astro_al

The FOA-60Q reaches focus with 24mm to spare. That was with the M56 Baader clicklock and the 10mm spacer for the 2.6x GPC.

To answer my own questions in case it helps someone else: FLO confirmed that the FOA-60Q should be fine with the Herschel wedge as the CQ optics are located well away from the focal plane. I ordered the P version as I think the 3 extra filters are worth the additional £40. There isn't enough clearance for a GPC when inserted directly into the #27 adapter, so the Baader diagram (below) appears to be misleading. I had a 10mm T2 extension tube so I added that to stop the GPC from hitting the ND3.0 filter. I should be able to swap the 10mm extension for a 5mm one if back focus turns out to be tight - no doubt it will be. First impressions are that the Herschel wedge is a solid piece of kit. Removing the clicklock adapter was easy. Separating the ND3.0 filter from the 2" threaded ring was not. Once separated the filter's retaining ring needed tightening to stop the filter rattling. A bonus is that I can use the removed 2" threaded ring to connect the wedge directly to the FS-152 without the need for a visual back (thanks to some other Baader adapters already used to couple the scope to a Baader prism diagonal). This should save precious back focus. I now just need a clear day to see if the FOA-60Q and FS-152 will reach focus with the 2.6x GPC in place. I will probably try the FC-76 just in case but there is little to no hope it will reach focus unless my maths is bad. Al

I have been thinking about a white light solar setup for a while. I observe using a binoviewer 100% of the time. Two out of my three scopes will work natively with my binoviewer and one requires at least a 1.7x glass path corrector. I use a Baader prism diagonal to preserve back focus and my binoviewer attaches via a Baader T2 quick changer bayonet. My plan is to purchase the Baader Herschel wedge along with the #27 adapter so I can screw the bayonet into the top of the wedge instead of the 2" click lock. Unfortunately the scope I would like to use the most is the one that already requires a glass path corrector (FC-76DC) and moving up from 1.7x to 2.6x is not going to offset the longer light path of the wedge. Maybe I can do something like @Stu did: If not then I will be using the FOA-60 with or without the extender as both configurations should have enough back focus when used with the 2.6X glass path corrector. I like the idea of using the FOA in its Q configuration but am not 100% sure if the extender is OK to use for solar. I have seen one reference on Cloudy Nights to someone else doing this and a few more for the FS-60Q including @Rainmaker. I can always contact the manufacturer but first-hand experience is always good to have if anyone on SGL uses this setup. Also, if anyone uses the Herschel wedge with the #27 adapter and a glass path corrector with the configuration where the GPC drops into the adapter (rather than screws into the binoviewer i.e. the Mark V) then I would be interested to hear that this works OK. From the Baader diagram it doesn't look like there would be enough clearance before the ND3.0 filter but it could be just me. Finally, for those of you with the Baader Herschel wedge do you think getting the P version makes the most sense even though I will be using it for visual most of the time? The price of the P version with the extra filters isn't much higher than the V. Thanks for reading. Al

That does look like a great scope. As a binoviewer user I appreciate the removable section to increase the available back focus. Nice feature.

The Tak that Es was cleaning is mine, but it is not the TOA-150 it is the older FS-152. Thoroughly nice chap who did a great job. He mentioned how close he thought the two scopes are, hope you enjoy using it. Al

Yes, they are the same ones. The plan to wait for the Maxbright MK IIs went out of the window ?

New binoviewers! Looking forward to trying them out

It is also available from Astrograph http://astrograph.net/epages/www_astrograph_net.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/www_astrograph_net/Products/AGTECHP They have it listed as a 'dual thread' and I can confirm it works with my 3/8" mount.

Thank you! Yes, it is a Berlebach Report 102. I purchased it direct from the Berlebach website, but have also purchased similar from Teleskop Express in the past. Both provided excellent customer service. For a while I thought I should have bought a more expensive Report version to give more height, but now I have the extension column I am happy with my purchase. The extension means that the scope can never hit the tripod, which I really like. One recommendation, if you buy the tray direct from Berlebach at the same time as the tripod then don't go for the option for them to fit the brackets. They fit them higher than I have shown in the picture meaning that the tripod head is lower than it needs to be when the tray is attached. I ended up re-positioning the brackets and filling the holes

I will add my new(ish) arrival, although looking at Helen's collection it looks a bit lonely I sold all my astro gear about 6 years ago and I promised myself that if I got the opportunity to get back into the hobby that I would buy something in between the TSA-102 and the FS-60. I think the FC-76 will be a great match for my local seeing conditions and observing preferences, I just need these clouds to depart at some point soon so I can put it to work.