bosun21

That amount of movement will make it virtually impossible to align your RDF with your scope. You need to check the RDF and ensure that the movement isn’t originating from it itself. Then check the the mounting bracket on the telescope, that it’s secure and no movement. Once you have ensured all that is free from movement, fit the RDF into the shoe and tighten the holding screw(s)

I only like the moons presence when I am actually viewing it, all other times it’s a hindrance. This hindrance also grows in tandem with a gibbous moons growth. As well as being very detrimental to the imaging fraternity, it’s certainly not a friend of the visual astronomers either. It’s bad enough having to deal with the light pollution without the added bugbear of the moon. I have also found that when I am using my binoculars, the viewing is also negatively impacted.

I hope it works out with the focuser, but it's good to know that you have the option of returning it to FLO for a full refund, Fingers crossed for you 🤞

Which Cassegrain scope do you have?

Yes I agree with you on this aspect, and in relevance my post may not be entirely fitting to your thread. However I was merely explaining what I did to have the Starsense unit working on my 8" Stella Lyra dobsonian.

It’s cheaper to just buy the cheapest Starsense scope (LT70) and remove the unit to fit on your respective dobsonian. The LT70 was only £149 the last time I looked.

Another DPD delivery today. I bought myself a star atlas and a pair of Opticron 10x50 binoculars for those nights of an opportune hour or two on partially cloudy nights. Purchased from FLO of course.

That was quick!, they had 7 this morning.

The Baader Hyperion Zoom is a great eyepiece, so much so that a lot of people get by with it alone, save for maybe a wide field eyepiece. It’s great for finding your best magnification for the seeing conditions. The quality of the images are also good, but will never match quality fixed focal length eyepieces. Whilst the Baader Zoom isn’t cheap, it’s certainly cheaper than buying three or four quality fixed eyepieces.

I use a few high power eyepieces depending on scope and target. My Morpheus 4.5 & 6.5mm along with my new addition 4mm Nirvana are used mainly on the planets and globular clusters . I find that apart from the moon, Mars can soak up the magnification on nights of good seeing.

My 9mm & 17.5mm Morpheus are my most used eyepieces followed by my ES 24mm 68 degrees

I have had my 8” for well over a year now and the only mods I’ve done are the addition of a triple finder shoe bracket. Fitted a Starsense unit. Fitted a couple of magnets and draught excluder tape strips for them to slide up and down the tube to attain balance. Fitted Bobs knobs on the secondary mirror holder. Fitted a grip at the aperture for easier pointing. Replaced the primary mirror springs to a heavier gauge. When using I slip a black shower cap over the primary mirror to eradicate stray light. That’s my lot Ian

That’s a ridiculous price and not in the ballpark that I am willing to pay. I’ll have a look through the various recommendations I’ve been given. Thanks again Ian

A decent star atlas is the next acquisition on my shopping list. Any recommendations? Thanks Ian

I just bought a load of incandescent 60W & 40W bulbs from Amazon

I bought a triple one! Showing off again 😂

As long as it works, that’s what counts. I was thinking about making one for my secondary mirror on my Stella Lyra dobsonian. The holder is shaped in a way that eliminates the standard secondary heaters on sale. In the interim I am using a standard 8” Astro Essentials dew shield which seems to be coping with the dew.

I bought a little clip in (adhesive) dew heater for mine from “Dew Control” and it works great.

I have the same RDF on my refractor, and I love it. It’s so easy and quick to use along with the Baader quality.

I just fitted a countersunk screws through the base after drilling a hole. I then slid a spacer over the screw, then the shoe itself and tightened it all with a nyloc nut. HTH

Have a look at my photos earlier in the thread

I had to modify my RQ base to allow it to accept a standard finder shoe.

I have a Rigel quickfinder on my 8” dobsonian alongside my RACI and starsense unit (overkill) I also had trouble with the Rigel coming loose after a month or so despite buying good quality tape and cleaning the adhesion site. I ended up buying a triple dovetail base and modifying the Rigel to accept a finder shoe. Problem solved . I also have a telrad on my Maksutov which I love and deem it to be superior to the Rigel.

I had overlooked mentioning this new red/white head torch. I decided to get one a bit more substantial than the others I’ve had previously. Powered by two rechargeable 18650’s

I have found that filters are of little to no use when galaxies are concerned and prefer viewing them without. On the odd occasion a Baader neodymium skyglow can help