Shimrod

Congratulations, that is a truly astronomical number of posts! I would have to agree that of all the forums I have visited over the years, SGL is by far the most friendly and helpful I have ever used.

I don't think there is all that much difference in the optics for visual. The GPS makes it a bit more convenient to set up the scope - does it also have LNT which helps with alignment? The LX90 is not a good starter choice for AP beyond planets and moon - the general recommendation is to start with a short focal length scope for that. You will need the wedge to try for longer exposures, but it is an extra hassle to set up and get polar aligned. I'm assuming 8" OTA, a larger one will be even more awkward to place on the wedge. How much newer is the LX90 ACF? As the mount and OTA are one unit, I would be inclined to opt for the new model for convenience of set up and younger electronics - that is where any fault is most likely to appear. I still own a 2003 LX90 EMC which still works fine although I sold my wedge on (and bought a separate scope on an equatorial mount for AP).

It's not just eyes! It's the knees and the contortions required to try and get in the right position to view through the polarscope. I tried to use mine twice, but replaced it very quickly with an ipolar - I should have paid more attention to the reviews on FLO. Enjoy your new purchase - it takes a little more setup than an alt-az, but I like my AVX and it's on the limit of what I consider portable when I have to move it to/from the garden for each session.

My first foray into night time photography (and later AP) was with ISO 1600 film in Canon SLRs. Horrible grainy pictures that bear no relation to the ISO1600 (or indeed 6400) settings you get on digital cameras today. Expensive to shoot and develop, and days before you could see what you have taken. I never got a decent astro photograph, and while some of the nightscapes bring back memories of holidays, they are a long way from being good enough to share with other people! Of course I then went on to try a Meade DSI (probably the first 'affordable' astro camera) on an LX90 which really killed my attempts at AP until a couple of years ago when I bought some new kit.

I think there is a confusion between fan cooled cameras (like those offered in the lower range of Altair cameras) and the TEC cooled cameras (such as ZWO and higher-end Altair). The former offer an advance over uncooled cameras but you cannot set and maintain a temperature like the TEC cameras. I assume @powerlord is building the former, although with a 20 degree difference from ambient, possibly with slightly more effective cooling. Can we agree TEC is better than cooled, and cooled is better than uncooled?

That's why you would use foam to make a snug fit. It will need to be shaped to the telescope.

I would think the fact it is mount and OTA would provide a challenge getting an appropriate sized bag. I have a Meade LX90 8" and I just wrap mine in an old duvet and fasten it in the back of the car with the seat belts. Possibly you could look for a large storage box and use some foam to pad the inside- the challenge may be finding one deep enough - this might be a starting point large storage case

I have controlled mine from both laptop and hand controller, but that is with both devices connected to the mount (I prefer the tactile control for the focuser to a touchscreen laptop). I have not tried connecting the laptop directly to the focusser. I don't use the handset at all now - bought an xbox controller (some compatibles will also work) and use that while standing at the telescope to slew and focus. Might we worth considering if you don't want to risk trying to connect both devices.

I control my AVX using CPWI (either directly, or as the driver for other software) - this includes control of the Celestron focus motor. I use the Skyportal wifi model. You can also connect your laptop to the mount via the handset - either directly with a USB cable if your handset is the newer version with the USB port or via a USB to serial adapter. Edit: if you just want basic focuser control, Celestron also have some software for that as well.

If you avoid paying VAT (not guaranteed) and everything works fine you can save yourself some money buying direct. If you have to pay VAT, the prices form ZWO don't differ greatly from what you would pay over here. If something goes wrong with the camera (or it is DOA) it would be much easier to deal with a UK based supplier. It comes down to how much risk are you willing to take to save some money. I bought a guide camera in the current ZWO sale from FLO, and it was only about £6 more than it would be buying direct - not worth the stress of dealing direct with China.

My SCT is 'parked' until autumn, but could it be the hot weather we have had recently - especially if it has been out in the sun causing a slight expansion of parts? I have also read that some users have issues with Bob's Knobs - while they make collimation easier, the scope has also become more prone to losing collimation. Maybe you are one of those unfortunate users.

The firmware is 2.2 which indicates it is a non-upgradeable handset.

According to this website it is the hand control version prior to version 4 and is not upgradeable (although the mount is). This is the direct link to the GPS info page on the nexstar website linked to above by @doublevodka

I was one of those birdies! And this was in a conversation about guiding - with the suggestion that the ASI224 was retained for guiding duties. If you want to do DSO you are still going to need something for guiding, so from my perspective it would make more sense to get an imaging camera with a larger sensor if you can afford it. With a small sensor you will face challenges getting the target on sensor, although you may be planning on using plate solving software to deal with that.

Yes, my mistake! I tracked in through on Starry Night, but I was skipping days - looks like managed to skip the early part of December completely. Assuming it is bright enough, visible in the early hours from end of November through to around 10th December

My ASI533 produces image files around 17Mb. If you are doing DSO imaging you will not be doing very many images per hour hence my calculations above. You should really use .ser for video - brief explanation here: video formats I'm surprised a 3 second video consumes nearly 400Mb on an ASI224

That's a nice, neat package for visual - I like just the one cable!

You might be overestimating your space requirements while imaging. If you have a camera that is producing 20Mb images and you are doing 3 minute subs, you will only be using 400Mb an hour, or 2Gb in a 5 hour session. You can transfer files elsewhere when you are done. I capture images on a low-power laptop with a 256mb ssd, and transfer to my desktop for processing.

I have one of those, but bought from picstop where it is £55 cheaper (and another couple of % off if you use topcashback). I've had no issues with mine.

Depending on what camera you get for imaging it may have a USB hub within it (the ZWO PRO cooled cameras for example). You could connect the guide cam through the imaging camera hub which also makes for less trailing cables. You have missed out the connection to the mount in your list - again you should be able to connect through the camera hub, but I prefer a direct connection. How big is the hard drive in the laptop - is the external drive really necessary?

You will still need a guide cam with the OAG. I was advised (on here) to get an ASI290MM if I went with an OAG as the larger and more sensitive sensor would make it easier to pick up stars for guiding. The ASI224MC should work but may struggle to lock on to a guide star depending on the object being imaged - hopefully someone will be along shortly to give you a more definitive answer. I have no experience of using an OAG so can't give any real world advice.

Your Starsense will take power from the mount, so you will need usb ports for both cameras plus connection to the mount. You could get a USB hub (but it may need to be powered) or you could get the Celestron wifi module for your mount which should mean no need for a hub. I think your bigger problem is going to be imaging with the ASI224 on a telescope with a FL of 2350mm - it's a small sensor and it may be difficult to get the target on sensor - most recommendations are to start imaging with a shorter focal length and having started with an EdgeHD 8" and moved to a 80mm refractor I would agree with that! You might want to consider getting a camera with a larger sensor to use as your imaging camera and retain the ASI224 as your guide camera. At this FL most would recommend an off axis guider rather than a guidescope - if you want to go down the guidescope route you will need one with a longer focal length (600mm) - to mount this you would get a dovetail and some mounting rings. For power I have the Celestron Powertank Pro and that is enough to get me through two or three nights -although a 'night' for me is around 4 hours. I've not yet had any issues running out of power.

Not very helpful at all. I've noticed the standard version has support for new mounts an there is also a new version of the firmware loader - although that does not have any release notes at all.

I've downloaded the firmware (not yet applied the update) to have a look at the release notes. I've pasted the top couple of entries although they are vague and don't really give much of a clue as to the changes. Looks like 3.26 is the firmware that mustn't be mentioned. AZ-GTi motor controller firmware version 3.30: Version 3.30 1. Fix bugs. 2. Support new MCU. Version 3.22 1. New command set added to support path tracking(e.g. tracking satellite). Check http://www.skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-app/ for applications. 2. Improved peformance on calibration/guiding for declination axis(equatorial mode).

I can't comment on the handsets, but I much prefer working with the Celestron apps for my AVX over the Synscan apps for the AZ-GTI. If you do go with the AVX don't be tempted to buy the polarscope - the adjustment knobs make it almost impossible to look through!