Deadlake

How sensitive are refractors to seeing and accilmiation when they get over 150 mm in aperture. 100-130 mm APO's are the ultimate grab n'go, but ignoring cost when the refractor gets over 150 mm does it lose it's main advantage as far as setup speed? At that point only collimation (which for some mirrored scopes you might every few years) is the difference?

The score should in these categories: Had a non-premium APO and upgraded and thought the premium scope was worth it. Had a non-premium APO, upgraded and didn't see the benefit. Read the reviews online and bypassed the non-premium APO's I'm sure some people would suggest other metrics, but the surely its about putting your money down or viewing using a premium scope and saying yes it's better to me?

You might want to read this thread on CN https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/609025-vixen-sxd2-w-starbook-10/?hl= sxp2 Good for 75 mins unguided subs, not that you need but gives you an idea of quality. For what it’s worth very happy with the SXP2. Starbook Ten very good for visual use and you an always connect via network. Also whisper quite in operation which is helpfully in the summer to use near the house. SXP2 would hold you current scopes, why go large with AXJ, it weighs a lot more? The strain wave mounts are great but more a version one, so I would wait. Also if you look at Japanese dealers they package Takahashi scopes with vixen mounts,if that helps.

Any idea on weight support, cannot see any listed?

Would the level of light pollution have any difference on viewing? Vixen HR’s do pullout all the detail as well, near 0.99 Strehl at the centre…

The Fresnham big pond car park does indeed close at 9 pm, however you can park further up and walk across to one of the main paths. The little pond car park is open 24 hours however you have to walk around the mound. Its a little cross country to get there, I'd look at Blackdown the other side of Haslemere. If you are going that far you can travel on a little further to Bramshot common.

I was using this for looking at the moon so no trouble with brightness. Also needs a goto mount as even manual mount with slo mo controls shakes to much to focus. I suspect we look at Strehl to much, RMS and PV also should be considered, quality of the figuring..

A Vixen SD103S can take just just under 500x, with a HR 1.6 mm and Zeiss diagonal prims.

What temperature?😆

It would connect to a 2” nose telescope side to a T2 diagonal side in theory. I’ll let you know.

It’s not turned up, it’s for connecting telescope side UFC 2” to a T2 prism so I can swap between a 2” or T2 diagonal. https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/downloads/dl/file/id/1617/product/1237/baader_star_diagonals_t_2_and_2.pdf page 16

I know some who looks through his TSA-120 at -25 oC and he doesn’t complain about wonky stars….

It’s just like looking thru an EP, just black and white. And real-time, no need to spend hours collecting and processing the image. However for most DSO not much colour so don’t think much to miss…. As @PeterW says just need to choose focal length to frame object of interest and of course improves any telescope. Easier to drag around an NV intensifier and a 9 “ scope then a 24” dob and a ladder… 😃😃😃

Wait until you look at the Moon with a TOE 4 mm, silky smooth views. Highly recommended. You going to get a turret for the above? The Star book Ten makes touring the skies very easy doesn't it. Only criticism is you cannot upload a viewing list of say double stars, have to use another program for that.

FLO ordered this custom for me: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-reducing-ring-2i-t-2a-with-15mm-optical-length.html Maybe you should order intake for the next delivery in two weeks.

Is your 16" Dob going to stay on the Isle of Wight or will you bring it back to London light pollution? Wondering if above a certain aperture with NV you need a darker site?

Or a Mewlon or 10" GSO will cool down quicker. A new F3.3 20" is small enough not to need a rolling ladder...

Not which ladder to buy 😀, parrcor options or effect of obstruction... 😆.

Using an NV EP is not so sensitive to a mirror acclimating. By the way whereas the refractor guys like to discuss which brand is best don't the Dob owners like to discuss which mirror is best, i.e. I've got a Lockwood Optics mirror???😄 Same as having a light green telescope.....

A 9.25" mirror versus a 24" one, which one will cool down fastest??? Not that you need that so much for DSO's... 😀

But Gerry what are going to see more with your 24" Dob monster or a C9.25 with a NV eyepiece? 😀 I know which one will show more and is more movable and maybe costs less....

I use dark sky meter on iOS, however do not know how comparable it is with the Unihedron.

Given the endless cloudy nights over the winter how many people spent time plotting new gear when otherwise they would be looking up? But yes, I've bought quite a lot due to forward planning then not going to use it. At the same time I have over spent my planned budget: Initially went with a scope tech zero mount for light weight use, however now prefer the Vixen SXP2 GEM mount I have now for ease of use. Original attempted to use a Vixen SLV 2.5 mm EP for looking at moon/planets, now have a full set of Vixen HR's and TOE 4mm. I did think that a Vixen 103SD would suffice, now have a 130 mm LZOS on order. There is a trend here...

Have you got a light meter or using your iPhone to measure. Has @GavStar got one?

I'm might go over sooner, have some stuff for the tip at Milford. I think we have 3 car parks within 5 minutes of each over so will do a drive by.