42 replies to this topic

[hfjacinto]

@DC869,

 

Sorry about your scope.

 

I currently have a reduced stable, and only 1 mount so if setting up, it makes no sense to take out a smaller scope. If doing night time astronomy, I use my APM 152 the most.

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Edited by hfjacinto, 02 May 2025 - 07:46 AM.

[VA3DSO]

Thanks, Rick. It's been almost a year and I'm still replacing astro gear that I had with me on that trip.

The Omni 102 XLT is a nice scope... it's just much heavier on the CG4-EQ mount, which I use converted to AZ mode. So, that's more cumbersome in itself with the slo-mo controls all on one side. And at f/9.8, it has me doing calisthenics to observe at any decent altitude.

I had the Omni 102AZ on a Vixen Porta II. The tripod was a little light for it, but that mount was a dream to me. All the grandkids loved tracking manually with it, too, so it made for some fun, impromptu time under the stars for this grandma.

De

I am looking forward to sharing eyepiece time with my grandkids when they show up (one of three of my kids is getting married and hopefully some little ones will follow!).

 

I've thought about a Vixen Porta II for my Omni AZ 102 as it seems to be kind of between the original flimsy Omni mount and an AZ4 which is what I have my scope mounted on now. The AZ4 holds it very well, and the entire rig is relatively easy to move, but I wonder if a Porta II would be easier to take when traveling.

Edited by VA3DSO, 02 May 2025 - 08:38 AM.

[weis14]

In the five years that I've had it, the scope I use the most is easily my Stowaway.  Probably by a 2:1 margin over any other scope.  In fact, multiple other scopes have come and gone in the interim as I've looked for a larger companion to use when the conditions warrant it.  

 

I don't have the ability to wheel scopes out on a dolly to where I can observe with them, and many of my backyard sessions are only an hour or two long due to needing to go to work the next day.  Thus, the small size of the Stowaway means that it gets used much more than its larger competitors.  

[holdt]

Over the long haul... 127mm MakCass.

Most recently... 14.5" Starmaster hybred with Zambuto, SevroCat, and NexusDSC.

[balcon3]

I am looking forward to sharing eyepiece time with my grandkids when they show up (one of three of my kids is getting married and hopefully some little ones will follow!).

 

I've thought about a Vixen Porta II for my Omni AZ 102 as it seems to be kind of between the original flimsy Omni mount and an AZ4 which is what I have my scope mounted on now. The AZ4 holds it very well, and the entire rig is relatively easy to move, but I wonder if a Porta II would be easier to take when traveling.

I think that the Porta II should be OK with the 102, but you might need to get a sturdier tripod, which would add to  the weight of the total system. I think the AZ 102 right at the limit for a Porta II on its original tripod.

[stargazer1]

It really depends on what I want to look at the most.

 

If I'm exclusively planetary, or double stars, I use my 8-inch f/20 Cassegrain. Long eye relief at relatively high magnification is a real treat. I also have a not famous name 100mm refractor that has an outstanding objective lens. I find myself using it a lot for planetary, but has also proven itself for general deep sky observing  For general purpose work, I have an Explore Scientific AR127. This is easily our most used scope. 

 

A while back I standardized on using Losmandy dovetails for the all the telescopes. I fitted a dovetail clamp to my existing mount, and when we upgraded an iOptron CEM40 mount, we kept the same system. All the scopes work on all the mounts.  

[Jon Isaacs]

I think that the Porta II should be OK with the 102, but you might need to get a sturdier tripod, which would add to  the weight of the total system. I think the AZ 102 right at the limit for a Porta II on its original tripod.

 

The Omni 102 mm F/6.5 is a lightweight scope, under 6 lbs if I remember correctly. A 4 inch ED that's longer and 4 lbs heavier is marginal on a Portamount with the original legs but the Omni 102 is fine .

 

Jon

[Mike W]

The CST/Berger tripod is made in India and $160.00 on Amazon

 

[PIEJr]

My AT92 is the most commonly used scope in my collection. It will probably be surpassed by my Comet Hunter this year. The extra aperture of the CH will make it a better choice for the upcoming galaxy season, if I ever get a cloudless night with good seeing conditions.

CS

Now that made me laugh, A cloudless night with good seeing conditions.

 

You silly boy! 

[PIEJr]

My AT130EDT.

 

Because I only have one scope.

(I like to focus.)

[havasman]

The 80MT double stacked Lunt Ha solar scope is by far my most used scope.

[PIEJr]

To answer your question, What do you use most? I'd say pepper.

I tend to add pepper to most things.

[truckerfromaustin]

Now that made me laugh, A cloudless night with good seeing conditions.

You silly boy!

The odds are against me, but sooner or later, it will happen. I might have to fly to a different state, but I'm going to enjoy a telescope at a dark site with good transparency this year.

CS

[BKBrown]

"What do you use most?" Ummm, all of it.

 

 

Clear Skies,

Brian 

[25585]

10" F6 Dob.

[Martinbruce]

My most recent acquisition is used the most: StellaMira 125ED doublet at f/7.8 Still use the EVO 8 at times when I need to go deeper. They complement each other. Cheers

[GGK]

130mm Apo probably gets used the most.  It is great for planets and doubles, but I can also compress it down to f/3.5 so good for deep sky and large nebula.

 

I just leave the mount covered on the patio, so not really much time for setup. 

Eddgie,

 

What 130mm APO are you using today?  I think you told us in another post, but I was never able to find that again. If I remember correctly,  your scope does not need a GPC or Barlow when using a binoviewer, and that’s of interest to me, as is the ability to drop to f/3.5. That’s a nice capability range. 
 

Thanks. 
Gary

[jcj380]

From most used to least:

 

AT72EDii

AT60ED - mainly b/c it's my newest scope and I'm still exploring its capabilities; plan to use it mainly for travel

ST80

AT50 - when time is limited this is a three-finger carry out the door with mount and pod

ST102

 

The 72, 80, and 102 ride on a ScopeTech Zero on a Sirui CF with geared column.  The 50 and 60 go on a AZ Pronto on an Innorel RT90C with the sliding column.  I occasionally fire up my AZ-GTi with the 60 or 72, but not very often.  

 

I lean very much toward light and portable, but I confess I've been eyeing a few Dobs lately, mainly 10-inch.  But that brings up questions of storage and then transport if I want to get under darker skies.