Stu

Slight change to my Ortho/Plossl case, the 12.5mm Hutech now has a 5mm companion to fend off those BGO's Stu Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks both. Little fracs certainly give me observing time when other options wouldn't. Regardless of that, I do love the views through them. I'm really looking forward to getting the Moonlite on my 106mm, was a great scope already but should be about perfect then. Hopefully should get it tomorrow. Will update on the arrival of LittleMakStutov, due end of March but quite likely to be 'popped out of the sunroof' early because the little blighter is the wrong way round! Stu

Just an example of a typical quick observing session for me, trying to fit it in around 'life'! I have a baby due in a couple of weeks so we are manically preparing the house and nursery for the arrival. I set the TV76 and PST up in the garden early on Sunday morning, and during rests from painting skirting boards had some lovely white light and Ha views. My mini giro rig is working very well now, more compact with the shorter CW bar and L bracket. During breaks from assembling a flat pack IKEA wardrobe (AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHH), I realised there was a double shadow transit on Jupiter last night so thought I would chance my arm at a little evening session too. I popped the PST and Herschel wedge away, put the longer CW bar on and away we went. It's amazing the detail visible with such a small scope. Earlier on GRS was clearly visible, with nice detail around where it nestles into the belt, whilst the Ganymede shadow transit was stunningly clear, really jet black. Nice details in the other belt too in moments of good seeing. I tried a variety of EPs, and settled in the 3.7 Ethos earlier on (x137) when the seeing was better. Later on the 4 mm radian gave sharper views at x120. I watched the double shadow transit at its mid point, Io's shadow smaller and less obvious but still very clear. That's a first for me I think. My last view was as Ganymede's shadow was about to exit the disk, but the seeing had dropped off by then. Packed away very quickly and off to bed. It's great to be able to view these events with minimum hassle. I know the detail is not what you would get in a larger scope, but if the choice is that or nothing, I'll take the small scope option every time. Cheers, Stu

Just out of interest, I weighed these two this evening. With clamshell, dovetail and 2" Everbrite diagonal, the TV76 was 3.8kg and the Genesis 5.1kg. Doesn't surprise me having felt them both but surprised the Gen is so light!

Agreed, but think about this. With the C9.25 and the nag you get a 1.1 degree field of view. That's only enough to fit the central core in really. With the 76 and Pronto you get 5.3 degrees (maybe a little less due to field stop, not sure). Under a light polluted sky it will be fairly useless, but get somewhere really dark, with inky black skies and good dark adaptation and you can really begin to see the full extent of the galaxy. It is huge!

Certainly have Shaun, at least I have in the 76. It's a really wonderful sight, the star colours are lovely. That's one thing I love about these scopes, looking at clusters and really seeing all the different colours peppering the view. Easy enough to find, don't need Goto for that :-). The Double Double splits very nicely in it too so it well worth a look. Have you tried Almach? Another of my favourites, and if you fancy a challenge you could try Izar. That's really quite tight but I can split it with the 76. Cheers, Stu

Well I would apologise, but if the end result is you getting to experience the same fabulous views then all is good :-). Hope it arrives soon, and you get a clear day. Don't forget to fit the polarizing filter to the EP, especially if you are changing them over. Don't think it is dangerous without but you might see purple and green dots in front of your eyes for a while!

Thanks Shaun. I really love the 76, wonderful little scope. Have heard very good things about the Pronto too. The views are lovely, and the chunky, beautiful engineering is pretty good too. Feels like a little tank! It's amazingly capable for such a small scope and so quick to setup, as you are finding out :-). I've since found out (via Kerry's thread) that what I confidently described as a shadow transit was actually Callisto. I had no idea it was to dark, it's the first time I've seen a moon visible over the surface other than when they are near the limb. The other moons just seem to blend in with the surface of Jupiter. Very nice to see. Stu