BST Starguider 50mm Mini Guide Scope Set (What does it all mean)?

[Alienfox]

I am quite excited that I now have my SW EQ5 with Synscan all put together, I have also recived my new RS232 to USB connecter for my PC.

I am hoping to use Stellarium to control the mount, thats the plan, however, it says connect the RS232 converter to the Auto Guider on the mount not the hand controller, no problem, but, I have just been reading about a Starguider? what is it? do I need one? if so why?  I intend to photograph nebula, galaxies DSO's and planets, I have both a Video camera and DSLR, would I benifit from this autoguider contraption, my pockets are almost empty so maybe this wouold be a thing for my christmas list.

[ronin]

Have a feeling you may, but only may, be getting confused.

A BST Starguider is an eyepiece, they used to be BST Explorers, some arguement over the name and they changed to BST Starguider. However the name Starguider is well known and they are attaching it to other items.

Now if you are refering to a guide scope, especially as you say 50mm - that is not an eyepiece - then it is simply a guide scope and they have attached the Starguider name/title - probably helps them sell more as the eyepieces have a good reputation.

If you do not have an autoguider in the form of a scope and guide camera then I would not worry although I cannot say how the wiring up goes without, or even with, one in the system.

Without a guide scope and guide camera your exposures will be limited, depending on how good the polar alignment is and the data you give. Spend sort of 5x longer on polar aligning for imaging then for visual. Get it right. Many will say 60 second exposure without out a guider, but I would have thought 120 was possible. You are after all polar aligned, on an EQ mount and they reckon 20 seconds on a fixed tripod.

For now, I guess, ignore the autoguider aspect and just get used to collecting images and then the subsequent processing.

You can get an Off Axis Guider, uses I guess a beam splitter operation and you add in the guide camera, so no need of a guide scope, I suspect a guide scope allows more leeway however. Many use an ST 80 as a guide scope, although a finder is another option.

[Joseki]

I think the op is referring to this perhaps:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/BST-Starguider-50mm-Mini-Guide-Scope-Set-/380988676194?nav=SEARCH

I guess it should do the job.

[RichMK]

Can't comment on the telescope, but I've recently dealt with Sky's the limit (also known as Skies Unlimited on Ebay). Contact Alan directly, very helpful guy. Kept me fully up to date with my order.

http://www.skysthelimit.org.uk/index.html

May be able to knock a few quid off the Ebay price.

Happy hunting.

Rich

[Stub Mandrel]

Hmm - potential birthday present identified...

[Alienfox]

Hi Rich, Yeah thats exactly the one, I read somewhere I think that it locks onto a star and tracks it, or am I thinking of something elsa, really confused now.

[Ruud]

Are you guys thinking of the Celestron StarSense?

[Alienfox]

I really did get them mixed up, I think I read about the StarSense, and found the Starguider on ebay, not the same thing obviously.  Now the brain is sorted, I just need to make my Christmas wishlist.

Thanks to everyone for their help in sorting this out.

[kalasinman]

Just received a Starguider 50mm guide scope from Agana Astro  http://agenaastro.com/agena-50mm-mini-guide-scope.html  for my wide field rig. Trying it out tonight on the newt.

Nicely made. Supplied bracket must be installed/exchanged with original if you will mount it as a replacement for a Synta style finder. For some reason it's a tiny bit wide for the Synta bracket. 10 minutes to change it. Easy enough to do double duty as a standard 1-1/4 reticule EP fits . Apparently made by BST

[ollypenrice]

Be aware that a guide scope also needs a guide camera in it. One of the links went only to the scope. 

Olly