2496 replies to this topic

[Lentini]

Ready for the sun to come out. Borg 100ED.

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[CHASLX200]

Got a Orion 120mm F/8.3 today

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[M44]

Got a Orion 120mm F/8.3 today

Can we call them "Twins"? Just like in 1988 movie "Twins". 

[Nippon]

This scope and mount are to new to post in classics but a classic it is in spirit. My trusty Vixen GPD2 and ED103s

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[Castor]

Ah, then beautiful ‘neoclassic’ Japanese art in glass and metal from Vixen, I love it!  

[Mikoka]

My Grab´n Go Omegon 110/660 ED

 

Regards  Michael

 

 

[betacygni]

My only classic telescope. Bought a while back to use primarily for h-alpha solar, even went so far as to install a feathertouch focuser on it, but since decided to return it to full classical setup. Not sure why but I really like the look of it displayed in the house. Reminds me of good old days of astronomy, though ironically I was probably only 6 or 7 years old when this scope was made, and certainly not into astronomy during that decade. Who knew vicarious nostalgia was a thing.

 

 

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[heribertom]

My Grab´n Go Omegon 110/660 ED

 

Regards  Michael

 

P1030120k.jpg

This telescope needs a Gold's Gym t-shirt! Looks like it's out there doing "sets"!

[kroum]

Here is my entry:

 

SVbony SV503 80mm f7 ED with green laser gun sight on a Sky Watcher Az-Gti mount using a Giotto cast aluminum camera tripod (more portable and rigid than the stock tripod)

 

My first real “grab & go” setup since I can literally pick it up by the pier and carry it to the backyard one handed.

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[R.Kelley]

Another look at my Stellarvue 130 f/7 apo.. About as good as it gets for a 5" ED triplet 

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[jimandlaura26]

Could you provide some additional information on the mount and tripod combination, as well as how well they perform in the field?

Thank you.

Here is my entry:

SVbony SV503 80mm f7 ED with green laser gun sight on a Sky Watcher Az-Gti mount using a Giotto cast aluminum camera tripod (more portable and rigid than the stock tripod)

My first real “grab & go” setup since I can literally pick it up by the pier and carry it to the backyard one handed.

[kroum]

Could you provide some additional information on the mount and tripod combination, as well as how well they perform in the field?

Thank you.

 

Certainly, 

 

I’ve had the az-gti for a few months, but I’ve only actually used it a handful of times because I have very limited opportunities to observe, but once I figured out the intricacies of correctly aligning it thru my phone, it has worked well, with objects being within the field of view of a 30mm Ultrascopic.  

Last Friday I got to try it with the new to me Orion hand controller visible in the photo and once aligned, it seemed to have even better pointing accuracy, with object after object landing in the center of the field of view.

The real downside to control via smart phone is that there is no tactile feedback when pressing the screen, so whenever you want to center an object in the FOV, you have to keep looking down at your phone to make sure you’re pressing the right spot on the screen to go in the direction you want.  The hand controller is so much more ergonomic and intuitive.

 

I bought the Giotto tripod used from a camera store years ago since I got a very good deal on it.

 

I feel that the az-gti and the Giotto tripod are a perfect match for the 80mm SVbony. Settling times are under a second even at high magnification.  If anything, the setup is just a tad too light and it makes it easy to move the tripod legs with even small bumps in the dark. Maybe hanging some weight from the center of the tripod would be beneficial.

 

This is my first go-to mount so I can’t really compare its’ performance to anything else, but it works, it’s quiet, it sounds “good” when it’s slewing, not like a bunch of hamsters spinning a wheel inside and with the Orion hand controller, it’s a pleasure to use.

 

edited to add:

 

I had originally purchased the az-gti to mount my Orion 100mm f6 achromatic on, and while it works works, it might be a tad too much for the mount, at least on this tripod, as it jiggles a little too much side to side whenever I touch the focus for my taste.  The 80mm is perfect for it.

Edited by kroum, 25 January 2022 - 12:44 AM.

[Nippon]

My only classic telescope. Bought a while back to use primarily for h-alpha solar, even went so far as to install a feathertouch focuser on it, but since decided to return it to full classical setup. Not sure why but I really like the look of it displayed in the house. Reminds me of good old days of astronomy, though ironically I was probably only 6 or 7 years old when this scope was made, and certainly not into astronomy during that decade. Who knew vicarious nostalgia was a thing.

Ah the good old Vixen made Celestron Firstscope 80. I bought one in 1988 I think, and it was my first quality refractor. As evidenced by my earlier post I've been a Vixen fan ever since. 

[BlueTrane2028]

This is my new favorite telescope.  The rotating GSO focuser doesn't vignette the lens like the stock one did, is a million times smoother and removes the whole awkward rotation/position issue typical with using a GEM.  Speaking of, the CG-4 is just perfect for it.

Astonishing as it sounds, I could probably get by with this and my C8, if I had to really pare back to nothing...

[kroum]

This is my new favorite telescope.  The rotating GSO focuser doesn't vignette the lens like the stock one did, is a million times smoother and removes the whole awkward rotation/position issue typical with using a GEM.  Speaking of, the CG-4 is just perfect for it.

Astonishing as it sounds, I could probably get by with this and my C8, if I had to really pare back to nothing...

I didn’t know Orion made a grey version of the 120mm f5 achro.

 

I have the little brother, the 100mm f6 and I likewise upgraded the focuser to an Orion 2 speed crayford, and it made a huge difference in ergonomics and enjoyment of using the scope.

 

That focuser was a steal, as it was an Amazon return and I got it for 1/3 price. It felt like it had sand and rocks in it when it arrived and at first I thought I had got what I paid for, but after disassembly and careful reassembly, it became amazingly smooth and actually holds more weight before it slips than my other 2 crayford focusers (one Antares, one GSO).

Edited by kroum, 26 January 2022 - 03:17 PM.

[Lentini]

Same scope, but the sun is finally out. Switched to a new 2" correct image 90-degree diagonal to try it out.  Works great!  

 

The Brandon 24mms are a little less power than I need for the sun, but the views were sharp.

 

Two great sunspot groups on the sun today.

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[eyespy]

Hi,

 

Here are my three ready to go.  Unfortunately, the weather has been really bad this winter and I have not yet had an opportunity to really try out my new TAK DZ that I picked up at the beginning of November 2021 !!

 

Doug.....

 

 

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[BlueTrane2028]

Same scope, but the sun is finally out. Switched to a new 2" correct image 90-degree diagonal to try it out.  Works great!  

 

The Brandon 24mms are a little less power than I need for the sun, but the views were sharp.

 

Two great sunspot groups on the sun today.

Yes, the sunspots were amazing today.  Glad you saw them too!

[MGAR]

This is my new favorite telescope.  The rotating GSO focuser doesn't vignette the lens like the stock one did, is a million times smoother and removes the whole awkward rotation/position issue typical with using a GEM.  Speaking of, the CG-4 is just perfect for it.

Astonishing as it sounds, I could probably get by with this and my C8, if I had to really pare back to nothing...
 

The CG-4 is a great all-purpose mount IMHO. I use for my AT72EDII, the Celestron Comet Catcher and my 5" Celestron Schmidt Camera.

 

A Swiss Army Knife of all the GEM mounts.

 

[rogue river art]

My home made 4" f12 refractor ,mount and tripod. Edmunds lense and RKE eyepeces.

Edited by rogue river art, 28 January 2022 - 09:28 PM.

[Look at the sky 101]

92481010_3193979760635075_395888855321935872_n.jpgMy home made 4" f12 refractor ,mount and tripod. Edmunds lense and RKE eyepeces.

Wow impressive work of art. 

[Scott in NC]

Nice work!

[SpikeFalcon]

The home built 4" refractor is functional art to the nth degree! What a beauty. 

[SpikeFalcon]

The refractors on this thread are all amazing. I keep coming back to look at them. How fortunate we all are to be able to enjoy these wonderful scopes and explore nature with them. I 'like' them all!

[YeloSub]

Hi,

Here are my three ready to go. Unfortunately, the weather has been really bad this winter and I have not yet had an opportunity to really try out my new TAK DZ that I picked up at the beginning of November 2021 !!

Doug.....

What mount are you using here? Looks like some sort of pan head?

Edited by YeloSub, 29 January 2022 - 12:48 PM.