# \#advice

**URL:** https://discourse.okcastro.club/tag/advice/7.md

[Latest](https://discourse.okcastro.club/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discourse.okcastro.club/categories.md) · [Tags](https://discourse.okcastro.club/tags.md)

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## [OCCC Astronomy Club - Night Sky Viewing](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/occc-astronomy-club-night-sky-viewing/1719)

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**Author:** [@Ms.Frizzle](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Ms.Frizzle)\
**Replies:** 13\
**Last updated:** [November 10, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/occc-astronomy-club-night-sky-viewing/1719 "2026-11-10T23:49:18Z")

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OCCC Astronomy Club - Night Sky Viewings Fall Semester starting September 17th Oklahoma City Community College - John Massey Center Fields OCCC, SW 81st St. OKC, OK 73159 35.385023, -97.566880 Update: first meeting …

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## [Where to camp?](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/where-to-camp/1730)

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**Author:** [@mattbreeding](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mattbreeding)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [August 30, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/where-to-camp/1730 "2026-08-30T20:41:03Z")

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This will be our first OTSP. We are planning on renting an RV. We’re trying to decide where to camp for the week. Onsite vs Black Mesa State Park. What would be the pros and cons of each? Does Camp Billy Joe have RV hook…

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## [Quarterly Novice Session Jul 25th at Stanley Draper Lake](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-jul-25th-at-stanley-draper-lake/1658)

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**Author:** [@DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/DaveNH6SM)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-jul-25th-at-stanley-draper-lake/1658 "2026-07-26T01:26:00Z")

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Quarterly novice session 25 Jul 2026 from 8:00pm-11:00pm Point 10 Recreation Area 2 at Stanley Draper Lake. The Moon rises at 6:12pm and Sunset is at 8:39pm. Venus will be up. If you got a new telescope or you just have…

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## [Telrad advice, replacement, questions](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/telrad-advice-replacement-questions/1494)

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**Author:** [@victor\_hawk](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/victor_hawk)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [February 27, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/telrad-advice-replacement-questions/1494 "2026-02-27T20:11:00Z")

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Hi folks, I am moved into my new (old) house in Bethany and getting my telescopes out. Both of my telrads are nonfunctional. Batteries were left in one and it’s corroded to bits. The other looks fine but does not work. …

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## [Advice about GOTO equatorial mount?](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/advice-about-goto-equatorial-mount/962)

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**Author:** [@jmichaelsturm](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/jmichaelsturm)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [February 18, 2026, 1:51am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/advice-about-goto-equatorial-mount/962 "2026-02-18T01:51:05Z")

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Hello! I currently have an iOptron SkyGuider Pro star tracker, and while it is okay for my mirrorless camera and a lightweight lens, I would like to buy a better mount that I can “grow into” for deep sky astrophotography…

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## [Smart telescope indecision](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/smart-telescope-indecision/1439)

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**Author:** [@jmichaelsturm](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/jmichaelsturm)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [January 25, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/smart-telescope-indecision/1439 "2026-01-25T22:03:59Z")

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I attended the January club meeting and enjoyed the presentation about smart telescopes! I was ready to preorder the Seestar S30 Pro, but I am starting to wonder if the Dwarf 3 might be slightly more future-proof given i…

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## [Norman North HS Astronomy Events 2026](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/norman-north-hs-astronomy-events-2026/1441)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [January 15, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/norman-north-hs-astronomy-events-2026/1441 "2026-01-15T19:11:24Z")

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Norman North High School Astronomy Classes and Club frequently hold night viewing events for students to actually see the universe at night, instead of just learning about it sitting in a classroom. These are held at; …

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## [Winter Observing Is Great!](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/winter-observing-is-great/1405)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [December 21, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/winter-observing-is-great/1405 "2025-12-21T02:56:53Z")

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From the Weather Channel: The best time of year for looking at the night sky is during the cold months because the atmosphere grows thinner as the temperature drops. The thinness means that there is less airborne debris…

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## [How To Get Started in EAA](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/how-to-get-started-in-eaa/1221)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/how-to-get-started-in-eaa/1221 "2025-10-20T21:47:41Z")

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Hey folks! I stumbled across this video on everything you ever wanted to know about Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA), but didn’t want to look like a dummy, so never asked. I did not choose the route he talks about…

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## [Recommendations for a beginner telescope](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/recommendations-for-a-beginner-telescope/360)

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**Author:** [@DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/DaveNH6SM)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 7:56pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/recommendations-for-a-beginner-telescope/360 "2025-10-17T19:56:29Z")

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Every year around Christmas and even throughout the year a question that is asked. Recommendation for a telescope not incredibly expensive, but more than a toy? Could you please advise me on what level of telescope to …

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## [ZWO Seestar S50 vs Unistellar Odyssey Pro (and Best Smart Scopes of 2025)](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/zwo-seestar-s50-vs-unistellar-odyssey-pro-and-best-smart-scopes-of-2025/1194)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 0\
**Last updated:** [July 27, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/zwo-seestar-s50-vs-unistellar-odyssey-pro-and-best-smart-scopes-of-2025/1194 "2025-07-27T18:58:54Z")

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Hey Folks! If you’re considering getting a Smart Telescope (which I love), this is a very good video comparing two of the best to get started with. I’ll add my comments below the link. He doesn’t mention a…

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## [Quarterly Novice Session changed to Mar 15th at Stanley Draper Lake](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-changed-to-mar-15th-at-stanley-draper-lake/975)

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**Author:** [@DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/DaveNH6SM)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [March 15, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-changed-to-mar-15th-at-stanley-draper-lake/975 "2025-03-15T23:39:43Z")

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This event is being changed to 15 Mar 2025 due to cold temperature and clouds for tonight. Quarterly novice session 11 Jan 2025 from 5:00pm-8:00pm Point 10 Recreation Area 2 at Stanley Draper Lake. The Moon rises at 3:1…

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## [Looking for a laptop with red backlit keyboard and low power consumption](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/looking-for-a-laptop-with-red-backlit-keyboard-and-low-power-consumption/937)

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**Author:** [@soupwell](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/soupwell)\
**Replies:** 8\
**Last updated:** [November 25, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/looking-for-a-laptop-with-red-backlit-keyboard-and-low-power-consumption/937 "2024-11-25T19:03:35Z")

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I’m looking for a laptop to use while imaging. The one I’m currently using is a behemoth 17" Dell gaming laptop that slurps down its internal battery in just over an hour, even when you throttle down the afterburners. I…

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## [Skywatcher EQ6-R carrying/storage case](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/skywatcher-eq6-r-carrying-storage-case/936)

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**Author:** [@NonSystemDisk](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/NonSystemDisk)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [November 18, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/skywatcher-eq6-r-carrying-storage-case/936 "2024-11-18T18:53:34Z")

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Hi all, Does anyone with an EQ6-R (or similar sized) mount head have a recommendation for a good carrying/storage case? I just bought this as my first mount and want to protect it as best I can. I’ve seen some recommen…

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## [Quarterly Novice Session Jul 13th at Stanley Draper Lake](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-jul-13th-at-stanley-draper-lake/747)

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**Author:** [@DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/DaveNH6SM)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [July 15, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-jul-13th-at-stanley-draper-lake/747 "2024-07-15T01:36:27Z")

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Quarterly novice session 13 Jul 2024 from 8:00pm-11:00pm Point 10 Recreation Area 2 at Stanley Draper Lake. The Moon rises at 1:38pm and Sunset is at 8:45pm. Mercury and Venus will be up. If you got a new telescope or y…

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## [Cgem grease question](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/cgem-grease-question/733)

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**Author:** [@crj205](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/crj205)\
**Replies:** 1\
**Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 1:00pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/cgem-grease-question/733 "2024-06-20T13:00:57Z")

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Hey all, I am going through my cgem mount and just cleaning out the old grease and checking out any potential damages on the gears. On the ring gear theres a small track for the cluth button. I cant seem to get a defini…

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## [Dark Sky - improving personal home lighting question](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/dark-sky-improving-personal-home-lighting-question/715)

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**Author:** [@Tom.Graham](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Tom.Graham)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [June 13, 2024, 1:01pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/dark-sky-improving-personal-home-lighting-question/715 "2024-06-13T13:01:05Z")

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What reference would you suggest for the most basic/ simple modifications to existing, exterior light fixtures (short of fixture replacement)? (1) I’ve replaced the bulbs with lower lumen output, soft white, (2) today, I…

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## [Quarterly Novice Session at Bluff Creek Park - April 13th](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-at-bluff-creek-park-april-13th/593)

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**Author:** [@DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/DaveNH6SM)\
**Replies:** 27\
**Last updated:** [May 16, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/quarterly-novice-session-at-bluff-creek-park-april-13th/593 "2024-05-16T14:35:51Z")

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Quarterly Novice Session at Bluff Creek Park on Saturday, Apr 13th. Sunset is at 8:02pm and the moon sets at 2:02am. Will be a 32.3% illuminated Moon. If you’re planning to come out, please post on here the type of equ…

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## [Misaligned binoculars](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/misaligned-binoculars/571)

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**Author:** [@crj205](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/crj205)\
**Replies:** 10\
**Last updated:** [March 16, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/misaligned-binoculars/571 "2024-03-16T19:05:17Z")

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My orion 10x50s are misaligned. I contacted orion to see what can be done, long story short it will cost about 70$ to fix binoculars worth 80$. At that point im thinking i might as well save up for a different pair and …

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## [ZWO Seestar S50 Review](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/zwo-seestar-s50-review/311)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 10\
**Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/zwo-seestar-s50-review/311 "2024-01-12T02:05:46Z")

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High Point Scientific just did a pretty good review of the new all-in-one EA telescope by ZWO, the Seestar S50. I’ve seen one in operation and it looks like it delivers what they say it will, and all for a very reseasona…

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## [Celestron Origin](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/celestron-origin/466)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 6:26pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/celestron-origin/466 "2024-01-11T18:26:55Z")

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Celestron has jumped into the all-in-one (kinda) EA market with their new Origin “Intelligent Home Observatory.” I say kinda, as it’s not as compact, or light, as the other offerings since it’s in 3 pieces (scope, mount,…

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## [Unistellar Odyssey](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/unistellar-odyssey/467)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 2\
**Last updated:** [January 10, 2024, 3:47am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/unistellar-odyssey/467 "2024-01-10T03:47:32Z")

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Unistellar has announced it’s newest model all-in-one EA telescope, the Odyssey. And Odyssey Pro (only real difference is an electronic eyepiece). Info on it can be found at: It’s avialbe now (except for the Red Edi…

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## [World Light Pollution Map](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/world-light-pollution-map/130)

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**Author:** [@DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/DaveNH6SM)\
**Replies:** 3\
**Last updated:** [November 6, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/world-light-pollution-map/130 "2023-11-06T14:44:41Z")

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Interactive World Light Pollution Map. Dave NH6SM OKCAC/CRO Phone Number (405) 418-6444

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## [First Critter at OTSP 2023](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-critter-at-otsp-2023/238)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 9\
**Last updated:** [September 15, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-critter-at-otsp-2023/238 "2023-09-15T23:08:21Z")

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My first critter here other than flies and grasshoppers. Deadly??? Was right above the door handle to the new building.

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## [Add OKCAC Discourse to your phone or tablet as an app](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/add-okcac-discourse-to-your-phone-or-tablet-as-an-app/72)

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**Author:** [@sdm](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/sdm)\
**Replies:** 12\
**Last updated:** [August 13, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/add-okcac-discourse-to-your-phone-or-tablet-as-an-app/72 "2023-08-13T17:50:17Z")

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Hey everyone, here’s a quick tip for you mobile and tablet users. You can add this forum as a shortcut on your device Home Screen and can then launch it as an “app.” For iOS, you can also enable notifications so you’ll g…

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## [Novice Night at Point 10, Lake Stanley Draper July 8, 2023](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/novice-night-at-point-10-lake-stanley-draper-july-8-2023/61)

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**Author:** [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Replies:** 5\
**Last updated:** [July 9, 2023, 6:55am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/novice-night-at-point-10-lake-stanley-draper-july-8-2023/61 "2023-07-09T06:55:12Z")

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Quarterly novice session 8 Jul 2023 from 8:00pm-11:00pm Point 10 Recreation Area 2 at Stanley Draper Lake. Sunset is at 8:47pm. Take Exit 11/11A from I-240 then south for a short distance on S Douglas Blvd turn east/lef…