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? 

On 07/05/2023 at 12:52, Agerskov said:

Have you bought it and tried it yet?

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. 

8 hours ago, Peter Drew said:

Best plan!    🙂

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.... 

On 13/03/2023 at 13:16, Zermelo said:

I spent a week there once, really enjoyed it, but didn't see a single star.
 

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... 

21 hours ago, OK Apricot said:

Fuerteventura national park is excellent, the only real light pollution being a bit of glow from Morro Jable. Tight windy rocky/Gravel Road to get there but so worth it when you get down towards the lighthouse where it levels and smooths off somewhat. It's where I had my first real taste of dark skies - a truly unforgettable experience! 

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

10 hours ago, Cjg said:

Cheap and cheerful holidays abroad often in my experience equate to large towns with lots of light pollution, although at this time of year, more chances of clear skies in the Canaries than the UK.

If you want a dark sky destination in the UK, then I can recommend the Hideaway Huts, a 5 minute drive / 20 minute walk from the Northumberland National Park Discovery Centre. The hut that I've stayed in (3 times) has an observing pad, and the owners will loan you a Dob too.  Of course you're then within easy walking distance of Hadriands Wall and Sycamore Gap etc too. 

Some pics on the review I left at 

 

Good luck, wherever you go.

 

Chris

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

1 hour ago, Greymouser said:

Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964?

If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/

A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96  https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied.

Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong...

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

Kielder next... 

1 hour ago, Greymouser said:

Does it have to be abroad @Marc1964?

If not try this place: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/

A Bortle of 2 SQM: 21.96  https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=11.70&lat=51.2049&lon=-4.6197&layers=B0FFFFFFFTFFFFFFFFFFF

Much overlooked and looks very nice and easily accessible if able-bodied.

Or alternatively, the Isle of Lewis or Harris in Scotland, with Bortle 1 skies. Isle of Skye too, if you can cope with the tourists! ( Never mind my sister in the hospital if things go wrong...

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... 

5 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Just had a look myself, 19 bidders and at £75 now with 3 hrs left on the auction. Bet it will end at around £120. If it did it would end up costing around £170 which is quite high imo.

Vixen VMC110L 鏡筒のみ /【Buyee】 "Buyee" Japanese Proxy Service | Buy from Japan! bot-online

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! 

13 hours ago, Franklin said:

Yes, I don't think they're worth what they retailed for, Vixen charge silly prices and you can get a similar scope from the likes of Skywatcher and others for far less. I practically gave mine away, under £50 I think but it did have a few cosmetic scars. There's one on the Japan auctions right now, probably go for a bit more than what it says plus shipping.

 

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... 

12 hours ago, Franklin said:

This is a scope from Vixens starter line-up. Not really a Vixen but made in China, unlike the VMC200 and VC200 which are Vixen Japan made. I had one for a while and it was a nice little grab and go scope and the optics were very good. The internal flip-mirror design is a nice idea but unfortunately it caused some collimation issues when in the 90deg position.

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?