Marc1964

Barlow T adapter model no 93640

Purchases: 1 new telescope, 1 new tripod with photo mount and a vixen rail adapter, 1 new dielectric star diagonal. Also: Turn left at Orion So a small part of the problem 😜 Plan to buy one, maybe two new eyepieces but not for a month or two..

DHL delivered a long package today containing goodies to use with a new telescope that arrived at the weekend... First Horizon Tripod is so much sturdier than the aluminium AZ mount that came with the Skywatcher 90 /910 refractor and significantly more versatile. I was a bit worried despite the reassurance from Auntie FLO that a 'standard' photo tripod would suit the 90/500 I now have, but it sits like a dream and is easy to adjust. Of course, it is cloudy outside and no clear skies forecast for the next week, but I am so looking forward to giving my new rig first light! If you are all unlucky, I will also post comments on the new refractor as well...

As noted, bit of a haze in East Sussex which meant that what promised to be a good evening of viewing was a touch disappointing. Nevertheless I did get a couple of firsts for me. I was in a field just by Wealden Way footpath which provided shelter from A22 street lamps! 1. M44 the Beehive cluster. I know for majority of people here this is one that everyone seems to have seen, but for some reason has eluded me. This evening, I caught sight of it with binoculars first and then used the telescope to view. 2. M67 open cluster. Only got this thanks to 'Turn left at Orion'. Could not see colours particularly, but now I know where to look will try again! 3. Not new but did get a nice view of Orion nebula. Never get tired of looking at this. At this point I became aware of the sound of hooves and something that sounded suspiciously like a bull. Decided that discretion was the better part of valour, packed up and left just as a fat red moon was rising...

Hi, I would focus on what you actually want to use the portable set up for? Will you continue on the planetary focus or look at dso for example? If you're sticking to planetary, then a decent maksutov cassegrain design either 100/102/127 mm aperture would be a simple solution if stock comes available!

Good afternoon, after taking delivery of my new Svbony SV48, the clouds have descended and I stand no chance of first light until tomorrow, so my thoughts turn to eyepieces. I currently have two 1.25" Celestron Omni plossls with 50 degrees fov, a 32mm and a 15mm. I bought these originally for my 90/900 and represented a meaningful upgrade on the two skywatcher lenses I had. I would like to have a higher power lens, say 8-10mm range, and wondering if sticking with the Omni plossls is a good idea, or if I should look at alternative options. When I view anything I tend to start with the 32, then once centred go to the 15mm and if I want to then stick in the celestron 2x Barlow (which I am not overly keen on as seems to degrade the view more than I am happy with). Hence my desire for a standalone higher power lens. An alternative recommendation for a Barlow would also be welcome! I read that the plossl design is not so effective when paired with scopes quicker than F6. As my scope is F5.6, what alternative designs should I be looking to use? I plan to use scope to learn how to star hop, look at messier objects and learn more about the night sky. I have my copy of 'Turn left at Orion' to help me on my way...

I'm no imager, but saw this on YouTube. Hope it helps...

Look what the postman brought me... Ordered Thursday late afternoon arrived 1000 this morning. Excellent service. Now to figure out how to mount it...

@johninderby Hi, what finder would you recommend for this scope given that you have had the privilege of owning one 😁?

Hmmm... I hope that the curse of the commentators doesn't strike now.... 😁

I am- I did qualify my statements with 'ever again'!

Details, @Tiny Clanger, mere details.... 😁 😁 😁

OK so after being burned with Aliexpress I have decided that no matter how tempting the prices etc are, not for me! The grounding of the 'Ever Given' means that 13% of the daily global trade (R4 stat, blame them if wrong...) will inevitably lead to further delays in shipments of lovely optical gear from China and Taiwan to the UK. Yay. So... Not buying a nice new ED scope this year. Decided that a short achromat, the 90/500 SV48 from Svbony would be a decent short term solution to the need for something more portable than my Evostar 90/900 (which I really like but is too big to comfortably walk with for the 15/20 minutes to the nearest relatively dark spot where I live). The scope has garnered decent comments on CN so crossed 🤞 that this time the postman will knock twice and hand me a new toy some time next week... I will post comments 1) if it arrives (with my luck...) & 2) if clear skies grace Hailsham ever again.

Need to wait for refund, but thanks may get lucky!

Hi, if you feel like DM'ing your website to me I would take a look... my order is not coming 😞

Interesting, my descriptions were in English, but I suspect the same dealer. LIke you, not thrtilled by experience and Aliexpress not helpful.

Well, looks like this was too good to be true. Into dispute we go 😞

I Good luck. I got message to say that it was delayed in transit...

Which came first, the clouds or the fettling... 😁

Any updates on your delivery?

After my late supper I'm heading out with binoculars to look up and just see what I can see, but I am going to charge my phone first...

Ah well done! Be interesting to see how long yours takes to arrive. My order has been at packed to ship for 5 days.... The diagonal I ordered has already arrived in UK which I ordered separately from another store 😳

No idea, I will not be doing any astrophotography so didn't look into...

Interesting points made all round. I found myself last week wondering if anyone made a truly killer short achromat which was just ridiculously good value because they had hit the sweet spot between design, materials and glass quality and didn't cost £300+! I echo the sentiments made about fun at the low end of the market because I do wonder how many people do end up being put off because they get the impression that unless they spend over £500 on an ED or APO scope and drop £200+ on a mount then the experience will be terrible. I get a lot of pleasure from my used, £60 evostar 90/910 (including mount). Even a cheap pair of binoculars can be eye opening and allow us all anyone to enjoy the beauty of the skies.... On that note, I am grabbing the bins and going for a walk with them in the vain hope that the clouds will part sufficiently for a view!

Despatch notice received... Roll on 5/3...