bosun21

I am just getting ready to wrap my 180 Maksutov with Reflectix insulation. How many layers is best one or two? I have wrapped a 70cm heater strap around the meniscus lens and intend to cover this leaving just the white band clear to fit a standard dew shield. Is there anything that I need to be aware of before starting? Thanks.

Looks very triangular to me as well. The screws responsible for pinching are inside the telescope tube holding the primary mirror in place. The three clips you see when collimating are where the screws are located.

Any clues going?

Postie delivered a couple of packages today. Courtesy of @Rustang, a 2" dielectric diagonal and a 3 x ES extender. From FLO a dew shield and 70cm dew strap for which I will fit the strap under the Reflectix insulation. A Baader clicklock (SCT) , a Skywatcher electric focuser along with the 4tronix wireless controller which allows much slower speeds to be used when planetary imaging using 12v as opposed to the 9v battery. All for the 180 Maksutov.

Being from Oxford I wholeheartedly refute these findings 🤔.

A 127 Skywatcher Maksutov OTA and a carbon fibre tripod. Nice and light. Also airplane friendly and cheaper than the the C5.

Yes, the 8"" and 10" Flextube dobsonians have preset non adjustable clutches whereas the 12" and above have totally manual clutches which is better. I really hope that the replacement motor fixes your problem 🤞.

To me it boils down to how much visual do you want to do in relation to imaging? If you intend to set up often to allow the family to observe with you then I would definitely go for the Starfield 102. If however you intend to be imaging the majority of the time and are serious about the hobby then go for the triplet. Camera wise I would be looking at something like the 585MC. Good luck with whichever you decide.

Does the worm gear turn freely when you remove it? If it does you just need to adjust the backlash screws to back off the worm gear from the RA axis teeth.

Do the axis turn when the brass bolts are removed? If not then something has seized. It could be the internal part of the clutch that the brass bolts push upon or it could be the entire axis. Looks like a strip down is going to be required.

Did you have any problem centering the laser in the centre marking before you changed the spider? Where is the return beam of the laser falling?

I level my go to dobsonian for accurate planetary tracking while using a small ROI whilst doing planetary imaging. I didn't bother when I used my 12' dobsonian on an EQ platform. With my EQ mounts I only level by eye despite not being really necessary. Habit I guess.

No. It comes with a paper template showing the mounting holes. There is a video or two on YouTube showing how to fit them. I fitted mine without a template. Just measured it out.

I haven't owned a Quattro but have upgraded the focuser on several Newtonians and the Baader Steeltrack is great upgrade to the stock focusers supplied with the scopes. They are not quite a Feather touch and don't have the price tag either. However they are a solid and well trusted unit which works very well.

Lovely set of photos Paul. I do like having the various sheds and constructions in the foreground. Gives the photos more character.

Yes mate. I was miffed that I didn't have the funds when you first posted it was for sale. I regretted selling my 150 a while back. It's pristine without even a mark on the dovetail as you already know.

You must use the correct extension piece to achieve focus. The taller slim one for 1.25" eyepieces and the other one for 2" eyepieces. NEVER both at the same time. I wouldn't have adjusted the collimation until you see what you are dealing with as they are generally useable straight from the factory. As has been said align the telescope on a distant object and achieve focus first. Once successful then align the finder scope with the telescope image seen in the eyepiece. Once that is done then you can look at the collimation situation. Walk before you run so to speak.

Parcelforce delivery today of a Skymax 180 Maksutov and a 90° polar scope adapter and Reflectix/tape for it. Just need to get an electric focuser and clicklock for the back along with a dew heater strap and dew shield. Once fitted I can then fit the Reflectix.

I bought a roll of aluminium tape at the same time as my reflectix. The black looks good as well though 🤔. Where are you fitting the dew strip? Inside the insulation or outside?

That's good news. It should work just fine. 👍.

I don't actually. It should just be a matter of finding out the plug type and buying a replacement of the same type. Have you looked on the actual Skywatcher website?

The dec cable should be routed above the RA axis. You have it underneath.

The Opticron iMagic 7x50 are a good binocular which is reasonably priced. Light enough to be comfortably hand held for periods as well as a wide FOV. There's also the 10x50 in the same binocular available. FLO sells both models.

I'm a retired Electrical and Electronics engineer and I can endorse what @Stuart1971 has already advised you.

Welcome to SGL. You have just opened the first page on an amazingly wonderful and very large book. All of us here are doing the same although on different pages.