bosun21

I tried to make one for my 12" out of yoga mat foam and found that it kept sagging. I ended up buying one for a 14" due to the outside diameter of the tube. It wasn't cheap.

With your mirror being badly soiled I would definitely use the finger method on the mirror while it’s submerged in the soapy water. That way you will be able to feel any large pieces of debris attached to the mirror surface. Once happy that you have dealt with any pieces stuck to the mirror then change to the cotton balls. You can’t feel these with the cotton balls and it’s very easy to drag them across the mirror scratching the coatings.

Just checked and apparently you can achieve focus with a DSLR camera on the 200P. However the older blue tube 200P's can't.

I would go for the HEQ5 pro and 200p simply on the total money you would save especially if a visual observer. If you want to do AP then the 130PDS and EQ5 pro will certainly get you started on that road. I am unsure whether you can achieve focus with a camera in the 200P without a barlow or fitting a low profile focuser etc. I am not entirely sure on this though.

I use the finger method on the entire mirror. Then I finish off with cotton balls and rinse with distilled water.

I agree with @Stu1smartcookie regarding Astrobiscuit. I much preferred his older videos. I also agree with @Astroscot2 highlighting the fact that he always ends up asking for money to add to his not already unsubstantial amount of gear. It starts to wear thin with me.

Check the motor cables for continuity on each terminal as changing the motherboard should eliminate the soldered joints of the boards connection to the female connector. Worth checking them anyway.

You will have to buy the mount as well as a tripod to mount using the dovetail.

If you want something heavier than a heavy duty pan head and photographic tripod then consider an AZ4. Not too expensive either.

Be careful when siliconing the mirrors in place that you position them properly. I would use a good double sided tape to check that collimation is achievable and once ascertained mark the position with a marker and silicone them in that position.

Full set available from FLO 👇

Nice report Mike 👍.

If you are definitely buying the turret then go ahead and buy the Paradigms otherwise you won’t get the use of the turret. The Paradigm eyepieces are a good quality eyepiece and with the 60 degrees FOV won’t be as much a shock to you coming from binoculars. You won’t go wrong buying them. Good luck 👍

Great capture Kostas👍.

Hi @Bivanus👋 welcome to SGL.

Hi Brendan, I live in Oxford and would be willing to help you out with this. PM me if interested.

My experience is that’s it’s a lot more than 20%. Most modern barlows are of the short variety. I used to own a longer Vixen barlow which was tack sharp but I foolishly sold it. I try my hardest to reach the desired magnification with just a short focal length eyepiece. (With good eye relief).

I no longer use a barlow as all my eyepieces have a very good eye relief and I don’t like the fact that a 2x barlow doubles this. I find trying to refind the correct eye position an unnecessary inconvenience. Saying this they are great for eyepieces with short or mediocre eye relief. I have settled on a 2x ES extender with a future upgrade to a 2.5x powermate in the pipeline.

A great detailed report Magnus and no doubt an enjoyable return to observing for you after a short break.

My most used eyepiece.

I gave up with the shaky images and lead arms so bought a tripod with a pistol grip mount. Makes everything so much more comfortable and I can then take in the views without thinking about my aching muscles. Sigh! I must just be getting old.

I would definitely fit the new focuser as the drawtube protruding into the tube will be retracted to reach focus. The old one looks worse for wear. I would also fit some sort of strap around the tube where the crack is for extra support.

Thanks, now on my to do list.

Great captures Geoff. I particularly like the image of Saturn with the Cassini division clearly seen. I’m looking forward to when they appear in darker skies at a hospitable hour.

15 at present excluding pairs/extenders and barlows.