Stu

True enough. You can at least turn the brightness right down to save a little battery?

Is that using the handset though Gavin? That has to be there to replace the synscan app doesn't it?

Actually it seems like a yes.

What are you trying to do Kerry, use SkyFi to allow you to run the Synscan app, not using SkySafari? Have you tried using Skyfi into the handset and connecting that way, i.e. Bypassing the Synscan app?

Hi Colin. There is currently no way around this. It is an iOS issue in that the Synscan app will not run in the background, it must remain active. That's why you need a second device to run SkySafari, so they can both be active on the two separate devices. My way around this was to use a SynScan handset and then to use SkyWire to connect (you can also use Skyfi). This completely bypasses the AZGTi wifi which is a shame but it's a more useable solution I think, and works well. I doubt there will be a fix for this, unless SkySafari integrate the Synscan app into their app so only one needs to be running. This would be a huge piece of work and unlikely given other priorities I think.

I've yet to find a stacking app for phones, wish someone would write one!

... and in a 60mm I can't find a weight for it anywhere, but they are not that heavy.

You would only need mono for Ha Paul, you can add the colour afterwards but it's basically a very narrow frequency band, so is only one colour. Here endeth my knowledge

I've bought and sold abroad on a number of occasions and not had a problem. I've even sold a nice eyepiece to that renegade @alan potts and it arrived safely. I also bought a lovely Televue 85 from overseas and that arrived safely. Just make sure you pack it very securely, assume it is going to be dropped so make sure it is adequately protected and you should be fine. The main complaint I get is how long it takes to get into my packages . You can always request that the seller packs it a certain way for stuff you are buying. A filter should be fairly straightforward though.

Yes, one will get there but a month late, not sure about the other one.

Not very shots. Missed this one. Is all ok now? I heard there was a comms glitch after fairing separation?

The only problem I have had is if I put the scope on the wrong way round it points to the ground on the second star alignment. I just make sure I always put the scope on the right way and have no problems. I always use 2 star align, make sure the mount is levelled and after I have centered the first star, it usually gets pretty close to the second one. I use a GPS mouse so the location and time are always correct, but if you are using the Synscan app, it should get that data anyway so I'm not sure what else it could be. Is there any slip in your clutches?

It's a Chinese made one unfortunately, most of the more highly prized ones are Japanese manufactured. Only thing to do is give it a go, try on moon and see how you go.

Depending on the optics, some of these old scopes were quite nice. At f15 it will be well corrected and may give nice sharp views of planets and the moon. Can you post some pics of the actual scope and any labels or info on it, might make it easier to tell. The mounts can be quite wobbly!

Very nice looking setup, I bet it is pretty stable with all that weight underneath For me, the reason to have the AZGTi is for simple and lightweight portability at which it does very well with a good photo tripod.

If they are the Bulgarian ones from ABS they weren't too bad (for Zeiss!)

Yes, I know. This place is quote convenient in terms of access whilst being away from passing headlights. Plenty of space to set up too. Sure there are many other good locations across the downs.

We observe at a place just south of Bignor on the South Downs way. Quite high and a little exposed but pretty dark

Sounds like you are a bit better than me. My skies vary between about Mag 4.5 and 5 (on a really excellent night). Using an SQM-L I get between 18.5 and 19.1 (again on a really good night). The best locally is 19.4 which I measured in a local village where we meet to observe, that converts to mag 5.07! Within about 1.5 hours of here are the South Downs and we measured Mag 21.3 there, which converts to mag 6.2 NELM but that seems a little too optimistic. Regardless, it shows that even within a couple of hours of London there are good skies to be had.

That's right, it does get a little scruffy towards the edge. I've not done any particular assessment if it, as like you I mainly use it filtered for nebulae for which it is very good.

I remember that one, they look really nice. Would be good to know what the optics are like. I assume still quite a lot of CA as it is a fast achro but probably quite well figured.

Very different scopes, hard to compare really.

Almost forgot about this one. Didn't have it for that long, very nice scope though.

Only FPL-53? Must be rubbish! Lovely setup, those GP mounts are perfect for that type of scope, they looked like they were made for each other.

I reckon that puts you at around mag 4.8 NELM in that direction, probably a bit over 5 when looking at the Zenith. Not dark dark, but not too bad either.