Show us your equipment!

[iandix (Ian)]

here is my classic Celstron 8 (1979) with a 80mm auto guide scope and a ZEQ25 "Z" design mount.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Ian what an unusual set up , best of both millennium's , how does the 'Z' handle the weight ?
Breian.

[iandix (Ian)]

it has no problem it can handle over 12 kilos without any issues. Yep it is unusual (but then so am I) I had the C8 since new and it's just too nice of a scope to not use. So I updated it with and new mount and had the optics all cleaned.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Thanks Ian , its a sweet set up and I hope you get many happy hours out of it .
Do you think the 'Z' would handle the weight of my CF C9.25 ? .
Brian.

[iandix (Ian)]

I think it might be okay if you don't add much more to it ..check out this youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cIOTROXEpQ

also I have been reading that they have just released a new Z mount the CEM60 that can handle 30 kilos ... so that would handle your scope and a small child strapped to it

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Thanks Ian , that's mighty impressive .
Brian.

[DJ N]

Hi all

Here is my latest visual set up....... and I have been having an absolute "hoot" with it. In my opinion, the 41mm Panoptic is a match made in heaven for the C11 giving a 1 degree field of view with around 4mm exit pupil.

So in the picture we have....

Celestron C11 OTA (flocked and fitted with peltier coolers) plus Baader 3.25" Click Lock as well a Feathertouch microfocuser (which only arrived a couple of days ago)

Skywatcher AZ EQ6 mount

I have the Dewbuster mounted to the top rail (with heater straps for the OTA, finderscope and eyepiece), therefore minimising setup time when at a dark site.


Cheers,

Daniel

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Real nice setup you have there Daniel. Are the tri-bolts that hold the mount head adapter plate to the pier custom made?

[Kunama]

Very nice setup Daniel, not just the scope and mount but the pier top, and in particular the 3 s/s bolts holding the adapter plate on.

[DJ N]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Real nice setup you have there Daniel. Are the tri-bolts that hold the mount head adapter plate to the pier custom made?

Originally Posted by Kunama

Very nice setup Daniel, not just the scope and mount but the pier top, and in particular the 3 s/s bolts holding the adapter plate on.

Hi guys,

The adapter plate is on loan from a mate......which he had custom made. But it is a pretty bit of hardware

[byronpaul (Paul)]

Here's a collection of my scopes at various locations

Coronado SM40

Imaging set-up of ED80 on a HEQ5Pro with W.O. ZS66 Guidescope

Celestron CGEM1100

16" Meade Lightbridge in the foreground with little 12'' brother in the background

CGEM and Dobs set-up at home for a visual night

The 16" dob is a recent addition (thanks casstony), and a big step up from the 12". I love the CGEM with the simplicity of the GOTO and very pleasant views courteous of the tracking.

Really like dabbling in imaging with the ED80 set-up, but find it very time consuming as I don't do it enough.

The solar views through the SM40 are astonishing, and I never cease to be amazing at looking at the sun.

Had a very good look at the moon a few nights ago with the 16" though 2 polarizing filters ..... amazing detail !!!!

See in the background of the 5th photo, I'm trialling a ShelterLogic portable shed I got at Bunnings for $99. Long term a roll-off-roof shed is on the wish list, but in the meantime this is proving to be quite adequate. It's bone dry, and I simply lift it off to obverse. It comes with 4 long ground screws which you simply tie down the shed to secure. So far after about 4 months of all sorts of conditions including heavy rain and wind, it's performed flawlessly.

Paul

[alistairsam]

Nice collection Paul

visually is there much difference between the 16 and 12 inch with the same EP and target?
That shed looks good. Do you put a cover on the scope when the shed is on to protect from the heat or is it not required?
Temperatures even under the shade can get quite high.
I use the silver car shade wrapped around my scope and even with no shelter, it stays cool underneath.

Cheers
Alistair

[traveller (Bo)]

Nice collection there Paul, I remember taking a peek out of your CGEM 1100 at snake valley, very impressed with its views. Can imagine the views you'd get from 16".
The shelter looks interesting, must check out my local bunnings.
Cheers,
Bo

[Marios (Marios)]

My Hubble beast!

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

Orion ED80 f/7.5 with JMI EVH 2 x Speed Electric Focuser.
Mounted with a TeleVue Clamshell...fits perfectly.

Courier dropped it off today....as usual clouds all across the Sky...

Love my Refractors...


Flash....

[Kunama]

That's very Flash mate! Nice eyepieces too .......
(spoke to Claude today, my lens could be in Oz as early as the 28th ....)

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Looks good, Col!

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

Originally Posted by Kunama

That's very Flash mate! Nice eyepieces too .......
(spoke to Claude today, my lens could be in Oz as early as the 28th ....)

Yes it is....beautiful coatings on the Optics ... love the motorized focuser
....let me know how your new Lens work's out.

Originally Posted by Larryp

Looks good, Col!

Thanks Larry ..... I have to ' stop ' at 4 Scopes .... no more...

Flash....

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Thanks Larry ..... I have to ' stop ' at 4 Scopes .... no more...

Flash....
[/QUOTE]

Heard that before, Col

[casstony]

Newest addition is a Celestron EdgeHD 9.25, set up after checking collimation with an artificial star under the fog this morning. Collimation was a long way out at first light last night. The artificial star check was in agreement with the real star collimation and I prefer daytime collimation in general.
I decided to go for something a bit more portable after Paul took the 16" Lightbridge off my hands. (still looking for an 11" Edge though )
Also pictured is the TSA120 in it's Tenba TTP34 case - had to change from Parallax to Vixen rings to fit in the case.