The kitchen table

[Eyeball]

I have just purchased a Heritage Flex-Tube 130P, and now realise that if I want to make observations from the top of the Shropshire landmark, the Wrekin, then I have to strap the kitchen table to my back to take with me. Is there any specialist equipment that you can purchase to place such a telescope on?

[MikeP]

Have you got all the bits? It should come with a dobsonian base. See the picture on the FLO website - Dobsonians - Skywatcher Heritage 130p Flextube

Mike

[Eyeball]

The base is there Mike. Trouble is Dobsonian mounts sit on the deck, so you either have to sit down to use it, or lug some sort of table with you to stand it on.

[tinvek]

im guess judging by its focal length that even when verticle the eyepiece is pretty low

[MikeP]

Didn't realise it was so small.

I'm 5'7" (on a good day) and the eyepiece position on my dobsonian is perfect when pointing at the zenith and acceptable when pointing at the lowest altitudes.

Could you take a stool rather than a table?

Mike

[Wobbly Bob]

Hiya Col, I have a folding aluminium table from a camping store which I use to put my C5 on. Its very light and sturdy.

Bob

[Eyeball]

I am 6' 2" Mike and would need to be on my knees if the scope was mounted on the ground.

The camping table sounds an ideal solution Wobbly_Bob.

Thanks for your input gentlemen.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I've just been checking this scope out in the S@N magazine. How well do these scopes perform?. They look very small and compact which would be great for me being in a wheelchair (but not confined to it). They also weigh a lot less then my 3.5" refractor. Only weighs twice what my 20X90 bins weigh. It has a 1.25" EP socket (i can use all my existing EP's).

Lovely little collectors item. Nice price also.

I think i just found my christmas gift to myself.

[Cornelius Varley]

I've just been checking this scope out in the S@N magazine. How well do these scopes perform?. They look very small and compact which would be great for me being in a wheelchair (but not confined to it). They also weigh a lot less then my 3.5" refractor. Only weighs twice what my 20X90 bins weigh. It has a 1.25" EP socket (i can use all my existing EP's).

Lovely little collectors item. Nice price also.

I think i just found my christmas gift to myself.

The Heritage 130 uses the same optics as the Explorer 130P so there should be no difference in performance between the two.

Peter

[Eyeball]

The performance of the Heritage FlexTube 130P appears to be very good according to the reports that I have read about it, that is why I purchased one today, as my first scope.

Using it at home presents no problems. However, the dobsonian mount and the tube extended in the vertical position is only 69.5 cm overall. If used in the field, it would require something to stand it on.

But it is extremely portable and easy to use. I don't suppose that you can have it all ways!

[LukeSkywatcher]

I'm just looking at images of the scope and i am wondering if the EP is accessible for people who observe in a seated position?. It appears that the EP is located on the top of the tube(12 o clock position), so i figure that a person would have to be stood beside the scope leaning over it to look down into the EP?.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Here is a good image i found. It looks ok even for use from a seated position (just need a table with short legs). During the warmer "drier" months it could be used at ground level while sitting on a blanket. Then again even in winter it could be used on ground level and easily used from a seated position.

[Eyeball]

I should be taking delivery of it tomorrow, and will see how easy or otherwise it is to use. The only drawback that presents itself is its use in the field.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Thanks. I await your review.

[pvaz]

It seams like a great portable scope.

A camping stool should be fine with it. You should probably get 2, 1 for the scope and the other for yourself in order to observe in a comfortable sitting position.

You'll probably need to make a shroud to prevent unwanted light from hitting the secondary.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I just watched a video about the scope on youtube. It looks great. It is EXTREMELY portable (which is the biggest plus for me) and so easy to use from a seated position. The EP is on the wrong end for a person in a wheelchair BUT its compact size resolves that issue. I just wish this scope was available 2 yrs ago when i was buying my firstscope. Half the price,twice the apeture (nearly) and it's a DOB.

You are right Paulo about the shroud. That would be easy enough with black cloth and velcro.

I think i'm gonna go ahead and order one tonight.

[MikeP]

Thanks for the picture Paul ... what a cute little telescope.

I might buy two for my friends Bilbo and Frodo.

Mike

[Macavity]

As a "Shropshire Lad", I casually wondered if the Wrekin ran to a TRIG point?

In fact, it does: The Wrekin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And something called a "Toposcope" apparently...

[LukeSkywatcher]

Thanks for the picture Paul ... what a cute little telescope.

I might buy two for my friends Bilbo and Frodo.

Mike

LOL.

Well the deed is done. Signed,sealed and now just waiting for it to be delivered. The reviews i have read are really really good. It seems you get a lot of bang for your buck. The size and portability are what sold it for me. I just know this is a scope that i will get GREAT use out of. That's the important thing. My other scope is pretty much relegated to the corner now and holds my shirt collection.

This little beauty will be going straight out to the garage in its box so i can just yank it out every clear night and be set up and ready to go in no time.

Now all i have to do is learn about collimation, building a shroud and dew heater.

[Eyeball]

Hi Paul

I was supposed to be receiving my Heritage FlexTube 130P today. Despite paying an extra £6.50 for next day delivery, I was told that it had not even been despatched yet. Although they assured me that it will be here tomorrow, and that they will refund the £6.50, I am still spitting feathers at the moment.

As soon as I receive my friend, I will tell you all about it.

[Eyeball]

Only just noticed, you have already taken the bull by the horns. Hope yours arrives on time mate.

Did you read the review by Ralph Bell? He lives in Cambridge's suburbs where the light pollution is massive, yet he was still able to spot the Veil Nebula without a light shroud!

[LukeSkywatcher]

Hi Col

Yeah i ordered mine on tuesday night and was told it will be shipped next day and should arrive 2-3 days. Hopefully it will arrive today but more likely tomorrow. Yeah i read Ralphs review. It gave me a lot of faith in this scope. I have read many reviews and they all say the same thing that this scope is a nifty little performer.

I am thinking about making a shroud for it even though i may not need it as i figure it may act as a dew shield?.

I'm seriously excited about this scope and cant wait to get my hands on it. I've been looking at comparison images of Saturn as seen through a 3" scope (mine is 3.5") and a 5" scope (such as the Heritage is) and i was blown away by the difference. I can picture in my mind how objects will appear now such as Orion neb,seven sisters etc. I'm looking forward to see how well it shows DSOs.

[Ptolemaeus]

I have just ordered this scope, thanks to lukeskywalker for the recommendation! I am totally unable to stand to look in a telescope and this seems absolutely ideal for me.

Only thing is, in my excitement I didn't think about buying a collimator, nor would I have any idea how to use one anyway

[LukeSkywatcher]

There's a couple of good tutorials in the tutorial section on how to do this. I was just looking at them. Hopefully the scope wont be out of whack when it gets here. Congrats on the new scope. Its proving a popular choice across the web this christmas.

LukeSkywalker?

LOL.

[pvaz]

Astro baby's guide

Video

I been doing it with the provided collimation cap with decent results. Though I just ordered a laser collimator to get the best out of my current gear.