cajen2

Not exactly a barn door but a rather elegant piece of kit: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/equatorial-astronomy-mounts/asterion-ecliptica-light-tracking-platform-for-dobsonian-telescopes.html 😉

But the tracking platform is EQ, so it may well work to photograph the planets (no field rotation) but I haven't tried yet. Obviously, it isn't go-to but most of the planets are a doddle to locate. Neptune and Uranus, not so much, but without a pretty big dob, you won't see much more than a spot anyway....😄

Mike means me. I have an EQ platform for my dob. That'll track a target but won't push-to or go-to.

If you want a small, aluminium case as a grab and go EP and accessory holder, Asda sold me one for BBQ accessories for £13. Take out the spatulas, etc. Then add the bits you need: and you have a small lightweight case:

You know what it's called in the aviation industry: Boeing......Boeing.......Bong!

I have the same scope, which lives under the stairs on its mount at a 45° angle. I thought of storing it vertically on its primary mirror end too, but something about having all its weight bearing on the collimation knobs for prolonged periods didn't sit well with me. I know someone on here has fitted some 'feet' to the base. Alternatively, you could make a low stand so the the knobs are free

Plus the Clicklock makes EP changing a breeze - no more fumbling with little screws..... Oh, note for anyone unfamiliar with Clicklocks: you do NOT need or want to tighten the little lever to its max. Just enough so that the lever isn't loose and the EP will be gripped firmly. I've heard tales of people tightening them with real welly and then having to do the same to loosen - just unnecessary.

I got the 2" - 1.25" adapter because all bar one of my EPs are 1.25". https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/baader-clicklock-2-125-adapter-2956214.html I believe there's a 2" one too.

I had a similar problem with undercuts: I'd spend ages finding a target, then try to change the EP to something with higher mag. The undercut would immediately hang up, pulling the scope off line.......sigh, start again. I independently tried a Clicklock and the problem has gone. Expensive for what they are but may have saved me from having a heart attack...😄

And this doesn't happen with entry-level fracs? (Particularly those with EQ mounts...) 🤣

Fine, that's what I said: each to his own. But if I wanted to buy a frac, mount and tripod, etc to match the views given by my StellaLyra 8_ dob, how much would I have to spend? There's no way I could afford both.

I think you're missing an obvious point. A cheapish 102 doublet might be comparable in price to a cheapish 8" dob, but that's only taking into account the cost of the OTA. Once you add a diagonal, a finder, a reasonable mount and tripod, there's a considerable difference in price. So recommending a dob at a particular price break makes more sense.

Complaining about the low quality of EPs supplied with a scope is ridiculous. Yes, they are often of poor quality and will be replaced by better glass. But many scopes come with no EPs or perhaps just one, so new EPs must be bought anyway. The supplied stuff will give a beginner something to look through until he's learnt something about the sky and what he's most interested in, thus having a better chance of buying EPs that he needs. As to storage / carrying difficulties with large dobs, there's no reason why they should be large. A Heritage Flextube 130/150p will give you a healthy aperture and views for the price and is easy to store, carry and set up. Compare a 6" refractor with an adequate mount and tripod. I know which I'd rather shift around! So let's not make this another tedious frac v. dob thread and agree that both have advantages and drawbacks.

Re the alt adjusters, it's worth trying the balance by loosening the side adjusters (graded scale) and achieve balance with your usual EP. Once tightened, fine adjustment can be made by sliding a magnet or two up and down (ensure they're padded to avoid scratches). This way, having to tighten the black wheels too much shouldn't be a problem.

Don't listen to the nasty people, OKA, I think it looks very nice! 😉

I haven't tried the whole range, but my 30mil is a little gem, with sharp images across most of the FOV. I use it as my 'finder' EP. It's a wonder at £41. Used in my f/5 and f/6 dobs, it's fine.

https://scitechdaily.com/hubble-sees-red-supergiant-star-betelgeuse-recovering-after-never-seen-before-titanic-eruption/

To get more than 'you pay for in terms of results', consider a Vixen NPL 20mil, assuming its narrow FOV doesn't bother you. Best value for money range out there.

Ah, yes, ask Mike about it! 😄

StellaLyra 2" 80° https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-eyepieces/stellalyra-20mm-2-80-ler-uwa-eyepiece.html I have a thread on this (basically, I was given one to report on and was so impressed that I bought one): https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/392135-stellalyra-80°-20mm-2-eyepiece-first-light-report/ There's also a 2" 14mil, though I haven't tried that.

@Orange Smartiehas hit the nail on the head: dobs don't have to be 8" to get good views. The Heritage 150p he mentions is my second scope. Optically, it's brilliant if you find a good, stable stool or table to stand it on. The only downside is its helical focuser, which not everyone gets on with. You could also look at this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ursa-major-telescopes/ursa-major-6-f8-planetary-dobsonian.html Same aperture but normal focuser. A bit trickier to move about and store but still within your budget. As I said before, you get a great bang for your buck with a dob: you're spending money on the optics, not on the.mount.

Quite understand: I started with a BST 8mm myself and it was great EP for the price. My problem is that I wanted a larger FOV, thus the Pentaxes and Morpheus. If narrow fields of view don't bother you, also consider the Vixen NPL and SLV ranges - both excellent for the price. The 30mm NPL makes a very good 'finder' EP for not much money at all.

The 130p is good enough to show excellent views even with good-quality, relatively expensive eyepieces. A range of 4-10mm EPs would be great for doubles if you can afford them (Pentax XWs, Baader Morpheus, etc).

I remember it well, though in my case, there was 10/10ths cloud. Typical. I wait all my life for a total eclipse and it's cloudy.

Well, Alistair, if you can get down to Yate, I could give you a lift. I assume you have a tent?