Stu

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.

Thanks Piero, I actually meant 40mm 68 degree, a TMB eyepiece. My apologies, my fingers are clearly getting more sausage-like every day!!

Still envious of your long dangly remote control cables Nick Lovely scope.

I use a BBHS but in the T2 design. Good enough for all but the biggest 2". I don't really notice vignetting even on a 50mm 67 degree. Shorter optical path and lighter.

Well, I could see a place for the AZ5 for the frac in that case. At low and medium power the tracking would be easy and setup would be very quick.

For your kind of observing, which I think is still mainly lunar with a bit of planetary and other higher power viewing, I think the EQ5 is probably the best bet Jules. If you were star hopping or doing lower power viewing then an AltAz may be better, but for simple tracking at high power a driven EQ5 is very stable and convenient.

There seem to be plenty of people using the AZ5 with similar sized scopes who are quite happy with it.

Just rewound and watched that from launch, all went well. Thought the interview was very informative too.

Not a screw on cap, but it should be possible to find a push fit cover for the lens cell.

Those are great set ups Mike, have done similar things many times with little Taks and larger Taks, plus numerous other variations of widefield and higher power. Great fun

They look like the rings I have with mine. As I recall they were a cheaper option but seem very good to me. I have recently bought a heated Astrozap dewshield for my scope. Had to check with them which was best to buy and they recommended the AZ-804 and it fits very well. I have even thought of taking it instead of the fixed one if traveling.