Marc1964

This looks very decent and good value for money. Does the unit plug directly in or does one require an adapter of some sort?

Hi yes I have tried it briefly. Seems to be quite good, I have only tried it in my Mak 90 and suits well. Works better than the Svbony dielectric but need to spend more time to be certain of that.

Drop of Balvenie...

So... Work (job interview) put paid to going abroad. Also put paid to the Hideaway Huts mentioned above by @Cjg. Next option was a few day in Dorset but the weather.... Here the rain is torrential rain and fair amount of wind. No prospect of viewing for a week according to the forecast. Maybe retiring to a glass of whisky is just the only option!!!

Hi, seen one of these, anyone got any experience with this scope? Looks like an interesting kit.

Looking at the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus. Was in garden, clouds were coming through and at one point I thought that I was done. Looked through the trusty Mak 90 and Jupiter had disappeared. Looked up... Completely visible. I was confused. Looked through scope, no Jupiter. It was at this point that I realised that a single frond of a very spiky palm tree thing was sticking up and just managing to perfectly cover Jupiter! My viewing pleasure was restored following the judicious application of secateurs to the offending frond...

What a beautiful scope....

This is the risk of being in the UK... Knowing my luck the few days I have away will be the sort of weather that one should only suffer after spending truly extravagant amounts of money at our favourite purveyor of astronomical goods...

Been to Fuerteventura before and it is on the list....

Chris your Hideaway Huts are instantly appealing. I'm going to read your reports with interest...

Lundy has no availability for my dates and I have no flexibility... Kielder next...

I love the islands and highlands; doesn't have to be abroad but thinking wistfully about some sun and the opportunity to be outside without the need for thermals. Their are, of course, distilleries to be taken into consideration...

So I am contemplating a last minute few days away. Obviously I am planning to take either a telescope or my binoculars and thinking about where to go. Thought about Malta but heavy light pollution. Canaries springs to mind... Any recommendations for cheap, cheerful and dark skies???

I'm wondering how many SGL members are now checking on cost of flight to Tokyo...

Just taken a look and yes would be quite high. I will lurk on this site for a bit and see what comes up in the future. Thanks for the guidance!

I don't suppose you could insert a link to the Japan Auction please? Thanks! I dread to think what the import taxes would be but...

Well one day I may find one in good nick at a less than extortionate price!

The gods are punishing you for your fall into Takitis....

I really fancy the VMC110L. A Mak that sits between the ubiquitous 102 and 127. I really wish more manufacturers would look at that point. Mind you I suppose a 5" Schmidt cassegrain meets my desire for a bit more aperture than a 102 but not the focal length of the 127.... But outside of a C5 what to choose...

@SuburbanMakYou're going to need to change your user name... SuburbanTak maybe 😁

My baby Skywatcher Mak 90 on Horizon tripod with an AZT6 mount (equivalent). Nice and easy to g&g when the skies clear(which they are not doing right now...) Toying with the idea of a Celestron C5 to get me more light whilst keeping the focal length down. Confused about the way they are being sold though; the C5 OTA I have seen from £570 in spotting scope guise, but seen at £450ish when partnered with starsense package. As far as I can tell the scope is the same specification but if anyone knows definitively and can advise I would be grateful (even if my wallet may not be)!

@Macavitythe Antarez look like very good value for money at £50. Certainly cheaper than other wide fov eyepieces. Not heard anything about them, I assume that they are a step up from equivalent Omni Plossl?

@GrogfishThanks for the advice, what Mak 102 do you have out of curiosity?

@Don PensackMany thanks for the thoughtful response, appreciated. I think the collimation of the Mak is fine, but will check. Not entirely certain that it can be collimated easily (old blue Skywatcher Skymax 90). I hadn't considered that at 12mm I may be pushing the limit of the scope. It is F13.8 (I think) so I should rethink my choices. Given this, I don't have any eyepiece between my 32mm and the 12 mm, so given your comments, I should look at something between 15 - 18mm.

Hi, I have a Celestron Omni Plossl 32mm eyepiece which is pretty good, but was wondering if it could be improved (budget £75). Also have a 12mm BST which I'm not that impressed with in the Mak (works well in my refractor) again any recommendations for an upgrade (9-12mm considered) similar budget?