Just got back in from star testing the VC200L after collimating it (got LOVELY concentric airy rings after only FINE tweaking what I had done during the day - VERY happy with that!) - really quite steady seeing, and I was able to observe Saturn for about 10 mins with nary a shimmer, using the 12.5mm EP. Antares was GORGEOUS and brilliant orange-red, and the Jewel Box was a gem (pun intended
) A very pleasing scope - much nicer than my previous 2 (not fluorite refractor perfect, but what is?
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I was very surprised how quickly the VC200L acclimated to ambient - within 40 minutes. Perhaps since I keep it in a plastic tub in the garage (which is not very warm) meant it was near ambient already anyway, but the coloured tube currents shimmer when looking at the airy disks were apparent (no, I of course did NOT alter the collimation until acclimatisation) for about 20 minutes before settling.
Not going to do imaging tonight, as I am awaiting some goto system spare parts, but the GPD2 working as a makeshift alt-az was VERY smooth - far easier than the NEQ6.
Going to HAVE to get an alt az mount so I can do visual while imaging with one of the others.