Mars

Frank a Televue Powermate will do the Job.
Excellant quality - they're optically a bit different from Barlows (but I don't understands the ins and outs).

In the summer I bought a 5X Televue Powermate (and I think it gives higher mag than 5X when imaging - I must confirm this buy calculating pixel scale and knowing angular diameter of a target at time of capture). If interested I will calculate and post details later.

I'm really pleased with mine.

I replaced a Meade 3X Barlow with mine and got larger images and more detail. Though I am finding it harder to actually slew and locate a target on the chip.

I have to say - you've been capturing decent detail with you current setup.

Mark

Nice comparison of image versus graphic.

Interesting read of telecentric lenses versus barlows.
www.alpineastro.com/Reference_Docs/Telecentric%20System.pdf
I have a 2" 4x Powermate for my solar observing and it works great.

Thanks,
Wow,
Powermates are expensive!

Well I tried a lot of things last night.
A regular 2x barlow.
A 2x barlwo with tube extension
2 x 2x barlows and
a 5 x barlow.

The best result I got using the 10'' SCT was
with the regular 2x barlow!
But,
there is no catch at the end of the tube attachment
so I was able to slide it out an inch or so and
this gave me a bigger planet on the chip without
getting as poor a quality as the extension or 2 x 2x.
Forget about the 5x, its just too faint.
I did use it for visual and it was good but
it's not really a practicle piece of gear for me anyway
at the moment.

Anyway,
just before the scope fogged up again,
I took this shot.



I had to make a dew heater out of my maplin heated hat
to make it to the end of my observing session. (5AM : blink: )

They are som really cool images of Mars lads, well done. I seem surprised at myself for being surprised at what a 10 inch can pick up from Mars.

Seanie.

I think this is getting near the best that can be squeezed out of it.
I'm taking the Damien Peach approach,
first make sure your mount is sturdy and set right.
Next have your scope collimated as best as you can.
Then have the scope & camera cooled sufficiently.
Next step is the image capture,
with a Toucam there are some basic rules and
with processing, you can't go wrong following
Peaches advice (as on his DVD)
to get the best out of the AVI.
After that it's down to Photoshop and
Jerry Ludgrass has a great CD book out
on this.

TBH.
If you follow some simple steps these images are
easy to get.
Even from modest gear.