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  #1101  
Old 30-03-2014, 04:09 PM
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FlashDrive (Poppy)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA View Post
Looks very nice.

And Flash, what is rain?

Cheers Pete
Quote:
Originally Posted by brian nordstrom View Post
MATE ! , that's gorgeous , well done .
Brian.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larryp View Post
Looks good, Col
Thanks Brian, Peter, and Larry ....not the best Photos...will post better ones another time.
It's heavy....there's no Scope movement even when ' tapping ' the leg.
Rock solid it is.

Col.....
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  #1102  
Old 30-03-2014, 04:56 PM
04Stefan07 (Stefan)
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Here is my Solar Telescope Setup.
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  #1103  
Old 05-04-2014, 05:28 PM
Stardrifter_WA
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My portable set up.

Shown are:

The Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 GT Mount. This is a really nice mount, however, I had a problem with the hand control, when used in the Alt/Az mode, as it wrapped around the mount. So, using a spare Stellavue finder dovetail and bracket (and a few other bits and pieces), I made a control holder to fit on top of the mount, so that the hand control is always in a handy location, and doesn't wrap around the mount. The dovetail bracket itself is attached to the mount cover plate via 3M Dual-Lock (DL), which doesn't mar the surface of the cover plate, if the DL is ever removed. DL is great stuff, even though it is a tad expensive, but then, it does it's job like no other. DL is strong enough to have held my speakers on metal mounts for years without ever coming apart. Because the cover plates were fitted with soft phillips head screws, on which the head strips easily, I replaced all the screws with stainless steel hex cap head screws. Why SW didn't do this in the first place is beyond me, particularly considering the thought that went into this mount. Also, I replaced the T-Bar locking screws, which got in the way, with stainless steel grub screws.

The Astro Tech 65 ED Quad (f/6.5) astrograph, mounted on a ADM Min-Max mount, with a Televue Everbrite diagonal. This scope is primarily used as a wide field scope, but can also be piggybacked on my observatory scope and used for AP. This has to be the best priced ($579) telescope that I have ever bought. It has amazingly sharp images for such a small scope, which I also use as my grab-n-go scope. Just have to find a decent grab-n-go mount now.

The Williams Optics FLT110 (f/6) Triplet, with a Stellarvue finder, an Arctic Fox GL Laser and a Televue Everbrite diagonal. Also attached is a digital Pathfinder watch/compass.

Modified Celestron Power Tank. Replaced the battery with a deep cycle battery and modified the charging circuits (bypassed inbuilt charger) of the Power Tank so that a normal charger can be used. This is now a great portable power pack. Will be building a new, and larger, power pack in the near future.

This set up will be modified further with the inclusion of a Lunt 80mm PT Ha scope, as the FLT110 also has a Thousand Oaks glass white light filter. I will also be changing the WO Focuser, to something much better. Aluminium cases also need to be made for the WO FLT110 and the AZ-EQ6 GT mount, but that will have to wait for a while.

I am really happy with this set up.
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Last edited by Stardrifter_WA; 05-04-2014 at 06:08 PM.
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  #1104  
Old 05-04-2014, 05:50 PM
Kunama
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Well thought out system Peter.
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  #1105  
Old 11-04-2014, 02:39 PM
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FlashDrive (Poppy)
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This is the ' BEST ' Refractor I have ever owned with this size Aperture ( Neo - Achromatic )
5.5 inches fully Made in Japan .....Vixen NA140SS

Flash.............
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Last edited by FlashDrive; 11-04-2014 at 03:05 PM.
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  #1106  
Old 11-04-2014, 03:18 PM
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That looks very nice Col. There is something classy about a quality refractor setup.
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  #1107  
Old 11-04-2014, 03:31 PM
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Larryp (Laurie)
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Nice looking set-up, Col
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  #1108  
Old 11-04-2014, 05:09 PM
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Camelopardalis (Dunk)
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Fresh off the plane...

This is my latest addition, and I'm really stoked about it Haven't had first light yet as it only arrived yesterday and the Sydney weather doesn't look like cooperating

There will be lots more pictures of this once I can get some decent light...
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  #1109  
Old 11-04-2014, 05:37 PM
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FlashDrive (Poppy)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camelopardalis View Post
This is my latest addition, and I'm really stoked about it Haven't had first light yet as it only arrived yesterday and the Sydney weather doesn't look like cooperating

There will be lots more pictures of this once I can get some decent light...
That's sure looks nice ...... what is it ..... what Brand and Diameter ... ?

Flash.....
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  #1110  
Old 11-04-2014, 05:57 PM
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Camelopardalis (Dunk)
Drifting from the pole

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Skylight Telescopes 102 R.ED, see Skylight Telescopes site

Accessorised with TeleVue (Gibraltar, Starbeam, Everbrite) and Pentax XW40...can't wait to get under the dark sky at IISAC with this baby
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  #1111  
Old 11-04-2014, 06:29 PM
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FlashDrive (Poppy)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Camelopardalis View Post
Skylight Telescopes 102 R.ED, see Skylight Telescopes site

Accessorised with TeleVue (Gibraltar, Starbeam, Everbrite) and Pentax XW40...can't wait to get under the dark sky at IISAC with this baby
Thank You .....Yes ... had a look at their Website... thanks for the Link.
Nice bit of ' kit ' Dunk

Flash.....
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  #1112  
Old 11-04-2014, 06:57 PM
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MortonH
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Bootiful!
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  #1113  
Old 11-04-2014, 07:03 PM
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Camelopardalis (Dunk)
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My iPhone photography on a dreary afternoon in Sydney doesn't do it justice!
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  #1114  
Old 13-04-2014, 05:12 PM
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Doogs38 (Alex)
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14 Inch Dob

Hi. I upgraded mid last year from a Skywatcher 5 inch newt (on an EQ2 mount) to a DIY truss dob with a Skywatcher 14 inch f/4.5 conical mirror. The dob was designed for a 15 inch mirror and is very well built. I've put a Telrad and Orion right-angle finder on the scope and I'll also be putting DSCs on it by years end. It also has a beaut motorised JMI focuser. I'm performing some minor upgrades on things like truss tube clamps to minimise maintenance & improve reliability. Despite its reasonable size, it can be broken down & transported quite easily.

Jumping from a 5 inch to a 14 inch telescope came with profoundly improved views ... things that required averted vision can now be seen directly. I can view detail in Jupiter's belts and Saturn's rings (and see those lovely yellow/green bands around the planet), and comfortably view Mar's major features. I haven't taken it to a dark site yet, but I'm sure it will memorable when I do. Alex
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  #1115  
Old 15-04-2014, 10:49 PM
garin (Garin)
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New scope 18" F4.5 SDM#56 and apology

Apologies to all those in Perth that have had the rain and cloudy conditions since my new scope arrived

Neverthless I have managed to get it out a few times and it's a dream to use.
Thanks to Peter Read of SDM Telescopes

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  #1116  
Old 15-04-2014, 11:06 PM
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jenchris (Jennifer)
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Just about ready to suck the photons in.
Pity I'm off to UK next week - for 6 months
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  #1117  
Old 16-04-2014, 09:01 AM
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Allan
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Garin, your scope looks like a piece of art work. I bet it works as well as it looks to. What mirror did you put in it?
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  #1118  
Old 16-04-2014, 09:42 AM
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LewisM
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This is my pride and joy - had to sell all the others plus some other stuff to afford it.

Hasn't even seen first light yet - hopefully tonight!
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  #1119  
Old 16-04-2014, 10:14 AM
Kunama
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garin View Post
Apologies to all those in Perth that have had the rain and cloudy conditions since my new scope arrived

Neverthless I have managed to get it out a few times and it's a dream to use.
Thanks to Peter Read of SDM Telescopes
...
Makes me almost want a dob .............. I said almost !
Beautiful scope, I wish you clear skies
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  #1120  
Old 16-04-2014, 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by LewisM View Post
This is my pride and joy - had to sell all the others plus some other stuff to afford it.

Hasn't even seen first light yet - hopefully tonight!
Like they say in the song " Take good care of my baby ......."
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