HollyHound 1,069 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 (edited) 23 minutes ago, Dantooine said: Those zooms are tempting. What’s the size and weight compared to other eyepieces? Trying to relate to something you’re familiar with... They’re certainly significantly bigger than plossls. Similar size/weight to Morpheus 14 or 17.5. About 70% size and weight compared to Delos 14. Similar weight to ES4.7 82, but about 50% larger. The Hyperion Zoom was the first eyepiece I bought after getting my first scope and it’s been in use constantly, particularly for grab and go. I was comparing it to the set of plossls I’ve been using for the moon (binoviewing) and no difference, except better FoV from about 16mm down to 8mm. In the Mak or StellaMira they’re as good as any other eyepiece for contrast and sharpness, possibly not as good at the edge, but not noticeable on these scopes. I think everyone should have one really, just for convenience. Fits 1.25” or 2” and have interchangeable eyepiece top (adjustable or fixed) Hope that helps Gary Edited January 9 by HollyHound 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Dantooine 1,084 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 44 minutes ago, HollyHound said: Trying to relate to something you’re familiar with... They’re certainly significantly bigger than plossls. Similar size/weight to Morpheus 14 or 17.5. About 70% size and weight compared to Delos 14. Similar weight to ES4.7 82, but about 50% larger. The Hyperion Zoom was the first eyepiece I bought after getting my first scope and it’s been in use constantly, particularly for grab and go. I was comparing it to the set of plossls I’ve been using for the moon (binoviewing) and no difference, except better FoV from about 16mm down to 8mm. In the Mak or StellaMira they’re as good as any other eyepiece for contrast and sharpness, possibly not as good at the edge, but not noticeable on these scopes. I think everyone should have one really, just for convenience. Fits 1.25” or 2” and have interchangeable eyepiece top (adjustable or fixed) Hope that helps Gary Thank you Gary, that is really useful information as I’ve never seen or handled one. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mikemarotta 135 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 (edited) I found Atlas Coeli II by Antonín Bečvář at ABE Books. The price was reasonable (USD 50 with S&H & tax). It is worn but it was used well by the astronomer whose personal library bookplate is inside. I found Harry Grimsley listed, for example in early issues of The Walking Astronomer magazine of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). I bought the atlas because it gives orbital elements for some binaries. The example here of 26 Aurigae is not a target that I will pursue but is just to show the tables. Edited January 9 by mikemarotta Typography 8 Link to post Share on other sites
MrFreeze 201 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Really should have posted this yesterday, but I was busy adjusting this. Finally my mini dovetail clamp arrived, so I could finish this contraption. Of course things didn't go as simply as expected. Saw this idea on YouTube and thought - great - that should be easy. I should have known better. The poster did this with a Skywatcher Skymax 127, and I have an Orion Apex 127, which everyone says is identical - well I found out the hard way that it isn't. The dovetail on the Orion is not mounted as far to the rear as the Skywatcher, and I think is shorter. Anyway I got there in the end, and it's absolutely brilliant. After four attempts I finally have a really good electric focuser on my Maksutov! 12 Link to post Share on other sites
Nigella Bryant 3,284 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 2 hours ago, MrFreeze said: Really should have posted this yesterday, but I was busy adjusting this. Finally my mini dovetail clamp arrived, so I could finish this contraption. Of course things didn't go as simply as expected. Saw this idea on YouTube and thought - great - that should be easy. I should have known better. The poster did this with a Skywatcher Skymax 127, and I have an Orion Apex 127, which everyone says is identical - well I found out the hard way that it isn't. The dovetail on the Orion is not mounted as far to the rear as the Skywatcher, and I think is shorter. Anyway I got there in the end, and it's absolutely brilliant. After four attempts I finally have a really good electric focuser on my Maksutov! Brilliant,well done. I retrofitted a skywatcher autofocus motor to my 80ed. VID_20210103_202027.mp4 6 Link to post Share on other sites
Dantooine 1,084 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 3 hours ago, Nigella Bryant said: Brilliant,well done. I retrofitted a skywatcher autofocus motor to my 80ed. VID_20210103_202027.mp4 Does that make it easier for a fine focus although it’s not on the 10/1 gear ratio? Link to post Share on other sites
Nigella Bryant 3,284 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 15 minutes ago, Dantooine said: Does that make it easier for a fine focus although it’s not on the 10/1 gear ratio? Hiya, yes it does because you can alter the amount of focus via the software. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Hals 265 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 A new one from FLO stickerwise for me ! ADM dovetail counterweight and adjuster inside. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
johninderby 9,981 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) With all these clouds though this might be a useful book. If buying a new scope brings clouds does this mean buying a book on clouds will bring clear skies? Edited January 12 by johninderby 5 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Robindonne 312 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) The postman just brought my 60cm slomo cables. They are multifunctional. Even some small work cam be done with the included bit set. But seriously, i think i found my longer slomo cables. 8mm sturdy metal shaft, silicon protection, semi-soft handles and a click connection om the mount side for a quick release. 3 pcs of 600mm for €15,- Edited January 12 by Robindonne 7 Link to post Share on other sites
Dantooine 1,084 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 57 minutes ago, Robindonne said: The postman just brought my 60cm slomo cables. They are multifunctional. Even some small work cam be done with the included bit set. But seriously, i think i found my longer slomo cables. 8mm sturdy metal shaft, silicon protection, semi-soft handles and a click connection om the mount side for a quick release. 3 pcs of 600mm for €15,- I think you may be on to something there 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Ande 235 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 The postie was kind enough to knock the door this afternoon and hand me a package containing an ASIair Pro. He didn’t quite stretch to a means of mounting it, or powering it. But, hey! It’s a start 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites
nephilim 777 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Ande said: The postie was kind enough to knock the door this afternoon and hand me a package containing an ASIair Pro. He didn’t quite stretch to a means of mounting it, or powering it. But, hey! It’s a start I'm still sat at the PC staring at the screen waiting for my ASIair order from FLO to go from progressing to processed................I may be here a while Edited January 12 by nephilim 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Ande 235 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 4 minutes ago, nephilim said: I'm still sat at the PC staring at the screen waiting for my ASIair order from FLO to go from progressing to processed................I may be here a while It’ll take me until yours turns up to figure out how to use mine . Got my ZS61, flattener, and a few bits’n’bobs on the way. So, hopefully, I should be in a position to start making a pig’s ear of it all soon 1 Link to post Share on other sites
nephilim 777 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 1 minute ago, Ande said: It’ll take me until yours turns up to figure out how to use mine . Got my ZS61, flattener, and a few bits’n’bobs on the way. So, hopefully, I should be in a position to start making a pig’s ear of it all soon I hope to learn from your mistakes Link to post Share on other sites
markse68 1,611 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 3 hours ago, Robindonne said: The postman just brought my 60cm slomo cables. They are multifunctional. Even some small work cam be done with the included bit set. But seriously, i think i found my longer slomo cables. 8mm sturdy metal shaft, silicon protection, semi-soft handles and a click connection om the mount side for a quick release. 3 pcs of 600mm for €15,- Hi Robin, does your mount have the 1/4" hex drive that those would attach to then? I was thinking along similar lines for my Porta mount but that has D shaped shafts so would need some bodging Mark Link to post Share on other sites
Ande 235 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 4 minutes ago, nephilim said: I hope to learn from your mistakes Tried to watch a few YouTube tutorials, but ended up just as confused. Most of them seem to use screen grabs which, on the one hand is great because you get a clear view of the iPad. But what it doesn’t show is the person’s finger, and what they’re selecting. So when they say, “simply press this, then select that”, I’m like . 2 Link to post Share on other sites
nephilim 777 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 16 minutes ago, Ande said: Tried to watch a few YouTube tutorials, but ended up just as confused. Most of them seem to use screen grabs which, on the one hand is great because you get a clear view of the iPad. But what it doesn’t show is the person’s finger, and what they’re selecting. So when they say, “simply press this, then select that”, I’m like . I agree, it will be trial & error to start with I think but theres a lot of people using them so we should get it sorted pretty quick......I hope. I'm just glad you put me onto it as it seems when it works, it works really well & will hopefully cut down on a lot of set up faff. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
nephilim 777 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 @Ande I found this guy really helpful, he goes through it all really well, theres a few ASIaair tutorials on his channel so i'd advise subscribing. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Ande 235 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 36 minutes ago, nephilim said: @Ande I found this guy really helpful, he goes through it all really well, theres a few ASIaair tutorials on his channel so i'd advise subscribing. Nice one. I’ll have a peep. Power pack is coming tomorrow, so I should be able to fire it up at least. It’s a little bit annoying that you cannot access the app before hand to gain a little familiarity. But, without the unit in attendance, you are locked out. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
nephilim 777 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 4 hours ago, Ande said: Nice one. I’ll have a peep. Power pack is coming tomorrow, so I should be able to fire it up at least. It’s a little bit annoying that you cannot access the app before hand to gain a little familiarity. But, without the unit in attendance, you are locked out. I know mate, I tried ages ago Link to post Share on other sites
Ian McCallum 43 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 If in doubt, buy both! 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Ande 235 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 18 minutes ago, Ian McCallum said: If in doubt, buy both! I bought the bigger of the two. I don’t think I was quite prepared for just how big it was. It worked great on the 250 dob though 1 Link to post Share on other sites
johninderby 9,981 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) I also had both but ended up using just the lower one. Found the tall one just too tall. Edited January 13 by johninderby 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Ian McCallum 43 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 14 minutes ago, Ande said: I bought the bigger of the two. I don’t think I was quite prepared for just how big it was. It worked great on the 250 dob though At £15 and £16 respectively, it was a no-brainer to get both... It's one of those personal preference things, ask for opinions and you'll get "buy the 3 inch version"! It seems you're either in the 2" or 4" camp (or perhaps none at all). Link to post Share on other sites
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