Just got my first scope and decided to register - Hi!

[gingergeek]

Hi there and welcome to SGL

[glowjet]

Hi Imzo and welcome to SGL

John.

[mcsheffield]

Hi, Welcome to SGL

[todd8137]

hi and welcome to sgl

[imzo]

Hi guys and thanks for all the advice/ support, and for making me feel welcome here in the lounge - this really is a great community

Im not actually sure if there is a local astro club where i live - in live in St Helens, Merseyside.

I have tested the scope during the day, and the i can get pretty good fucus on distant objects - it still isnt as clear as the finder scope - still a bit foggy looking - which gets worse the higher the mag... While not pin sharp like the finder scope, i can still read the barcode on a beer can approx 100m away reasonably clearly. I was reading that CA can cause objects to look out of fucus, and that reducng CA with a filter can improve how sharp objects look and help with focusing. I wish the main scope had the contrast of the finder scope because in comparison the OTA has very low contrast - it was my understanding that refractors have fairly high contrast.

Anyway - i got an email from FLO saying my Semi-APO filter is on its way, so i will report back when ive tried that.

Again thanks for the support guys;)

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Imzo!

Dana

[peteruss]

Welcome to sgl

[Zul]

Hello and Welcome to SGL!

[Disco]

Welcome

[imzo]

Hi Guys.

Got the Semi-APO filter yesterday, and had a chance to try it last night. And TBH i have to say i was actually rather disappointed with the filter, as far as i could see it made VERY little to no difference at all - in fact im not sure it made any difference. Still getting very bright blue/ violet halos around objects with the filter on - i am considering returning it to FLO and get my £60 back, one of the worst purchases i have ever made in my opinion. Or maybe i got a dud filter...?

I am at a point were i am considering selling the Evo 150 and instead buy either an explorer 200 or 250p - would the view through either a 200 or 250p be comparable to the evo 150, just minus the CA? Or is there some relatively inexpensive way of improving the view through the evo?

Thanks Again.

[ScubaMike]

Hi Imzo,

Welcome to the forums

[Quatermass]

Great scope and mount for the price welcome to SGL and wishing you clear skies

QM

[Welrod50]

Have you tried letting the scope cool to ambient temperature outdoors first? It was suggested to me here and you will be surprised the difference it makes! I stand mine outdoors now 20 minutes before viewing and also allows my eyes to adjust to the darker outdoors. Have a look about first, then go to the scope later. It does make a difference.

If not, then as suggested here, the collimation may be off.

Good luck andn keep at it

Scott.

[imzo]

Hi Welrod50

Yes i have allowed the scope to cool to ambient temperature for about 30 mins before viewing but it doesnt make much difference.

I am not sure if the collimation is out - as i said i did remove the lens cell to clean the lenses with lens cleaning fluid as they were quite dirty, so it is likely that the collimation may be out - but im not sure how to tell... There was a collimating eyepiece with the scope but im not sure what to do with it.

Had a nice clear night last night, and could properly test the Semi APO filter i got - and strangely i actualy found the view better without the filter, if anything i thought the CA was worse with the filter...

Also i find that if i look through the eyepiece at an angle it changes the focus slightly and also the CA - is that an indication the scope needs collimating?

Thanks Again for the advice and support