[Eratosthenes (Peter)]

....Eratosthenes is taking notes...lots of notes...thanks Russel for the guide to prices and the exposure times acceptable without a guidescope set up. That could be useful.

and yes I did notice a spike in the prices of mounts, OTAs and other imported gear over the past few weeks.

I do have someone who will be going to China in June and returning later in the year. May be worthwhile tracking some accessories and a camera from Shanghai. That could allow me to get a good GOTO mount and OTA from Melbourne with the budget I have at the moment.

Meanwhile it's the cheapy, very old, uncontrollable refractor with the shocking lenses and unusable 3X Barlow lens for me. Although my simple 6" Newtonian is a lot better, but again without a drive and cheapish optics and aging hand controls, is becoming very difficult to use. (both have opened up the skies for me though and I will most likely donate them to the neighbours young kids who have used them occasionally)

cheers