[Paul Haese]

Thanks Geert for your comment.

Originally Posted by SpaceNoob

Great image Paul, colour is great and detail is top notch.

Good luck on the curvature issue, sounds like a real pain to get right. I'm surprised that GSO don't have something specific for it? I have no doubt they would sell..... probably anyone who purchases one of their RC's would also want a flattener / reducer.

Chris, GSO has not made a flattener for these large scopes. It would need to be 3" in diameter at least. Jim I am told is not keen to make refracting elements for these scopes. I agree though, the flatteners would sell like hot cakes.

Originally Posted by DJT

Great image Paul. The saturation and colours to me are just right.

I passed on playing with flatteners opting to work with what came out natively of the RC8 as I wouldn't have the patience you have getting the detail right. Bad experience with the smaller TS flattener and hot spots. Next upgrade may well be the RC12 so watching carefully. What's it like being the pathfinder?

David, I have a long habit of being an early adopter, Imaging Source cameras, QSI, RC8 and R12. It is a challenge to remain calm at times, but in the end with persistence the battle can be won.

Originally Posted by kkara4

thanks for your reply Paul. I was looking into a cooled CCD for filtered work and had a look at the price of the STXL.

i assume though it is worth every dollar and cent. did you go for the self guiding filter wheel option with it?

I had dramas with the first STXL. It failed in the end, but it was replaced only a month or so ago. The integrated guide camera and filter wheel was the reason I went with the STXL series. It allows quite short back focus and this is what I wanted so I could have a flattener, Atlas focusor and rotator in my imaging train. There is still a slight amount of room left for an AOX.

The deep cooling of these cameras and guide solution are worth the money expended.