Ian McCallum

Looks like I'd need to order that, as well as the new mount. At least that saves me having to buy another SS tripod...

I'd rather not have to duplicate what I already have.

About a year ago, I bought an EQ5 Deluxe Mount with the stainless steel tripod. My question is, will an AZ5 mount be able to fit the tripod if I remove the existing EQ5 mount?🤔

I think you're right. I'll try for the nebulosity the next time....

Not great, but my first attempt at DSO imaging with my new Sky-Watcher Startravel 120 OTA, fitted with a ZWO ASI 224MC and IR/UV cut filter, Baader Contrast Booster. This is the result of 30 x 1 minute lights and 16 x 1 minute darks, stacked and processed. The camera had the gain turned off, with a 3 second pause between exposures. M45.TIF

Divorce courts?🤔😂

I tried out my new Sky-Watcher Startravel 120 OTA, yesterday evening. I did a quick view on the lunar disk, to judge what the CA was like. It wasn't too bad, but more noticeable than on my Evostar 120 OTA. The Baader Contrast Booster certainly helped, but didn't totally remove the CA - this is what I expected anyway. The filter removes the bulk of CA and the difference is far more pronounced on the longer Evostar 120, as you'd expect.

Mars last night, with SW Evostar 120 acromat, BST 2x Barlow, ZWO ASI 224MC fitted with IR/UV cut filter and Baader Contrast Booster.

I was close to ordering a ZWO ADC for planetary imaging, but thought better of it, as I didn't want to complicate the set up, etc...

Now, I have both.👍

I've got a 3.2mm BST StarGuider ED eyepiece. It's seldom used, but occasionally sees service for lunar observing...

A new Sky-Watcher Startravel 120 OTA from Auntie @FLO. She confused me by having it sent straight from OVL! 😂 No clear skies until well into next year now! 😱🙄

I'm looking forward to some wider views that the Evostar 120 gives me. I'll probably try some AP with it, when the weather clears next year...🙄

I did find a telescope that I was after for a while, that had been out-of-stock - till today. So, I've ordered the Sky-Watcher Startravel 120 OTA.🙄

I research my choice a lot and if I can't choose, then I don't. Like the old saying goes "if in doubt, do nowt".

In the end, I did nothing as I wasn't sure what I wanted. I'll just stick with what I've got at the moment and just learn a bit more.

I'm changing my mind about the 127 Mak, instead looking at some of the SW Newtonians for AP. It's either the Sky-Watcher Explorer 130P-DS OTA or Sky-Watcher Explorer 150P-DS OTA. My SW Evostar 120 achromat is about 5.1kg in weight, so is comparable with the 150pds. I've used the Evostar 120 for some DSO AP, with my EQ5 Pro mount and tracking software in the past, so can't see that being a problem with the existing mount, etc. Although I do like planetary imaging, DSO stuff is a bit more doable when the planets aren't on view, etc. Thoughts or feedback is welcome...

I notice some CA at the edges, I kinda like the colours.

I'd rather stick to buying through this forum, just personal choice...

I'm still a bit tempted with the SW 127 Mak.🙄

For Oz, the answer is obvious!😂

Jupiter from this evening, using a SW 200P Dobsonian with a BST 2x Barlow and a ZWO ASI224MC camera. The processed and pre-processed images below. 2022-10-18-2025_3-U-RGB-Jup_pipp_Jupiter_lapl4_ap142.tif

Here's another attempt at Jupiter, last week (with the Baader Contrast Booster). I has tracking and alignment problems with the mount, which meant I lost several hours chasing my tail. I did manage to get some images of Jupiter, but I couldn't quite get the focus right, using the new 2x BST Barlow..

Would you put the Sky-Watcher Evostar 120 achromat in the same category?🤔

I've got a solar powered electric fence energiser.👍😂