Trevor Matthews

Well that didn't last long before the clouds rolled in. Still practice makes perfect and setup times are coming down.

Just seen some drum stools recommended on the forum.

I decided, for no real good reason, to put the wedge back on the scope tonight. Aligned everything and the tracking seems far more accurate with the wedge fitted. Not sure if that is a fluke as everytime I set this up I expect to get different results. Does any one know of a decent height adjustable stool that might cover the range of heights required for this type of use?

Managed to see some clear sky tonight. Delighted to see Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon with only the standard lens. I saw nothing some nights ago because the red dot scope was absolutely miles out. Then it all went foggy, not the weather, the scope, covered in dew. Looks like a heated dew cover will be the first purchase for this.

Hi You can use Techsmiths Snagit programme to do exactly that. I have it as part of my Camtasia editing software I use for Youtube videos.

Welcome from another newbie.

And the Nexstar User's Guide II arrived today. An excellent recommendation.

So do we think the same size is used on all the 4, 5, 6 and 8 SE scopes. If so, is it allowed to advertise them on here, I would only require the postage, nothing for the knobs.

Turned out just fine. Certainly fits my 8SE. Let me have your address, I will post one out on Friday. Happy to print one off if anyone needs one. Just let me know.

Had some time to get the gear out and cleaned off. Updated all the software and actually found a 6SE focus knob file. That is printing as I write this. Should see the finished item in about an hours time.

Would it be the same size as the 8SE? I will be dusting the 3D printers off over the weekend, happy to print one off for you and post it out.

I have some 3D printers and found some fine focus knobs for the SE so will be printing one off. https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=celestron+focus+knob&type=things&sort=relevant

And it clouded over before I could get the third star aligned. Hopefully next time will be better. regards Trevor

Hi I have been amazed at the response to questions I have asked, the members are fantastic. The only problem I have experienced is often during logging in I am taken away from the forum and to a Twitter log in page. It is frustrating to say the least. The only way in then is to delete my browser cache, refresh the page and try again. But great site, really helpful and I look forward to getting to grips with the new scope and spending some money with the sponsors. Just don't tell the wife...... regards Trevor

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I also ordered the Nextstar user guide II from Amazon, so thanks for mentioning that. Don't quite understand why the Kindle version is only £1.50 less than the £21 paperback. I have a power supply from Amazon https://amzn.to/3l99WGS But will bear in mind the comments on voltage, without stripping the scope mount down to investigate the circuitry I am surprised this is an issue. My to buy list is getting longer...

Wedge removed. Tripod in the garden and levelled. The most accurate level seems to be the one on my phone. Exact coordinates entered. Entered the time but will check again that I didn't mess up BST. Hope it stays clear tonight but looking OK so far. regards Trevor

I really appreciate all the replies, I wasn't expecting that. Perhaps one reply from someone taking pity on me........ I might try without the wedge fitted then as I won't be trying any imaging for some time. And hopefully the moon will be making an appearance soon. regards Trevor

Hi all So, I have been thinking what to get for some months, I know what I should have got but I also know what I was going to get away with 😞 Last Tuesday my wife bought me the 8SE and I had already bought the wedge for it, although having now read a thread on here that says the 8SE mount just isn't good enough to work with the wedge I may have stuffed this all up. However...... Could someone tell me what sort of accuracy I can expect from the 8SE goto system? I had stupidly assumed once aligned with two or three stars any object chosen would be in the centre of the lens. This does not seem to be the case. Again, if correctly aligned, what sort of tracking accuracy can I expect to get whilst viewing a star? regards Trevor

Looks like members signatures with their gear listed will be very useful to me. 😉

Many thanks. We are actually from that area but they seem out of stock of most items.

I don't know if it is Covid, Brexit or both but most outlets I have looked at locally seem totally out of stock of most items on their web site.

Hi everyone. With an imminent 60th birthday looming and many brownie points earned this year I thought I might have a chance to return to astronomy with something that wouldn't just leave me frustrated after each use. I started looking on ebay at Meade and Celestron scopes but as usual I am now looking at more expensive items like the Skywatcher Esprit and matching mounts. I run a TV engineers forum www.t-m-f.uk. This forum was recommended by Florian Drews in a Amazon review from 2012 and that's how I got here.