What did the postman bring?

[Steve Clay]

Little Ed 72 from Harrisons. Enquired about stock 8pm Tuesday confirmation of stock within 15 mins orderd lunchtime yesterday and here today. This will be my full disc solar scope with quark on solarquest. Great Service.

Edited June 4, 2021 by Steve Clay

[wookie1965]

1 hour ago, AdeKing said:

I remember that thread now you've linked to it.

I actually purchased this as an EQ5 tripod with beefier legs as the seller could only confirm that it would fit a CG5 or EQ5 mount.

As I will need an 8" extension and already have a selection of EQ5 and EQ6 extension tubes I was intending to make up a combined extension  by putting the EQ5 base on the bottom of the the 8" extension and an EQ6 top plate on it to connect the AZ100 to.

I got the Geoptik adaptor as I initially planned to get a new EQ6 tripod to replace my white EQ5 one then this one popped up.

I'm not too worried about fitting the AZ100 to it directly but was surprised that it looked like I could with a suitably sized centre bolt.

That is a lovely adaptor that you've had made up though, I wish I had those fabricating skills.

I've got a short M10 to M12 adaptor on the way and if it doesn't work then I'll just proceed as above.

Glad you got yours sorted out in the end.

Ade

Ade,

         It was a fellow SGL`er that made the centre bolt up I can find who it is if you want and pm his handle you could contact him make you one.

[Stardaze]

1 hour ago, iapa said:

I think the subject was the OTA.

My similar laser had collimation screws under the labels.

You have to scrape out the rubber from the 4 holes to access the collimation Allen key screws. I bought one a few weeks back and did the same. Still seems to correspond best with my Cheshire perfectly, when barlowed. I only have a £20 Celestron Barlow, so yet to check it in the field. Bought for collimating in the dark and much quicker. 
The Barlow spreads the dot so that it fills the middle concentric circles.

Edited June 3, 2021 by Stardaze

[faulksy]

1 hour ago, barbulo said:

Do you mean to collimate the laser? I have the same model and I don’t see screws to adjust he beam. 

there is small indents in the tube that goes in the focuser, dig these out then there is small grub screws

[Robindonne]

4 hours ago, iapa said:

I think the subject was the OTA.

My similar laser had collimation screws under the labels.

Yep. Mine to.  Ruin the label by pushing the allen key in that dent

[iapa]

9 minutes ago, Robindonne said:

Yep. Mine to.  Ruin the label by pushing the allen key in that dent

I think it was Craig Stark, of Nebulosity and PHD1, described, in a utoob video, how to collimate a laser. He has designs for a suitable rig and offered to sell for $10 I think it was.

Edited June 3, 2021 by iapa

[iapa]

It wasn’t utoob - an article on his site

http://www.stark-labs.com/craig/llcc/llcc.html

[Starwatcher2001]

W/O 90* Erecting prism for both terrestrial and lunar use. I've never had any problems with stellar orientation, but the moon does my head in. Anyway, great service from FLO as usual.

The Tele Vue 2x Barlow is to replace the cheapy one I've had for years. Keeping good eye-relief is as important to me these days as magnification. This one came from Wide Screen as FLO are out of stock at the moment. They answered my stock enquiry at 8pm on Saturday night, and delivered within two days of ordering. Can't go wrong at all.

Are we there yet dad? Are the dark skies nearly returning?

[AstroNebulee]

5 hours ago, Steve Clay said:

Little Ed 72 from Harrisons. Enquired about stock 8pm Tuesday confirmation of stock within 15 mins orderd lunchtime yesterday and here today. This will be my full disc solar scope with quark on solarquest.

It's a beautiful scope, I bought one second hand from @mikemabel a few months back when these were like rocking horse poop, I love mine it's a real versatile scope and imaged many many galaxies with mine. I'm going to use mine for the partial solar eclipse with my Canon 600D, to give the best Widefield view without missing anything. Clear skies 

Edited June 3, 2021 by AstroNebulee

[John]

On 02/06/2021 at 20:28, AdeKing said:

Delivered today a new to me 2" Celestron CG5 tripod via ABS.

This is mahoosive compared to my 1.75" EQ5 tripod so hopefully it will be more stable.

My understanding was that the Celestron CG5 is equivalent to the EQ5 so imagine my surprise when I found that the well in the top plate looked like it was dual fit EQ5/EQ6.

This was confirmed when my recently acquired Geoptik EQ6 to EQ5 adaptor fitted on top nicely.  Thankfully I picked that up used from @John

The adaptor certainly doesn't fit the well on the top of my EQ5 extension pillar with the north peg removed, so I'm well chuffed as this should fit the soon to be acquired AZ100 without the need of any mods.  

Edit: Well apart from either getting an M10 to M12 thread adaptor for the central bolt or slightly enlarging the central hole anyway.

All in all very pleased indeed and feeling like the cat that got the cream 😁

That looks good.

Couple of points but it might be me not understanding:

- the hex bolt that holds the adapter onto the top of the tripod hub needs to be flush with, or below the top surface of the adapter. It looks a little proud of that in the photo but that might be the angle ?

- you will need to remove the Geoptik M12 - M10 thread adapter as well I think.

Apologies if I've misinterpreted the photo and / or what you are saying

 

Edited June 3, 2021 by John

[mikemarotta]

Arrived today. I was using a library copy.  After checking it out and renewing it four times, I bought the book. Now, I am going to put all my post-its in my copy and return the library book. I have a long review on my blog.

BTW: Whevever I can, I buy from the publisher so that the author gets the royalties. 

[badhex]

After some rumination, I decided to cancel the order for my TS-Optics 70mm F6 due to the unavoidable but unpredictable delivery date. 

In for a penny: I upgraded to a WO Zentihstar 73 🙂 Would have preferred blue, but it doesn't seem to be available anywhere. Thanks @FLO for the speedy delivery as always - just in time for a weekend full of clouds 😂

 

[Chaz2b]

Must stop spending! But couldn’t resist. Bought from sgl member Steve, well packed as I like.

chaz

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

Prepped for very amateur solar...

From Astroshop.eu an ES Sun Catcher filter and Omegon eclipse specs. From Ebay, a Svbony solar finder...

[Greymouser]

After seeing the smaller brother, here on this terrible thread, I looked into them, was impressed and got this:
( Not sure my marriage will cope with the temptation from this thread... )

 

OOOPS, second pic is a little stretched, will try to fix that maybe.

Anyway, whilst it is a little heavy, it seems to be very strong, with wheels and three handles; four catches.  I hope to get quite a lot in it!

Here is the link if you fancy a look: ( Not the cheapest, but much cheaper than what I intend to put in it!  )
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Max-MAX620H250S-Waterproof-Watertight-Photography/dp/B00PUL4PYQ/ref=sr_1_30?dchild=1&keywords=max505H280s.079&qid=1621885246&sr=8-30

[Victor Boesen]

4 hours ago, Greymouser said:

After seeing the smaller brother, here on this terrible thread, I looked into them, was impressed and got this:
( Not sure my marriage will cope with the temptation from this thread... )

 

OOOPS, second pic is a little stretched, will try to fix that maybe.

Anyway, whilst it is a little heavy, it seems to be very strong, with wheels and three handles; four catches.  I hope to get quite a lot in it!

Here is the link if you fancy a look: ( Not the cheapest, but much cheaper than what I intend to put in it!  )
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Max-MAX620H250S-Waterproof-Watertight-Photography/dp/B00PUL4PYQ/ref=sr_1_30?dchild=1&keywords=max505H280s.079&qid=1621885246&sr=8-30

Looks familiar;)

[JeremyS]

I saw Mike Marotta post about this book on the Postman thread yesterday. Not seen before. Picked up a used but looks brand new copy (I like recycling) for a fiver including tracked 24 h post and it just arrived 

[badhex]

Okay final purchase (for a while anyway!):

Air duster, silica packets and storage bottles for retired EPs as well as for the travel kit! 

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

On 04/06/2021 at 17:30, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

Prepped for very amateur solar...

From Astroshop.eu an ES Sun Catcher filter and Omegon eclipse specs. From Ebay, a Svbony solar finder...

Quoting myself but as a slight warning... Anyone thinking of getting one of these for a <4" aperture scope from astroshop maybe call first.

I ordered the small size 80-100mm version. This filter is a 4"-7" unit in a bag marked 80mm-100mm. Luckily I have two 4" scopes so it fitted and worked despite looking a bit silly...

Edited June 5, 2021 by ScouseSpaceCadet

[Greymouser]

18 hours ago, Victor Boesen said:

Looks familiar;)

Ah, so it is all your fault! Expect a visit from my wife!

[Victor Boesen]

46 minutes ago, Greymouser said:

Ah, so it is all your fault! Expect a visit from my wife!

Sorry not sorry

[F15Rules]

10 hours ago, JeremyS said:

I saw Mike Marotta post about this book on the Postman thread yesterday. Not seen before. Picked up a used but looks brand new copy (I like recycling) for a fiver including tracked 24 h post and it just arrived 

Looks good, Jeremy..how is the classification of handles, er, handled??

Dave

[AstroNebulee]

This part of my portable astrophotography project arrived from FLO today after 4 months, through no fault of FLO though, just sheer demand and supply, an absolute perfect service from Steve in the early part and especially Ann from @FLO who kept me sane, went above and beyond the call of duty sorting the most abysmal service from DHL and any courier I have ever had deliveries from, 4 days for a next day delivery to travel 56 miles, due to the inept, incompetent and ignorant DHL delivery service! Ann at FLO worked her socks off bless her and deserves a huge amount of praise from the flo bosses, what a star and credit she is to yourselves. I have since sent a complaint to DHL regarding the service they offer. Anyway back to the point my new star adventurer 2i wifi pro pack, its been worth the wait, can't wait to start using it with my dslr, az gti and 72ed ds pro, 3 different set ups for me now and all portable. Once again huge thanks to all at FLO. My top astro retailer 👍

 

Edited June 7, 2021 by AstroNebulee

[Ags]

This didn't get delivered today but I found it today after I lost it for several years. The book that sparked my interest in observational astronomy over 40 years ago!

Edited June 7, 2021 by Ags

[HollyHound]

After my first session with the Mewlon 180 last week (first and second light report will follow sometime soon), I decided that I’d prefer a Losmandy dovetail rather than the standard Vixen supplied... just feels more solid and quicker (safer) to adjust in the dark with this scope 😬

Both my AZ100 and AZ Mount Pro have dual saddles, so seemed sensible to change.

So a StellaMira Losmandy dovetail delivered today and now fitted. Also more stable when resting on the table too 👍

 

Edited June 7, 2021 by HollyHound