LondonNeil

Yes that's a comment I'd agree with, at rrp Hyperion are £120 ish and that's a whack. As I said though, Hunt and they are £40-60 used though which isn't so bad.... where as a used Morpheus is still 3 or 4 times that and I wouldn't consider as mid range (although I know its far from top range!) For completeness, astrobuysell has a set of used Morpheus...s (Morpheii?) Listed, £160 each.

Thanks Mark. I've lots to learn through yet to have experience! I got the impression the other day when looking at orion that the stars nearer the outer edge of the view were distorted or out of focus, this was using the ST, so yes but perfect. The Hyperions can run as proper 2" eps though, it's great to unscrew the first lens piece and get all that extra light.... although they said I've not done any comparisons yet so maybe I'm not getting any advantage ..... more learning needed! Prices though...I just searched, 1 used Morpheus on ebay at £170, probably a fair price for a £250 rrp EP. I got a set of 4 Hyperion, plus the case, from a member here for that. Tempted by the Morpheus though tbf 🤣

I've only got one Morpheus (6.5mm) and yes it's great, but it's twice the rrp. My perception is they aren't nearly as available used either. If you chance across them though, grab them.

No love for Hyperions? Look around for used and these aren't hard on the wallet, particularly given the versatility if used with tuning rings

For storage I mean. If you remove the finder scope to store your tube away in a neat box or whatever, will the finder point in the same place when next put back on?

Oh I expect CNs for a looooong while! I've got the Hyperion I mentioned on its way ... in fact along with several others! All bought from another member. I'm also waiting on FLO having ordered the gtix and decent tripod, extension tube and dovetail...... hopefully all the bits needed for the new double set up (st120 and mak127), although I'm sure to have forgotten some screws or something that will have me even more frustrated! While spending far too much at FLO I pushed the boat and added a 1.25" X 32mm plossl for some low mag searching with the Mak. Just an astro essentials so not costly but judging by the reviews they seem well regarded, even bargain category. From what I read 30-32mm in a 1.25" is the longest FL before the FOV gets restricted, otherwise I'd have looked for a 40mm. With all that on the way it'll be cloudy for quite a while! 😂

Yes great to meet you Mark, a gent! I'm very pleased to have your Mak127 ... the weather forecast is annoying though! That set up looks good now Mark! SuburbanTak indeed!

I've been thinking.... these are so simple yet £55...a competent tinkerer could diy better for less and started some searching First a stepper motor (slow and high torque) https://www.skysmotor.co.uk/goods-2208-Nema-17-Stepper-Motor-17HS15-1504S-X1-45Ncm-12V-15A-4-Wires-with-1m-Cable-and-Connector.html A flex coupling like this (although not this size) https://www.skysmotor.co.uk/goods-1721-8mm-10mm-Flexible-Shaft-Coupling-ST-FC09-18x25mm.html One or two of these bits of bracketry and you dont even need to mess with sheet metal https://www.skysmotor.co.uk/goods-2556-Nema17-Alloy-Steel-Bracket-Bracket-for-Planetary-Geared-Motor.html A controller from ebay, I won't link One as my knowledge is thin on drivers/ I'd need to research... but they seem to be just a few quid. A box and battery Total likely half the skywatcher one and I suspect it would be much better. BUT THEN! I came across this from astro oasis https://www.astroasis.com/en/focuser/44.html It looks so much better! It should be your say, it's many times the price .... welll it is on FLO but..... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006103603360.html?src=google&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=708-803-3821&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&albagn=888888&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&albcp=19108228023&albag=&trgt=&crea=en1005006103603360&netw=x&device=m&albpg=&albpd=en1005006103603360&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwvKtBhDrARIsAJj-kThMyE15mNz6fOqFa_mM1rVaaSRrhGBRvuWFXK-GtSYXX0V8_iUrj_UaAm0NEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&aff_fcid=b516b6150ed949fba7865af42aef50d1-1706892191134-04234-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=b516b6150ed949fba7865af42aef50d1-1706892191134-04234-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=e57ea8d76ffc4a66aadfa15dff6bbebc&afSmartRedirect=y Now like many Ali express adverts it's baffling as to what you actually get.. . But I think you get mostly everything in the v power bundle for £25 I might try

Just on the north side of the ridge, at the bottom. I cycle into work in Victoria and go along Croxted Road the road parallel. Yes I know, show me a building in South London without some cracks, haha.

You know where it's name comes from? It has a 'spa' or waters. The spring water was said to be better than Bath and the spas were twice visited by Queen Victoria. The bottom of the slope, where the houses start again were small lakes, there was a maze and some buildings, an auditorium or something. There is still a small spring all year, I've never seen it dry, and many places in the surrounding area are very wet..... my own back garden is a swamp most winters hence I can't use it much. The garden also has the house restricting views south and lots of large oak trees (Norwood =North wood..... its a very green locale) . I know the bits of the Lawns that are dry though.... the all weather ballcourt for a start, but also the top near the spring is actually a dry and firm ground. I taught my kids to ride their bikes there too! All 3 doing their first unsupported pedalling at the Lawns. I guess Mr H you aren't nearby any more though ..Yorkshire is quite a way away!

Good question! It's bortle 8-9 here which limits things. I'm taking the approach of just try for myself to see what is possible and how much fun it is. This is still only week 3 so I really am just doing short sessions, an hour or sometimes just half, it's not about any particular view it's about learning my way around the kit and the sky, learning the hobby. So far I've just been on my driveway, looking over the street lights and houses, but once I'm a bit more clued up I intend to walk to the end of the street where there is a small area of greenery away from the street lights and its bortle 7. The Lawns at Beulah spa. Still not great but hopefully worth the 3-4 minutes walk each way! I suspect my targets will be restricted to zenith and south. Firstly I'm on the southern side of the crystal palace ridge but also, walking my daughter home from cubs last week she asked about navigating so I mentioned the big dipper and pole star, looked round.... that's odd..... pull out Stellaryium beginning to really get confused...ah. I was looking where it should have been but the whole northern sky had no stars visible.... it was the glow of London! The haze over Croydon is not the same...I can still see Saturn with the naked eyes, get the red dot on it and boom! There it is rings and all. If I really get into it then it's only 20 minutes in the car to places like selsdon woods or Addington woods where it begins to get a bit darker, or biggin Hill is another 15-20 mins and down to bortle 4 I think, or 5. I think that there is an astro club based there which I'll try and get to once I know in looking at the right end of the scope..... you do peer down the fat end, right? 😄 I've also got family in Essex, bortle 4 ish, so could take the kit when I visit.

That's some serious kit! Well done you! I'm in Upper norwood se19.

OK..... I've lost my thread a bit but.... The Hyperion is good quality, gives a 22mm x 2", 17mm X 1.25, and with tnt tuning rings serval more shorter fl eps to. I got a 6.5mm Morpheus which although only 1.25 it is easy to use and allowed newbie me to see banding on Jupiter (barlowed to get x185) I also got a 30mm X 2" stellalyra and can see how that will get s lot is use looking at dso. It's just got such a big fov. I could even see me getting a 40mm...... I've learnt that it's not all about high magnification!

Oh.... just lost half my post. I'll add more later.

Sure. Do tell what you've gone for though! I found very quickly that the cheap supplied 1.25" X 10mm and 25mm plossls had limited fov and were a challenge to use. I realised my young kids were really struggling to see anything. The st120 comes with a 45⁰ diagonal which makes viewing anything at more than low altitude very awkward and uncomfortable. So I changed the diagonal to a 90⁰ 2", and bought some decent 2" EPs. At 2" you get a bigger fov more often and the usability/ ease of use is much better! I managed to pick up a pre owned 17mm baader Hyperion and bought the tuning rings (look here

I found this! My 6yo struggled to see anything, would put a closed eye to the ep and such. I had already ordered a 2" diagonal and EP and next time out the better fov was a huge help.

I need it cold to garden camp in the winter as my garden is so wet. It's a swamp often in the winter! It makes camping impossible unless it's cold enough for the ground to be frozen. Then an old duvet and several roll mats and good sleeping bags make it toastie once in the tent!

I followed Peter's camping suggestion the weekend before last.... although adding Since it was below zero we did use the tent! The camping was the main event but the girls enjoyed 45 minutes of stargazing with the telescope too.

Why drink tea when you can tinker with science! Better yet, drink tea while being a scientific tinkerer! Excellent.

I'm similar, 2 weeks into owning a short refractor, kids of 8, 6 and 3. I'm just playing on the drive not fretting about street lights and the 'seeing' , I grab the scope out and set it up which only takes 5 mins but still.. .I call any kids outside when I'm ready. They have a quick look, if they've had enough after 5 minutes they go back in. I do need to sort a phone holder to make it easier for them to see stuff but with decent EPs even my 3 yo can see.... I know as I tested him ' can you see anything?' ' yes daddy! A star!' 'That's Jupiter, a planet. Can you see it's moons?' 'Yes! I can! I can!' ' How many can you see?' '1, 2,3,4!' Very happy space obsessed 3yo, very very happy daddy!

Very useful to know. So 9.6V from 8 x NiMH AA probably won't be as effective is 11.1V from 3 X 18650. Right, 18650 seems the way to power the gtix and the remote focuser then I think. TBH, I've so many AAs knocking about so that the kids toys are always working I'll probably benefit from knocking up both battery holders/packs.

BTW, did it have a bit more oomph at 12v or was it still slow and wheezy?

Ahhh! Yes there's not much to go wrong. Super. I've just ordered a gtix mount which I'll likely power with 8 AA but carry a spare pack ready to plug in. If I made a short flying lead and strap the spare pack could be the focuser power.... just trying to decide on AAs vs 18650s, I've plenty of both knocking about

Ahhh@ maybe not then! 😂

Now I know it works okb at 12v, 3 X 18650 lithium batteries and this https://www.switchelectronics.co.uk/products/18650-x-3-battery-holder-150mm-leads?variant=45333558722869&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAtt2tBhBDEiwALZuhAIbgGZ1WkKrtdsiuy_O8w_GYLklBINmTGg3jb6KgDbBXvEqEtXaE3xoCSmgQAvD_BwE Is tempting!