LondonNeil

I saw some news articles this week that apple had issued advice on drying their phones if exposed to water. They say don't use rice (I've heard before it's just a myth and does nothing), and don't use an external heat source ( radiator or hair dryer). Do, open sim slot and shake with ports down, then place in a dry spot and possibly use a fan to blow air over the phone. Same approach with any electricals should have a decent chance.

Great review

Cheers. I'm in no rush, why when it just keeps raining.... but I'll keep an eye out then perhaps.

Cheapest I can see for this currently os amazon and £130. Haven't people had it at about half that?

Hmm, I just thought, now I've got the eq wedge, that and the short extension is probably a high as the long extension..... maybe I should just send it back for a refund. I suspect the short extension and wedge will not feel quite so firm but...... Any wedge users out there? What extension do you use?

Yeah comparing the thread in the small extension to the tripod, they Are the same pitch and size (so both 3/8 unc as expected) but the tripod bolt looks like it's top end of tolerance and the small extension small end of tolerance. Probably why it screws in to the longer extention fine as the hole I can see the thread is poorly tapped and tapered. The tripod goes in about a turn before bottoming out that taper and won't budge any further. I told flo I'll tap it out if I can borrow a tap (still waiting for a reply from my neighbour) . The reply was that they have to tap them out from time to time. In other news it seems I may need to download the eq firmware.......I've just won a gti eq wedge.. only bidder on ebay so £28.50! It is without the short dovetail and bolt though so add another £15 I guess. Still, a 20 quid saving.

Good response from Ian at FLO this morning. He confirmed the mount extension should screw straight on the mount (even supplied a photo of his own set up to show it). He did say occasionally skywatcher use an M10 but it should be 3/8 unc. He also said they aren't the best at cutting threads..... Well comparing to the plastic mount extention it is definitely 3/8", but inspecting in daylight the culprit is a w@#£y thread in the mount extension. It's messy and tapers. I'm prepared to run a tap down it if a mate has a 3/8 unc but otherwise it'll have to go back. Boo. And the answers to my other questions....M6 for the dovetail bar and M12 for the bottom of the tripod spreader.

More bolt issues. I'd bought the skywatcher dovetail bar, long (not the cheaper astro essentials) https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/skywatcher-dovetail-mounting-plates.html Because I assumed the screw threads would probably match those of other skywatcher stuff....ie the bolts holding my rings onto my az3 mount. Seems not. Very close, but not the right thread, so I need bolts. As far as I can determine (from searching flo for bolts) I want these 1/4" Whitworth unc bolts to bolt to the threaded holes in the dovetail https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/1-4-inch-socket-head-whitworth-bolts-x2-3-4-inch-long.html Can anyone confirm that? I mean other than Flo.... who don't put it in the description of the bar. 🫤 Also does anyone know the thread on the bottom of the bar to bolt the spreader on the tripod? Tripod linked in previous post. It Iooks about 10mm but being skywatcher I'm assuming it's unc again. It's not 3/8 like the top end, it's noticeably larger. What I am thinking of doing is making a second EP tray from a cheap plastic tray. I was thinking I could attach it beneath the spreader/ existing ep tray by screwing some stud extender on the bottom of the bar, and a bolt through the new tray and into the stud extender. I just need to know what thread extender and bolt. Maybe Flo will know.

Balls, something isn't right. I've just had a quick trial set up in the lounge and there's a problem. The tripod I bought was this one (as recommended here) https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-star-adventurer/sky-watcher-stainless-steel-175-tripod-with-38-thread.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiArLyuBhA7EiwA-qo80Fw19iZW9ABoXKUE5qgdqlFyHlDjg5rXmkdpZhVMzv6GpHbRtQFoDhoCsfUQAvD_BwE And the mount extension is the skywatcher az mount extension, same as SuburbanMak's above. They should screw together but they don't. Which is weird. Comparing the bolt on the short plastic mount extention that comes with the gtix mount, and the bolt on the tripod, they Are the same size and thread. The small plastic extention screws on to the tripod fine ( so the tripod bolt thread seems fine/ undamaged) and the longer skywatcher mount extension screws on top of that fine (so the thread in the mount extension also seems fine). However the skywatcher mount really doesn't want to screw onto the tripod! I'll talk to Flo on Monday, see if they want me to send back or try a bit of brute force but hmm, tbh even though I know it should go together the feeling I get after half a turn really makes me think force will damage a thread. Odd. Oh well, so I used the small plastic extention, attached that to the tripod, attached the skywatcher extention on top, locked out the tripod legs with the spreader, all fine. (Didn't bother extending the legs.... ought to go and check they extend and lock fine. ) I attached the gtix to the top of the mount extension, fine. Attached the new dove tail into the gtix, fine. I haven't yet pulled the tube rings off the alt az3 so couldn't do more than roughly hold the st120 in place, looks OK, think it should fit.... tube should be positioned OK, this is with the st120 to the left of the mount. I attached the L dovetail in the right side of the gtix and the mak127 on to that with it a close to the mount as possible , at a height where the tube centre is aligned to the gtix alt axis (roughly) and with the tube close to balance but a bit nose heavy as I hadn't added an ep. Focuser sits to the bottom, easily reached, all good. Finder tube sits top right, easily viewed, all good. Not sure yet if I'll use the 8x50 finder or just the red dot on the st120 to save weight, but it fits fine and the gtix moves smoothly by hand at least. So I've still to attach the st120 and power up the gtix but it's looking like it all fits except for the extension tube directly on the tripod.... minor problem I hope. What also seems to work is packing this all away so that I can carry it. I'm pushing the definition of 'grab and go' but I need to walk to the end of the street and a bit of greenery for a 'dark' sky and decent views, it's not far but I'd rather not have to load the car just for this so I want it carriable. I've bought 2 stanley fatmax metal and plastic 670mm long toolboxes. These come in a shallower size and a deeper size, this is the shallower version STANLEY Galvanised Toolbox Chest with Heavy Duty Metal Hinge, Portable Tote Tray for Tools and Small Parts, 26 Inch, 1-95-620 https://amzn.eu/d/7tSxALJ The deeper version is identical but about 4 or 6 cm deeper. It looks like these will work brilliantly to hold everything. I've yet to fit the rings to the st120 but currently it fits perfectly in the shallow tool box with the diagonal removed (that i have placed in a soft bag and inside the dew shield). Ive got 5 eps in along side, with space for more, and that's with them in their big individual boxes (think Morpheus boxes). I've bought some foam to cut and also several molle bags, I'm hoping to fit 3 or maybe 4 eps to each molle bag and then slip 2 or 3 molle bags in the Toolbox beside the tube. This will allow me to store the tube in the garage while easily fetching the eps inside the house by just grabbing out the molle bags. The deeper Toolbox takes the mak127 with astrozap dew shield wrapped around it, the 8x50 needs to come off and then slips alongside it, as does the L dovetail bar. The gtix and extension sit at the far end of the box and currently the diagonal and a few eps sit in the removable tray but there's space around the gtix. I want the gtix to also be easily grabbed and taken inside the house so I'll probably get another bag to fit inside the end of the Toolbox and take the mount, and the eps in with the mak. I need to do some measuring but something along these lines should work Portable Bento Bag - Insulated Lunch Bag with Handle & Shoulder Straps, Reusable Lunch Box Holder Bag Picnic School Handbag for Students Men Women Office Hiking Camping to Carry Various Bento Boxes https://amzn.eu/d/2nzLZEc Ie, a cooler bag or picnic bag. Best of all, the tool boxes have a V slot the length of the lid. It's meant for trades to use to slip pipe or battens in and cut to length. It works great to hold a tripod leg, with a second leg the other side of the handle and the third just above so the tripod will sit neatly on top of a Toolbox and I can carry tripod and one box in one hand while I carry the other box in the other hand. I'd not want to carry that lot far, but hopefully it won't feel like a worlds strongest man farmer's walk just to get to the end of the street. All in all, it looks very promising! Apart from the bolt problem.... and the clouds. Still I can amuse myself with neat tesalation and foam cutting for a few more evenings!

Interesting Mark. I'd been thinking that the L bracket was less than ideal too but perhaps I'll try it that way first. My set up will be a bit heavier though with the st120 (2" visual back) and mak127. I'll see how it goes. It is under the limits, I've calculated 5.3kg for the 120 and errr, I forget...3.5kg for the mak with finder? I'll try it out and report back. You've ditched the supplied plastic extension? I bought the longer metal extension too so I'll follow and try with just that. Anyone got a fully loaded set up on the wedge? I've got a bid in on one on ebay. Although why I'd want both tubes on I'd imaging I....I don't know!

You know, in starting to find the star walk apps nightly notifications a bit...well...Ted Bowen. You know.....' and look at what you could have won!'

Enjoy it if you get it. Bbc app says solid cloud until Monday night which is still patchy cloud for here in South London

I'm very sorry everyone. FLO have just delivered me clouds, lots of them, and they may drift to other parts. Also in the boxes of clouds were: -New stainless steel tripod - mount extension -Gtix - dove tail to mount my st120 - astro essentials 32mm super plossl (for use with the mak127 recently bought from @SuburbanMak) Postie also delivered a box that came from another member.... I'd bought the set of 4 Hyperions and the case that had been languishing in the classifieds unloved. I originally only intended to get the 24mm but a bit of chatting and Steve made an offer I couldn't refuse so I've got the case, the 5mm, 12mm and a second 17mm as well..... not sure what I'll do with 2 X 17mm yet.... one may get tuned with the rings I have or sit as a 2" 22mm . Weather forecast says clouds until March..... I've not got out in February!

Thanks for the suggestions! In hunting bargains on those too now.

I took the family to the national space centre in Leicester today, great day out. My kids are 8, 6 and 3 and all enjoyed it and didn't want to leave. Luckily I'd bought the entry tickets online as I doubt we would have got in otherwise, it was very busy. Booking on line also saved a teenie bit but best it upgraded the tickets to annual passes so we will definitely be back again. Kids and I are inspired to get out with the scope...... if the clouds ever part that is! Anyway, if you're looking for something to do with the kids I reckon it. My only disappointment was not seeing Maddie Moate (if you've kids young enough to know the name then yes.... maddie space and me was filmed there)

Yes that's the site and yes I suspect you are correct. It was brit books that supplied the book and had tnt terrible trust pilot scores. Biblio score well on trust pilot but there are plenty of bad reviews lodged with them.

Weight and cost must be the two biggest downsides, but I can imagine they make for excellent views and very comfortable viewing.

Another effort to be proud of! It looks very professional.

The 50mm od pipe you mean? https://www.aluminium-online.co.uk/product/50mm-x-1-5mm-aluminium-round-tube/?attribute_pa_length=200mm&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_aGuBhACEiwAly57Mfcxp_4nYxlyILFRUvDb1kH2NUiHea6TZg-3s1thBbItJpm8ngy1cRoCQZ0QAvD_BwE 3 quid plus postage for 100mm of aluminium tube. That is the right size isn't it?

I'm surprised they fetch £50 but the tripod seems fair and the mount in sure is fine with smaller tubes. I'll have a think..... mod mine too improve it, or stick it in the classifieds (a bit lower than £50 and hope it is of use to somebody)

We need an enterprising astronomer to sell some cases 😁 I imagine it could be quite simple for someone with a 3d printer.

Yes, I'd seen those. I'm sure it works well. I've seen others do similar with a counter weight set up.

Are the gimbal heads the yoke type design often seen on cheaper scopes? Mechanically they are so much better! I guess they are a bit bulkier and need to be sized to the tube diameter but the CoG can then be coincident with the alt pivot.

If the mount were to be modded to incorporate a torsion spring around the altitude pivot, that could work and would be very neat. How to do that as a post production mod is not immediately obvious though and no doubt not easy.

Rusted, the usual way to do it is a threaded bar screwed into one of the existing tapped holes in the mount head near the front ring attachment and kinked so that it extends down and forward at about 30 degrees with the tube horizontal. Fine balance is achieved at any given altitude of target by cw size or position on that bar. So yes, it can be modded to work and I should have a play and give the head another chance.