Xmas present/latest astro gear

[Tweedledee]

Has no one had any astro gear for Christmas then?

 

I haven't, unless you count the few bits I aquired into my collection before Christmas. I just seem to have all the gear and no idea at the moment, and on holiday from work with lots of cloud.

 

It is a pity there are no 70% boxing day sales for astro gear. Wouldn't that be nice. ?

 

 

[Bottletopburly]

If you count 1m of copper wire and 30x 330ohm resistors then yes this qualifies by the skin of my teeth , though I have some astro money burning a hole in my pocket 

[Alec]

Got a set of CNC tube rings for the WO 61 from China £25 and really are top quality. 

 

My guidescope looks massive mounted on top ? 

[Tweedledee]

37 minutes ago, Bottletopburly said:

If you count 1m of copper wire and 30x 330ohm resistors then yes this qualifies by the skin of my teeth , though I have some astro money burning a hole in my pocket 

That's a start I suppose. ?

 

The pressure is on now to spend that astro money. ?

[Tweedledee]

14 minutes ago, Alec said:

Got a set of CNC tube rings for the WO 61 from China £25 and really are top quality. 

 

My guidescope looks massive mounted on top ? 

Nice. ?

 

I'd like some cnc tube rings for that price.

 

But a picture is worth a thousand words. ?

[Bottletopburly]

Hmmm idas D2 filter found some chaps on Flickr awaiting a response to their verdict  and a deep sky dad autofocus for my 130pds looking good , Pavle has an offer on at the moment btw ? details on www.deepskydad.com 

Edited December 26, 2018 by Bottletopburly

[Alec]

[Alec]

£25 for the tube rings, will be ordering again to replace the set on the ED80 ?

[Tweedledee]

58 minutes ago, Bottletopburly said:

Hmmm idas D2 filter found some chaps on Flickr awaiting a response to their verdict  and a deep sky dad autofocus for my 130pds looking good , Pavle has an offer on at the moment btw ? details on www.deepskydad.com 

Pavle's offer is very good and valid till 15th Jan.

 

I just need to dissect and identify all the screws in my ES 80cf focuser, so Pavle can sort mine.

[+Bino-viewer]

In my Xmas stocking.....

 

1. Collins 2019 guide to the night sky.

2. My 2 encoder sets (for Alt-az mount & Dobsonian mount) are my 'main' Xmas present if you like.

.......good news....they were picked up at Sydney on Xmas eve afternoon, and are on their way.....arriving TOMORROW allegedly.

I think Elon Musk must have taken charge of delivery.......?

 

3. The TEC 140 that was also on my Xmas list never arrived......! ?

[Tweedledee]

I suppose these TEC 140 are often mislaid during transit especially at Christmastime. A lot of people want them but never get one. ?

 

Great service on the encoders though. ?

[+Ibbo]

2 hours ago, Alec said:

£25 for the tube rings, will be ordering again to replace the set on the ED80 ?

Have you a link as my Eddy could do with some.

[Alec]

19 minutes ago, Ibbo said:

Have you a link as my Eddy could do with some.

Ibbo the wife bought them through “AliExpress” they are Hercules tube rings 

[+Ibbo]

6 minutes ago, Alec said:

Ibbo the wife bought them through “AliExpress” they are Hercules tube rings 

Thanks

 

[+Bino-viewer]

16 hours ago, Bino-viewer said:

.......good news....they were picked up at Sydney on Xmas eve afternoon, and are on their way.....arriving TOMORROW allegedly.

I think Elon Musk must have taken charge of delivery.......?

 

Wishful thinking.

My parcel leaves Sydney on Xmas eve afternoon,

arrives in the main DHL sorting office by noon, Boxing day.  Great so far.....!! ?

 

I receive an email to say delivery is due before end of play today (27 Dec)

so what do they do.........?

Send it to me....?

No....

They send it to Maidstone instead......?

 

This is what i'm up against.

Heaven only knows when it will arrive now these clowns have it.

They'll probably send it to Scotland next. Or back to Australia.

The search for it is under way......

 

Edited December 27, 2018 by Bino-viewer

[Guest]

I have a 35-80mm zoom lens for my DSLR.

 

That is why ot is cloudy at the moment!

[+bryand]

Santa was held up in traffic for me, too.

But I finally got the Dioptrix astigmatism correctors for my bino eyepieces.  Daylight trials indicate they have a beneficial effect - much greater 3D effect than without them.

Just add stars ...

 

 

[philjay]

Not a pressie as such but I was aiming to finish the binoscope for Christmas and I did. All assembled and painted now. Its sitting in the cupboard waiting for a clear sky like all good astro kit now

[Tweedledee]

3 hours ago, Bino-viewer said:

Wishful thinking.

My parcel leaves Sydney on Xmas eve afternoon,

arrives in the main DHL sorting office by noon, Boxing day.  Great so far.....!! ?

 

I receive an email to say delivery is due before end of play today (27 Dec)

so what do they do.........?

Send it to me....?

No....

They send it to Maidstone instead......?

 

This is what i'm up against.

Heaven only knows when it will arrive now these clowns have it.

They'll probably send it to Scotland next. Or back to Australia.

The search for it is under way......

Scotland next? Maybe. But I can assure you that a drop of scotch whisky will not only chill you out nicely but will make your astro bits (seem to) arrive sooner, along with clear sky's. ?

[+Bino-viewer]

I'm afraid i never touch whiskey Pete.....

I'm partial to a gin and tonic though, but thats more of a summertime drink for me.

 

So........after a 24 hour visit to Maidstone, my encoders are now back at the main DHL East Midlands sorting office

for the second time in 24 hours.

My taxes and duties are all paid.

Lets see if it arrives tomorrow............? ?

[Tweedledee]

On 26/12/2018 at 22:52, Alec said:

Ibbo the wife bought them through “AliExpress” they are Hercules tube rings 

First time I've used Aliexpress. It seems to be more specialized than eBay. There is a lot of unusual and interesting astronomical gadgetry available that is not normally on the shelves in the UK. You just have to be prepared to wait for the slow boat from China, or pay a bit extra for the quicker (7 day) delivery options. The prices generally seem very cheap anyway. ?

 

Those tube rings look great for the price. I've filled my basket with some other bits from the same supplier, which will reduce overall postage from China.

 

Alec, what is the thread in the 3 holes top/bottom of the rings? Is it M6?

[Alec]

Yes 6mm, I did run my M6 tap through them as seemed a little tight, but no real swarf came out so defo not imperial for the us market. They are solid rings very pleased with them. I dont use AliExpress  so a good find from my other half :)