Graham Beamson

I have been trying that number and it just goes dead after a few seconds. However, I did email them and got a call back from 07985 267098 from Nathan. He is very genuine and helpful, so I know that my order is OK. Phew ! Thanks for your help. Regards, Graham.

I've just ordered a roll-off observatory from Home Observatories UK and am really worried that I now can't contact them. Can anyone reassure me that they are still in business and that I haven't been scammed ? Thanks, Graham.

Has anyone been in contact with Home Observatories UK recently ? I've ordered a roll-off observatory from them and need to contact them urgently about the concrete base. However, they don't answer the telephone and seem to have stopped responding to emails. I'm concerned that they are no longer trading and that fraudsters have somehow intercepted the emails to their website. Can anyone reassure me that they are still in business ? Thanks, Graham.

I’m thinking of purchasing a Skywatcher pillar mount for use with an EQ6-R Pro and Skywatcher Esprit 120, for both visual and astrophotography. To get the correct height I will need to use the 8” extension. I estimate that the total payload on the pillar will be about 40kg and it will stand on a good patio. In the light of your experience do you think it will be sufficiently stable ?

Thanks very much Folks, That's all very helpful. I was thinking of putting my set-up inside a shed on wheels, so the mount might not fall over in high winds but the shed could take off, so I'll have to find a way of anchoring it - maybe locking wheels to begin with and then sacks of ballast if necessary. It's all good fun thinking about it. Mrs B would like the mount in the middle of the circular patio and wall !

A very clever idea and helpful write up. Thank you ! I'm thinking of setting up a small back yard observatory and an important requirement of the project is not too much in the way of earthworks or big engineering so as not to upset Mrs B. So rather than digging a hole for a pier I'm looking into the idea of using one of the Skywatcher pillar mounts standing directly on the block-paved patio. I would have a Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro mount and a Skywatcher Esprit 120 refractor on top of the pillar. The total payload on the pillar would be about 40kg. I would be doing visual and astrophotography. The Skywatcher pillar itself is only 900mm high and I would probably need an extension - I believe that a 200mm extension is available from Skywatcher. Ideally I might need a bit more than that. It looks as if you have an extension on your pillar mount and possibly one that is more than 200mm - is that correct ? Also, in the light of your experience, what do you think of my proposed payload of 40kg ? Thank you, Graham.