Hello all,
Thanks for your replies and welcomings.
Wavelandscott I hear what your saying, just enjoy my scope and if I want to upgrade seriously then it might be time to buy something a little more exotic. I will remember this well.
Thanks for the advice on everything else everyone because I think that
EVERYONE has given me something that will definately be used straight away. I'm really glad to have talked to you all and it has been very encouraging for me to gain some of your experience.
Thanks Allen and barx1963, I'll go down and check out woolies next time I'm shopping.
Shark Bait I love your idea with the Alt/Az marks on your scope. I think bearings will give me some guidance to where I should be roughly pointing while I'm learning. I even thought while I'm concreting in my new fence that I'll stealthly put in a conc. pad with a north sign on it in the vacant land across from my house!
Barx1963 I'm definately using your trolley idea as I have to navigate some bumpy areas and kerbing getting across the road. The charts and lights are also on my list.
Now for the chair. From what I've seen the chairs don't look to comlpex to make yourself and I'm quite handy at wood/metal working so I might give that one a try myself. I think I'll have a go and see if I can modulate it later by incorporating something with a small table on the side. Kind of like a lecture chair but with the ability to rotate the table away. On the other side maybe a place to hang the charts and storage for the eypieces. I think I'll have to keep it light though. Hmm, I'll keep you all posted on that one!
Aidan the calendar looks definately on the list too. I think it would be great to hang in our kitchen so the rest of the family can enjoy it too. Which reminds me I turned stellarium on for my boys today and got wow's alround. It was great fun for them and me as we zoomed in on different things. My oldest was so impressed he got out the camera and started taking pictures of it.
Thanks again and If there are more ideas then please keep them coming.
Questions -
Do the dew heaters need a mains power source or are they portable and maybe battery operated?
Kind regards
Simmo