Trigger pulled!!! New Glass!

[davesellars]

Well... I'd been searching for something for lunar observation (and planets later on in the year) that didn't mean getting the big dob out and ready at quick notice and also had a touch more umpgh than my trusty Skywatcher 80ED... I'd looked at the Altair 102 ED f/11 as well as its f/7 version... on to a 6" f/12 Classical Cassegrain and then a 127 f/15 Mak... then back again to the refractor getting slowly into analysis paralysis. In the end the decision was kind of made for me.

First Light Optics (in the UK) had this in their offers section - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telesc ... actor.html which had been returned because it didn't suit their mount. Amazingly no-one had snapped it up when the price dropped to £728... More amazingly then, that it dropped yet again another 10% to £647 ... of which was a price I couldn't refuse.

So... all being good winging its way to me hopefully before the weekend will be my new 4" frac with FPL53 optics If the glass is indeed as good as the 80mm ED I have then this should be a fantasic addition to my arsenal.

[notFritzArgelander]

Congratulations on the find!

[Bigzmey]

Congrats Dave, this is a great buy! There is a lot to love about 4" ED doublet. Lightweight and versatile grab and go, great on planets, lunar and doubles, and surprisingly capable on DSOs.

[messier 111]

keep us posted pls .

[Lady Fraktor]

Congratulations Dave, it should be a fine refractor

[helicon]

Quite a purchase Dave. You lucked out with a good price on an exceptional instrument.

[davesellars]

Thanks! It's been a long time since I bought a new scope so exciting times (although this will probably be my last one for a very very long time....)

It's been sent today so will arrive on Monday apparently!

It will be quite interesting to compare against the 120mm f/5 achro I have for DSOs although I haven't bought it for that use principally... better glass vs 38% more light gathering - I don't think there will be that much in it...

[davesellars]

Oooh! It's arriving today @ midday!!! Looks like a good possibility of getting out with it tonight and tomorrow night's forecast looks great...

[davesellars]

It's arrived!!! Quickly opened the box only just to make sure it's OK... Have to get lunch ready now but will give it proper look over later...

Looks awesome though.. Really love the finish on it. Photos later!

[Butterfly Maiden]

I can feel your excitement Dave, but I won't hold it against you when the bad weather rolls in.

If it does, I will just put that down to the typical UK weather patterns

Good luck with your new equipment.

Keep us posted with photos of your new 'baby' and tell us how she performs.

[Unitron48]

Congrats! Looks like a great scope. Looking forward to your updates!

Dave

[davesellars]

OK... Here she is....

[davesellars]

Just need to attach a finder bracket and possibly swap the long ADM rail (if it fits) that I have on the 80ED at the moment.

The focuser is something else indeed... putting the Skywatcher 80ED one to shame. The retracting shield is a little stiff but that's OK. Love the rotating focuser as well which is especially useful on the EQ mount!

[Bigzmey]

Looks great!

[Butterfly Maiden]

Impressive Dave.

We will look forward to seeing the results of your sky viewing with her.

[davesellars]

Impressive Dave.

We will look forward to seeing the results of your sky viewing with her.

Thanks! Hopefully it will clear a bit - there's quite a lot of high clouds at the moment... :p

[Butterfly Maiden]

Impressive Dave.

We will look forward to seeing the results of your sky viewing with her.

Thanks! Hopefully it will clear a bit - there's quite a lot of high clouds at the moment... :p

Ditto. So you are not alone there Dave

[davesellars]

Amazingly cleared nicely for a 2 hour session & first light for the new frac! I can say now it has exceeded my expectations... report to come later.

[Juno16]

The new scope is a beauty Dave.

Many nights of fun ahead!

[davesellars]

I got around to changing the rail on it for a proper 14" ADM rail which I had - that will give it much further stability (the rails that are supplied with refractors are never sufficient!).

I bought a skywatcher 6x30 Right Angled finder as I while the 10x60 RACI I have is great, it's far too heavy for this scope and unless the focuser is really locked down starts to rotate... Plus the 10x60 is unnecessary for a wide-field scope as I can find objects easily with a long focal length EP. At least the 6x30 finder gets me quickly to the correct region and weights virtually nothing.