stafford_stargazer

1 hour ago, RobertI said:

Ive used my 150PL very successfully on my CG5 and Skytee 2, both on the hefty 2” tripod, and they were rock solid, even in light breezes. I’ve also tried it on my AZ4 on a 1.75” tripod, which I would say is closer to your Porta II setup, but the results were not so good, with wobble at medium to higher powers. Another problem is focusing can induce huge wobble, as it’s a fairly stiff single speed focuser at the end of a long tube, again a solid mount helps reduce this. Focus induced wobble can be infuriating when trying to fine focus on planets and doubles at very high power. I have thought about a cheap skywatcher remote focuser, but so far have not been able to remove either of the focuser knobs to do this. 

Thanks Rob appreciate your input, yes the focuser it quite stiff like you say soni can imagine what a pain it will be.. I'm on the lookout for something 👍

1 hour ago, Zermelo said:

FLO do sell the 150PL on an EQ3-2, so it's obviously not an unreasonable match.

The performance of increasingly heavy OTAs on a specific mount does not have a sharp transition from "OK" to "not OK", it's a gradual decline. I couldn't see a weight on FLO for the 150PL, but elsewhere it's quoted as 5.9kg. The stated max for the EQ3-2 is 5kg, so it's pushing it. And that's before you start adding a Telrad, better optical finder, heavier eyepieces, etc.

The other factor with the 150PL is its length. It has a greater moment of inertia than a shorter OTA of the same weight, which affects its stability on a borderline mount. It also makes it more vulnerable to disturbance from wind.

Obviously you just need to try it on your mount first a few times, especially in a breeze. A 6" F/8 is a classic configuration and a good all-rounder, and for visual only, you may find it works for you. If you need to get a heavier mount, you might be better off looking for a second hand EQ5.

Thanks for reply, I do agree with all you say, yes 5.9kg tube. I've balanced it well so it doesn't end up being heavy at one end, but I'm on the lookout now.😁.

Thanks Gary 

23 minutes ago, Franklin said:

EQ5, GP, CG5, EXOS2 will all make great mounts for an F/8 6" reflector, easy to add an RA drive for planetary tracking at a later date.

Thanks Tim, I'm on the lookout.😁

3 minutes ago, CraigT82 said:

Best thing to do is just get out with it next clear night and see how well it works. Observe something at the highest magnifications you’re likely to use and see how easy it is to track the object, and how badly the view wobbles when you touch the focuser. 
 

If either of those things are going to be a chore you may need a larger mount.

Sounds a sensible way of doing it, yes I'll do that. Because of the legs I reckon it could be a slight wobbly, I don't have them right up though, just half way for stability.

Thanks for reply.👍

Just arrived today the skywatcher 150PL.

I am hoping this will be descent now for serious planetary viewing.

It's on my porta II az mount, all's good but not sure if I need something better.

Maybe even an eq3-2 or something.

What you all reckon to this setup?

Thanks Gary 

Just so happens I've got an #8 light yellow and light pollution filter here.. the only two i own..😁 Thanks 

I've been using small refractors for my planetary viewing, 72mm etc short focal length.

Decided I want to more light gathering.

So I ordered a skywatcher 150PL f8 1200mm focal length.

I believe these are good planet busting scopes and looking for people who have used one that can tell me if your experiences.

I could of gone down the 200p route but I thought the smaller secondary and longer focal ratio of the 6 inch f8 would be better contrast etc.

Thanks Gary 

Nice photos, which gave the better view? Be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Don't watch Eden Lake then 😉. That's kind a put me off going alone or with another to a remote place .

Not had any astro bins for over 10 years.. so whats the ones to go for nowadays?

No looking for mega expensive ones, neither budget ones..

Would like 70mm objective at least I think.

Just wondering what my options are at the moment.

I know there's loads out there, but user experience and recommended is always the best way.

Thanks Gary 

I use my vixen nlv 12mm lots of the time in my 90mm mak.

Last night it shown Venus clear and clean shape wise..

Always my eyepiece of choice with my small mak, performs all the time.

It is well collimated and gives superb star test.

I had a look briefly last night, the shape was well defined and looks pretty good to be fair although mega bright.

But it was clear and clean regarding the shape.

Last night I used a 90mm mak and a vixen nlv 12mm.

Picked these up today all for £6.07. 2 large hardbacks and a small softback.

Should give some good reading hopefully.

Tonight's mobile photo.

Pixel 6 pro.

46 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Shirt pocket and go😀!

 

Lovely.. there getting smaller...lol. vixen... I should of known.😉👍

23 minutes ago, Merak said:

I've more or less decided to say stuff it and get a baby Tak at some point.  Either that or the 76 or the Vixen sd81s as a lifetime scope.  Not sure my wallet agrees though.....

I believe the sd81s is amazing... You'll be set for life..go for it.👍

On 18/02/2023 at 20:59, Merak said:

This is my current g+g scope that goes on a photo tripod.

 Looking at the possibility of an upgrade at some point and some of the scopes on this thread aren't helping!

Haha, it's a killer my friend seeing other people's gear, it doesn't help with the wallet or bank account I promise.👍

My other setup is now complete.. found a portamount at long last.

Haha yes... That looks a nice lightweight but sturdy tripod.. be the weather's better too.😁

I like that, love the vixen stuff.. deffo need a nice tripod and mount for the 72mm. Thanks for sharing.👍

The scope you pickup when there's a gap in the clouds....

This is mine, works well, reliable and gives good views and inexpensive.

Really lightweight on pretty descent camera tripod.

On 14/02/2023 at 14:49, badhex said:

From personal experience with a ZS73 F5.9, I found the 5mm BST to be around the comfortable limit a lot of the time. I never enjoyed using the 3.2mm with it. 

Although it doesn't really count as planetary for those looking for a 'pure' /limited glass experience, the Morpheus 4.5mm also works well with that scope. 

If you do want to go with minimal glass, BCO 6mm, or 10mm with a high quality barlow also works well as @jetstream says. In fact, the 10mm BCO plus barlow gives you additional ER which is helpful, as it can be very tight with orthos on a scope like that. 

Which Barlow would you recommend without spending on a televue powermate which alot of people say are superb?

Thanks Gary 

Thanks stu.

To be fair at the moment I've not got the eyepeices I wasn't in the long run, but for not got a tmb planetary II 3.2mm and bco 6mm.

Thanks for info, did look at that one briefly.

Is there a mount or holder you can get to attach my pixel 6 pro to my eyepeice of my ed doublet.

Thanks Gary 

1 hour ago, jetstream said:

I had a Celestron Luminos that would ghost Jupiter and cause strange glare at times, but I highly doubt the 6mm BCO would be the issue. I also had a very bad diagonal one time that caused massive scatter- rare but it happens. You could try going " straight through" if you have a means to reach focus.

Thanks.

I tried straight through but couldn't achieve focus, the diagonal is brand new yesterday William optics Di-electric.. but this also happens on my mak with different diagonal.

👍