Shimrod

I currently have an 8" EdgeHD, and would like to supplement this with a smaller scope that will work as a travel scope as well as for wide field imaging. I had been looking at the Explore Scientific 80mm ED APO Essentials ES ED80 or the Williams Optics 73mm Zenith (WO Zenithstar) but having done some research it seems there can be some issues with the ES80 with flex with the footing for the mount. I now thinking the ZS73 while great for imaging may be a bit too wide for visual. the Skywatcher 80ED ( SW 80ED ) seems to be a well regarded alternative. For imaging I will initially be using a Canon 7d II but will probably buy dedicated camera towards the end of the year. Is there any other equipment I should consider. Thanks.

I have a Celestron AVX with 8" EdgeHD, but would like to get a second OTA that I can take on holiday (in the UK) and ultimately also use for astrophotography. While the mount and tripod will fit in the car, the EdgeHD OTA is too bulky to fit alongside luggage. I have a budget of around £500 and have been looking at the Explore Scientific 80mm ED APO Essentials ES ED80 and the Williams Optics 73mm Zenith (WO Zenithstar) Has anyone got any comments or suggestions for alternatives to look at. Also if anyone has one of these scopes and starsense on an AVX, I would be interested to hear how you have fitted it. thanks.

It sounds like a similar problem I had with my LX90 and USB/serial connection which I had not used for some years. The Serial/USB adapter was not compatible with Windows 10. I replaced it with one of these which works fine USB/Serial adapter

That's correct - you'll need to clear camera data and re-calibrate every time you move the camera between mounts. I believe the cross hair and red dot should stay aligned, but once I am fully set up and aligned, I've never rechecked.

What you are describing is the calibration process that you only need to do once - unless you are removing and replacing the camera on the mount each session. You can repeat the calibration - check the manual here (bottom of page 5/top of page 6) Ipolar guide Are you completing your polar alignment after you have your scope on your mount? I do an initial alignment after setting the mount/tripod up, while it is easier to move, and then repeat once scope and counterweights have been added. There is normally some movement on the alignment with the extra weight (I have to set my scope up on grass).

Apologies for the really obvious question, but are you taking the telescope outside or using it to view through the windows? It's not clear from your previous postings. It may well be you are seeing a reflection within the double glazing if the telescope is not square on to the window.

If you don't have any luck with gphoto try 40D shutter count (it also works with the 450D). It runs on the mac although the software is old (2008) so I don't know if you will have compatibility issues: 40D shutter count