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.

4 hours ago, Nikodemuzz said:

Hello all!

I tried to connect my CGEM to my laptop for the first time in a few years. It used to work with my old Win7 laptop, but that machine has retired a long time ago... I can't seem to get the NexRemote software to connect to the mount. The serial-USB cable is recognized by the computer, and I can for instance change the COM port number from the Windows control panel. The available COM port number changes accordingly in the NexRemote software, so something seems to work. However, when I press OK, I get an error: "Unable to open serial".

Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

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

27 minutes ago, oymd said:

ahh...I see what you mean now.

Had a look at the guide.

So, since I am moving my Ipolar from mount to mount, I will need to CALIBRATE every time I use it. Right?

And need to click CLEAR CAMERA DATA everytime.

I think that explains it.

So, my last question would be, if I do that, should the cross hair and red dot OVERLAP in ALL positions or RA when slewing?

Many thanks

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.

37 minutes ago, oymd said:

Morning everyone

Would like to get some advice please about polar alignment.

The mount in question is the SW AZ-EQ6 Pro. Having given up on the awkward positioning of the polar scope, I invested in an Ipolar, and it has been amazing so far.

I am sure however that I am doing something wrong?

The mount is setup in the HOME position, levelled, pointing north, with the Refractor also pointing north. I make sure RA and DEC are balanced.

When I plug the Ipolar into computer, I go through all the steps, and use the altitude lever and AZ bolts to get the DOT & CROSSHAIRS perfectly aligned, then get everything tightened up.

I keep the Ipolar connected, so as to see if I am polar aligned throughout my viewing session

Now, I remember seeing a video where it was advised that after aligning in HOME POSITION, I should rotate the RA 90 degrees either side, and press CONFIRM POSITION 1 & 2 on the IPLOAR software? I do not do this step, as the button is greyed out?

I then turn on the mount, and do 3 star alignment. Everything seems ok, but I have a constant error of the object I am trying to slew to being OFF CENTER by a constant distance? With the 28mm eyepiece, I can see it near the periphery, with my 15mm eyepiece I have to rely on the finderscope to center the object.

 

 

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).

11 hours ago, andib479 said:

I've no idea why it was white when I was looking at a black sky. I am very confused. I bought this really for my little boy and I'm worried if I dont get this sorted it will forever ruin his interest, which will be mortifying:( 

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.

12 hours ago, mattjanes100 said:

Thanks, will give this a try tomorrow.

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