Astrofest... useful for newbie?

[Sneezy24]

Got my tickets for this years Astrofest, didn't go last year (family problems) but did the preceeding three (or maybe four?) years. Talks are good, display area does get busy! Got 'Bang!' signed by Sir Patrick, Chris Lintott and Brian May (really nice guy, had a good natter with him!).

I'm considering an 8" Dob, both Skywatcher (Optical Vision) and Revelation (Telescope House) will have examples (maybe not 8", but the right family).

Got a pair of Helios 15x70 bins for half-price a couple of years ago, ex-demo but they are fine.

I went to Leamington last year, the exhibition is more spacious, but the 'sheds' for the talks are poor!

I'll be there on Saturday (even though I'm missing 6-Nations!)

[Sneezy24]

Forgot to mention, I am close to Reading so train and tube work well for me (and no tube problems ever...)

[gingergeek]

Taking the day off work and make a day of it in London on Friday. Beer and astronomy gadgets.... perfect !

[melsky]

Well worth going if you intend to buy kit, I got a cracking deal last year on a Tak FSQ85 set-up and a Lunt PT Ls60, saved a total of about £750 over the cheapest quote I got from my research beforehand

[Barry]

South West trains are doing £10 "Winter Sale" returns to London on Saturdays, so I will be going with my two (adult) sons for a boys day. Bargain

Barry

[Phil Fargaze]

Heads up again, don't forget to check the Transport for London website for travelling on the trains in London. There is a tube strike ending Thursday which probably wont affect Friday but there is also engineering works at the weekend.

[DaveS]

I checked the boards at Acton Town on my way in. It looks as though the Picadilly line will be running apart from the extreme end from Uxpridge to (I think) South Harrow.

[lucid]

Astrofest was great. Very interesting to talk with people and I came away with a telescope, 10% off.

[ronin]

Astrofest was great. Very interesting to talk with people and I came away with a telescope, 10% off.

Which telescope?

[lucid]

CPC Deluxe 800 HD. Really enjoying it so far. New eyepiece on order to get even more out of it.

[clubjoker]

I agree, it was great. I went for the day on Saturday and enjoyed the morning and afternoon talks. Just enough time betwen for browsing the stalls. This year I managed to hold back my buying, limiting it to just a couple of dew heaters. Was very tempted by other things, but the talks kept me in line

[clarkent]

A'Fest, altho crowded, was a great event.  

Trouble is it immediately whetted my appetite for more.

When is the next event. when oh when....

[Pint Of Stellar]

A'Fest, altho crowded, was a great event.  

Trouble is it immediately whetted my appetite for more.

When is the next event. when oh when....

June 7th and 8th 

http://www.ukastroshow.com/event/the-international-astronomy-show/