What did the postman bring?

[JeremyS]

On 18/03/2023 at 17:30, CraigT82 said:

Hmm they don’t normally use fragile tape… something breakable. SGL mug?! 

That’d be me 😊

Edited March 24, 2023 by JeremyS

[Rob]

On 16/03/2023 at 18:47, F15Rules said:

A large box arrived today, inside which was a large Manfrotto Holdall, inside which was a rather long tube of some age..

 

A vintage 1980s Vixen 80mm F15 achromat to be exact🤦😊..

Having shed all my scopes but my FS128, this came up and I couldn't resist it, especially reading reviews of it on doubles and lunar observing..

It's a long tube (over 42" or 3'6" in old money).It is branded SBS and originated from Japan but via France. Even the dust cap has the V for Vixen moniker on it.

The objective looks pristine.

The tube has marks of usage here and there but is largely good.

A nice GSO made 2" Crayford 2 speed focuser upgrade was done over 5 years ago and the lens is collimateable too.

The scope came with tube rings, and specially for Jeremy, a HANDLE!👍

I'm going to upgrade the dovetail with a longer, stronger and more rigid one made from solid aircraft stock aluminium..

The original 6x30 Vixen finder is present, but I have already a lovely Right Angled SW 6x30 which I will use.

I have no mount or tripod for it permanently, but for now I will use it on my Tak EM2 mount on which it should be solid as a rock.

I can't wait to test drive this old beauty!

To quote a phrase.. "F15RULES"!!😂🤩

Dave

 

How nice is that!.. what a find. Enjoy!. Rob

[powerlord]

A cheapy hydraulic stool for the new obsy. Low is ideal for laptop on drawers desk, high good for twiddling with mounts. And though the small ring of wheels isn't the most stable, it stops it fouling the pier bases. Ideal.

Stu

 

[JeremyS]

1 hour ago, powerlord said:

A cheapy hydraulic stool for the new obsy. Low is ideal for laptop on drawers desk, high good for twiddling with mounts. And though the small ring of wheels isn't the most stable, it stops it fouling the pier bases. Ideal.

Stu

 

Looks like you are going up in the world, Stu 🤔

[bosun21]

Well DPD delivered my Starfield 102 today. I ain’t selling this one. Mounted on a new EQ5 with enhanced motor drive kit and slow mo cables. I decided to not get the EQ5 go to this time as I have become quite proficient using the starsense unit which I intend to swap between my dobsonian and Starfield. If only these weeks of clouds would retreat 🤔

[Ratlet]

Not the posty, but the mother in law.  A cushion for my observing chair.  Only asked on Saturday so I must have done something good 😁.

Removable so it doesn't get damp buy has two different thicknesses of padding so I can get a bit of fine tuning on the height.

Delighted 

[Alan White]

That is such a nice thing to do @Ratlet, you clearly must be in the Good Books, enjoy it while you can.

I have a Nadira seat, but I relly on my own well padded posterior over padding,
but I can see the apeal of padding to be honest.

[F15Rules]

Nice little Vixen zoom courtesy of Tim @Franklin👍.

Will make a nice lightweight multi power ep with my newly acquired Vixen F15 achromat, giving the following powers; 

24mm = 50x

16mm = 75x

12mm = 100x

10mm = 120x

8mm = 150x

Dave

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by F15Rules
Photos added

[AstroGS]

Wanted a new set of filters to replace the 7nm ZWO, which by the way were really good. 
 

Decided to give a go to a set of Antlia 36mm 3nm LRGB + Antlia SHO 2.8nm filter
 

Looking forward to use them with the ASI1600mm (for now and a 2600mm in the future). 

[Franklin]

16 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

Vixen F15 achromat, giving the following powers; 

24mm = 50x

16mm = 75x

12mm = 100x

10mm = 120x

8mm = 150x

Perfect range for that long 3" refractor👍.

[F15Rules]

1 hour ago, Franklin said:

Perfect range for that long 3" refractor👍.

Oh, you mean this long 3" refractor..? 😁

 

[Justin P]

She looking superb Dave ! Have you managed a look through her yet ?

[F15Rules]

16 minutes ago, Justin P said:

She looking superb Dave ! Have you managed a look through her yet ?

Hi Justin,

Sadly not yet..the weather here has been dire at night for the past 2 weeks or so. Also, real life stuff like painting in the house has got in the way.

I'll post a few more pics of "Luna" on the thread I started last week on the Scopes and setups forum..

Dave

[Mr Spock]

A very large box from Auntie Flo...

 

[Stu]

A little box from Microglobe with a 2” polarising filter and 2” to T2 short adaptor to reduce the path length of my Baader Coolwedge Mark II. Just need to work out how to fit it now.

[Franklin]

Got home from work today to find this on my doorstep, my dream scope!

Will post my findings on @F15Rules "Show us your Vixen scope" thread after I've had chance to put it through it's paces.

I've been looking and waiting for years for one to turn up on the used market but they seem pretty scarce, in the UK at least.

 

[Alan White]

5 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Got home from work today to find this on my doorstep, my dream scope!

Will post my findings on @F15Rules "Show us your Vixen scope" thread after I've had chance to put it through it's paces.

I've been looking and waiting for years for one to turn up on the used market but they seem pretty scarce, in the UK at least.

 

Very nice, very nice indeed.
I fully understand the desire for such a fine scope, enjoy.

[F15Rules]

1 hour ago, Franklin said:

Got home from work today to find this on my doorstep, my dream scope!

Will post my findings on @F15Rules "Show us your Vixen scope" thread after I've had chance to put it through it's paces.

I've been looking and waiting for years for one to turn up on the used market but they seem pretty scarce, in the UK at least.

 

Wow!!!

Tim, that's made my day, just a beautiful, gorgeous scope, look at it!! Aaw, now you've made me dribble!!😂😂😂.

More pics of it mounted asap please!

Dave

[Pixies]

2 hours ago, Franklin said:

Got home from work today to find this on my doorstep, my dream scope!

Will post my findings on @F15Rules "Show us your Vixen scope" thread after I've had chance to put it through it's paces.

I've been looking and waiting for years for one to turn up on the used market but they seem pretty scarce, in the UK at least.

 

Ooh! Is that coming to AstroCamp next month?

[Franklin]

31 minutes ago, Pixies said:

Is that coming to AstroCamp next month?

It's going everywhere with me😁.

[Kon]

I managed to find a second hand mono asi462mm to keep company to my colour asi462mc. Mostly for Venus UV and methane imaging of the gas giants. Looking forward to planetary season.

[Alan White]

Posti came yesterday and went away with my parcel ☹️

So I paid a visit to the Sorting Office and I have a parcel,
very pleased with its content as finishes my short set 😁

 

OH and I cannot wait to share images after I go collect my other purchase tomorrow 
That will be good. 
😀

Edited March 24, 2023 by Alan White

[JeremyS]

Been a while since the postman brought me anything astro. But he’s been today with a very nice Masuyama 26mm, 85deg, 2-inch eyepiece. A model of Japanese construction elegance and light weight, too.

[mikeDnight]

*

Edited April 5, 2023 by mikeDnight

[HollyHound]

7 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

Green with envy here Jeremy. Do tell all about it when the clouds eventually clear. Secretly I hope you don't like it then I can make you a insultory offer. 

Ha ha... @mikeDnightof course you have the 16mm sister of this very eyepiece 😁

I'm sure (unfortunately perhaps for you), that @JeremyS is going to love it... I did too, but I'm settled around an (almost) perfect set of XWs now 👍

Edited March 24, 2023 by HollyHound