Finally resolved my issue with AA 70EDT-F and its dedicated flattener

[paul]

My supplier sent a replacement for the flattener shipped with the scope - you can see the issues I had here. The replacement suffered the same issue 🥵- focusing on a daytime target I confirmed that again the x0.8 flattener was more like x1.1.

 

On a whim I swapped the two end caps around and tested again - x0.8 reduction! 

 

I ran a few start tests tonight and great image quality across the field with some  coma to the top and left which may be due to a loose end cap allowing some tilt:

This is a single 3min shot with a DSLR and M48 adapter, no spacing adjustments yet made. (The moon didn't make broadband a good choice but its only a test).

 

As well as decent images, the scope is now more compact as it reaches focus around the 1cm mark.

 

I'm pleased with the outcome, not pleased I wasted a few good nights though. 

 

I can't wait for a moonless clear night to really enjoy the scope.

[TerryMcK]

Glad you got it sorted.