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Old 03-09-2019, 05:18 PM
Wilso
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You guys are using some really nice gear there!!

My latest set up on the Pm-1 mount is the intes mk-65 thanks to Col and Lewis. Has limited range in planet fork mode when polar aligned, the mount is suited to planets, solar and moon. The scope is actually lighter than my fsq85ed, go figure.
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Last edited by Wilso; 03-09-2019 at 05:53 PM.
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  #2242  
Old 03-09-2019, 09:43 PM
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FlashDrive (Poppy)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilso View Post
You guys are using some really nice gear there!!

My latest set up on the Pm-1 mount is the intes mk-65 thanks to Col and Lewis. Has limited range in planet fork mode when polar aligned, the mount is suited to planets, solar and moon. The scope is actually lighter than my fsq85ed, go figure.
Nice Darren .... king of the mountain on that Mount ....!!
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  #2243  
Old 04-09-2019, 09:57 AM
Wavytone
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Tis such a pity Skywatcher couldn't learn something about aesthetics from Takahashi.

Darren that looks so... right !
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  #2244  
Old 04-09-2019, 03:24 PM
UniPol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilso View Post
You guys are using some really nice gear there!!

My latest set up on the Pm-1 mount is the intes mk-65 thanks to Col and Lewis. Has limited range in planet fork mode when polar aligned, the mount is suited to planets, solar and moon. The scope is actually lighter than my fsq85ed, go figure.
Nice set up Darren, the PM-1 mounts are very versatile, it's a pity Tak have just discontinued production. In fact my PM-1 is supposedly the last one Tak made not that it is of any consequence but I'm glad I've got one. The planet fork system is great for planetary and solar viewing and is capable of seeing around 30 degrees either side of the ecliptic, you just have to be careful not to run the OTA into the mount particularly long tubed ones like my FOA-60Q shown. The advantage of the planet fork system is that no counterweights are required; in effect the OTA acts as the counterweight.

The PM-1 has a number of modes such as the the two shown in the pics and it can also be placed in Alt/Az mode and a number of cameras fitted to the RA head.

The tripod is Tak's latest offering for small mounts such as the P2-Z, PM-1 and EM-11 with appropriate adaptors. It has proven to be quite light and rigid so is an excellent tripod for going away.
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Last edited by UniPol; 04-09-2019 at 05:45 PM.
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  #2245  
Old 04-09-2019, 05:41 PM
Wilso
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Steve your photos always look superb I have to stop using my phone! Good to see your Pm-1 all up and running with the new tripod, looks to be a great match for the FOA too.
The planet fork configuration has proven to be my favourite so far! Not having to worry about counterweights and still light enough to use as a grab and go.
Could be the last of Takahashi’s small mounts?

Enjoy!
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  #2246  
Old 05-09-2019, 01:18 PM
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Seeing as how everyone else posts daytime photos, where their gear is easily visible, I figured I ought to do similar.
Since my scope has no eyepiece rack, I have to put any eyepieces and Barlow I think I might want to use, either side of the brace piece on the back of my scope's mount.
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  #2247  
Old 05-09-2019, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by JeniSkunk View Post
Seeing as how everyone else posts daytime photos, where their gear is easily visible, I figured I ought to do similar.
Since my scope has no eyepiece rack, I have to put any eyepieces and Barlow I think I might want to use, either side of the brace piece on the back of my scope's mount.
Nice use of limited space. One of my balconies is about the same size. I would imagine you have problems with stray light, especially with an open tube scope? I usually hang towels everywhere to block it out unless I'm observing the Moon.
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  #2248  
Old 05-09-2019, 02:23 PM
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Nice use of limited space. One of my balconies is about the same size. I would imagine you have problems with stray light, especially with an open tube scope? I usually hang towels everywhere to block it out unless I'm observing the Moon.
Glad you like my set up, Morton.
The limited space is the major reason I use a tabletop Dobsonian.
The secondary reason is the scope has to be one I can manage to carry up and down the stairs here. No elevators. At my block of flats, ground floor is garages/laundries, and the top 2 floors are flats. I'm on the top floor. A 150mm solid tube Dobsonian would simply be too big and heavy for me to get up/down the stairs, safely.

Stray light is rarely an issue. I occasionally notice it when someone drives in or out of the block, but that's it.
No. The real problem I have is all the sports fields about 500 or so metres east of my block of flats, and the floodlights of those sports fields which is the problem, as while I try to spot what few targets are eyeball visible in a Bortle 8 sky, I'm also looking straight at those floodlights. My patio/balcony is east facing, and those floodlights are on pretty well every night of the year.
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  #2249  
Old 06-09-2019, 12:39 PM
UniPol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilso View Post
Steve your photos always look superb I have to stop using my phone! Good to see your Pm-1 all up and running with the new tripod, looks to be a great match for the FOA too.
The planet fork configuration has proven to be my favourite so far! Not having to worry about counterweights and still light enough to use as a grab and go.
Could be the last of Takahashi’s small mounts?

Enjoy!
Thanks Darren, the set up has come together well, I'm hoping to fit my FSQ-85EDX4 in planetary mode this week. Will post some pics when it is set up.

I notice that the RA motor housing on your PM-1 is reversed to mine. I suppose the MK-65 has a higher centre of gravity than small refractors, good that the mount can accommodate both.
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Old 06-09-2019, 12:47 PM
Wilso
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Yes Steve, balances quite nicely in that position with the intes.
I think you’ll find the Fsq will balance better as your set up with the Foa and then also you can use the offset plate which might change things again.
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  #2251  
Old 07-09-2019, 12:21 PM
UniPol
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Originally Posted by Wilso View Post
Yes Steve, balances quite nicely in that position with the intes.
I think you’ll find the Fsq will balance better as your set up with the Foa and then also you can use the offset plate which might change things again.
Pics attached of the PM-1/FSQ-85EDX4 and no problems with balance, this should prove to be a nice combination I think.
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  #2252  
Old 07-09-2019, 06:26 PM
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Jeni there’s an easy solution - head to Bunnings and the Velcro section. They have packs with several pairs of small pieces with very strong adhesive backs. I’d put the hook pieces on the side of your mount, then apply the soft fabric pieces to say eyepieces or anything else; they will simply stick to the scope.

You could also make a small tray to hold a couple of eyepieces and stick that in place with Velcro!on the side of the base or even along the top of the OTA.
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  #2253  
Old 07-09-2019, 08:49 PM
ab1963 (Andrew)
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Originally Posted by UniPol View Post
Pics attached of the PM-1/FSQ-85EDX4 and no problems with balance, this should prove to be a nice combination I think.

That combination looks so perfectly matched, Impressive Steve
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  #2254  
Old 08-09-2019, 06:20 PM
UniPol
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That combination looks so perfectly matched, Impressive Steve
Thanks Andrew, I'm really happy that it is working out well not only for the FSQ-85 but is well suited to the FS-60 and FC-76. It is a shame that Tak no longer make the PM-1 and I was lucky to get the the last one produced.
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  #2255  
Old 08-09-2019, 06:48 PM
Wilso
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Nice one Steve looks great
I don’t know about the straight through viewing though - not for me.
Try rotating the motor 180degs when balancing so it offsets the scope to the otherside (allowing more movement ).
I tried this today and seemed to work with the intes!

Cheers

Last edited by Wilso; 08-09-2019 at 07:56 PM.
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  #2256  
Old 09-09-2019, 10:23 AM
UniPol
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Originally Posted by Wilso View Post
Nice one Steve looks great
I don’t know about the straight through viewing though - not for me.
Try rotating the motor 180degs when balancing so it offsets the scope to the otherside (allowing more movement ).
I tried this today and seemed to work with the intes!

Cheers
I'm not a fan of straight through viewing either, I just store the scope that way. I've attached the latest system charts from Tak for the EDP model, hours of fun playing around with the various arrangements.

I'll give you idea of rotating the motor housing a go, it would give greater clearance for the OTA for sure.
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File Type: pdf FSQ85EDP_main.pdf (127.6 KB, 929 views)
File Type: pdf FSQ85EDP_508ad.pdf (104.1 KB, 918 views)
File Type: pdf FSQ85EDP_exed.pdf (98.4 KB, 890 views)
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  #2257  
Old 09-09-2019, 10:44 AM
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There, you've done it again Steve...

Now I need an FSQ-85 again
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  #2258  
Old 10-09-2019, 12:54 PM
UniPol
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There, you've done it again Steve...

Now I need an FSQ-85 again
You're No.1 on my list Lewis if and when I decide to part with this little beauty
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  #2259  
Old 10-09-2019, 06:15 PM
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On Saturday, I purchased from Doolsduck, the early 1960s Royal Astro Optical 50mmx500mm f10 refractor he had up for sale here in IIS.
This evening, I've finally managed to take some decent photos of the new acquisition.
I still need to take care of a couple of tasks before I put this classic scope to work. I need to get a suitable height table for the patio/balcony of my flat to set the scope up on, and for safety reasons (anyone in the future who might wind up with this scope) I need to scratch the heck out of both sides of that SUN filter so it is unusable.
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  #2260  
Old 10-09-2019, 06:42 PM
Wavytone
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A hammer will fix the filter, permanently. A firm whack.
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