cajen2

Partitives are handy: linguistically they're very flexible. Singular uncountable nouns can't be counted (surprise, surprise) so for example 'two informations' is wrong, so we use 'two pieces of information'. Same with plural uncountables: 'two scissors' becomes 'two pairs of scissors'.

Should be a reflector with a name like that! 😆

Ok.......😉

Your Tak is called Cynthia??? 😄

Oh and just to mention, if you prefer your reflector on a mount/tripod, the SW Heritage 150p has a Vixen dovetail already. So you'd be able to choose between that and the dob mount. I can carry the whole thing in one hand, so it's most certainly a good grab and go.

(If yours is like mine), have you tried adjusting the small knurled knob at the base? If this is too loose, the focuser won't grip properly.

If you like the view that a dob gives you but you want it smaller and easier to store/transport, try a Skywatcher Heritage 150p. This was my first scope and I still use it for grab and go. It's a fine all-rounder for the solar system and the brighter DSOs. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/heritage/sky-watcher-heritage-150p-flextube-dobsonian-telescope.html

No different from "a pair of scissors/shears/underpants", etc. These are technically called 'uncountable plurals', and things like "a pair of..." are partitives. You'll have to forgive me. I spent 40 years teaching English language and grammar. Old habits die hard. 😄

Sure. Most people don't use km here (except scientists), so we do know what mph is! 😛

40mph? A gentle breeze here! 😁

Well, I hope you're thoroughly ashamed of yourself, Stu! 😛😄

But rich...with the largest vocabulary. I'm proud of my language! 😛 It's worse for speakers of some languages. They don't distinguish between singular and plural, so (in translation) 'one chair' 'two chair'. The most logical, if clumsy, is Malay, where a plural is made by just repeating the noun: 'malam'' = night, 'malam malam' = nights. That's if they bother to pluralise it at all. The general rule in English is that adjectives are never plural.

Here's a tip for anyone wanting a cheap scope cover: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B09CZKKG8K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image It's a chiminea cover and fits my StellaLyra 8" dob as if it had been made for it! It's very strong, well made and has a drawstring and ventilation pockets, plus some straps for ground stakes. And all for a measly £15 (because it's not an astronomy product!). I wouldn't leave my scope out for extended periods in all weathers, regardless of the kind of cover, but it's great when you want to leave your scope outside for a while - star parties, for example.

Yes.....silly colour for a scope, now I think about it. Perhaps it's a stealth scope...

My scope is black with a black mount....you can't SEE it in action at night! 😛

Or the odd funny cigarette...

That's a pity, not to mention a PITA. I've us d mine to collimate both scopes. Yes, it's a bit difficult to see from the other end of the scope. A couple of cross-hairs would have been very helpful.

There's this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ts-telescopes/ts-photon-6-f5-advanced-newtonian-telescope-with-metal-tube.html It's said that optically, the SW, Bresser and TS are very similar. You'd have to budget for quite a substantial mount and tripod, though. Easier and cheaper to get a decent dob and mount it on a table/box! 😛

Also, it's a bit cheap of AE not to have a reticule or cross-hairs on the white oval.

Bit of fiddling and you"ll be fine. Doing the secondary first?

Mine too. The only downside I can see is that the dot doesn't 'disappear' into the hole when it's on target: the dot is too big. There doesn't seem to be any adjustment, unless someone knows better?

Ha! Snap!

I've already suggested this to the OP but he doesn't seem too struck on the idea of a dob. I have this one and it's a great scope: I'm struggling to find anything negative to say about it.

Please do let me know how you get on with it.

Ooh! I've been eyeing one of those! ❤️