Ian McCallum

That's a problem, as we're not getting any younger. 🤣 Would I have to buy new eyepieces or would my existing BST's do the job?

I'm in my early 50's and have occasional sciatica. I was thinking of wheeling out out the shared back garden with a set of dolly wheels and a small ramp. I live in a ground floor flat and the back door is down 2 small steps.

How about for just out the back door and keep the 200P for portable work?

Some of those StellaLyra ones look tempting...🤔 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-telescopes/stellalyra-12-f5-dobsonian.html

I'm tempted to let aperture fever take hold and get larger DOB instead!😆

I quite fancy the SW ST150, but what kind of mount and tripod would I need? Also, what about the SW Evostar 150?

What weight is your ST150, as I couldn't see it in the specs on the FLO website...

Are any of the SW ST series of refractors suitable for visual observing?

I've got an old Meade 114-900 reflector with a EQ1B mount and tripod. I was going to use that mount and tripod, but just manually track. I can put up with the vibration...

These created a bit of a buzz on the forum, when they appeared at Auntie @FLO's. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/scopetech-telescopes/scopetech-stl80a-l-80mm-f125-classical-refractor.html https://www.firstlightoptics.com/scopetech-telescopes/scopetech-stl-80a-maxi-80mm-f15-classical-refractor.html Can I ask what would they be suitable for visual observing, or just for astrophotography?

It's a SW 200P.

Up to £1,000.

Just wondering if there much use in getting either an Acromat, Apocromat or Triplet for purely visual observering?

Given the fact that I'm using a SW 200P, I don't think I'll be buying an Ortho any time soon.

I've became a bit of a fan of planetary observing recently and I'm wondering what advantage over the full range of BST eyepieces I have at the moment, would orthoscopic eyepieces give me?

Me and a friend visited there a few years ago. It's our 'local' observatory. I remember using one of their Sky-Watcher Dobsonians and also the big telescope, fitted with a TV eyepiece. I hope they catch the scum that did this! 😠 All that effort by the staff there, plus all that expensive equipment, etc! 😢

On the subject of being out on your own at night, reminded me of this news article... http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/october/radio-ham-attacked-while-operating-near-cheltenham.htm#.YMC8ryTPzIU

I used to do security and we were told that carrying long and large torches (flashlights), could be considered as offensive weapons.

Many thanks for all the replies.👍

Watch out for Bigfoot!😉🤣

Last Spring, Venus was high in the evening sky. Yet this Spring, I couldn't see it at all. Is it higher in the sky in certain years, more than others? And yes, I know about it being the "evening star" or "morning star" depending at what time of the year you see it.

Is this like waiting for buses, there's nothing for ages - then 3 appear at once!🤣

Corvid vs Covid...

I'd rather use what I have at hand, especially after seeing the price of one! 😱

I would like to get a Sky-Watcher ST80 at some point, just the OTA. I've got an old Meade tripod and GEM that I could use with it. Do you think this could work? 🤔