Edge HD800 Viable on HEQ5?

[DaveS]

For imaging.

I'm not buying just yet, but pushing ideas around for a 'scope with a longer FL as a "galaxy grabber".

So I'm thinking, Edge HD 800 + 0.7x FR. Then a SX OAG with my current SX Filter Wheel / Trius 694. Going the OAG route both to reduce flex and to reduce the mass my HEQ has to carry.

Is this a viable proposition? Or should I wait until I've got a better mount. I'm thinking Avalon M-Uno to avoid meridian reversal.

I'll also be looking into various dual rigs with my Meg 90 and possibly a wider field telescope / camera combination.

[PhotoGav]

Hi Dave,

Yes, the EdgeHD 800 will work on an HEQ5. The OAG is a must though. I use a QSI with integrated OAG and can happily guide for 1200s subs. I'm sure longer would be possible, I just haven't tried yet. I have also successfully used the scope with a DSLR and the Celestron OAG, though that configuration didn't allow use of the reducer.

Here's a link to my last EdgeHD 800 project: http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/225125-the-bubble-ngc7635-in-hargb/

My only other thought is that the scope is quite slow and does require a long exposure time to get half decent results.

You also mention a dual rig idea - I think that with the EdgeHD that might well be pushing the HEQ5 over the edge!

Good luck.

[DaveS]

Thanks Gav.

Just to clarify, the dual rig is a separate project, my thought is to keep my Meg 90 with the 694 camera and add a Star 71 with a 8300 based camera. A bit nebulous ATM.

[PhotoGav]

Sounds good! The HEQ5 would probably cope with that no problem.

I do like my EdgeHD, I just wish it was faster. Trouble is I'm not a big fan of diffraction spikes, so Galaxy hunting with no spikes has to be an SCT, or an extremely expensive refractor... One day!

[ollypenrice]

I think that a lot would depend on luck and that Gav has a good HEQ5 and runs it well. I very much doubt that a large sample of  imagers would be so successful with that setup.

Olly

[DaveS]

I don't want to buy another mount until I get a permanent pier set up to put it on, though I have considered a belt-mod of my HEQ5, so although an AZ-EQ 6 might be a logical step up I'll pass until I'm ready for something a bit more up-market. So I'll put this on hold for a while.

[PhotoGav]

Thanks Olly. Is that true that the HEQ5 is a bit of a lottery? Thank goodness I got a good un' - it was certainly quite a challenge to get it working with the edge. I couldn't have faced the struggle with a dodgy mount too though!

Anyway, the best thing for advancing your Astrophotography is a period of clear dark skies!

[DaveS]

Well it's clear ATM and I'm trying to get some more subs of M27 before it moves out of the way. Nothing fancy 6 x 10 min Ha binned 1x1 to match some [OIII] I already have, then maybe on to The Pacman. Or else try the new IDAS filter I've just go on the Double Cluster.

It's clear but blowing a bit and my guide graph looks like the Himalayas. Not a chance with an Edge HD with that sort of graph!

[PhotoGav]

Hah! For sure. I'm using the ED80 tonight, trying to gather the OIII subs to finish my mosaic of The Heart Nebula. I've been sitting on 3/4 of a project for the last two weeks, driving me potty waiting to finish it off! Hopefully tonight will do it.

Yes, a tad breezy, but thankfully my back garden is quite well protected. For once I'm happy to have a fairly high horizon!

[DaveS]

Hah! Indeed. I've got reasonably high hedges around but it's still breezy.

After my last post I went out only to hear PHD bonging away, looked up, totally clouded over. Fortunately the wind blew the clouds out of the way after about 1/2 hour so I'm off again. I think this will be my last run on M27 for this year, now on to more favorably placed targets.

[ollypenrice]

Thanks Olly. Is that true that the HEQ5 is a bit of a lottery? Thank goodness I got a good un' - it was certainly quite a challenge to get it working with the edge. I couldn't have faced the struggle with a dodgy mount too though!

Anyway, the best thing for advancing your Astrophotography is a period of clear dark skies!

I think the HEQ5 is a great mount, like the NEQ6, of which I have two. But at the focal length in question I don't believe that 'plug and play' can be guaranteed.

Olly

[DaveS]

I think I'll wait until I've got through a bit more of the learning curve. I'm still liable to make a pig's ear of things, though I am getting better. This is really looking ahead to spring and galaxy time.