doublevodka

One of these? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/skywatcher-l-bracket-dovetail.html Not sure if it's wide enough for a skymax, but FLO would likely be able to tell you

So everyone make some valid points here, but I also know what it's like having a young daughter who really really wants a telescope For your budget you'd be best looking at the used market if possible, for ease of use and fairly easy resale (just in case of loss of interest) I'd say a Skywatcher Hertiage 130P would be a good option. They occasionally come up for around the top end of your budget - new examples here from the forum sponsor - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/heritage.html You'll need something sturdy to put it on to use such as a 3 legged stool Also worth joining your local astronomy club (lots are on facebook) and asking there for opinions etc, but make sure you specify the budget, they may have some other options and possibly stuff for sale locally to you

That makes a lot of sense, thanks for the info 👍 Hopefully will get some clear and stable skies soon to give it a really good test 🤞

Had a feeling it would be difficult to calculate, seems similar mag to a 12.5mm plossl direct into the scope but very happy with the views, looking forward to giving it a go on the moon too!

If you're going to go straight to eq mode, maybe consider this too - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/equatorial-astronomy-mounts/sky-watcher-star-adventurer-gti.html unless you are looking on the used market (and sorry to derail the thread slightly)

Hi all, After a fair bit of deliberation, I've picked up a Williams Optics binoviewer with the standard 20mm eyepieces. I tried this for the first time last night on Jupiter and Saturn with my Skymax 127 and noticed that the magnification seems to be more than I'd expect with a 20mm eyepiece on its own? I've assumed that this is down to the extended light path through the extra glass in the binoviewer, but is there a calculator out ter that can help me confirm it similiar to http://astronomy.tools/calculators/field_of_view/ ? On a side note, love the view with two eyes! Even with the bad seeing conditions last night I was really impressed, can't wait to try it again on a good night 👍

Yes it doesn't look like there are any holes there already so you would potentially need to drill it. I've also seem scopes strapped to those kind of mounts with large jubilee clips with a rubber liner on the inside

I believe this is down to the laser autofocus, didn't used to have the problem with my Pixel 3a, but since I upgraded to the 6 have had exactly the same purple problem. Been tempted to put some black tape over it but so far haven't given it a go.

It's lovely, but I can't see the financial controller signing off on that 😉

Thanks for the info, that was my worry with the pds Yes, although for visual it would cost me a bit more than the 80ED Was hoping someone had used the same combo, good to know! I literally leave it set up in the shed with the skymax 127 and carry out one-handed at the mo, was hoping it would be just as easy

Thanks Steve, I've had a poke around in that thread but it's a bit of a beast now, so many pages Being realistic, it'll probably be mostly visual and I'm a bit worried that the 72 won't cut it, seen lots of info about people using the 80ED for visual and enjoying it, not so much for the 72. Or maybe I just get a short tube 80 and forget about imaging

If you have some basic diy skills how about fitting a dovetail clamp to each end, like these for example - https://www.darkclearskies.co.uk/products/svbony-fully-metal-dovetail-mounting-clamp?variant=42157963903153&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic

Hi all, I've got a Skymax 127 Mak on my AZ-GTi and have been thinking that I'd like something with a wider field on there. Mainly for visual use, but thinking longer term I may want to do a little astrophotography, possibly in eq mode with the AZ-GTi or maybe a future mount upgrade. So far I have it narrowed down to 3 options. Skywatcher 72 ED, 80 ED or 130PDS? I prefer the increased contrast of a refractor so I think I've ruled out the 130 PDS, my gut says an 80 ED as the kit comes with a 2 inch diagonal and eyepiece to give nice widefield views. Does this seem like a sensible choice or are there other options I should be considering? The 80 ED would be at the top end of my budget (in an ideal world I'd pick up a used one) Ideally sticking with the AZ-GTi mount as I love the convenience of the goto and portability (before I get a load of dob recommendations 😂) Thanks, Andy

Nice scope you have there, was only reading about them yesterday strangely enough! Bit hard to comment without a budget in mind, but the mount is always the main thing, any weakness there is going put you back, no matter how good the equipment on top of it is. If you like Celestron kit, then maybe have a read here - https://www.scopereviews.com/page3l.html Plenty of people manage fine with DSLR's like that so my first recommendation would be mount, then cameras, then guiding equipment

Have a little look here https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?typechoice[]=Telescope-Reflector&titlechoice[]=For+Sale&titlechoice[]=For+Sale+-+Dealer+Ad&titlechoice[]=For+Sale+-+Kit+Tester&minprice=&maxprice= as you wont have access to the for sale section on the forum yet, a couple of examples for you of available dobs https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=191215 https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=191623

I'd agree with the seeing explanation, atmospheric conditions for me have been rubbish for months so even on clear nights I've not been able to push the magnification much on my SkyMax 127. The easiest quick way I've found to judge it is look straight up, if the star overhead appear to be twinkling, then the sky is not very steady (jet stream etc.) and you are not going to be able to push the magnification. The description of it being "on fire" also makes me think it's seeing that's affecting you, objects appear to bubble and shake around (this can also happen if the scope has not cooled enough, but let's not overcomplicate things)

Funny enough I thought the same, but in the questions below FLO have clarified it, so I think it's just a stock photo Q1. Is output from the UK 3-pin AC socket 120V or 240V? Output is: AC 230v 50Hz (EU/UK version) AC output power is: Continuous 100W output, Modified Sine Wave

There's a new product which may interest you on FLO - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/orion-dynamo-pro-155wh-acdcusb-lithium-power-supply.html

Love the "space age" look of this setup! The ocd side of me would need to strip and polish the wedge to match though 😂

Hi @Bettyboop, take a look here for some more info - https://nexstarsite.com/OddsNEnds/NoResponse.htm https://nexstarsite.com/ is very useful for anyone with a Nexstar 👍

There are cheaper versions available, for example this - https://www.altairastro.com/starwave-dual-vixensynta-175-inch-side-by-side-dovetail-bar-kit-230mm-ota-separation-208-p.asp but certainly worth a thought 👍

Depending on how confident you are with DIY it'd be worth stripping the mount, removing the old chinese glue / grease, regreasing with white lithium grease. I've had a couple of celestron goto mounts including a GT which is very similar to the SLT one and they are fairly simple to take apart, just take pictures as you do it. If it's broken and you are thinking of replacing it anyway it's got to be worth a shot? Some instructions here to help - https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/569987-disassembly-guide-for-celestron-slt-gt-mounts/

If your mount is up to it weight wise you could also do something like this? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-vixen-type-v-series/adm-v-series-side-by-side-mounting-system.html

Some really useful info here which helped me when I had a 4SE - https://www.nexstarsite.com/AlignmentFAQ.htm Time, date and co-ordinates are massively important during the set-up, can't stress that enough, if you get one of those wrong, the alignment will be off so make sure they are all accurate 👍

They stole my idea! 😂