SkyWatcher 127mm maksutov on AZ-GTi with Altair 1/3" camera.
A small observatory now exists. This Maksutov was supplied with a 25mm generic eyepiece which works reasonably well and a 10mm generic which isn't good enough. Much better is a Baader 10mm orthoscopic, giving a usable 150x. With a steady mount I might consider one of their 6mm orthoscopics. Using the camera instead of an eyepiece means that I can point the telescope at an item and track it and view on screen some distance from the telescope. Using MSTSC, I can use any computer on my WiFi network to relay the control and display, even to my big armchair by the fire. Now I should learn how to set up programmed observations! Pointing accuracy of the various SkyWatcher models of mount are all reputedly one minute of arc, except the Az-GTi (family) and EQ6 Pro. The Az-GTi is reported to be 10 minutes of arc and the EQ6 Pro 5 minutes 0f arc. The Az-GTi can handle up to 5Kg and should be fine with a 127mm Maksutov with a small camera but would be stressed by a rather longer telescope. That includes my 102mm short refractor but may well be fine with an extra short refractor of 102mm. The longer the tube, the worse the flexing of the mount.
Bresser 102mm refractor on heavy camera tripod
This short focal length achromat (f5.9), with a solar filter covering the objective, is good for viewing the Sun. Being short and reasonably lightweight, it can be used on a sturdy tripod with geared axes. A 10mm eyepiece gives it a magnification of x60 - quite low but ideal for the Sun. A 6mm Orthoscopic eyepiece would give x100. It was supplied with a decent 26mm Super Plössl eyepiece for a magnification of x23 good for clusters and nebulae too.
25x70 Binoculars
These cheap Celestron binoculars are not bad in new condition and I quite like the magnification. They are usable on a tripod with a geared head, like the one shown. They are very light weight and might not be as robust as more expensive and heavier ones. A simple metal bracket is shown, bolted to a tripod top plate for quick change. I have an old pair of much abused Hilkinson 20x80s which are in dire need of collimation. That is not easy as there are no collimation screws anywhere I could find. One day perhaps I will make a set of shims to do it? Anyway the Celestrons might go the same way if roughly treated. Another pair of likeable binoculars - Praktica 7x50. They aren't of great optical quality but they are pretty good for straightforward stargazing.
2x40 Galilean Binoculars These are a superior kind of opera glass and to be tried just as soon as you possibly can.
