cajen2

I'm up for being a guinea pig on this one: just ordered an 18mm.😄 Edit: arrived today. Review coming when I can see a bit of clear sky!

There you go, 18mm 68° ordered! 👍

Thanks for that, Steve. I had no idea that both ranges were so recently released. I was of the opinion that made by Long Perng was an advantage! I might well try a 68° one, you know, I have a few "holes" in my EP selection! 😄 I'd be happy to post a review on here. BTW, 'caveat emptor' is my normal motto, not just for these!

Magnus, it never ceases to amaze me how much you manage to cram into one session. I'm normally punching air if I observe three new doubles (etc) in one night!😄

My partner has a similar view. I borrowed her red nail varnish to cover a white headlight set into a woolly hat. She giggles helplessly every time I get togged out to go observing...😄

Thank you to the two august gentlemen for replying: I'm aware that I know nothing in comparison with you. @Don Pensack, is the EOFB apparent in all the Long Perng EPs that CN members are reporting on? And the 68°? @Louis D, caveat emptor indeed. Thus the reason for this thread.

Nice little grab and go! 😱

Sorry, I wasn't clear: I meant in price.

Has anyone had any experience with either of these ranges? They look interesting, though the 80° range is verging on Pentax XW / TV Delite territory.

.....hardly Goddard, though, is it? 😄

.....or in my case, show us your dobs! I've posted this pic before in another thread but I thought it might add a little to the proceedings. Left to right: my daughter's Skywatcher Heritage 100p, my Heritage 150p Flextube and my StellaLyra 200mm.

You could combine recommendations with the Virtuoso version of the 150p with SynScan go-to. Just a few quid over budget....👹 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/heritage/sky-watcher-heritage-150p-flextube-virtuoso-gti.html

+1 for the Flextube 150p. Mine is a very capable scope and makes a great all-rounder - good on the moon, planets, double stars and DSOs (in fact my new 200mm dob hasn't shown me anything the 150 couldn't, yet). It folds up small and is easy to manage. I'd say setup takes about 30seconds! The only downsides for some people are the helical focuser, which can be a little irritating, and the fastish f/5 focal length.

...no doubt we'll bounce back....

+1 for the NPL. It's my standard EP for low mag but not just for star hopping - I find the image super-clear and consistent across the FOV. I've used it in both my Heritage 150p f/5 dob and my new SL 200 f/6 dob with no issues in either.

Likewise. All my (various makes and focal lengths) eyepieces focus without the extension. I haven't even tried the SL 30mm as I already have a 1.25mm Vixen NPL 30mil and I'd prefer to keep all my EPs 1.25..

Gorgeous scope.....and mount too, by the sound of it!

I have to say there's no play in the base of my 8". Is it worth taking the bearing apart again and maybe try the ring ball race the other way up?

Storm Dunlop is about the only one we haven't had recently!

Ah, you're on the pitch next to mine, so you can try that.

A strange night for me. At first frustrating, as every time I was on or near a target, it would get covered by cloud so had to start again. Eventually, the cloud disappeared so I started aligning my RACI finder on M42. I'm also playing with my Rigel Quickfinder, trying to find a good place to put it. Tried to find a few targets I haven't visited before, but again frustrating without the RQ. Finally, I thought I'd try Castor, which is so high it's difficult to align on (must get a stand for my dob!). By this time, the seeing wasn't great but I managed all three visible stars easily enough.

Ah, experiences differ, I see. All I can say is that it's worked really well for me. My Pentaxes have the most savage undercuts of any of my EPs, and they slid into and out of the Baader with no problem at all.

Well, I've just been out with it and it's a vast improvement on the SL EP holder. Eyepieces slip into and out of it smoothly without ever hanging. The only movement of the scope is that which I create myself, through clumsiness! 😄

Is anyone else using a Clicklock and if so, how do you find it?

As to your last question, all reflectors will need periodic collimation, particularly if they receive knocks or jars. I haven't noticed the Flextube needing more than usual. The rods lock into place solidly.