MalcolmM

On 20/09/2021 at 17:37, Cosmic Geoff said:

I recently took a 102mm f5 Startravel refractor and manual alt-az mount to a public astro event, along with a couple of cheap eyepieces.   I aimed it at Jupiter, the Moon and Saturn.  The public, young and adult, who had a look through it, were suitably impressed.  So you probably don't need much for that initial 'wow' factor.

I can second the 102 Startravel experience. I had one for about 3 years on an alt/az mount and thought it was great. The most important thing for me was that it was so easy to use. I could carry it outside (tripod and all) and be observing in 2 minutes. No real cool down time was required and no collimation was required!

Malcolm

13 hours ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

Cheers 🙂

PM me with the sizes and your address and I can get them done pretty quickly 🙂 

Steve

Hi Steve, I've sent you a message with drawings. Let me know if you don't get it, I may have pressed the wrong buttons!

6 minutes ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

Cheers 🙂

PM me with the sizes and your address and I can get them done pretty quickly 🙂 

Steve

Brilliant thanks, I'm just about to head out but I'll try and get you them later or tomorrow at the latest.

Malcolm

3 hours ago, teoria_del_big_bang said:

Malcolm, if you struggle I can 3D print you some if you give me the dimensions you want, just pay cost of post and packaging. Dimensions need to be accurate otherwise can be too loose or too tight.

Steve

PS I like your taste in music

Hi Steve, that's very kind of you, I'll certainly take you up on your offer. I'll check up on the dimensions, I think the inner diameter would need to be a little oversized so I can put a thin felt liner on.

Malcolm

Hi,

Does anyone know if it is possible to buy end caps for the Tak CQ1.7 Extender Module?

I currently use a couple of home made jobs; made out of stiff paper and sellotape in grand Blue Peter style!

But they are not really befitting a Takahashi

Many Thanks,

Malcolm

That's all very helpful advice; thank you all very much,

Malcolm

Hi,

I'm a new member here. I'm wondering what is the best course of action when you come in from observing and the lense steams up with condensation? Is it best to leave it with the lense cover off untill the condensation has evaporated? I'm a little reluctant to leave it uncovered overnight when 'stuff' might settle on it but maybe this is needless paranoia!

Thanks,

Malcolm

2 hours ago, Les Ewan said:

Looking forward to seeing your DSLR images, that's how I like too image as well, maybe its not as good as a dedicated astro equipment but cheap and cheerful and great fun. However don't let it dominate over your visual observation. 

Just to put a stake in the ground as to my amateurishness here's my favourite two. The deep sky is 10 half second shots (no guided mount at the time), no darks or flats and processed in Sequator. I used a Skywatcher 4" Startravel. The moon is a single shot through the Tak. I must say I have been blowen away by the incredible images posted on this forum.

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

Welcome to a fellow Takophile 😊👍🏻

Thanks! I'm afraid you've been blamed every time my partner complains about another expensive telescope appearing from FLO

Hello everyone,

I have been following this forum for a good few months anonymously researching telescopes, eyepieces, mounts etc. and have found the posts very useful.

I have always been interested in astronomy since teenage years but lockdown provided a great opportunity to upgrade my gear from a cheap but much loved SkyWatcher.

I am now vast sums of money out of pocket having decided that Takahashi is the only way to go

I loved my FC100DC so much I bought an FS60CB/Q as a travel scope!

I am mostly visual but occasionally stick a DSLR on the end of the scope.

Thank you to all the Tak lovers who's posts persuaded me there was something special about them. I am very much in that camp now; no disrespect to the many other excellent scopes!

Malcolm