Radar 712 Report post Posted January 30, 2010 Hi Wade, Those scopes are under-rated IMHO. They are light buckets. I viewed through one about a year ago and felt it was extremely bright for its size. Whereabouts is your dark sky site located? I wish I had one of them. Ray Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted January 30, 2010 Nice kit Wade, welcome to the site. Regards poppasmurf AKA Shane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevorw 10 Report post Posted January 31, 2010 Shane nice GSO I went for the all black look though. Also have replaced the original focuser with a black Moonlite Next new acquistion Cooled CCD this year sometime Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WadeH 10 Report post Posted January 31, 2010 Thanks for the welcome Shane and Ray. As for my dark sky site. I am very fortunate that it is 20 metres from my backdoor here at home just out of Bullsbrook. A bit of Perth light pollution to the southwest, but IMO there's not a lot to see there anyhow. The interesting stuff just wait a while and it has risen higher in the sky and out of the light glow! Cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Radar 712 Report post Posted January 31, 2010 Bullsbrook? I have done heaps of AP in Chittering. Great skies up that way. Ray Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted January 31, 2010 Hi Trev, I'm a collingwood fan so the black and white look suits me. I will hopefully upgrade my webcam to a cooled CCD at some stage, the focusser will have to wait as the Mof is already cracking the s**** over me wanting more gear when I just got the mount and scope. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevorw 10 Report post Posted February 1, 2010 Shane send her out to buy a new wardrobe that'll keep her happy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted February 1, 2010 Unfortunately mate she is not one of those girly girls. Which most of the time suits me just fine.lol. I'll just keep plugging away until I end up with the gear that I want/NEED. You do realise that its your fault anyway; for NOT calling me to Give your setup to me.lol. Anyway what camera are you looking at, I like the QHY 8 OSC but no final decisions untill I can actually get a cooled cam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevorw 10 Report post Posted February 1, 2010 At the moment the SBIG 8300C (one shot colour version) I can't be hassled with filters etc as I have to set up for evry imaging session I'll probably end up with the QHY8 or equivalent though as I don't know if I'll have $3k by the end of the year saved 1 income family Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted February 1, 2010 At the moment the SBIG 8300C (one shot colour version) I can't be hassled with filters etc as I have to set up for evry imaging session I'll probably end up with the QHY8 or equivalent though as I don't know if I'll have $3k by the end of the year saved 1 income family I hear ya. Now that school holidays are over my shifts at the cinema have reduced greatly, add to that the missus has just applied for a change of positions at the hospital which will take her shifts down to 4/week. I agree with the hassle of filters as well. I also set up every session, at least until I can build an obs. I have also concidered the Orion cooled osc, which is only slightly cheaper but not sure which is better. It seems a lot are using the QHY so will probably go that way when I can afford it.Cheers mate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Radar 712 Report post Posted February 1, 2010 If you want a nice ccd camera and the MoF won't allow it, do what I do. When she is out, get onto the net, find the website that sells the camera, tell her that whilst you were looking at the camera you slipped and accidentally put your credit card details into the website and accidentally bought it. Sure I sleep on the couch these days, but it's better than not having a beefy CCD camera,,,,,:biggrin::biggrin: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted February 1, 2010 Nice idea Ray but my back wouldn't handle sleeping on the couch. I guess I'll have to wait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAstroGuy 10 Report post Posted March 4, 2010 Well id say most of you have seen these pics before , but here they are again in one place.. Oh my!! i just love your observatory, i love the design that allows for a separate area away from the scope, a type of warm up room. Do you have specs on how you built this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Radar 712 Report post Posted March 5, 2010 Actually I think Pat does have plans for that observatory. I must agree that it is an awesome setup and if i'm ever homeless I already know where I'm gonna crash. Ray Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted March 5, 2010 I also have the plans in PDF, I believe they are the same ones Pat has, just let me know and I will email to you. The plans are done by Charles W Baetsen, to give credit where it is due, and show a small base that can be adapted as you please just as Pat has with his, and as I will when I eventually get around to building. Regards poppasmurf AKA Shane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordolake 10 Report post Posted May 25, 2010 OK my go. New to this level of equipment, William optics FLT 132, EQ6pro EQMOD, Nikon D700, pflat68 flattner, hpzd8000, nikon camera control. So first time setup and testing, all worked fine. Now for some clear skies and accurate polar alignment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted May 25, 2010 Niiiice! Very cool setup Steve, hope you're enjoying it. We have had clouds here for a few days now. Regards poppasmurf AKA Shane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timthelder 225 Report post Posted May 26, 2010 Impressive set-up Steve. Looks like you're ready for some imaging. How's the Nikon working out for pic's? Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Radar 712 Report post Posted May 26, 2010 Lovely bit of kit mate. What software are you running? Ray Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SAB 10 Report post Posted September 19, 2010 Here's a few shots of my new scope by SDM Telescopes. Say hellow to SDM #45! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Erwin 10 Report post Posted September 19, 2010 thats looks like a great pieace of equipment ! i hope you get more clear nights then in holland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
poppasmurf 377 Report post Posted September 20, 2010 Nice scope Sab. I wish I could afford a SDM. Enjoy it mate, I am soooo jealous. Cheers Shane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SAB 10 Report post Posted September 23, 2010 thats looks like a great pieace of equipment ! i hope you get more clear nights then in holland thanks! Certainly no clear nights though, we're suffering thru the coldest, wettest and cloudiest winter in 20 years:frown: Nice scope Sab. I wish I could afford a SDM. Enjoy it mate, I am soooo jealous. Cheers Shane Great scope indeed and its good to have everything onboard needed to get thru a cold dewy session! Luckily I got a full time summer job last year and saved enough dosh, but if I wanted one now...I'd be well in the red Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Radar 712 Report post Posted September 23, 2010 You lucky bugger. Are you going to do any planetary with it? Ray Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
inline_phil 10 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 The 10 inch After moving from Denver to Central Florida, I found our new home to be a wishful-sinful location: warm all year but sea-level thick atmosphere. Still, I love looking up and gazing at the sky. It's nice to stare through an eyepiece in shorts in February! Cheers, Philip Rastocny, Author Click on these links to see my work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
