Mike73 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 After just 7 months of not observing I decided enough was enough and I had to get back under the stars again and I needed a scope....again! It wasn't hard to decide what I wanted and what would suit my observing, I really enjoy going to dark sites but I also enjoy observing from home looking (sketching) at the planets and moon, although 12" doesn't seem to be classed as a big scope these days it does have enough aperture for DSO's but also not too big to overpower seeing conditions with the planets.I opted for the Orion Optics VX12L f/5.3 with 1/8Pv optics, it was a nice surprise when checking the Zygo report that the primary is in fact very nearly 1/10th which was a bonus.So I'm currently doing all the mods needed to make the scope my own e.g. flocking,dew shields,Telrad heater and nudging knob. I haven't got a friction brake for it at the moment and although the scope balances fine I do need some kind of resistance on the alt bearing when changing from heavy low power EP to the lighter Morpheus. I've had it out briefly last week just to check everything was ok but I'm hoping for its real first light tomorrow evening. Fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uplooker Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Great job, wishing you many happy hours of observing - and sketching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YKSE Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Good work Mike! glad to see you back in the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.h.f.wilkinson Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Congratulations on that new scope! Looking forward to your first-light report Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laudropb Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Well done on your new scope and wishing you clear skies for your first light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisLX200 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Congrats on the new scope, and a great choice. It's a little more forgiving of eyepieces at f/5.3 and gives wonderful contrasty views of the planets (and much more of course).ChrisH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtreemchaos Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 great stuff mate and good luck with your new scope. clear skys charl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetstream Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Awesome scope Mike! Congrats for the fine purchase and welcome back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Welcome back Mike, fabulous looking scope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Very nice scope Mike Sort of familliar somehow ??? Orion Optics seem to exceed the spec you ordered - mine is supposed to be 1/8th wave PV but is 1/9th from the Zygo report.I understand what you mean by a 12" being thought of as more "medium aperture" these days but they are pretty potent tools used with some thought and a little skill. I think the focal ratio / focal length of the F/5.3's helps you feel that you are right in amongest the deep sky fields, especially when the sky is reasonably dark Great all round visual scopes im my opinion and I'm sure you will really enjoy yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarp15 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I was beginning to wonder if you were getting a new scope Mike when you started to post again and if it would be OOUK again. Just to quote from John, great all round scopes, look forward to the Autumn / Winter sketches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mc c Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Congrats on the new scope,as john says"looks very familiar"lol,excellent choice i think,good all rounder that will give excellent views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike73 Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks for the comments chaps.My decision to go for a 12" was made partly by remembering how much fun I had with my old 12" SW, looking through my old sketches but I've also been occasionally checking the forum over the last 6 months and something thats quite clear is the quality observations made by people on the forum with 'modest' sized scopes.Theres been some great observing on the forum recently and those reports have given me the kick up the rear end to get back into it again so thank you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dweller25 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Welcome back Mike, that is a superb telescope. Clear skies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooot Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 That's great Mike, they're great scopes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RikM Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Good to see you back at the eyepiece Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Hopper Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Nice one Mike, good luck with the new scope.I've just purchased a 10" OO VX10L off eBay.Just waiting for the Dob mount to be made at OO.In the meantime, time for one or two mods....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faulksy Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Nice one Mike, good luck with the new scope.I've just purchased a 10" OO VX10L off eBay.Just waiting for the Dob mount to be made at OO.In the meantime, time for one or two mods.......my self and mike, found it quicker to get the base from ts optics. you will only have to wait 3 days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faulksy Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 a big welcome back mike meal, cant wait to catch up. my vx 14 is looking foward to makeing a 8" with yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamp thing Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 About time an all Welcome back to the dob mob, see you out there on the battlefield mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkwhinfrey Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 It was sad to see you go Mike, so I'm very glad you're back I have to say that I covert one of those scopes very much. It'd pair up just nicely with a Tak FC100... which I don't have either...James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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