Let's see your grab n go lightweight setups.

[Stu]

9 hours ago, RobertI said:

I also have a number of portable scopes and mounts, probably the most portable is the Zenithstar 66mm on the Mini-Giro mount and tripod, followed by the Heritage 130P on the same mount. My everyday scope, the 102ED on an AZ4 is also very quick and easy to set up, being easy to carry ready assembled. 

 

Nice! Those little 66mm ZS are lovely little scopes. Had a blue one for a few years, still regret selling it.

[Marvin Jenkins]

I know it looks big compared to all these lovely fracs but it is just an empty tube.

[Roy Challen]

11 hours ago, Franklin said:

Vixen FL55SS on Porta II and TL130

 

That is very cute😊

[stafford_stargazer]

My other setup is now complete.. found a portamount at long last.

 

 

[josefk]

On 18/02/2023 at 16:14, Jim L said:

 

And, the telescope transport vehicle…

 

 

excellent!

[stafford_stargazer]

On 18/02/2023 at 20:59, Merak said:

This is my current g+g scope that goes on a photo tripod.

 Looking at the possibility of an upgrade at some point and some of the scopes on this thread aren't helping!

Haha, it's a killer my friend seeing other people's gear, it doesn't help with the wallet or bank account I promise.👍

[josefk]

i'm probably cheating with my current grab 'n' go - a spotting scope on a fluid damped video head.

Ergonomically limited to less than a 45-degree altitude and optically limited to 2-degrees at the wide end and 70x at the top end but within that envelope rather awesome - a light two handed carry including tripod and stool, an erect image for bino type star-hopping and certain types of sketching, a totally flat and sharp field to the field stop, and IP67 so utterly immune to condensation. Travels well chucked in the back of a land rover on rough tracks too.

[josefk]

On 18/02/2023 at 22:08, Franklin said:

Vixen FL55SS on Porta II and TL130

 

I'm not sure if its exactly the same models yours Franklin but i assume you've seen this? Personally i find this "challenge concept" with a "perfect little scope" quite appealing...

http://www.jayreynoldsfreeman.com/Aux/AstroPDFs/RRSaga.text.pdf

[Franklin]

2 hours ago, josefk said:

I'm not sure if its exactly the same models yours Franklin but i assume you've seen this? Personally i find this "challenge concept" with a "perfect little scope" quite appealing...

http://www.jayreynoldsfreeman.com/Aux/AstroPDFs/RRSaga.text.pdf

Great article and a superb little FL55, it's one of the original Vixen Fluorite range from the mid-80's up to late-90's. They made a 102, 90, 80, 70 and the little 55 all at f/8, stuff of legend! My modern FL55SS is at f/5.4 so directed more at the astro-imager when used with the dedicated flattener/reducer kit. But visually it is stunning, in terms of contrast and colour rendition the optics are right up there with the best I've ever looked through. Obviously the aperture is limited but when taking this into account it is a crazy good little scope. It easily takes high magnification with the HR's, well above the usual limits. There is curvature at the edge of field but I don't care when I'm too busy looking at the stunning views on axis.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

My portable solar set-up. Currently the tripod, mount and Coronado scope are permanently parked at work, so I can have a look at the sun during lunchtime. The little APM 80 mm F/6 triplet is at home, and usually sits either on the Great Polaris mount, or on the EQ3-2.

[Franklin]

Shirt pocket and go😀!

 

[LDW1]

My Vixen SS62 and my Celestron SS80 waiting for a set of rings to arrive as the OD of that 80 is much smaller than other brands / models. I should have them in a week and then watch out, lol !

 

Edited February 20, 2023 by LDW1

[Merak]

5 hours ago, stafford_stargazer said:

Haha, it's a killer my friend seeing other people's gear, it doesn't help with the wallet or bank account I promise.👍

I've more or less decided to say stuff it and get a baby Tak at some point.  Either that, the 76dcu or the Vixen sd81s as a lifetime scope.  Not sure my wallet agrees though.....

Edited February 20, 2023 by Merak
Added a bit more.

[stafford_stargazer]

23 minutes ago, Merak said:

I've more or less decided to say stuff it and get a baby Tak at some point.  Either that or the 76 or the Vixen sd81s as a lifetime scope.  Not sure my wallet agrees though.....

I believe the sd81s is amazing... You'll be set for life..go for it.👍

[LDW1]

And my Svbony 48P, 90mm, f5.5.  A wonderful scope for $350 C +tax.

[stafford_stargazer]

46 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Shirt pocket and go😀!

 

Lovely.. there getting smaller...lol. vixen... I should of known.😉👍

[callisto]

1 hour ago, Franklin said:

Shirt pocket and go😀!

 

Why don't you get one of these and start going in the other direction 😁        

[Franklin]

Table-top tiddler.

 

 

[John]

A recent purchase 🙂

 

[Franklin]

Just now, John said:

A recent purchase 🙂

A tad on the small size by your usual standards John.

[John]

1 minute ago, Franklin said:

A tad on the small size by your usual standards John.

Yes it is but I wanted something that is really portable and compact. This seemed to fit the bill for a reasonable cost 🙂

 

[mikeDnight]

* 

Edited April 5, 2023 by mikeDnight

[John]

4 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

 Does this mean that your lovely DL has been relegated to a kennel at the bottom of the garden John? 

No Mike, the DL is still in it's comfy quarters in a cupboard in the corner of the dining room. It has a Vixen for company 😁

[Franklin]

5 hours ago, LDW1 said:

My Vixen SS62 and my Celestron SS80 waiting for a set of rings to arrive as the OD of that 80 is much smaller than other brands / models. I should have them in a week and then watch out, lol !

 

Without wanting to hijack this great thread, on the drawtube scale, what distance do reach infinity focus with your lovely little A62SS, 1.25" diagonal and eyepiece? Mine is nearly all the way out at around 5 1/2.

[LDW1]

20 minutes ago, Franklin said:

Without wanting to hijack this great thread, on the drawtube scale, what distance do reach infinity focus with your lovely little A62SS, 1.25" diagonal and eyepiece? Mine is nearly all the way out at around 5 1/2.

Infinity focus ?  Not a clue !