What did the postman bring?

[jetstream]

One more thing before it appears as if Im hijacking your news lol!  I hear Mr Nichols mirrors are smooth, a requirement in my books. Off fishing for walleye.

[Stu]

Just now, jetstream said:

One more thing before it appears as if Im hijacking your news lol!  I hear Mr Nichols mirrors are smooth, a requirement in my books. Off fishing for walleye.

Yes, that definitely seems to be one of the benefits of a Nichol mirror Gerry. I had a 14” in my Sumerian Alkaid and it was lovely, excellent contrast and low scatter. Would like another at some point.

[JeremyS]

3 hours ago, Captain Magenta said:

Now I’m committed to the Dob build! (Courtesy of John Nichol)

Looks terrific. I’m glad it wasn’t delivered by Nick Lowe 👍🏻😊

 

[faulksy]

6 hours ago, garryblueboy said:

Postman just dropped off these two beauties hopefully will get some nice clear nights soon to try them out .

 

nice straws 😇😆

[faulksy]

3 hours ago, Captain Magenta said:

20” f/3.5 … there was a 24” available too but that’s a little too far for the time being. I seriously hope it doesn’t make my 12” redundant though 

that is awsome. made up for you. hope your buying sips for that ?

[faulksy]

forgot why i came on here lol. just recieved my 2 R-SKY observing hoods

[tonylumley]

got my new power supply from FLO  ( Nevada PSW-30 25-30A Switch-Mode Power Supply) and due to an operation have not been able to use it or my EQ6 as that head is so heavy and am banned from lifting anything for another 4 weeks, expect the weather to be perfect for you all, heavy cloud over UK forecast in 4 weeks time !!😉

[AdeKing]

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 😁

Edited June 2, 2021 by AdeKing
Spelling and more info

[Stu]

Looks like a great result @AdeKing 👍👍

[AdeKing]

3 minutes ago, Stu said:

Looks like a great result @AdeKing 👍👍

Thanks @Stu totally unexpected so hats off to Celestron.

Shame that Skywatcher don't do the same really.

[Stardaze]

5 hours ago, jetstream said:

The Veil through your 20" from dark skies will make you gasp...

And that, is something I need to see one day! 

[faulksy]

6 hours ago, jetstream said:

I find my 24" too bright on the moon and planets whereas the 15" is perfect for that role, as your 12" is. I just cant believe the difference in image "brightness" between the 15" and 24", its mind boggling. The Veil through your 20" from dark skies will make you gasp...

i agree with that gerry

[wookie1965]

1 hour ago, 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 😁

I was sold this as a EQ6 tripod  which suspiciously looks like your CG5 one I bought the adapter but had a devil of a job fitting it.  I could not fit the nut with the thread inside but a kind gentleman on here made me this, so my setup looks like this after a bit of a tidy up.

[globular]

7 hours ago, jetstream said:

I find my 24" too bright on the moon and planets whereas the 15" is perfect for that role, as your 12" is. I just cant believe the difference in image "brightness" between the 15" and 24", its mind boggling. The Veil through your 20" from dark skies will make you gasp...

Would a 15” aperture mask on your 24”, for the times when 24” is too bright, not render the 15” scope redundant?
Or are other factors more important? Leading you to keep both?

[jetstream]

3 hours ago, globular said:

Would a 15” aperture mask on your 24”, for the times when 24” is too bright, not render the 15” scope redundant?
Or are other factors more important? Leading you to keep both?

My 15" is a superb scope and takes higher mag than the 24", it is so easy to use- left assembled, wheeled out and collimated in 5 minutes...and it doesn't weigh over 300 lbs and need an 8 foot step ladder. Its my favourite scope actually. Mind you the 24" does things the 15" cant- planetary nebula explode in the big one and I get about 2/3 of the actual bubble arc in the Bubble nebula and more...

The 15" actually renders my smaller scopes redundant, the TSA120 excepted, oh and the H130 is a keeper, another favourite scope.

[Voyager 3]

15 hours ago, Captain Magenta said:

Now I’m committed to the Dob build! (Courtesy of John Nichol)

I Like your mirror selfie . 🤣 

[Voyager 3]

15 hours ago, Captain Magenta said:

 

 

Edited June 3, 2021 by Voyager 3

[Chaz2b]

On 31/05/2021 at 19:29, Pixies said:

Oh no! The wife is going to kill me!

Technically it wasn't delivered, I had to pick it up myself.

Can I have first dibs when that happens!?😈

chaz

[Rob]

New case with pick foam to house my UWA & SWA collection

[Rob]

Also forgot to post that in addition to getting the ADM upgrade for HEQ5. I also bought 2 x Stella Mira Dovetail bars from FLO. Really nice vixen dovetail bars (note I bought these before purchasing the dual ADM saddle).

In fairness I don't think I need to upgrade to Losmandy bars just yet

 

[Chaz2b]

Just arrived, a tad over 48 hrs from ordering, and it works! Now to collimate it.

ive printed a v block for the laser and well blow me! It doesn’t need collimating…spot on! Literally.

 

chaz 

Edited June 4, 2021 by Chaz2b

[Highburymark]

New ‘More Blue’ rings for my Epsilon. Very nice they are, and much cheaper than Takahashi rings.

[AdeKing]

15 hours ago, wookie1965 said:

I was sold this as a EQ6 tripod  which suspiciously looks like your CG5 one I bought the adapter but had a devil of a job fitting it.  I could not fit the nut with the thread inside but a kind gentleman on here made me this, so my setup looks like this after a bit of a tidy up.

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

[barbulo]

58 minutes ago, Chaz2b said:

Now to collimate it.

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

[iapa]

4 minutes 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. 

I think the subject was the OTA.

My similar laser had collimation screws under the labels.