What did the postman bring?

[Mr Spock]

16 hours ago, CraigT82 said:

I’m finding the twist-lock ring on the end of the drawtube very stiff though, I keep unscrewing the adapter when trying to undo the twist lock. 

It's the only weakness. I swapped mine for a Baader click lock. It's well worth the cash 

[Nyctimene]

Made use of a special offer by Markus Ludes and ordered a binocular - the famous APM 16x70 MS ED, that arrived yesterday, perfectly packed:

Had it out last evening under abominable hazy/cloudy (3 mag NELM) skies; the main stars of Orion just visible. Still a great first light (on a lightweight center crank column tripod with a Manfrotto fluid head). Stars tack sharp over almost the whole field of view, no distortion, vivid colours (Mars, Beteigeuze). Gazed in awe for 15 minutes at the Pleiades high up. Jupiter's disc, but no moons visible.  Auriga's "Flying Minnow" and the "Cheshire Cat", but no trace of the three Messier clusters. After half an hour, the clouds thickened; but the first light was a full success, and very promising. With an Adler index of 134, this binos will come close to my ancient Wachter 14x100 (Adler index=140); but I will keep those (AP of 7mm good for galaxies and nebulas).

Stephen Tonkin, our binoculars guru, was quoted by a member of CloudyNights: If he would be allowed to own only one binocular, this would be the APM 16x70 MS ED.

I can understand him already now.

Stephan

 

Edited January 18, 2023 by Nyctimene

[Alan White]

Postman has been,
First up a purchase from Classifieds here, thank you Neil @Littleguy80.
I am unsure how I will understand it, but will give it a try.



And the magic part via @FLO so I can fix a cctv lens to my new to me ASI120MC-S camera,
for a play and then life as an All Sky unit possibly.

Edited January 18, 2023 by Alan White

[StevieDvd]

Arrived yesterday new version of the SVBony 165 finderscope 40mm  Focal Length 160mm F4

Has multi-section extension tubes so the length can be tailored to suit as per manual below.

Came from retevis.eu via Ebay - sells SVBony on there and Amazon. They had it sent from China to their UK office/depot and UK mailing to me so I had no problems with customs/taxes etc for £55 inclusive.

They will be getting their stock over from China ina few months but can be ordered on an individual basis like I did.

Yet to try it out but should hopefully be a little better than the 30mm version at not much increase in size/weight.

 

 

[bosun21]

A pair of Astro gloves courtesy of @Littleguy80. Just in time for tonights first light in these freezing conditions. Perfectly leaving your 3 essential fingers open to change eyepieces or whatever.

[CraigT82]

17 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

A pair of Astro gloves courtesy of @Littleguy80. Just in time for tonights first light in these freezing conditions. Perfectly leaving your 3 essential fingers open to change eyepieces or whatever.

Oooh I need me some of these!

[IB20]

Been after a 6mm Vixen for a while.

[bosun21]

4 minutes ago, IB20 said:

Been after a 6mm Vixen for a while.

Is that the 6mm LV that was on eBay?

[IB20]

9 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Is that the 6mm LV that was on eBay?

It was on ABS. There’s a 25, 10 & 4 on there still too last I looked.

[bosun21]

DPD dropped off my new Concenter today. Bought this for my new 12” dobsonian as I modified my secondary mirror holder to allow it to be rotated. The Stella Lyra holder has indents that the adjustment screws fit into stopping any rotation. I also fitted heavier springs on the primary mirror so as you can imagine the collimation was way out. I found the concenter invaluable in positioning the secondary correctly. Collimation is spot on now, with my cap, Cheshire and Hotech laser all in perfect agreement. Now for the dark to descend.

[bosun21]

9 hours ago, Nyctimene said:

Made use of a special offer by Markus Ludes and ordered a binocular - the famous APM 16x70 MS ED, that arrived yesterday, perfectly packed:

Had it out last evening under abominable hazy/cloudy (3 mag NELM) skies; the main stars of Orion just visible. Still a great first light (on a lightweight center crank column tripod with a Manfrotto fluid head). Stars tack sharp over almost the whole field of view, no distortion, vivid colours (Mars, Beteigeuze). Gazed in awe for 15 minutes at the Pleiades high up. Jupiter's disc, but no moons visible.  Auriga's "Flying Minnow" and the "Cheshire Cat", but no trace of the three Messier clusters. After half an hour, the clouds thickened; but the first light was a full success, and very promising. With an Adler index of 134, this binos will come close to my ancient Wachter 14x100 (Adler index=140); but I will keep those (AP of 7mm good for galaxies and nebulas).

Stephen Tonkin, our binoculars guru, was quoted by a member of CloudyNights: If he would be allowed to own only one binocular, this would be the APM 16x70 MS ED.

I can understand him already now.

Stephan

 

Lovely pair of bins you have there.

[Stu1smartcookie]

So , a delivery by DPD from FLO  to my work . And after transporting home one very large and one very square box I set about building the base , which went remarkably well for me , especially as I have no DIY skills at all . I decided to put the EP rack on the opposite side to the focuser because I was pretty sure it would be in the way whilst whilst viewing . To be honest I might take the damn thing off all together .. I can’t see me using it much anyway .. I think the scope looks great in black and actually will sit very nicely in our large kitchen just one patio door away from outside .  

[cajen2]

Nice, Stu...welcome to the dark side...😉

[bosun21]

1 hour ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

So , a delivery by DPD from FLO  to my work . And after transporting home one very large and one very square box I set about building the base , which went remarkably well for me , especially as I have no DIY skills at all . I decided to put the EP rack on the opposite side to the focuser because I was pretty sure it would be in the way whilst whilst viewing . To be honest I might take the damn thing off all together .. I can’t see me using it much anyway .. I think the scope looks great in black and actually will sit very nicely in our large kitchen just one patio door away from outside .  

I didn’t even fit the eyepiece holder on the 12” as I had a habit of banging my kneecap on it while carrying the base for the 8”. Nice views with that Stu. Now for a quick collimation check and your all set.

Edited January 18, 2023 by bosun21
Typo

[Stu1smartcookie]

5 hours ago, bosun21 said:

DPD dropped off my new Concenter today. Bought this for my new 12” dobsonian as I modified my secondary mirror holder to allow it to be rotated. The Stella Lyra holder has indents that the adjustment screws fit into stopping any rotation. I also fitted heavier springs on the primary mirror so as you can imagine the collimation was way out. I found the concenter invaluable in positioning the secondary correctly. Collimation is spot on now, with my cap, Cheshire and Hotech laser all in perfect agreement. Now for the dark to descend.

If I need any modifications on scopes etc I’m bringing them down to you,Ian   

[Astroscot2]

Settled down with Vol 1 last night. What a surprise and disappointment.  Cover and content don't agree!

[TheThing]

Lots of bits over the last few weeks (including in his santa disguise) including numerous bolts, SW guide scope mount, the finder/guider (thanks to FLO/santa), the Altair camera to use for guiding, tube rings (thanks to Giles_B) and some other bits and bobs. This is my budget wide field system. I'm going to dip my toe in the AP side of things, as well as planetary imaging, and see how I get on. Wont be brilliant results but if I capture anything then it is an evening well spent!

[wookie1965]

Got these today for the 10" but unfortunately they are not long enough I ordered 20mm as that was the length of the original ones but I never took account of the 3/4mm they went in the holder. 

Now sent for 30mm ones if anyone could use these let me know. 

[bosun21]

17 minutes ago, wookie1965 said:

Got these today for the 10" but unfortunately they are not long enough I ordered 20mm as that was the length of the original ones but I never took account of the 3/4mm they went in the holder. 

Now sent for 30mm ones if anyone could use these let me know. 

Which make of dobsonian do you have?

[wookie1965]

15 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Which make of dobsonian do you have?

10" celestron starsense 

[TheThing]

Today, a better dovetail from FLO ordered late yesterday pm.

[F15Rules]

On 16/01/2023 at 20:05, Alan White said:

Shhhhhh, someone might not realise I have bought one 😉

 

Too late Alan!!

..and I had you down as a nice, genuine, visual astronomer👍..and now I find that you have dark secrets!🤦😭😲😂

Dave

[F15Rules]

A nice Antares 2" extension tube with Twistlock. Made in Canada.

Nice to see something not made in China for a change!👍😊

Dave

 

[mikeDnight]

On 16/01/2023 at 16:42, Alan White said:

I dont think I posted this as received from the Postie, it arrived last week, but I have been hiding ever since…

I have gone to The Dark Side......
ASI120MC-S from here used from fellow SGL member.
Just ordered the lens adapter from FLO a few minutes ago to fit a CCTV lens.

In reality I will play with it for solar images perhaps in the Summer Months, but its intended for an Allsky Camera set up.
 

 I've given it some thought Alan and I've decided I'll still talk to you. After all, I talk to Jeremy, and he's got a Schmidt Cassegrain. 

 Enjoy your solar imaging! 

[mikeDnight]

13 hours ago, Astroscot2 said:

Settled down with Vol 1 last night. What a surprise and disappointment.  Cover and content don't agree!

I can understand your disappointment,  but if you look at it as the life's passion of an amateur astronomer, you may come to view it in a different light. When I bought my three volumes during lockdown, it took me a while to appreciate it. I think it will grow on you given the chance.