bosun21

It must have started wearing a jacket then.

Great binoviewer, I fitted the heavy duty quick changer on mine as it’s a pain to have to unscrew each time you want to change the GPC or the position of the binoviewer. Fantastic addition.

I would definitely go for the Zhumell over the Heritage. With it being a solid tube you don’t have the need to start messing around with light shrouds to stop stray light ingress. Secondly the Heritage has a poor plastic helical focuser, which you need to tape the threads with PTFE to reduce the wobble. If you don’t mind doing these modifications then either one will be a good choice.

You should think about doing the same as I have as your go to is also voltage temperamental.

Yes it probably would, but with the Skywatcher EQ go to mounts being very temperamental about the voltage being 12v. I thought it prudent not to risk it dipping below this if running three dew heaters. I don’t fancy having to do the alignment process over again which is what would happen if the voltage dropped.

I ended up opting for a Celestron LiNiMnCoO2 😂 I know what a long name. It’s just called the LT for short. It’s selling point is that it maintains its voltage throughout the discharge cycle. I use it for my EQ mount whilst I use another Orion Dynamo pro for all my dew heaters etc.

I know, I just missed out on buying the 4mm🥲.

Does this still have the encoders? ie “Freedom Find”.

Hi 👋 welcome to the lounge. You would be better using your DSLR on your scope and you won’t have any problem reaching focus with it.

You said that your secondary is askew in your bottom photo! No it isn’t. What you are thinking is your secondary is actually the reflection of the centre of your con center. The large circle that you can see with the three mirror clips on it is your secondary showing the reflection of your primary. You should put a piece of colored paper behind your secondary and focuser as this will help sort out the reflections you are seeing.

In your top picture your secondary is out of alignment, in the bottom picture you appear to have corrected it and you should then use a Cheshire/laser to centre your primary donut. When my 8” dobsonian is collimated it is offset to a certain degree resembling your bottom photo.

Another 👍for the SVbony 7-21mm zoom. It’s no Baader but it’s performs well.

I found that it is great for your secondary alignment only. I prefer using a cap/cheshire for my primary and finished with my Hotech laser.

I was thinking about adding one to my Starfield 102 as well.

Personally I would stick with the first choice. The reflector introduces the caveat of collimation into play. This is often a daunting prospect with beginners, more so if you don’t want anything to complicate things. For the planets and the moon the Maksutov is a terrific little scope and doesn’t have this caveat

I am leaning toward that cause as well, and the fan would cause it to be deposited around the edges. When I looked straight on it wasn’t noticeable, but at an angle it appeared clearly.

Good thinking, I only run the fan for the hour or so whilst the scope is cooling. On reflection could it have been pollen pulled in with the fan from a session earlier in the year, and that was me just noticing it?

The ring was like steam on a mirror only denser. I have no clue 🤔

I noticed a ring that had formed around the outside edge of my primary mirror on my 8” dobsonian. I have no idea what caused it. It was like condensation had formed but it wasn’t that at all. I tried a hairdryer on it but it didn’t do anything. It was really annoying me so I removed the mirror and washed it in the usual manner. Tepid water in the sink with a few drops of fairy liquid and pure cotton wool balls. Rinsed thoroughly with distilled water. I then dried it with the hairdryer, reassembled and recollimated. The ring has now gone but I would like to know what caused it in the first place, as I don’t want to be repeating this every time. Thanks Ian

Some cable management required.

Here is the detailed review that Steve Tonkin wrote for the Opticron Oregon 10x50 WA https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/binoculars/opticron-oregon-wa-10x50-binoculars-review/

I recently bought a pair of Opticron Oregon 10x50 WA for £69 from FLO (First Light Optics). I am really impressed by the quality of them, both optically and mechanically. They would be a good introduction to the night sky as well as terrestrial. You can pay more for quality binoculars and the skies the limit as far as how much money you want to spend. The reviews left, both by other buyers and our binoculars man Steve Tonkin have been great,

No, only the 1.25” ones are compatible with your telescope. Your focuser is not large enough to accommodate the 2” eyepieces.

I have ordered the clicklock but I tried to loosen the existing twist lock and it won’t budge. How tight was yours and do I need to buy a couple of strap wrenches? Once again sorry for the questions. Thanks

👋Welcome to the lounge, you’ll learn a lot for sure.