What did the postman bring?

[Mark at Beaufort]

Although I enjoy using my Heritage 130P I really wanted a smaller scope that I could take away on holiday and use it on my Pronto mount. I decided on a small refractor but although I fancy an APO or ED I did not want to spend a huge amount for only the occasional use.

So I decided to get the SvBony 90mm f5/5 refractor which only weighs about 2.5kgs. Because I would also use this scope for terrestrial viewing I bought the StellaMira  erect prism diagonal and the SvBony 7-21mm zoom. My package for observing would then comprise the SvBony 7-21mm zoom + 3-6mm Nagler + 24mm ES68 eyepiece.

Well the scope and equipment arrived a few days ago and I am rather pleased. The focuser is very good and the scope has an extended hood. Collimation seems spot on and at the moment no apparent CA - Moon not yet observed. I have checked out a few objects M13, M11, M57 and with the TeleVue Nebustar filter  M16, M17, M20 and M8 and both parts of the Veil. Using the 3mm part of the Nagler zoom I split the double double in Lyra.

I did observe Jupiter and observed surface banding and also Saturn but could not see the Cassini division.

 

[johninderby]

Had the StarSky version of this scope. Identical except it was in black. Surprisingly good optics for a fast achro and build quality was OK for the price. Often overlooked because it’s a fast achro but it shouldn’t be.

Edited August 15, 2021 by johninderby

[Padraic M]

4 hours ago, Ags said:

print on demand service

Copy on the way!

[Stu1smartcookie]

3 hours ago, Mark at Beaufort said:

Although I enjoy using my Heritage 130P I really wanted a smaller scope that I could take away on holiday and use it on my Pronto mount. I decided on a small refractor but although I fancy an APO or ED I did not want to spend a huge amount for only the occasional use.

So I decided to get the SvBony 90mm f5/5 refractor which only weighs about 2.5kgs. Because I would also use this scope for terrestrial viewing I bought the StellaMira  erect prism diagonal and the SvBony 7-21mm zoom. My package for observing would then comprise the SvBony 7-21mm zoom + 3-6mm Nagler + 24mm ES68 eyepiece.

Well the scope and equipment arrived a few days ago and I am rather pleased. The focuser is very good and the scope has an extended hood. Collimation seems spot on and at the moment no apparent CA - Moon not yet observed. I have checked out a few objects M13, M11, M57 and with the TeleVue Nebustar filter  M16, M17, M20 and M8 and both parts of the Veil. Using the 3mm part of the Nagler zoom I split the double double in Lyra.

I did observe Jupiter and observed surface banding and also Saturn but could not see the Cassini division.

 

Great little set up ... i have been interested in this scope for a while ... looking forward to your Moon observations , Mark 

[HollyHound]

On 14/08/2021 at 18:05, johninderby said:

Not the postie, does Kindle count. 🤔Third of the paperback price so went for the Kindle version. Looks quite a useful lunar imaging guide.

Thanks for the heads up… ordered today and just arrived 👍

[JeremyS]

Many thanks to @Ags for preparing her book. It looks superb 👍🏻
 

[Ags]

@JeremyS Have fun with it!

[Knighty2112]

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

Many thanks to @Ags for preparing her book. It looks superb 👍🏻
 

Yeah, my copy arrived today too. Looks very good. 👍🏻

[wookie1965]

Received this from a very good friend and it came on my birthday double bonus. 

[cotterless45]

That's a really wonderful book that every stargazer should read. Hope you'll do a review ,

happy days !

Nick,

[JeremyS]

3 hours ago, Ags said:

@JeremyS Have fun with it!

Pity we can’t get a signed copy.

Maybe at some future event….

[AstroNebulee]

During these frustrating cloudy skies I've purchased this to keep me entertained, got it cheap because of tatty box but all bags still sealed 😊

[wookie1965]

6 hours ago, cotterless45 said:

That's a really wonderful book that every stargazer should read. Hope you'll do a review ,

happy days !

Nick,

Thanks Nick, 

      I will try I am not one for many words. 

Paul 

[Tan Zhi Qi]

My first telescope arrived today, the 130pds and EQ5 mount. I was so excited! Can't wait for first light.

[Danjc]

I have been eyeing one of these up for a while and FLO had an ex demo come up. About £200 saved with the FF/FR as they were both reduced a second time 😃

[fifeskies]

Been looking for a small travel scope and this one turned up at a good price.

Zenithstar61 and matched field flattener.

Ultra portable and light enough for a photo tripod.

 

 

[badhex]

22 minutes ago, fifeskies said:

Been looking for a small travel scope and this one turned up at a good price.

Zenithstar61 and matched field flattener.

Ultra portable and light enough for a photo tripod.

 

 

Lovely! Does the ZS61 take 2" EPs? Or will you primarily be using it for AP?

[badhex]

Astronomik OIII filter on the advice of @jetstream @Stu and plenty of others (thanks all!) ahead of my upcoming holiday with dark skies, plus I finally caved and got another Morpheus at the other end of the range - 4.5mm to go with my existing 17.5mm. Now to update the eyepiece case thread...

[fifeskies]

20 minutes ago, badhex said:

Lovely! Does the ZS61 take 2" EPs? Or will you primarily be using it for AP?

It does indeed take 2 inch fittings , nice compression ring holder with 3 point clamping, I will be using a William Optics 2 inch Diagonal with it.

it also has a very high quality 2 inch to 1 1/4 adapter, handy for using as a guider with ZWO mini style cameras.

(will be using it for both visual and AP)

 

 

Edited August 17, 2021 by fifeskies

[badhex]

1 hour ago, fifeskies said:

It does indeed take 2 inch fittings , nice compression ring holder with 3 point clamping, I will be using a William Optics 2 inch Diagonal with it.

it also has a very high quality 2 inch to 1 1/4 adapter, handy for using as a guider with ZWO mini style cameras.

(will be using it for both visual and AP)

 

 

Wonderful. I have the ZS61's sibling, the ZS73, and a lot of the fittings etc look very similar. There's something strangely satisfying about using widefield 2" accessories in a compact but very capable scope like this!

[nephilim]

Thanks to @Mike73 for the heads up on this. 

A good budget way of taking flats. At only £17 its definitely worth a shot. Very lightweight, flicker free & adjustable brightness. Unfortunately this cant be charged & has to be plugged in via USB to use but I can plug it into one of the USB ports on my ASIair Pro so it's ideal if you have one of those or just a spare USB port which many of us will have 

I'm actually excited about taking flats although I'm sure that novelty will rapidly wear thin 😂 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GPRGKPY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_4DYT38QH9YRN5NJ4F4QB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1. 

Edited August 17, 2021 by nephilim

[MARS1960]

Finally, after 6 years with a DSLR I decided it was time to go and get dedicated.

It's bigger and more beautiful than I thought.

I'm as excited for first light as I was my very first time out 6 years ago.

Shame they sent the wrong PSU but heyho, it is obviously cloudy for the next week anyway 🤣.

[nephilim]

8 minutes ago, MARS1960 said:

Finally, after 6 years with a DSLR I decided it was time to go and get dedicated.

It's bigger and more beautiful than I thought.

I'm as excited for first light as I was my very first time out 6 years ago.

Shame they sent the wrong PSU but heyho, it is obviously cloudy for the next week anyway 🤣.

@MARS1960 Welcome to the club mate, you wont be disappointed 😃 

[MARS1960]

Haha, Looks nearly as nice as mine 😂.

Edited August 18, 2021 by MARS1960

[GalaxyGael]

I'm in the 'check UPS update' stage of an incoming birthday present scope - TS Hypergraph 6 150 mm f/2.8. Of course, clear outside is as red as Haedes