Andy ES

I’m currently looking to make a new scope purchase and I’ve already had lots of good advice on SGL regarding Celestron CPC range. I had also looked at Meade LX90 range supplied by Opticstar but I understand Meade in the US is bankrupt? Just wanted to get some insight if it is still feasible to purchase Meade equipment from what seems to be the UK sole supplier? Cheers for any advice or experiences

Hi to all just wanted to say hi to all fellow astronomers. Im a new member and I am already really impressed with the help I have received. looking forward to many interesting and helpful posts. thanks to you all this seems like a really friendly place with great discussions

I’ve asked one question as a new comer on this forum and have been very impressed with the responses and help people are prepared to offer. I can only imagine the total years of experience that are willingly on tap here thanks again this is a wonderful resource.

Gfamily, Thanks for the link to the light pollution map. looks like I’ll be heading for the Dengie peninsular in Essex. I wonder if anyone knows any good areas in this location. Thanks

Great advice, thanks everyone. definitely picking up on the portability and set up issues. Also the most appropriate EPs for the F10 scope. On the subject of EPs, and Focal ratio, my understanding is that a slower scope will have a narrower field of view than a fast scope ie the F5 Dobs discussed here and therefore are more suited to planetary viewing than DSOs. if this is correct is good DSO observing possible with the correct wide angle EP on an SCT? Thanks

kP38 Thanks for the response. I have spent a lot of time looking at the SW 300p Dob and this is still a contender. I wonder if you have got any experience on how well the goto version performs? very useful tip on using and not using the TV eyepieces on the slower scope thanks for your time.

Peter thanks for the advice. Yes I saw a video which showed someone wrestling with the alignment on the tripod.I think I saw some sort of cage that can be added to help with the alignment. I’ve also got 5 kids so hopefully I can get one of them to help me and the misses in our later old age! Cheers

Hello all from a forum newcomer, After a long time away from Astronomy I have a chance to get involved again. I have been reading up on and researching a lot of equipment through these forums and web sites. Particularly looking at other people’s set ups. I have formed a wish list of equipment that seems to be regarded as good quality and may meet my needs of general visual observing of solar system and deep sky objects. This forum is a great way for me to talk to people who are experienced and know what they are talking about. I would be very grateful if you could look over this list and give any comments on my choices or how appropriate the equipment is. I am not a total newcomer to Astronomy and have made these selections based on he theory that good, if expensive, kit is more likely to hold my interest. I am 53 and physically fit so I have no problems with carrying weights and I have budgeted for the expense through early retirement pot so my choices are affordable. I also have a way to transport kit around. Looking forward to hearing what you think, excuse my ignorance, thanks for your time and I appreciate you must have been asked this a few times. Celestron CPC925 or CPC1100 (Is the 1100 worth the extra cost over the 925?) Baader click lock 2” visual back, click lock 2” diagonal with 2” to 1.25 adapter Telescope comes with 40mm EP Tele vue Eyepieces:- 27mm Panoptic, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Nagler, 7mm Nagler Celestron Lithium battery pack Astro zap Flexi dew shield heated (will the above power both the dew shield and telescope for a couple of hours?) Astro essential desiccant cap ADM counter weights Things for later:- Focus replacement Celestron star sense. Thanks again for any help and I look forward to contributing myself in the future. Best Regards Andy