[pmrid (Peter)]

All Tak owners will identify with the maze of threads and adapters you need to attach anything to these scopes. I've just managed - after a couple of months of messing about and getting all the bits and pieces together - to get my BabyQ (FSQ85EDX) set up with the Tak .73 reducer and a FLI PDF focuser. It was a tight squeeze to get these items to fit in with the SX OAG/FW and ATIK CCD I have for it. In the end the only way I could get the lot to come to focus was by removing the camera rotator cuff thing (the adapter that replaced the old Capstain Wheel).

I have the PDF first followed by the reducer and then the OAG/FW/CCD. That allows me to maintain exact backfocus between the reducer and the sensor at 72.2mm. All this required a bucket of cash to have the right adapters tooled up by Ashley Stevens. By the time I actually got this scope fit for duty as a widefield imager, it has cost me an arm and a leg.

So what happens - cloud and rain - that's what. One more new moon of total overcast to add to an already very long list.

Still, it's done. And perhaps by winter - just maybe - we'll have enough sky to work with. Dream on!!

Peter