Show us your Frac

[John]

Lovely frac(s) kirkster 

Those flextube dobs still remind me of R2D2 when they are in the "down" configuration

I've not posted a pic of my LZOS 130 F/9.2 in this thread yet so yer tiz with the ED120 for scale:

 

 

[garryblueboy]

Didn't  think this Solar business was going to be so expensive oh well it's worth it here is the new Canon for use with the 

quark and wide field as the Bresser is great but can't use it with the quark so sadly it has to go and make room for this .

[John]

Great looking refractor

How do you find the Altair Sabre mount with it ?

I'm wondering about getting one for my LZOS 130.

[garryblueboy]

Hi John very good it is so smooth I had the skytee 2 before again nice mount loved  the slow motion controls but the sabre is just that bit smoother shame it doesn't have the slow motions but it handles this  and my 130 Apo with ease also great build and finish .

[DRT]

Great set-up Gary - can't believe you thought solar might not be expensive

 

 

[alacant]

This is cute. Heavy, but cute. Cygnus looks awash with star fields.

[klaatu2u]

Here are my two Tak's.... something old (FS-128), and something new FC100DF, i have also owned the TOA 130, and the FSQ-85ED... and in my personal picture the TEC APO160ED

Edited July 16, 2016 by klaatu2u
trying wothout success to rotate image...

[DRT]

"Little and Large" make a come back and are ready for some early morning solar action...

Lunt 50Ha and Evostar 150 F8 with Baader wedge.

Bring it on!

 

[AlistairW]

More bits added ... someone said this would happen .... :-)

[F15Rules]

I've posted pictures of my Vixen ED103s doublet here before I think, but here she is on my new Porta II mount for quick grab and go sessions.

Very smooth and the manual slo mos are great, no backlash.

I've fitted 3 hardwood leg extensions which can increase height (not needed with this scope) and/or aid improved stability as the ali legs don't have to be extended so far.

The weather has been so lousy where I live this year, but this set up at least allows me to pick up the rig from the garage and move it 4 metres onto my drive with no effort whatsoever, no alignment with Polaris etc, just point and shoot!

Is pretty steady, damps down with a big ES eyepiece in 2-3 seconds maximum :-)

Dave

Edited July 19, 2016 by F15Rules

[John]

Thats just the sort of setup I love Dave

 

[CraigT82]

46 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

I've posted pictures of my Vixen ED103s doublet here before I think, but here she is on my new Porta II mount for quick grab and go sessions.

Very smooth and the manual slo mos are great, no backlash.

I've fitted 3 hardwood leg extensions which can increase height (not needed with this scope) and/or aid improved stability as the ali legs don't have to be extended so far.

The weather has been so lousy where I live this year, but this set up at least allows me to pick up the rig from the garage and move it 4 metres onto my drive with no effort whatsoever, no alignment with Polaris etc, just point and shoot!

Is pretty steady, damps down with a big ES eyepiece in 2-3 seconds maximum :-)

Dave

I've never seen tha Vixen HAL tripod in the flesh... Does it come with the wooden inserts at the bottom of the legs or is that something you've done?  It's genius if it is!

[F15Rules]

11 minutes ago, CraigT82 said:

I've never seen tha Vixen HAL tripod in the flesh... Does it come with the wooden inserts at the bottom of the legs or is that something you've done?  It's genius if it is!

 

Thanks Craig :-).

Actually, I can't claim the credit for the wooden leg extensions: I bought an AZ4 mount some time back, and the seller had made these to fit the AZ4 tripod, which is a clone of the Vixen one. I didn't like the AZ4 much, so I moved it on, but I kept the leg extensions "just in case".. in fact, about a month ago, I very nearly took them to the tip with a load of declutter I was getting rid of!

When I bought the Porta very recently, I remembered these and thought I'd try to see if they fit - perfect fit! So I'm well pleased I kept them :-).

I'm just about to acquire a short focus 90mm F5.5 for true holidaying grab n go viewing, so will post up some pics once I have it (tomorrow, I hope!).

Dave

 

Edited July 19, 2016 by F15Rules

[Telescope40]

Nice Vixen and set up you have there, Dave.  No such thing as an ugly Vixen !!

 

John

[F15Rules]

Thanks John .

I'd have to agree...somewhat understated, but I like that. The build and finish is actually very good when you see it close up, with a nice lightweight tube that is easy to handle.

Not as solid as a Tak, but a cut above many of the mainstream brands. The oversize tube is nice and I really like the dual speed R&P focusser, no slippage whatsoever.

Dave

[Chris]

Really nice Dave, I like the full Vixen livery top to bottom and the hard wood inserts look like a great idea.

I keep meaning to PM you for a catch up, I should pull my finger out!

[F15Rules]

No worries Chris, I know you have your hands full lately with the "flock" and the house move. I hope all is well :-).

 

Dave

[Stub Mandrel]

8 hours ago, F15Rules said:

 

Why does that photo make me think Bruce Willis is about to appear at any moment?

[F15Rules]

Well, my new (to me) holiday grab n go scope arrived:-).

It's a Phenix/Starsky 90mm F5.5 doublet with a sliding dewshield.I've mated it it with a nice Saito Japan 7x50 finder.

Only 1 quick peek so far but surprised by the low level of CA at x50 to x100 (Pentax XL 5.2mm).

Should be great in Norfolk when visiting family and rock solid on the Porta II..

 

Dave

[AstroSylv1]

Nice those Vixen refractors !

[Neil27]

Thought I'd share my latest acquisition ..... a very nice example of the Explore Scientific ED102 triplet ..... tested last night for a short while, views are very clean and crisp, looking forward to starting imaging with this .....

[Chris]

It's difficult to compete with all these lovely fracs, I might as well throw in the Tal  

[xtreemchaos]

lovely scope Chris, it competes, hope you get some clear sky. charl.

[RobertI]

That's a beaut Chris, looking forward to seeing it.

[Roy Challen]

1 hour ago, Chris Lock said:

It's difficult to compete with all these lovely fracs, I might as well throw in the Tal  

The Tal is a lovely frac!