This is my essential list of accessories when observing. The aim is to maximise comfort with the minimum amount of carrying.
1) “Turn Left at Orion” and SkySafari on a tablet for star hopping
2) Collimation cap and Cheshire eyepiece/sight tube combination tool
3) 7-24mm zoom and 30mm wide angle eyepiece
4) Lybar height adjustable chair – essential because many dim objects like galaxies need to be observed for many minutes
5) Right angle correcting finder and a non magnifying finder.
6) Suitable clothing – Hat, gloves, warm socks, boots (and warmer), fleece and coat
7) A large box to hold and keep dry the above and …
A bag for eyepieces, caps, Barlow and 2” extender
Baader Optical Wonder fluid and cloth, Jumbo Silicone Hurricane Blower for cleaning eyepieces. Apply a small amount of fluid to the cloth and wipe across the eyepiece.
Red head torch
Clipboard and pencil with loose A5 paper for sketching and reading glasses
Plastic folder containing list of targets
Eyepatch – worn half an hour before observing to ensure my eyes are acclimatised to the dark
I’ve been having a heck of a time trying to use the Bader Hyperion IV zoom with the matching Barlow. I haven’t been able to achieve focus with it. I have two telescopes an XT8 and now an AT72EDII. I never knew how to get more focus. On the AT I’m all the way in and just shy of the final sharp focus.
Where would I be able to find the extension sleeve, and what are the matching threads.
As I say on my blog, I needed to raise the EP about 5mm out of the holder when using the Barlow. I use a short extender (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-2-35mm-focus-extension-tube.html) when using no Barlow and add the original extender when using the Barlow.