Naztronomy's Featured Posts

I think my SAL-33 was cursed! From missing locking knobs to a bad magnetic brake to a bad control board, I had issues with the MLAstro SAL-33 from the very start. Luckily after a few months, everything is smooth as can be.

Watch my video where I talk about my cursed experience with the SAL-33. It still has quite a bit of trust building to do with me but so far, it’s been working pretty well.

Never thought I’d get an automated flat panel but here we are! Our rig at the Kagga Kamma Remote Observatory has a Gemini Flat Panel and it just makes things so easy so I decided to get one myself. In this video, I test the latest version from Gemini that is powered using a single USB-C cable.

BUT! This is only a prototype that only I have. It seems that for stability, the production version will require a 12v adapter as well. Which is a shame because that’s one more cable but since I am sending this to a remote observatory, I prefer stability even if it means an extra cable.

Gemini said they will send me a new panel for free which I am looking forward to testing.

Get the flat panel: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c45Lz7IV

I only very recently started using powerboxes and I wish I got into them earlier. In this video, I test out three different powerboxes:

• Gemini Power Advanced 3
• WandererAstro Wanderer Box Plus V3
• Svbony SV241 Pro

I have to decide which to send to a remote observatory in a few weeks! I have to admit that the Gemini impressed me the most because it seems like the best bang for your buck but it’s new, should I trust it?

If you want to get your own, check out my referral links below:

Gemini Power Advanced 3: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4EDAFJb
Wanderer at Agena: https://agenaastro.com/wandererastro-wanderer-box-plus-v3.html?rfsn=7382615.2b333e
Wanderer at FLO: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/wandererbox-plus-v3/ref/naztronomy/
Svbony 241 Pro:https://www.svbony.com/products/sv241-remote-astro-power-controller?ref=NAZ&utm_source=goaffpro

I finally went mono after 14+ years of imaging with color cameras! The quality difference is extremely noticeable and now I wish I went mono earlier.

The mono kit includes these below (please note that the links are affiliate links):

Mono Cam: ToupTek ATR2600M
Filter Wheel: ToupTek AFW-L
LRGB Filters: ToupTek 2″ LRGB Filters
4nm SHO Filters: Touptek 2″ SHO 4nm Filters

The cost of the SHO filters at 4nm is impressive. I’m send everything here down to Death Valley Observatories in a few weeks and I’m excited to see what I get from a Bortle 3 zone!

I received the brand new Askar 131F and got to use it the same day! That was some miracle. I only had a few hours on it on my SAL-33 and I made the best of it. See the resulting image below.

If you’d like to get the Askar 131F or 111F, please consider using one of my referral links below:

Agena Astro: https://agenaastro.com/refractor-telescope-askar-telescopes-131f-flat-field-quadruplet.html?rfsn=7382615.2b333e
High Point Scientific: https://www.highpointscientific.com/askar-131f-flat-field-refractor?rfsn=7725690.2252b3
First Light Optics: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/askar-telescopes/askar-131f-flat-field-quadruplet-astropgraph/ref/naztronomy/

Here’s the resulting image of M27 at full focal length (983mm):

Get more info on the image at Gallery Image: M27 with 131F