849 replies to this topic

[Dale Smith]

My AT72EDii, mounted on the Sparta-clone of the old Vixen Mini-Porta and riding a Benro carbon fiber tripod,  is at the diminutive end of the support scope range. Superb for grab and go and supporting lower powered binocular views of Luna. 

 

 

Last night I had it out during civil twilight along with Pentax 10x50 SP WPs being used handheld. My wore my glasses with both, and the lightweight of each was helpful since I'm still hobbling around in a boot while I recover from a foot fracture.

 

The Pentax 10x50 SP gave reasonably sharp and pleasing views of the first quarter Moon. The AT72EDii support telescope gave razor sharp views at 47x with a Vixen 9mm SLV eyepiece, despite the somewhat hazy air.

 

 

The afocal iPhone photo doesn't do it full justice, but does give an idea. 

 

My 90mm Sky-watcher Mak support telescope now has serious competition 

 

Edited by Dale Smith, 14 July 2024 - 01:06 PM.

[Harry Jacobson]

I’d had one of my wife’s mojitos, which held quite a punch. I’d left out my support scope gear on the back deck after gazing at the Sun during the day. I intended to just gather in everything (the mojito talking) but it was the first clear night in weeks. The Moon was up in twilight so I quickly set up everything again. One can’t go wrong as a lunar observer anytime night or day. 
 

The point of all this is my support scope is succeeding in what I imagined for it - an extension to my habits with my binoculars. Typically I gaze naked eye, maybe searching for some thing, then I use a binocular for what I’m looking for. In yesterday’s 24 hours I gazed at the Sun and the Moon, my first planned targets for my support scope. As twilight darkened Spica became apparent in my urban sky. I used the green laser pointer to center the scope, and there it was.

 

I’m a happy camper.

Edited by Harry Jacobson, 15 July 2024 - 07:16 AM.

[Terra Nova]

I've been using a GLP mounted on my telescope in conjunction with binoculars for years. I heartily recommend a Z-bolt! A bit more expensive but well worth it on those cold nights when the others run out of gas.

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[jrazz]

GLPs are wonderful!

 

And yes, only from a reputable manufacturer like ZBolt or Laserglow. The ones from the big A or from other similar sources might not be eye safe. Seems strange to me to put your eyes in danger for a couple of bucks.

 

Anyway.... Here's my solution

 

[revans]

My vintage 1984 Questar 3.5 Duplex arrived a couple of days ago and I plan to use it as a support telescope for my binoculars and binocular telescopes.  This afternoon I was familiarizing myself with the scope controls and found that it can accept both Brandon eyepieces and regular standard 1.25" eyepieces.  I had a 25mm Celestron Plossl in when a robin landed in the leafless top of a tree about 30 yards away.  I snapped this quick photo with my cellphone camera using a standard eyepiece camera adapter.  Imagine getting a first photo through the scope before the bird flew away

 

 

I think the Questar should make a very nice and portable support scope, especially for my larger binocular telescopes.

 

Rick

[aznuge]

My vintage 1984 Questar 3.5 Duplex arrived a couple of days ago and I plan to use it as a support telescope for my binoculars and binocular telescopes.  This afternoon I was familiarizing myself with the scope controls and found that it can accept both Brandon eyepieces and regular standard 1.25" eyepieces.  I had a 25mm Celestron Plossl in when a robin landed in the leafless top of a tree about 30 yards away.  I snapped this quick photo with my cellphone camera using a standard eyepiece camera adapter.  Imagine getting a first photo through the scope before the bird flew away

 

 

 

I think the Questar should make a very nice and portable support scope, especially for my larger binocular telescopes.

 

Rick

Beautiful!  A good sign for sure.
 

[revans]

Here is what it looks like.  I think it will be clear tonight, so I may be able to use it astronomically for the first time.  I only plan to use it visually, unless I take an occasional image of the moon or one of the brighter planets.

 

Rick

 

[Terra Nova]

I’ve been viewing the Sun the past two mornings with my Lunt 8x32 binoculars and as a support telescope, I’ve been using my new SeeStar S50! This thing is a game changer!

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[Takuan]

https://www.cloudyni...wer/?p=13645443

Observation report with what could be a support telescope. 🙂

Edited by Takuan, 25 August 2024 - 05:07 AM.

[SMark]

So I have finally managed to settle on a support telescope for me. I had a 6" F/8 doublet refractor that I seldom used, so I sold it a few years ago. And seeing the planets make their fall entry this year makes me want something with more magnification since the typical BT-100 magnifications really aren't all that satisfying on planets. So a couple of opportunities came my way in close succession and I managed to get this very nice F/15 Sky-Watcher SKYMAX 180. For 3 nights straight now I have had a lot of fun with it. I will need to do something about the dew, but otherwise it's perfect! 

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[Bill Barlow]

Here is what it looks like.  I think it will be clear tonight, so I may be able to use it astronomically for the first time.  I only plan to use it visually, unless I take an occasional image of the moon or one of the brighter planets.

 

Rick

 

I wonder why the tripod legs are so short?  Can the scope and base be removed and mounted on a tripod with longer legs?

 

Bill

[glittledale]

been working on my support telescope.  tried a few different mounts and, given the theme, settling on this fork mount.  very smooth, which i find slightly surprising given the center of mass and the location of the alt axis.  no problem. 

 

saving pennies for a binotron.  does a telescope with binoviewer still count as a support telescope?  

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[dmorrow]

been working on my support telescope.  tried a few different mounts and, given the theme, settling on this fork mount.  very smooth, which i find slightly surprising given the center of mass and the location of the alt axis.  no problem. 

 

saving pennies for a binotron.  does a telescope with binoviewer still count as a support telescope?  

It does for me 

 

Hard to optically beat the SVX102D + Baader MaxBright II combo for a 70mm equivalent binocular/BT.   It pairs so well with either the Nikon MHG 10x42 or the MMC 10x56.   No need for a GPC to come into focus so mag from 25x (FOV 2.03°) to 178x (higher w/GPC).  

 

This pairing does, however, leave a gap around 20x with about a 4° FOV . . . hmmmm . . .  . . . ah yes, the perfect slot for the elusive 18 x70 Astroluxe   

Edited by dmorrow, 23 September 2024 - 09:59 AM.

[aznuge]

I tried the "occulting eyepiece" approach to observing Sirius and companion Alpha CMa B this morning.  I used my Vixen VMC 200L Support Telescope and a Vixen SLC 9mm eyepiece with a semicircle of aluminum foil placed at the field stop. 

 

The edge of the aluminum foil, affixed on the inner side of the eyepiece barrel, was semi-sharp as seen at 217x, through this reflector.  Watching Sirius move from visibility to obscurity across the FOV, the B companion star became visible over time and with repeated attempts.  B was evident as a tiny dot as Sirius transitioned westerly, behind the foil, toward extinction.  Its a little exaggerated in the sketch I made.

 

I plan to repeat this, and also visit Procyon with this occulting eyepiece approach.  This morning's experience with Sirius left me a little underwhelmed as I recalled seeing "the Pup" a little better with the BT127, without eyepiece mods, at 108x with Nagler Zooms at their 6mm setting (and at 5 and 4).  Lot of variables here that are making me curious about trying new approaches, and re-trying old ones.

 

 

 

[Fiske]

We finally had a break in the miserable weather last week, and I had splendid back to back observing sessions Wednesday and Thursday evening (September 25 and 26). This image is from Wednesday evening.

 

 

The Takahashi 100DC has quickly established its supremacy in the Support Telescope category. I expect to occasionally use other telescopes for specific observing project (TV-101, Orion 120 EON, Celestron 6SE, and Orion CC8 Cassegrain), but the 100DC is so easy to deploy (on a Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod) and provides such splendid views, it will likely be included in every observing session aside from special projects. (More on that below.)

 

This configuration has become my ideal setup -- 100XL-SD, Tak 100DC, and Farsight p-gram with various straight through binoculars, shown here with the Maven b.5 12x56.

 

I spent most of my observing time in Cepheus and Lacerta, with side trips to Cygnus, Vulpecula, Sagitta, and Andromeda. Also on the observing program were my first side by side comparisons of the OB 10x and 12x50 EDU and the Maven b.5 10x and 12x56 binoculars.

 

Some fine doubles were added to my observing log, particularly in Lacerta. Details on those coming soon.

 

BUT, here is a support telescope challenge. 

 

Three absolutely splendid binocular doubles can be found in the star field around Delta Cephei (the first of the trio). STF 2840 (5.69/6.42 sep 18.0") is the second, and STF 2872 (7.20/7.98 sep 22.4") is the third. However, there is more to the story with STF 2872.  Because the primary itself is an evenly matched sub-arc second double that beckons enticingly to support telescopes (7.98/8.0 sep 0.8"). Now there is a challenge worthy of jrazz. 

 

I took a serious run at it Thursday evening with the 100DC, and at 185x (Televue 4mm Delite), I could see it as two stars in contact but could not fully resolve it. So, I'm planning to revisit with the 120 EON, Celestron 6SE, or Orion CC8.

Edited by Fiske, 29 September 2024 - 07:27 PM.

[jrazz]

I fully support this but...

 

a) I do not have a support telescope anymore...

 

 

 

b) STF 2987 seems to be a 4.2" double...

23h 10m 21.28s +49° 01' 06.0" P.A. 149.00 sep 4.2 mag 7.42,10.41 Sp G1V dist. 45.39 pc (148.06 l.y.)

 

 

FWIW the best I ever split with the FC-100DC is 1.3". The TOA did 0.9".

We'll see how the TBT does

[Fiske]

I fully support this but...

 

a) I do not have a support telescope anymore...

 

 

 

 

b) STF 2987 seems to be a 4.2" double...

23h 10m 21.28s +49° 01' 06.0" P.A. 149.00 sep 4.2 mag 7.42,10.41 Sp G1V dist. 45.39 pc (148.06 l.y.)

 

 

FWIW the best I ever split with the FC-100DC is 1.3". The TOA did 0.9".

We'll see how the TBT does

 

  

 

STF 2987 was a typo. It should have been STF 2872. (Now corrected.)

 

Thank you, Jordan. 

Edited by Fiske, 29 September 2024 - 07:29 PM.

[balcon3]

 

I took a serious run at it Thursday evening with the 100DC, and at 185x (Televue 4mm Delite), I could see it as two stars in contact but could not fully resolve it. So, I'm planning to revisit with the 120 EON, Celestron 6SE, or Orion CC8.

Did you try higher mag? The FC100 should be able to go higher than 185x if the seeing supports it.

[Fiske]

Did you try higher mag? The FC100 should be able to go higher than 185x if the seeing supports it.

Well, it would be a challenge with that mount, versus the 161MK2B with the Stellarvue M002C head. Plus, I couldn't bring it to focus with a barlow and the 7mm or 5mm Type 6 eyepieces. Not sure if I could swing it by reconfiguring the Tak components ( I removed the extension pieces when I initially set it up). Plus, honestly, I'm not sure that 1 arc second doubles qualify as support telescope territory.  I am pondering a 3mm DeLite (which would be 246x). That is the most magnification I would use with that mount. I'm sure the 100DC can handle higher magnification.

 

I tried a few 1.4" doubles this evening, with 2-3 mag difference between the primary and secondary and that was not a happening thing at all.  The seeing was poor, but I'm not sure it would have been doable with steady seeing. Anyway, I had no trouble with doubles in the 2 second range. Partly this comes down to figuring out optimal uses for the configuration.

 

I've never felt much need to push equipment to the max. I've done it occasionally, but typically I prefer comfortable observing well within reasonable parameters for whatever scope or BT. I typically have 20mm XWs on the 100XL-SD, simply because it is so much easier to navigate with a wider FOV and star fields are so much more enjoyable. The role of the Tak is to provide higher magnification views to avoid the nuisance of BT eyepieces swapping and navigating with tiny FOVs.

Edited by Fiske, 29 September 2024 - 11:17 PM.

[jrazz]

The FC-100DC can handle more magnification. I regularly use the TOE 2.5mm for 296x.

This is useful for the tighter doubles and can resolve ~1" doubles in a pinch.

 

This was done on my AZ100 with tracking enabled - a much more stable mount than what Fiske is using.

 

I expect to be able to do sub 1" with the TBT.

 

[balcon3]

Well, it would be a challenge with that mount, versus the 161MK2B with the Stellarvue M002C head. Plus, I couldn't bring it to focus with a barlow and the 7mm or 5mm Type 6 eyepieces. Not sure if I could swing it by reconfiguring the Tak components ( I removed the extension pieces when I initially set it up). Plus, honestly, I'm not sure that 1 arc second doubles qualify as support telescope territory.  I am pondering a 3mm DeLite (which would be 246x). That is the most magnification I would use with that mount. I'm sure the 100DC can handle higher magnification.

 

I tried a few 1.4" doubles this evening, with 2-3 mag difference between the primary and secondary and that was not a happening thing at all.  The seeing was poor, but I'm not sure it would have been doable with steady seeing. Anyway, I had no trouble with doubles in the 2 second range. Partly this comes down to figuring out optimal uses for the configuration.

 

I've never felt much need to push equipment to the max. I've done it occasionally, but typically I prefer comfortable observing well within reasonable parameters for whatever scope or BT. I typically have 20mm XWs on the 100XL-SD, simply because it is so much easier to navigate with a wider FOV and star fields are so much more enjoyable. The role of the Tak is to provide higher magnification views to avoid the nuisance of BT eyepieces swapping and navigating with tiny FOVs.

Yes, 0.8 arc-second splitting is likely beyond what one can expect a 100mm scope to do. I totally respect not feeling the urge to push the scope to its limits. But it can be fun.

[Fiske]

Yes, 0.8 arc-second splitting is likely beyond what one can expect a 100mm scope to do. I totally respect not feeling the urge to push the scope to its limits. But it can be fun.

  

[glittledale]

"I regularly use the TOE 2.5mm"

 

i tried the toe's a while back.  took me a while to get them unstuck from my eye socket.  

 

all these beautiful tak support telescopes are creating conflict with my one scope policy. 

[jrazz]

"I regularly use the TOE 2.5mm"

 

i tried the toe's a while back.  took me a while to get them unstuck from my eye socket.  

 

all these beautiful tak support telescopes are creating conflict with my one scope policy. 

One telescope?

No such thing!

[Fiske]

"I regularly use the TOE 2.5mm"

 

i tried the toe's a while back.  took me a while to get them unstuck from my eye socket.  

 

all these beautiful tak support telescopes are creating conflict with my one scope policy. 

One scope policy?