bosun21

If you don’t want to go the dobsonian route for whichever reason, be it you want tracking to allow AP, or just the physical size is too large then an SCT would meet your requirements. The images from an SCT are great and if you want a wider field then you have the option of using a reducer. I have a dobsonian and a Maksutov as well as a refractor as each have their niche in visual astronomy. A lot depends on how serious you are about doing AP. If serious then an EQ mount is advised, and if less so and you just want to snap a few pictures then an ALT/AZ go to would suffice. Don’t be put off getting a SCT as they can be great scopes. Good luck with whichever avenue you take.

How would one go about determining what value of thermistor is required to offer protection? Thanks

It says the talent cell is only rated at 2A maximum

I would like to hear how you get on trying in the frac especially. Ian

That’s a lot (50%) of the field to be seeing distorted stars with a Hyperion. I have tried them in both my f6 dobsonian and my f12 Maksutov. Whilst the stars started losing their form in the outer 15-20% of the f6 this was hardly noticeable in the f12. Could it be the collimation of your C8?, or maybe try without the reducer. It’s just that half the field being distorted sounds as though there’s something else at play. Ian

Where did you get the cigarette plug/2 pin connector? Thanks

Thanks Dave. I wanted this as a back up and it would be driving an EQ5 pro synscan and nothing more. That’s good to know about the 16v with no load, however this would drop a volt or two when you connect the mount. But I suppose it’s better to be safe than sorry with the addition of a buck converter.

Yes, that’s the reason I bought it to run the dew bands so that my other one can maintain the voltage to my mount.

I know that quite a few members use these as a power source for their equipment. What I would like to know, is are they any good? and can anyone recommend one that they have found decent. PS:- what type of connection do they use? Many thanks Ian

Nice telescope 👍

Another DPD delivery today when I thought it was Monday. A Dynamo Pro by Orion and a dew band for my finder. I want this power supply solely for dew control leaving my other one for my mount.

You can normally adjust the resistance of the focus tube movement in most Crayford focusers. This is normally a screw (Allen key). Maybe a member with experience of this will chime in. If you are looking for a replacement, then for large heavy eyepieces you would be much better getting a rack and pinion focuser. They are much more accommodating for weight.

One of the Berlebach chairs is on my shopping list as a next purchase. Like @cajen2 I have been putting it on the back burner for a while now. I guess I’ll save myself a lot of aches and pains in my back caused by maneuvering a variety of chairs and stools into strange angles. Oh! and I’ll save the money I spend on radox bath salts.

Sorry I forgot to add the specs. 12v power supply which produces 8 watts at 0.68Ah HTH Ian

There are several options, being heated or unheated. The Astro Essentials unheated flexible dew shield is the most reasonable. I personally went for the Lynx heated version. Picture below 👇

I have just bought a complete dew rig out for all my scopes. For my 102 frac I bought a 4 channel controller and bands for the scope itself as well as ones for my finder and eyepiece. The scope band is placed on the tube directly over the objective lens. I will never have another night drastically cut short by dew. PS:- Bought from Dew Control Ian

Just the 13mm now and you can fill that empty space 😂

Check the inside of the diagonal as they have all been silver/red up to now. Paint the inner of the sides matt black.

I was looking at one of these diagonals myself ... Looks nice If you do get one then remove the sides to paint the internal sides matt black as they come silver!

My first anti dew purchases. A heated dew shield for my 127 Mak, and a dew band for my Starfield 102. A dual output/single channel controller, and a book I’ve been looking at for a while.

A lot of people say that the SVbony UWA suffer from kidney beaning. So I presume that you didn’t have this? I have tried two Morpheus in the binoviewer and they were just fine. I do like the weight saving aspect of the SVbony UWA’s though 🤫 Decisions, decisions.

Thanks Louis, it’s actually the 16mm Nirvanas that I was looking at. Either that or I could buy one more Morpheus to make a bino pair. ATB Ian

How badly would a pair of 82 degree Nirvanas vignette in a Baader Maxbright II binoviewer? How is this calculated? Many thanks Ian

Good point, I usually only run it during the cooling down period, and switch it off before I start observing.

I will use the dew shield and leave the fan running on the primary mirror. That should do the trick hopefully.