I confess - I call most of my stuff I use a lot names. Both cars have names (Eva for the VW, and Muranka for the Murano), and yes, I named ALL my telescopes.
Well, the Vixen FL102S holds an eternal sweet spot in my heart - I foolishly sold it recently to help fund the Takahashi Insanity (which I am now cured of) had instant pangs of remorse and guilt, so was lucky enough to reacquire her again. She is now DEFINTELY only going when I shuffle off the 3rd rock from the sun.
So, because I admire this telescope so much, and because I had always called her "Flo" (kinda suits an FL102S), I had a solid brass plate computer etched with the words 'Vixen FL102S "Flo"' today. Got the plate home, quickly rolled it to the correct curve with an impromptu English Wheel (2 iron pipes ), and stuck it to the OTA above the "Do not look at sun" sticker (it has a self-adhesive glue on the back).
Will upload a photograph later.
Was considering a decal/sticker with the Crux or Orion with an ornate Flo, but decided a brass plate was more classical. Used old style serifed font for the Vixen titling, and semi-ornate script for Flo.
Anyone else cuckoo enough to name and personalise their scopes?
My LX200 is named "Hedgehog" (after a Greek holiday adventure) and my TOA130 is "Old Light" from a line in a Regina Spector song. When I complete my EQ mounted 18" f5.5 it will be christened "Planet Buster". Brass plates all...
We apparently often tend to name objects which are very important in some way, or which seem to possess a sort of personality (eg cranky). The shrinks suggest that we can then assign responsibility and blame to such objects.
I confess - I call most of my stuff I use a lot names. Both cars have names (Eva for the VW, and Muranka for the Murano), and yes, I named ALL my telescopes.
Well, the Vixen FL102S holds an eternal sweet spot in my heart - I foolishly sold it recently to help fund the Takahashi Insanity (which I am now cured of) had instant pangs of remorse and guilt, so was lucky enough to reacquire her again. She is now DEFINTELY only going when I shuffle off the 3rd rock from the sun.
So, because I admire this telescope so much, and because I had always called her "Flo" (kinda suits an FL102S), I had a solid brass plate computer etched with the words 'Vixen FL102S "Flo"' today. Got the plate home, quickly rolled it to the correct curve with an impromptu English Wheel (2 iron pipes ), and stuck it to the OTA above the "Do not look at sun" sticker (it has a self-adhesive glue on the back).
Will upload a photograph later.
Was considering a decal/sticker with the Crux or Orion with an ornate Flo, but decided a brass plate was more classical. Used old style serifed font for the Vixen titling, and semi-ornate script for Flo.
Anyone else cuckoo enough to name and personalise their scopes?
Meet 'Odessius' and 'F4', . These are the only two scopes of the 7 I have that have names.
Odessius is not just for the journey one takes, in shades of the Greek hero, but also refers to the scope's original configuration as an Odyssey II monster.
F4 is my 8" f/4 dobbie. I think you can guess why she's called F4,
The 10" Serrurier is 'Skeletope II'. It's all bare bones. The Lunt is just 'The Lunt' and the 80mm is 'Little Blue'.
I tend to name things I've built mostly.
Currently building a 2 meter model dirigible ( Steam Punk ) which will be named 'Aetherium Illuminatus' ......
All of my telescopes have names, some are more printable than others, for example my Skywatcher 120mm Refractor is called megadong, a name given it by a female friend who'd had a few drinks too many. My old and trusty 8" f7.9 Newtonian is "heavy c*nt" a.k.a Clint the brick. It weighs close on 120kg thanks to the custom made GEM that features 3.5" shafts and massive plates and bearings.
The 10" Meade SCT is "Emily" as she's a sweet petite thing, while the 12" LX600 Meade is "Fred". My often abused D&G Achromat is "Willy" and my TAL-1 (original import run in to Australia, it's a beast), is "Ivan the terrible" as it's got great optics for a small scope. My prize however is "James" a 260 year old 1 1/2" short Naval Refractor that belonged to my great, great, great, great, great Grandfather who was a collier owner and coal merchant. He had connections to a couple of minor historical events
Tell me more about your D&G please, what size is it? You have the first one in WA I have heard of other than my own two (6" f15 and 5" f15).
Hi, It's a 6" F12 that I purchased about 13 years ago. Currently I'm remodelling the mount. I love it to bits and it's a great scope. I am considering a 12" F12 D&G in a couple of years time or one of his Classical Cassegrains. It would be a !@# to house and the mount would have to be enormous.
I am a big fan of D&G. Glad to hear of another one in the state. A 12" would indeed be a dream come true. Makes me think of Leslie C Peltier. http://www.aavso.org/leslie-c-peltier
My first 10" dob was named Annie, after Annie Jump Cannon.
My 8" Black Diamond newt was named Macey, after Mae C Jemison.
The FS78 I call Tic Tak.
My CDS1100D is called Sexy.
), and stuck it to the OTA above the "Do not look at sun" sticker 
Sounds a bit strange to me Lewis ... 
. These are the only two scopes of the 7 I have that have names.
