By my thinking there are two ways of observing with your telescope. The first is when you’re looking at one of the brighter objects, trying to get as much detail as possible. The other way is a bit more challenging, because you’re looking for very faint objects and the challenge is just in finding it at all. I’d be interested in knowing what you all concentrate on. I try to do both. We all have our favorite objects that we always go back to, but I also enjoy the challenge in finding those faint galaxies.
3 Likes
My telescope isn’t a go-to and it can’t track. You know what? We can’t polar align our telescope here because Polaris is so low (7 degrees) on the horizon here! When the scope is set up for 7 degrees, the counterweight hits the tripod legs—it’s annoying! The only solution is to use a pier instead of the tripod, but sadly, we still haven’t done that. 
So, I mostly use Stellarium to visually locate objects.
One fun thing is that when I focus on planets or DSOs, if the moon is out there, I often forget to pay it a visit! I know there are so many things to see, but oh! I often miss it! 
Sorry, Mr. Moon!
Nikolai.
3 Likes
Mine isn’t GOTO either, but I use have app on my phone (PS Align Pro), so I can use it as PushTo. I usually don’t observe when the moon is out, but since I live in a Bortle 8/9 area, it probably doesn’t matter anyway. I have been looking at the moon more often lately though, along with the planets. I save the real DSO’s for when I take my trips to dark areas. I have a few Bortle 1-2 areas within a few hours drive from where I live.
3 Likes
I am wondering if there are any old-timer visual observers that still use manual setting circles to locate observing objects. I learned how to use them when I was a teenager and have been using them for the past 68 years. Certainly not as accurate as digital setting circles and more time-consuming than “goto” mounts. Along the same vein, does anyone still use star atlases to determine the coordinates of their observing prey? Or perhaps, I am the last of a dying breed. Anyway, to me it’s almost as fun locating faint objects as observing them.
1 Like
I am wondering if anyone still observes with bino-viewers. They used to be the rage but seems to have lost its luster. They do make lunar viewing quite spectacular.
1 Like
When I first got started I used setting circles. I still have them but don’t really used them any more. Now I pull out my atlas to do star hopping. I also have an app on my phone that allows me to use my scope in a Push To mode.
1 Like
I can’t really use binoviewers because the eyesight in each eye is too different from the other.
1 Like
My bino-viewers do not have separately adjustable eye pieces but I have heard of models that do. I bought the non-adjustable type first and can’t justify buying another pair. I can make slight adjustment by sliding one eyepiece up or down in the holder once I have the other side focused.
1 Like
In my view, there are two ways to observe with a telescope. One approach is focusing on the brighter objects, where the goal is to capture as much detail as possible. The other, more challenging approach, involves searching for faint objects, where the real challenge lies in simply locating them. I’d love to hear what everyone else focuses on. Personally, I try to balance both. While we all have those favorite objects we return to, I also enjoy the thrill of discovering those faint galaxies. 
2 Likes
I started off with simple scopes in my early years. Then as a teenager and into my early 20’s, had a couple more advanced scopes, with setting circles. It was a challenge to find stuff, out there with my scope and Sky Atlas 2000. For me, it was just as exciting to actually find something and then viewing it. Nowadays, I have a GOTO, and it’s nice to be able to see a bunch of stuff in one night. But recently I’ve gone back to the setting circles a few times to relive the old days, and it’s just as fun and rewarding as it was back in the day.
3 Likes
well to be truthful I am a casual observer. I use sky view on my phone usually to point out various bright objects in the sky to my kids and grandkids, or the boys in the Trail life troop during a campout. in nice weather I will get the mono pod and binoculars out.
2 Likes
I got started with Norton’s. It came with a Messier card and I used that to complete the Messier catalog. Then I went Burnham’s followed by Sky Atlas 2000, and now I use Uranometria. I also have Sky Safari Pro and PS Align Pro on my phone.
2 Likes
That is one interesting scope .
Never seen anything like it .
2 Likes
I’m primarily a visual observer . I leave the astrophotography stuff up to those who want to do it . My idea of an observing session is the relaxation and enjoyment of being under a clear southwest desert sky viewing through the eyepiece .
I started out with this Meade AR5 achromatic refractor and a full set of Meade 4000 series Super Plossls . I got rid of the 40mm unit as it seamed to be a worthless unit that didn’t yield any more FOV than the 32mm unit that gave better magnification with the same FOV . I added a 20mm that didn’t come with the set which turns out to be a favorite in a lot of cases . So all together 6.4mm , 9.7mm , 12.4mm , 15mm , 20mm , 26mm and 32mm . Also a 2X shorty Barlow , a full set of colored planetary filters (I think 12) along with a couple Moon filters , a broadband nebula filter , a narrowband nebula filter and a Baader semi apo filter . In the first year I viewed all the Messier objects and logged the (IMHO) the best magnification and filter if any for each and every object so as I would have an already confirmed baseline to use for subsequent viewings . It saves me lots of time on revisits . I can plop in the right eyepiece / filter combo and be pretty certain I’ve got the optimum view prior to even looking through the glass . Depending on seeing conditions , small adjustments can be made from there if going down in magnification is needed to compensate for a less than stable sky . I did the same with all the planets too . At that point I started going for the NGC catalog and have quite a few of them under my belt . I tend to revisit the “showstoppers” and personal favorites mostly now . Bang for the buck objects . It’s not uncommon for my average Jupiter session to last 6 hours while taking in a full GRS transit and / or moon and shadow transits . I’ve been to many star parties and been able to try many brands and types of oculars due to the graciousness of fellow attendees and I can say that the Meade 4000 Super Plossls are very good and even hold their own up against the more pricey Televue and Vixen Plossls . I find the 52 degree apparent FOV to be plenty nice and they provide a super sharp image without pin cushioning , coma , blackouts or kidney beaning . They really are quite impressive, especially at their price point and actually perform far above that price point . I have no desire to spend big money on so called “premium” oculars .
2 Likes
these all are interesting scope, never seen all these scopes in one place.
2 Likes
Love those scopes! 
I have my Skywatcher starquest 130p and I love it ! I use it happily and for me, it’s the best scope! (The best scope is the scope that you get the maximum)
I like to go for astrophotography, but still lacking a astrophotography rig. I am basically lacking a camera, and using an adapted webcam for now. Hoping that I’ll be able upgrade in the future!
Thanks,
Nikolai.
2 Likes
Regarding PS Align Pro, I have a dobsonian, totally manual. Can the PS Align phone app be used with it?
2 Likes
It’s really meant for EQ mounted scopes because it’s an aid in polar alignment. It works best for scopes with polar alignment scopes, and it’s optimized for Polaris mounts, but I’ve been able to use it with Cave EQ mounts.
2 Likes
Hi,
This is the problem that I have. Therefore I can’t use that app 
. I guess the solution is to use a pier, but it’ll take a time.
Cheers,
Nikolai.
1 Like