cajen2

Looks fine to me, Mike, though I've never made concrete in my life, so what do I know? 😄

I've had mine only a month and keep checking collimation, but so far, I've only needed the slightest of tweaks on the primary and none on the secondary at all. Hope that continues!

Yes, I made my own dolly for mine, but it isn't exactly an off-road model.....😄

Ooh, nearly! Looks like the largest one they do is for a 10".

Do they do one for a 12", MS?💪

Really? Ok....sad.

It's much easier to carry with the bag, either with the handles or over the shoulder. I really wouldn't like to shift it inside a blanket. I may have to trek hundreds of yards with it to find a viewing spot.

So will the 3.5 and 30mm go up later? If so, folks, get in and buy them before it's too late! 😄

I know it probably doesn't help anyone, but I can't get the mount on my 8" to wobble at all, no matter how hard I shake it. As both I and AstroKeith have said, it may be just a problem of weight and scale - what works at one size/weight won't necessarily work at another.

I note that Pentax XWs have had a recent price hike. Now £299 for many focal lengths.

Odd. When I "get it out during a party", there's nothing like that enthusiasm.....🤣

Just for anyone with the same scope: Oklop bag for the OTA. This is a generic one, clearly, but fits the SL like a glove IF you take the alt pivots off the side. It's strong, padded and has a perfect balance point, both with the handles and the shoulder strap. Size: 200/1200 Newtonian. Light pollution around my garden means I have to travel for darker skies, so off tonight to investigate some nearby spots. This bag will make the whole thing so much easier.

Following with interest, Mike. Please keep us updated. Oh, and you'll find your spade......the moment you stop needing it! 😄

Do check the little ball race ring on the base axis. It may well be critical which way up this is installed, though of course the instructions don't show it! As I said, the base on mine is rock solid and smooth in rotation, unlike my Skywatcher scope....

Interesting review, especially as most of the cons seem to be only for your model. My 8" has a solid base, with no play in it at all. In fact it's very smooth on both axes. Mine has no problem holding or adjusting collimation. The eyepiece position is perfect for me when I'm sitting down. I use sliding magnets to balance the scope in alt. It strikes me that the manufacturer designed the 8" first and later the 10"/12", just scaling everything up. Sorry to hear yours isn't what you want, MS. I'm not trying to be smug but I would like to inform potential buyers that at least one scope in the range is extremely good.

Stop it, the lot of you! 😡 I had a couple of workmen come today to fix the streetlight which overlooks our front garden (where I do all my viewing). It hasn't worked for a year, so I'd forgotten all about it. Great. The garden looks like Blackpool illuminations and I can't see a thing. Cursing volubly, I moved the whole shooting match to the rear, but that's even worse. Ok, yes, I can try and get the council to do something, but you can imagine how long that will take - the workmen said they might change to led lighting within the next two years! 👿 Meanwhile, I have nowhere to view from unless I pack everything into the car..... It's just as well I'm a patient man.....AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

Ah, my Heritage Flextube dob has a Vixen dovetail, so that it can be taken off the dob mount and used on a tripod, if the feeling takes you.

553g without lens caps, Z. Edit: thanks for reminding me; I'll put that on the original post.

There you go: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/william-optics-vixen-compatible-long-dovetail-plate.html Stuff like this.

Apparently, Vixen are distributed by ES in the States and they seem to have no stock, and therefore I suppose, a low profile.

As I said in the review, my Vixen NPL 30mm was my go-to EP for low mag views. Now I suppose I'll have shell out for a SL at over four times the price. Sigh.....

Amazing. Just start a thread on here entitled "Vixen. Any good?" and watch the fur fly. Not everyone's cup of tea ( or in your case, coffee 😄) but there are many dedicated followers.

Sorry, didn't see your edit. I'm amazed Vixen isn't well known in the US of A. They're a long-established Japanese company with a sound history in manufacturing scopes (especially refractors), mounts and EPs. Many people on here are Vixen scope fanboys! 😄 Their eyepieces are also well known for their quality and value for money. The NPL range are very superior Plossl designs for not much money at all. The SLVs also give excellent views for their price. Both ranges share a rather narrow FOV as their only real disadvantage for the price.

I've had a look through an ES 82° and while it was good, I'd much prefer the Pentax ( or the SL!).

If you've never tried a Pentax XW, see if you can beg, borrow or steal one: they're great EPs. I have a 14 and 5mm and love them. Images are sharp and the EP is extremely forgiving on eye relief and placement. They haven't got the immersive FOV of the SL, though!