phenix d203 spherical reflector

Stop it down to 2.5" Phil?

Preposterous.

Better to throw it in the bin.

Peter.

Not preposterous - it works, and if the poor guy has no alternative then at least he may be able so see *something* through his scope rather than nothing at all. I have a 20" f/4 which is gob-smacking on faint fuzzies but less than underwhelming on the planets - except in the centre of the field of view. I regularly stop it down to an 8" f/10 for planetary work and it becomes gob smacking again. Large f/ratio optics are a treat you obviously haven't yet had the pleasure of. Don't knock it until you try it.

Phil.

It seem so non-intuitive and against the grain to step down so much aperture, but if Marty has no other way or remeding the situation, then its the way to go, as non ideal as it is.
I've been tempted on many occasion to step down the 12" to a 4" for the planets as many say it actually helps due to turbulence cell size issues, but I never got around to it.

Stop it down to 2.5" Phil?

Preposterous.

Better to throw it in the bin.

Peter.

Rather environmentally unfriendly don't you think? Perhaps a shaving mirror.

Still, as the other lads say, Marty can still get some use out of the OTA albeit at reduced aperture. Better some use than sat in a bin...

Jeez Phillip i didnt know you could do that!!! Coooool

Phil, spot on as usual!!

Even stopped down to 2.5" the views on the Moon and planets will be a LOT better than with an 8" spherical mirror. The off axis stop can be romoved for star clusters etc.

thanks lads for all your replies im just back from a weekend break... i kinda thought it wasnt looking to good.. by the replies i had on another forum.. very similer to the advise you have all given i must try this suggestion of philip's its worth a shot.. btw lads is this scope a good all round scope was thinking of getting this 1 in the future....a skyliner-250px thanks again lads for your help www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/detail.php?id=13