cajen2

I'm using a power bank, which seems to cope very well with slewing. It still shows full charge after several sessions.

Thanks for your comments, @Zermelo . When you say 'sag' with the pier extension, what exactly do you mean? I don't seem to get any play between the mount and the extension, so how does it manifest itself? I'm a total beginner with any kind of go-to mount, having always been a dob man, so I'm learning a little at a time. I've needed to use the 'freedom find' encoders several times but can't tell you if it made the problems worse or better yet.

I've been having problems with the accuracy of the mount: if I centre it on a target, slew away and slew back, it doesn't come back to the same place. Go-to is also problematic. So I've decided to fit the Baader counterweight to the L-bracket as previously planned. I've set it up so that the counterweight is on the same axis of rotation as the scope, thereby hopefully everything will stay in balance. I had to rebalance the scope, of course. By my calculations, the total load is now 6.2kg, but rather better balanced across the centerline. Here's hoping it makes a difference.

Oi! I posted this on Dreadful Wordplay Jokes, months ago! 😉😆

I detest CA, though I realise it doesn't bother many other people. That's why I went for good ED glass when I bought my first refractor: a Starfield 102 ED. It has FPL-53 and Lanthanum components. It has worked out very well - I can't detect any at all. That all comes at a price, of course.

What really irritates me is that, when I first wanted to buy a scope, StarSense had only just been introduced. I asked about it on here, as it seemed ideal to combat my heavily light-polluted skies, and was told not to bother - just an expensive gadget. I would have avoided a lot of grief if I'd ignored the advice! 😆

Same here. A 2" to replace the original twist lock and a 2-1.25" adaptor.

An expensive obsession! Your (=my) Starfield now has two CLs....

Welcome back, Andrew. Great outlook! Happy to hear you're enjoying the sky again.

Sigh. There are times when I want stiction weak: when slewing through a large number of degrees, for example, and there are times when I want it strong, while keeping the scope on target while changing EPs, for example. One setting doesn't do both. But if you're happy with yours, fine.

No confusion from me: "Stiction (noun) - the friction which tends to prevent stationary surfaces from being set in motion".

Well, as you say, each to his own. But I like the idea that I can alter stiction to suit me, not rely on an average.

I don't understand the problem with Lazy Susan Bearings. My StellaLyra 8" had one but crucially, with a knob to vary the stiction. For normal scanning of the heavens, the knob was loose or slightly tightened (ensuring easy movement) and while changing EPs on a target, I'd tighten it. Simple job and for me, it worked perfectly.

Oh, and the scopes have a dovetail which can be used with a photo tripod if you prefer.

You'd need a stable stool, chair or table to stand it on. Some people put the scope in a box, carry it to the observing site in the box and then stand it on the box to observe! You'd need a box that doesn't flex at all, though. Personally, I use a three-legged stool which is very stable.

You can split the difference between large aperture and portability with something like a Skywatcher Heritage 130p or 150p. I have the latter and I can carry it around with one hand and yet you can see plenty with it. A 6" aperture allows you to see plenty of double stars, planets and the brighter DSOs, especially if you travel to a dark site.

Astronomy only becomes expensive if: 1. You buy expensive kit. This is NOT NECESSARY if you manage your expectations, or 2. If you get into Astrophotography. So don't! At least, not at first. You can get a portable, high-quality rig for under £300, plus say £200 for eyepieces. It will not suffer optically, even in comparison with some very pricey stuff.

Hi Matt and a warm welcome to the Lounge. Have you decided what scope you want or can we help you spend your money?😆

Well, I think you'd have to spend much much more to improve on it significantly.

Saw this review: https://astrogeartoday.com/review-apm-140mm-doublet-ed-apochromatic-refractor/ From the appearance and the specs, it looks like the bigger brother to my Starfield 102ED (also sold by TS Optics and Altair iirc), which also has FPL-53 and Lanthanum glass. I've seen absolutely no CA through mine. If you can mount it on something substantial, I reckon you're on a winner. Edit: if the standard focuser is also the same, it's excellent. No need to go for the uprated one for visual.

Nice one! The 6.5 is a great EP.

Is it exactly level in all three axes? I have the 'X' version and it doesn't like being out of true.

14.9. I think that's asking a bit much of B21's poor old 4" frac! 😅 Might even give your 16" dob pause for thought...

Half? Twice! 😆

Most of these power tanks can be charged from relatively small solar panels. Let it charge during the day and you'll have plenty of charge for the night.