Stu

Interesting, why do you think that was ie what did you prefer about the 32mm? Cheers, Stu Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes Jules, sold my 9, 12.5 and 18 at the same time, and then realised it was a mistake and replaced them when I could afford it. Have gradually been extending to shorter focal lengths as I realise the eye relief is ok, won't go below 5 though. Stu Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Rob, Yes, totally. It works very well for me in the 76 so no reason it won't be great in an 85. Lovely compact eyepiece but gives fantastic views. Stu Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry to repost this again so soon. Just made a decision about selling a couple more ep's and have now reached a final set for my 1.25" travel/ortho case. The 24mm Panoptic has never really had a home, and is ideal for widefield at dark sites with a 3.4 degree fov in the TV76. At the other end, the 3 to 6 Nag zoom gives me mags up to x160, more if barlowed so all bases are covered. Quite happy with this now so will stop fiddling! Really enjoying my orthos as I keep saying ;-) Stu Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree with that in terms of quality (I have both), however I do find the 24mm better in that it delivers practically the same fov but with a smaller exit pupil and the darker sky background which comes with it. Under anything other than a nice dark sky, this gives better results to my mind. You could probably lose the 32mm Plossl in that case and get something else? Stu Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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