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Old 24-06-2018, 04:47 PM
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Your Best Astro Purchase?

So we all hear about the dramas with gear and software and the things we should get. But what have you acquired in this hobby that you absolutely love and can't do without and why? It may help other people onto the right path...
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Old 24-06-2018, 04:57 PM
raymo
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Hi Rob, As I am not into computer control of my gear, my $20 ebay
intervalometer is without doubt the one thing that keeps me imaging, especially in Winter. Set up, and leave it to do its thing.
raymo
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Old 24-06-2018, 05:12 PM
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AstralTraveller (David)
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My adjustable observing chair. It allows me to see, not suffer.
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Old 24-06-2018, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by AstralTraveller View Post
My adjustable observing chair. It allows me to see, not suffer.
These observing chairs appear to be as rare as rocking horse droppings in Oz, it appears that I have to make one or get one from the states at approx $400 AUD.
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Old 24-06-2018, 05:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raymo View Post
Hi Rob, As I am not into computer control of my gear, my $20 ebay
intervalometer is without doubt the one thing that keeps me imaging, especially in Winter. Set up, and leave it to do its thing.
raymo



Thats a good one raymo. I'd be lost without mine too.
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Old 24-06-2018, 05:49 PM
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I have never had the adjustable chair David... comfy chair, blanket and a glass of Port stops me from suffering.


Your new project Rob... get it done and post the result. I am a hobby woodworker too. Maybe I should make and sell them.
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Old 24-06-2018, 06:01 PM
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mynameiscd (Andy)
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My hand spun, hand made bennie my wife made me!!!!
There is no way I could be outside this winter without it.
Ive also got a brilliant woolen jacket and combined with the bennie its going to be ok in my first full vic winter.

Also my Heq5. Best investment i ever made
For years I put up with s clunky old mount thst was shimed and moded but still was just not quite right.
Cheers
Andy
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Old 24-06-2018, 06:17 PM
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Atmos (Colin)
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Upgrading from an EQ6 to an ASA DDM60, hands down my best astro purchase.
Doesn’t matter what telescope or camera you have, an under performing mount will not allow high quality images.
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Old 24-06-2018, 06:49 PM
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Sirius observatory. Mine is well over 20 years old, still going strong.
A permanent place for you gear, seriously refined polar alignment and tihe ability to be imaging or observing within minutes. The scope is protected from wind buffetting and stray lights. Multi-night imaging is also a doddle.

Sure the telescopes and cameras have changed over the years, but being able to be up and running, even on nights where the weather seemed doubtful, makes a dome soooo worthwhile.
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Old 24-06-2018, 06:49 PM
glend (Glen)
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Not a purchase really, but a build. My observatory is the best investment I have made. It makes everything astro so easy.
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Old 24-06-2018, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by RobNevyn View Post
These observing chairs appear to be as rare as rocking horse droppings in Oz, it appears that I have to make one or get one from the states at approx $400 AUD.

I think this has more to do with the manufacturers selling online. Why would the local stores stock a low-volume specialty, when you can just as easily have one delivered from the manufacturer ?

for example: https://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=pr...prache=english

I have the Charon, works a treat
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Old 24-06-2018, 07:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wavytone View Post
I think this has more to do with the manufacturers selling online. Why would the local stores stock a low-volume specialty, when you can just as easily have one delivered from the manufacturer ?

for example: https://www.berlebach.de/?bereich=pr...prache=english

I have the Charon, works a treat
Hmm, looks the goods, how do you find feet placement at the higher positions?

Sorry Rob, didn't mean to hijack your post.
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Old 24-06-2018, 07:51 PM
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Stonius (Markus)
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Getting my eyes lasiked (lasered). Quick, painless and perfect result.

I had astigmatism that made it hard to read without glasses. Now I can enjoy the night sky without having to worry about glasses fogging up, smearing, getting in the way, etc.

It all starts with the eyes. Everything else is secondary.

Markus
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Old 24-06-2018, 07:58 PM
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Lognic04 (Logan)
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Either SGP or Pixinsight! Bloody awesome software!
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Old 24-06-2018, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by RobNevyn View Post
Hmm, looks the goods, how do you find feet placement at the higher positions?

Sorry Rob, didn't mean to hijack your post.

Hijack away Rob, that what this post is for.
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  #16  
Old 24-06-2018, 08:41 PM
Wavytone
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Originally Posted by RobNevyn View Post
Hmm, looks the goods, how do you find feet placement at the higher positions?
Where all of these chairs really help is when you need to crouch down low which is very uncomfortable for more than a few minutes. Up high I tend to stand rather than sit.

On sloping or uneven ground all of these chairs can be a bit precarious if you insist on sitting up high rather than standing. One aspect of the wooden ones is that with most of them you can easily add a bar across the bottom to provide a wider base.

If you weigh more than 150kg though you will need something more solid.
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  #17  
Old 24-06-2018, 08:49 PM
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A hot water bottle with a little fury bag, a fury cap with flaps over my ears and a red head lite.
I can stay warm and see what I am doing.
Alex
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  #18  
Old 24-06-2018, 09:06 PM
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cometcatcher (Kevin)
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Another observatory vote from me. Best astro thing I ever did.
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Old 24-06-2018, 09:39 PM
Imme (Jon)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stonius View Post
Getting my eyes lasiked (lasered). Quick, painless and perfect result.

I had astigmatism that made it hard to read without glasses. Now I can enjoy the night sky without having to worry about glasses fogging up, smearing, getting in the way, etc.

It all starts with the eyes. Everything else is secondary.

Markus
At what age if you don’t mind me asking?
I had it in my 20’s and was wondering if I can get it done again now....20 odd years later
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Old 24-06-2018, 09:59 PM
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At what age if you don’t mind me asking?
I had it in my 20’s and was wondering if I can get it done again now....20 odd years later
I think I was about 30. They did say there would be age related effects that would happen regardless and they could not prevent that.

It's a subtractive process, so I assume the cornea gets thinner the more they take away? There must be a certain point at which they can't take away any more?

You could always ask. Often those places do the consult for free/cheap because the actual surgery is $$$ like they're installing night vision in your cornea or something.

There's a reason Lasik surgeons do not drive corollas.
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