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W/C 11th Feb

Dizeee

By Dizeee
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Robny

Robny

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What time do you generally meet? By the time I finish work get home, collect my stuff I'm already way after 6pm by which time its dark already. Being new to this I think I need day light to set up so I can read my instructions as I go :(

Hopefully weekend will also be clear

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jimieee

jimieee

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I can't do Thursday either.

Robny - all of the meets I have been to were after dark (usually 7-8pm, or later). You need to keep an eye on the weather and this thread though - the meet might get arranged, or cancelled at the last minute.

As for setting up in the dark there are usually a few tricks you can learn to make life easier - for instance:

* Bring something (e.g. a plastic bag) to put lens caps etc in.

* If you have counter weights you can slide them all the way towards the centre of the mount so you can carry your mount easily without taking them off. You can usually figure out how far your need to slide them back by measuring the distance between the end of the rod and the first weight with your fingers before you set out.

* Bring a head torch (preferably with red light filter) for setting up and clearing up.

* Probably most importantly: Familiarise yourself with how it goes together - with this weather preferably somewhere indoors!

I still consider myself new, so I expect I missed somethings...

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swamp thing

swamp thing

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Like you I don't tend to get out too early, normally 9:00 ish and later, night owl me :)

Certainly be good to get out and do some observing before the moon gets intrusive again.

Ps/ I think my parts are finally on their way :blob1: speedy huh? Won't be using that Co. again. I only ordered them in June :rolleyes: . Fingers crossed work can restart on the scope soon.

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swamp thing

swamp thing

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Steve - I can't believe that your scope parts are finally on the way. They should pay you for the ridiculous delivery duration!

Hmmm! That's not what they thought. I'll fill you in on the latest when we meet up Lee, laugh...........not quite :rolleyes:

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Dizeee

Dizeee

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Counterweights? Havent seen them or heard them mentioned before. Do many modern scopes come with them? Also how long does setup generally take as I am pretty rubbish with my hands so something complex and fiddly is no good for me!

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Robny

Robny

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Counterweights? Havent seen them or heard them mentioned before. Do many modern scopes come with them? Also how long does setup generally take as I am pretty rubbish with my hands so something complex and fiddly is no good for me!

Counter weights are used on equatorial mounts to help neutraly balance your scope.

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swamp thing

swamp thing

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All scopes on GEM,s (german equatorial mounts) have counterweights Dizeee. They need them as the scope is carried cantilevered externally on its bearings.

Unfortunately, it's one of the drawbacks of the design that counterweights must be used. The GEM is also the most common type of commercially available equatorial mount. Not even sure you can buy commercially any of the other types of EQ mounts anymore. They certainly aren't commonplace anyway.

For straightforward "plonk and observe" type set up I would look towards a Dob. If, however you wish to get into deep sky AP at some point? Then, you will need an equatorial at some point anyway, so might be best to get used to one early days :)

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Robny

Robny

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All scopes on GEM,s (german equatorial mounts) have counterweights Dizeee. They need them as the scope is carried cantilevered externally on its bearings.

Unfortunately, it's one of the drawbacks of the design that counterweights must be used. The GEM is also the most common type of commercially available equatorial mount.

For straightforward "plonk and observe" type set up I would look towards a Dob. If, however you wish to get into deep sky AP at some point? Then, you will need an equatorial at some point anyway, so might be best to get used to one early days :)

So much more eloquently put than I :D and I also learned the acronym GEM - often wondered but never asked

Thanks

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Leebert

Leebert

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Oh dear. Sounds like a tale! I admire your patience for sticking with it.

I really hope it clears tomorrow night. I don't think I'll get up to RC but it'll be nice to get out under the stars all the same.

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Robny

Robny

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I'm also hoping to see that, but now I need to drive down to my parents after work. Hopefully I can get there before 9:30pm they live in Cheshire, If not ill be stolping at M/Way servuces for a quick try withe the binos.

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