cajen2

You'd be more than welcome....with a negative test result, of course!😄

Yes, if it were me, job #1 would be to upgrade the nasty Kellner eyepieces. There's a huge choice - check out FLO's range, work out your budget and get back to us for advice from people who have used the various EPs. There are some true eyepiece experts on here!

I wanted the 4mil Nirvana, but wasn't sure I'd get on with only 12mm of eye relief.

Hi and welcome from an ex-Devonian and dob owner! 😄

Well, Jupiter and Saturn are not in ideal positions any more, so I have a little time before Mars needs investigating.... I think my choice will be between the Morpheus 4.5mm and the WO/APM 5mm, probably decided by availability! As usual, you've all been extremely helpful - it's much appreciated.

Thanks very much for your comprehensive answer, R. I've actually tried most of the tests you recommend with no clear result. However, I tried recollimating the secondary today and while it was clear tonight, did a star test on Sirius. Clear, round concentric rings! I also tried all my eyepieces on different targets and all of them show improvements. 🤔🥳 So I hope the problem has been solved, thanks to all for your input. I've also ordered a set of secondary mirror Bob's Knobs to make it easier next time.

Well, contrast enhancement between a diffuse cloud and an LP sky....🤔 Someone on here said the Baader is the "Swiss Army knife" of filters (sorry, can't remember who to give credit).

Molto bene, Fedele!

It's also on a Vixen dovetail, so will be compatible with nearly all mounts.

I have the same scope. The only filter I have so far is a Baader Neodymium, which for me certainly makes the nebulosity in M42 clearer.

Yes, saw the moon looking clear through the window, rushed the scope outside and saw a bank of cloud approaching.... Some hurried views using my Hyperflex Zoom to see which mag looked best tonight, then my Pentax XW 14, followed by my BST 8mm. All were superb, even though the poor scope hardly had time to cool. One of the advantages of a Flextube... By this time, the cloud was there, so a quick swivel to M42 and then back in. Hoping for more clear sky later (after the football)!😄

Not sure if it's your equipment or your expectations which are causing this. May I ask what eyepiece(s) you're using? Also have a look at this thread; https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/196278-what-can-i-expect-to-see/#comment-2060941

I have what sounds like the same woolly hat as CB with integrated led. It's rechargeable and very convenient. The white light could be changed to red with judicious use of the OH's red nail varnish.....the more coats, the dimmer it'll get!😁

Hi Andrew and a warm welcome to SGL. Any plans to get binoculars or a telescope?

Nice, CDG: all bases covered...

The problem seems worse on some EPs than others (the OVL is better than the Pentax). Can't do a day test now - not at home. The truss is definitely fully extended - I'm very careful about that.

As to the focuser, that's fairly solid as I did the PTFE tape mod. The eyepieces are rock solid with no flex.

Just with a collimating cap, to get it in a roughly correct position. No, I've just been looking again and the secondary is slightly out of position, so I need to get some tiny Allen keys! Are there Bob's Knobs just for secondary mirrors?

Sorry, OS, missed this answer. No, the edge of field coma is not pronounced. The effect is as much on-axis as anywhere else. It wasn't the "frosty"edge that concerned me, but the patches of shiny surface too. I hadn't worried about it as, like you say, it isn't in the optical path, but just needed to check!

Thanks, OS, so that's another thing to tick on the list.

Thanks for that, Stu. Yes, I always use a shroud. The views of stars tend to look like a close double on occasion and can thus be difficult to focus. I've recollimated again, so I need to wait for a clear night to do another star test. I also need to source an Allen key for the secondary collimation.

On my two-month-old SW 150p Flextube dob, there's discolouration on many parts of the edge on the secondary mirror. This was so straight out of the box. I always assumed that it didn't matter as it wasn't on the flat reflecting surface but now I'm starting to worry. I've been having trouble getting sharp images of stars: they often look out of shape, even with the likes of a Pentax XW 14. I've collimated the scope without much effect. Could there be any connection with the secondary edge?

Now saying 19th January......and counting....😄

From s beginner's point of view, tonight has been special. Please skip this post if you're an expert with top-end gear! Mine's a cheapish 150p Flextube dob. I started with the Pleiades and my new Pentax 14mm. Looked gorgeous, but I had trouble in getting the stars pinpoint focused. I thought it was my collimation but when I switched to my OVL Hyperflex Zoom, there was a distinct improvement, even at different mags. 🤔 No idea why. Went down to Orion, taking in Aldebaran on the way. Orion's got to be my favourite constellation! Had a look at Mintaka, then of course M42, which looked amazing, with more nebulosity than I've seen before. Decided to fit my Baader Neodymium filter, which made it even better. I didn't try very high mags (80-90x) as focusing was clearer. On a whim, I went up to Alnitak, which I'm positive I split (A and B)...is that likely at these mags? Wonderful evening: I'm just going out again. If you've read this far, thanks for your patience!

It depends on the scope. A smaller one (usually 150mm or less in aperture) is likely to be on a 'tabletop' mount, so you'd need a small, maybe folding table. Larger scopes can be placed on the ground.