Ian McCallum
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Posts posted by Ian McCallum
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9 minutes ago, johninderby said:
Why would you want one of these long thingys? 😁😁😁
there is a reason long focal length achros like the ScopeTech and Starbase are in production again albeit with the latest optical,coatings so perform better than ever. 👍🏻
I just bought a used achromat from a fellow SGL'er, to dip my toe in the refractor water. If I like it, then perhaps I'll look more into the Japanese drain pipes of starlight!🤣
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The more I read up on these long focal length Japanese achromats, the more I want one! 😮
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The Cloudy Night's forum has got a lot on these, I was looking it up the other day.👍
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Just now, ScouseSpaceCadet said:
Indeed! Fantastic pics. 👍
Somebody might complain that the free light show got in the way of their astrophotography session!🤣
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On 03/11/2021 at 12:22, Philip R said:
What mount and OTA are you thinking of putting on it?
Below image showing are two ‘Giro’ type alt-az mounts that I use with SkyWatcher aluminium tripod for the EQ3/2. Sometimes, if I am really lazy I will attach them to my Manfrotto tripod.
For added stability and wide footprint I only extend the top of the bottom leg so it is roughly inline with the spreader and/or accessory tray or not at all if seated.
Both mounts carry a combination of a TeleVue Ranger, a ‘re-modded’ ETX-105’ or Celestron C6/SCT. It does vibrate a little… [until I get a Berlebach].
I'd probably want to fit a mount capable of holding a 120mm refractor or similar. Mount wise, I'm not sure - either GEM or AltAz, as long as it can take the weight. It's for visual observing only, so no astrophotography.
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4 minutes ago, Cosmic Geoff said:
You mean, repurposed without too much engineering effort? It could certainly be re-used for something, possibly by making up an adaptor.
However, a larger refractor will probably require a more substantial mount - even my vintage 70mm brass refractor required an AZ-4 steel-legged (q.v.)
And moderm mounts generally come with a tripod included, and the included value of even a tripod like that used under the AZ-5 and EQ-5 mount is qiote low. A flat-topped version of the EQ-5 tripod sells for a little over £100.
I had a feeling that would be the case.🙄
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I've got this old tripod that's been used with a Meade 114-900 and EQ-1B mount, so it's over 20 years old.
The hole that the mount sits in is about 26mm in diameter. The height of the tripod fully extended to the base of the mount is about 4 ft. Collapsed, the tripod is 2 ft 3 in high. It's aluminium and is light to carry, but doesn't feel lightweight.
My question is can it be re-purposed for a more modern mount, say for a decent sized refractor? 🤔
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Thanks for everyone's input, I do listen. 👍 I don't want to just out and buy something, just for the sake of it - I prefer to do my research first.
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23 minutes ago, jacobingonzo said:
Just arrived on site just in time to experience, at close hand ,heavy scottish rain shower- However the static is warm and toasty - just looked at the forecast and tuesday and wednesday seem to be the clearest evenings so fingers crossed
Paul
Watch out for the midges, they appear just after the rains stops!🦟
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55 minutes ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:
Save your money and wait for a used ota. You already have a fantastic instrument in the 8" dob. These f5 refractors come up for sale regularly. Consider posting a wanted ad.
I suppose the takeaway from this is, if I want a semi decent reflector - that needs to be fitted to a decent mount and tripod. The other thing is that I'd need to spend more more on a 4" APO or similar, to get views comparable or approaching that of my 8" Dob.
Would those be fair statements?🤔
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I see FLO does all-in-one packages, like the ST102 with mount and tripod. I'm not really bothered with the tripod and mount, but more the OTA - because it's the only way to get the OTA, at the moment.
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10 minutes ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:
The ST120 is an absolutely fine wide field telescope. Mine was equipped with a 2" diagonal & Baader semi apo filter plus a 9x50 RACI finder/ red dot sight. Some people replace the focuser or add a motor, but then you may as well consider a 102mm ED refractor. There is an 8"(?) dobsonian in your avatar. I wonder if the ST120 would really compliment the dob?
Also the ST120 is not actually very travel friendly. With accessories and an eyepiece it weighs around 6kg. The primary reason I sold mine was because I felt it was on the limit of useability on an AZ5 mount and even after swapping to a 1.25" diagonal and plastic red dot, too heavy for the AZGTI. Assuming you don't have a mount, you really need to consider mounting requirements & the extra cost involved.
Bear in mind prices have increased drastically this last year. I paid £215 new. At £299 I don't think I'd bother. They regularly come up for sale used so worth a punt if you can get one for less than £200.
The price increase is eye-watering, but it's the same everywhere in life, these days... I'm still planning to use that old Meade EQ-1B mount and tripod. It came with a 4.5" reflector, which weighs 4.55kg or over 7.5lbs - that's the OTA and rings, etc.
Yes, I already own a SW 200P.
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I thought I'd start a fresh topic on this OTA, the Sky-Watcher Startravel 120T.
It's purely for visual observering, probably wide field, some lunar and less so on the planets. I'm not too bothered about CA, to be honest.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescopes-in-stock/skywatcher-startravel-120t-ota.html
I'm still looking for my first refractor and I can't justify the more exotic and expensive models, so I'm looking at the above.
Those who've used or owned one, what's your experiences with it - both good and bad? 🤔
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The lack of in-stock telescopes is rather depressing, no-one's fault really. I do keep getting drawn to this model, though...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/skywatcher-startravel-120t-ota.html
I'm sure I could live with the CA. User's opinions and experiences are welcomed!👍
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Just don't drop them!😱
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I'm interested in this because of the ScopeTech range and where the fascination and development of long focal length refractors came from...
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I'm sure I read that France has some very strict laws on Light Pollution, shame we can't do the same here in the UK.
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13 hours ago, Chris said:
They have just upgraded from their two security lights to 3 security lights. I thought it was the Full Moon glaring through the curtains!
Do a YouTube video on the problem, for a wider audience... Just leave out identifying specifics, etc...
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1 hour ago, johninderby said:
With the recent massive price increase by SW on their dobs they aren’t such a good buy anymore. They used to be a good buy but not now when you can buy far better equiped dobs for a similar price.
Very true, as I paid £299 for my 200P, just as lockdown was about to begin (Feb 2020).
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2 hours ago, Sargares said:
I reckon a 12” is probably on the list for next years acquisitions. Trade up the skywatcher 250.
2 inches more aperture, better f ratio and by the time you’ve replaced all the junk stock parts on the skywatcher you’ve paid for the stellalyra…. No brainer. Nice one @FLO
My thoughts exactly. 👍
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1 minute ago, Mr Spock said:
The good thing about my 250mm flextube is how easily I can pick it up. I used to have a solid tube 250mm and had to sell it because I couldn't pick it up at all (bad back).
It's good to read about someone else's experience with both models. 👍
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2 minutes ago, Dave scutt said:
Hi Ian.
I think if your taking it in and out of the house through the front door maybe a collapsible might be better unless you have a trolley or ramps 12" solid tube is heavy.
As for cool down maybe a fan will help mine is left in the shed leaving the fan running for a couple of hours, can't help with light pollution I have none
If I got the flextube or truss type, then a shroud would be a must - I would get some light spillage from the sides, due to the neighbour's lights, etc.
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I'm still contemplating getting a larger Dob than I have at present. I would like to move up from the Sky-Watcher 200P to something like either a 10" or 12", depending what I can get through my front door (unassembled).
What I'd like to know is, what's the current thinking on solid tube vs. collapsible tube? I think the likes of weight/cool down time/light pollution ingress, etc. What are the pros and cons between the two types?
Thoughts and ideas are most welcome, especially if I'm going to spend a lot of money on one.
God Bless America!
in The Astro Lounge
Posted
Back in the day, some torches had a press button, as well as a sliding on-off switch. The idea was that this could be used to send morse code, by flashing the light on and off. Perhaps that's where the name came from?