Telescope Meade LX850 12" f/8 with Starlock
 
I was always a Meade fan and by the time the LX800 was released (being their first attempt with an equatorial mount) I was living in Nigeria, where skies are far from being good for any type of astronomy activities.   So my eyes were put on users comments, we soon realised that it was not a successful story.
But Meade took the bull by the horns and after solving the mechanical and software issue, they released the LX850 version.  By that time I was about to arrive in Australia.  Again, after reading users comments, happy story this time, I ordered my 12".  It arrived in November 2013.
I cannot say that I did not suffer a lot to make it work due to a software issue that took me (and Meade 14 months to resolve).  You can read more about it here.
Since then, I never had another problem.
I'm in love with this great piece of technology !!!
Telescope  Meade Series 6000 115mm APO f/7.0 + LX85 mount

The LX85 Series 115mm APO has a 3-element apochromatic refractor optical design using the highest grade extra-low dispersion optical glass to virtually eliminate false color, yielding astonishing color correction, contrast, and sharpness. Features a 115mm aperture, 805mm focal length, and f/7 focal ratio. Equipped with a 2.5" dual rack & pinion focuser (10:1 fine focuser) and fully multi-coated optical coatings. Includes a fully extendable dew shield and vixen-style dovetail.
Telescope William Optics GTF-81 APO f/5.9

My astrofriend J.M.Locci kindly rendered me his William Optics 132 while I was waiting the delivery of my LX850.
I decided at that time a refractor will be incorporated to my equipment list, it finally arrived in winter 2014.
I'm very happy with its 2º FOV !!!
Mount Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro
 
After checking the great performance of the William Optics GTF-81, I though that having a portable set up would be a good idea.
So in order to take advantage of the near dark sites around Perth area, the acquisition of this took form.
I must admit that the incorporation of the HEQ5 to my astronomy arsenal is one of the best decisions I took.
This mount is extremely easy to polar align, the go to has a great precision and the tracking is fabulous.
100% satisfied !!!
Camera SBIG STF-8300C 'one-shot color'

The STF-8300C is my first CCD camera and my 'reliable friend'.  She never let me down, always reliable, always performing.
What else can I say, I'm in love with this instrument !!!
Camera QHY9 Mono + LRGB filters + Baader Ha, OIII, SII filters

After a lot of imaging with 'one-shot-color', I though that I would like to taste something different: mono cameras.
In December 2016 a second handed QHY9 mono camera equipped with a QHYCFW2 filter wheel and 36mm unmounted filter was advertised in IceinSpace.  The seller was from Perth, so I went to have a look at it.  I got convinced about give it a go, so it became part of my equipment.
So far I'm very happy with its performance, both mounted in the LX850 or GTF-81.
Camera QHY168C 'one-shot color'

QHY contacted me to cooperate with them and test their cameras.
The coincidences (or not) of life brought me and my family this January 2018 for holidays.  We had the opportunity to visit QHY factory in Beijing, we were very impressed by their hospitality and professionalism.
I received the QHY168C, that I'll start testing very soon.
Camera QHY163m

Following the great performance of the QHY168C, I decided to go mono.
The perfect match for my telescopes was the QHY163m with the QHYCFW3 filter wheel, it arrived in January  2019. 
First narrowband came few weeks after from the light polluted Paris suburban skies.
Optolong Filters L-Pro (for light pollution) and LRGB

I had been contacted by the Chinese filter manufacturer Optolong to test their LRGB and light pollution premium L-Pro filters.
So far the L-Pro was test achieving very good result under my light polluted Perth location.
You can read my report in my Blog page.
LRGB testing in ongoing, first light for them is IC434 (Horse Head Nebula) that you can see in my Nebulas page.
Camera Meade LPI-G

As part of me cooperation with Meade I was given this very user friendly Lunar, Planetary and Guiding camera.
I use it mainly for guiding my HEQ5 mount with excellent results.
I'll soon turn it into its planetary function.
Software I use for data collection and processing:
 - CCDAutopilot
 - AstroPlanner
 - MaxlmDL
 - FocusMax
 - TheSkyX Pro
 - Nebulosity
 - Pixinsight
 - Photoshop




My actual observatory is located in my backyard is Maisons Laffitte, suburb of Paris in France.

Due to work, I'd moved from Australia to France in July 2018.  This location is really  light-polluted :( but I'll keep on trying.
My location is particularly light polluted.

Maisons Laffitte is in thenorthwest of Paris, I am in a Borlte-7 zone where SQM  is around 18.5 mag./arc sec2.
The best shooting area is Northwest as I aim straight to the forest. 

Regardless of these conditions, I will keep on doing my best in order to share the night sky wonders with you.