cajen2

True. I've just got a new rig which I'm dying to try out, but 10 minutes ago, all I could see was Venus and even that's disappeared! 😡

Hi Chrissy and welcome to SGL from Yate, not far from you. If you have any questions on the Celestron, be sure to ask. There are plenty of opinions on here! 😉😄

+1 for the Morpheus range, though I have only three (6.5, 9 and 12.5mm). I'm thinking of replacing my current 68° 18mm SL with the 17.5 too. Morphs are my favourite EPs and imo are very slightly better than my Pentax XWs. Very few people seem to be disappointed with them.

What did I see tonight? A lot of cloud and a very fuzzy Venus, which I focused on as I was desperate to try out my new rig. By the time I'd sorted it all out, Venus was almost invisible. It then disappeared completely. It had been sunny for most of the day and I'd been so looking forward to my first light...😥

Oh, and the mount seemed to slew around with no problems or strange noises, so a bonus there!

Well, have a guess. After a mostly sunny day, the cloud started building at sunset. After dark, all I could see was a fuzzy Venus but, desperate to get some practice in on the mount, I set up on it. By the time I had it in view, it had gone very dim. I just had time to align the mount and hit 'Point and track' when it disappeared completely. Sigh. So I think everything works but not positive yet. 😡

I think your biggest problem is going to be that very few people on here have one, or are likely to buy one until someone else has taken the early-adopter risks. If it means anything, I at least am interested!

Belt and braces, mate. A RACI and a 2" 30mil EP.

And with its hat on in case of showers.... It's sunny with patchy cloud right now. If this keeps up, I might even get a few views tonight.....although bitter experience tells me this won't happen.

Today in a more natural environment....except for that strange yellow light in the sky! 🙄

If you think you'll be quite happy carting it about, the 10" will have an even better light-gathering capacity. But be warned, the initial enthusiasm soon wears off when faced with a sub-zero winter's night! Just saying...😉 I used to have the 8" and it's a great scope.

Tease....

Why isn't it called "JIMEM"? 😛

@Don Pensack - you must have read my mind. I've been thinking that the view through my Celestron Ultima Edge 30mil is very Morpheus-like. I also look forward to the comparison with interest, though from what I've heard, the UFF EPs are a little patchy in quality across the range.

I'm sure that's true, but he was asking about tripods.....😛😄

Thank you. I'll try it with and without to see if there's any difference.

I also have a slightly left-field suggestion: I bought a small counterweight affixed to a dovetail clamp which would go quite nicely on the L-bracket supplied with the mount. This might serve to take some of the load off the heavy side.

Thanks, mate, I'll see how it goes first. I really want 2" as two of my best EPs are that size. As to the finder, the 6x30 is pretty lightweight. I'll be taking your advice if all else fails! 👍

For anyone who doesn't know, the normal GTi has a max payload of 5kg. The GTiX has a max of 6kg on one side and 10 in total. I've weighed the Starfield fully loaded with all accessories (even an EP) and it's 5.2kg, so I'm hoping it'll cope.

It's the GTiX - looks like a normal GTi on steroids! I've also mounted the 6cm extension pillar. One day, I'll try it with a second scope on the other clamp....

My little power bank sits nicely on the spreader tray: Obviously, I'll need a longer 12v lead.

As I promised (threatened? 😉), some pics of my whole new rig: Starfield 102 ED AZ GTiX dual go-to mount Berlebach Report 312 tripod Williams Optics 2" di-electric diagonal SW 6x30 lightweight RA finder. Of course, first light will have to wait on the weather.....😡

I believe it's ash, but I'm no expert..... I'll bore everyone with photos of the whole setup shortly! 😛

Just delivered from @FLO after an agonising wait for Berlebach to transport it: Report 312. Isn't she a beauty? ❤️

Ooh, do tell....