8-3

I know it is a little shorter than the circumference of a 127 but a  a couple of bits of heavy duty velcro should fix that.

Two questions

1) is a dew heater all you need?

2) where should it be located on the scope? I have seen it about 6 or so inches away from the front lens.

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks again all

Is it a worthy updgrade? 

Is it possible to put a 2" diagonal on a 127mak?

I thought it might be the case of a cheapo adaptor ring or something but it seems not so. 

If I can, what would I need? 

Thanks 

It shouldn't be way off. Are you doing North alignment, the scope level etc? Check your location setting in the app to make sure it knows your correct location.