Nibor

Thanks to all at FLO!!

Bookmarked 

Looks like a really nice set up there, Johnno,

Question tho' is the red oil can(?) part of the astro kit maintenance programme?

Am I missing a trick to smoother tracking!!

Steve,

The focuser is just the straight forward Crayford that came with the scope as standard. - Single speed.

The photo shows the underside of the focuser and shows the 4 bolts holding the electronic focuser mount onto the scope - the motor just presses onto the focuser spindle and tightens with a grub screw. The thumb screws (RHS) allow a bit of vertical adjustment.  The mount is shaped to conform to the underside of the scope's focuser.

I did try and find the instructions but had no success - if they turn up soon I'll scan and post a copy.:-

Hope this helps

Hi,

My electronic focuser in attached to my Orion (US) ED80 - which I believe is a clone of the SW 80ED.

The attached photo shows and overhead shot (Velcro for holding the hand controller!!)

The distance that you require (between the red lines) is approximately 7.5 inches - BUT - note I do not have the micro focuser.

Perhaps two points flow from this:-

1. Does it work with a micro focuser? - perhaps someone can help here.

2. I am sure that on the basic focuser you can have the motor on either side  - I presume that the micro focuser can be switched to the other side and if  (1.) above is OK then you should get the set up you would like.

 The motor holding bracket simply attaches to the base of the focuser - I used the existing bolts but it came supplied with some.

Hope this helps.

I used my extended lead for the first time last night whilst trialling my PD1 Astro Video camera - I must say I found the ability to focus my Orion (US) ED80 scope whilst sitting at my PC (Scope outside) a very useful system as I tried different optical arrangements - positioning of filters / c rings / tube extensions etc.

The PD 1 (Remote) version also came into its own as I tried different camera settings.

Sorry Nibor, Brucen is right it is RJ10 not RJ11!

Back to Maplins then!!  RJ 10 is apparently not quite so common - although I have just found another supplier:-

http://www.cablegear.co.uk/rj10-modular-plug-4p4c-for-flat-cable.html

They are cheaper - the cabling is probably the easy bit  - and this should do the crimping:-

http://www.cablegear.co.uk/modular-crimping-tool.html

Hi Nibor,

I have this focuser also and like you had to get hold of a longer lead for more remote viewing. I got my cousin to wire something up for me but I think the connection is an RJ11?? I also had to make up a makeshift bracket to attach to the focuser but it works a treat and a great little gadget for the money

Cheers

Karl

dx1 115.JPG

Karl,

If it is an RJ11 then this would be the cheap and easy fix:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cabling4Less-10m-ADSL-Cable-White/dp/B000FGGE1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381831543&sr=8-1&keywords=rj+11+cable

Just a short post to pass on the parts required for making up a longer replacement cable for the S/W Electronic focuser......

I am in the process of putting together a low tech remote operation Video Astronomy system using my Orion (US) ED80 refractor which is basically a clone of the S/W ED80.

I had purchased the electronic auto focuser from Modern Astronomy:-

http://www.modernastronomy.com/accessories.html#accFocusers

(Scroll down to Auto Focuser @ £44.95)

It fitted to the scope easily and works a treat but the coiled lead was far too short to reach from the cold outside to the warmer inside!! The connectors at each end of the coiled lead and the cable needed sourcing and initial attempts proved fruitless as it seemed that the connectors were quite small and similar looking computer and BT connectors were too large.

Anyway a trip to my new local and very helpful Maplins provided the solution. The parts required are as follows:-

Connectors FCC68 (two of):-

http://www.maplin.co.uk/fcc68-modular-plugs-1433

Cable (sold by the metre):-

http://www.maplin.co.uk/flat-ipc-telephone-line-cord-cw1311-6222

By carefully observing the way the S/W coiled connectors were wired up I could carefully strip the cable outer and insert the 4 separate wire strands into the connectors, copying the coiled cable configuration. The difficult part was crimping the wire to the connectors as I couldn't find a crimper small enough. However careful use of some small long nosed pliers and a small flat bladed screwdriver worked.

A check with a multimeter to ensure the crimping had worked and the job was done.

I initially did find I had to get the degree of crimping pressure just right in order to get the connector to fit into the hand control and motor so it is helpful to have a couple of spare connectors in case you don't get it right first time.

I hope this helps those with similar requirements.

My preferred solution to my difficulties observing from inner city Leeds is an impenetrable blackout cloth (c/2' square) over my head and eyepiece, and remembering to close my observing eye if I have to emerge for any reason. Of course this cannot approach the conditions obtainable from a truly dark sky, but it works better for me than any of the other methods I have tried.

I, too, have found the blackout hood very effective in my LP site. - I also have made canvas screens which I can quickly put up to provide relief from street lights and neighbours security lights. I am looking at an autumn / winter project using video observing ala DoctorD!!

Just a short post to say how pleased I have been with the help I have received from Bern at Modern Astronomy.

Whilst ordering a power supply for my CG5 GOTO mount (which arrived next day) I took the opportunity to quiz him on some of the ins and outs of video astronomy which I am exploring as a subject for an autumn / winter project.

Bern was very helpful and very patient!! - Recommended!!

Robin

I have the 9 x 50 Skywatcher version and I have just had a look at the cross hair orientation.

The eyepiece will turn in the diagonal and I presume you could back it off to get the cross hairs vertical - and perhaps pack the thread with some cotton thread and tighten it back up. It would be trial and error!!.

Mine seems to be vertical.

The other thing I have done is to slightly slacken off the diagonal from the tube, Mark a reference point with a sliver of self adhesive label and then turn the whole diagonal in either side of the mark to get the eyepiece into a comfortable position when using my equatorial mount. - It doesn't seem to effect focus very much.

Clackvalve,

Welcome to the forum...

I have the same S/W GOTO mount - I would suggest you "stick with it" and learn its foibles - I find it works very well if you follow the instructions and enter your location and all times/date correctly!! My regular error is the incorrect date!!

In my light polluted sky it has found objects I would never otherwise have found - I think it is a great system for the money and of course it can be linked to a virtual planetarium like Stellarium. I fine tune the system using the PAE option and I have found it works best for me if the two alignment stars are widely separated.

My new skymax 127 synscan goto arrived this morning. Only ordered yesterday from Sherwood's. Put it together - pretty easy operation - and took it outside to get it acclimatised. Then the fog rolled in !!!!! There's always tomorrow.

One thing different from my previous beginners scope - this one has a star diagonal which turns the image the right way up and reverses it from left to right (as you will all know). Does antone else find this a problem and will I just get used to it. It is good for my viewing position and my knees, I do confess!

Once again thanks for all the help and advice so far. It is much appreciated. I know my teacher at school (in the olden days) once told me that there is no such thing as a daft question. If you don't know the answer, then its not a daft question.

I tried for over a year to get the hang of mirror imaged views (Mak 127 and 80 mm refractors) so I eventually decided to try an erecting Amici prism diagonal:-

http://www.astroshop.eu/omegon-1-25---amici-prism-90d/p,14172

I have found it a great success and compares very favourably with my mid range mirror diagonals. Target location and identification has been made made much less stressful as I can directly compare what I see through the eyepiece with my star atlas and the photos in my copy of "Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders" (DIY Science Series) . I know that the light transmission properties of the Amici diagonal are not as good as higher end mirror diagonals but if I want to see that bit deeper then I can just switch to a mirror diagonal - knowing that I am already on target.

I have the Synscan GOTO and it has helped me find objects I could not star hop to because of my light polluted skies. BTW I always like to check out the area of sky when a GOTO object is found - I use a red dot finder and binos - I believe it helps me get to know the sky better - rather than just blindly travelling from one object to another.

Hi robin , hope your doin ok long time since we spoke,

i have tried most of the smartphone apps and everyway to attach them to my scopes I gave up in the end due to not being that accurate and when you switch the phone on to use ,it killed your night vision , the best app I now use is called whereisit it's a app that coverts ra/dec coords into alt/az in real time you program your location and then I use a compass and a wixey to get to where you want , you preserve your night vision and its as good as a goto, the best is it costs 63p from android apps ,

hope this helps regards John

John,

Hi! Thanks for your comments - life is OK just now - although a bit upset at the lack of decent observing skies!!

The Skeye app I am trying does have a red night vision mode and it is supposed to redden the "hard" keys - but doesn't do so on my phone!!

I am still waiting for a chance to try its accuracy but initial experiments indicate that it is essential to calibrate the phone's magnetometer by moving it in a figure of eight manner before attempting to use it to locate objects.

I have currently devised a simple temporary mount system by clipping the smartphone on the following windscreen device http://www.amazon.co...57768423&sr=8-2 and by using much velcro attaching it to the dust cap of my Skywatcher 9 x 50 finderscope!!

It does render the finderscope useless for its intended purpose tho'!! - But I have some widefield e/pieces to help zero in on the target.

I am looking forward to testing the app. for accuracy when the skies clear!!

If reasonablely accurate I will then look for another fitting method for my grab and go and work on a fitting for my 10" newt.

For info I attach a PDF of the Skeye's manual.

SkEyeIntro.pdf

Heres what I use, it can be used in the car, on a bike or even a telescope!

http://www.amazon.co...57768423&sr=8-2

Hope it helps,

Rob.

Rob,

Many thanks for the suggestion and link.

Robin

This was the commercial smartphone holder I had heard about - I have just found it at Scope n Skies - seems no longer available. Anyone tried one?

http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/telescope-accessories/iphone-telescope-holder.html

Have a look at the video to see it in use.

Many thanks for your thoughts and comments!!

Part of the trial plan would be to attach the smartphone (with the Skeye app installed) to a scope mounted on my S/W GOTO mount and then conduct some experiments. The Skeye app has a search and align facility which I should be able to test the against the GOTO. There may be the magnetic effect of the scope to contend with but I am hoping to mount the smartphone not too close to the scope itself and this distance will form part of the trial.

I will probably check out one of these to base the mounting system around:-

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/28920-OmniHolder-Universal-Case-Compatible-Car-Mount-Reviews.htm

Once I have some results I shall post an update.

Part of my thinking is to use the "push to" app to enhance my basic altaz grab and go system. The software shows Telrad circles and if I can get in the target zone with the app then I should be able to pick up the target with my widefield refractor using a wide angle E/P.

Light pollution is a bit of an issue from my observing balcony - not to mention trying to dodge the clouds!! So when an opportunity arises I want to make the most of it!!

Hi!

I have at long last moved into the 21st cent and bought myself a regular sized smartphone - it uses the android operating system for which there are many astro apps available.

One of the most interesting to me at the moment is the virtual planerarium, "Skeye":-

http://lavadip.com/skeye/

When mounted to a telescope it offers the opportunity to use the smartphone as a "push to" system - it seems to lend itself to dobsonians but I am interested in trialling the idea on my refractor and Mak.

The website does offer some mounting ideas (download the manual for links) but I was wondering if anyone in the lounge had found an elegant and robust method of using the typical Skywatcher finderscope style base for attaching the smartphone??

It seems that a few years ago such a mount was commercially available but I have been unable to track one down.

Any ideas would be very welcome!!

Wishing you all Happy and Prosperous 2013 and a decent number of cloudless nights!!

I'm well impressed with the ingenuity and engineering - looking forward to first light report!!

The ingenuity of Astronomers never fails to impress me!! "Respect"!!

Perhaps, at some stage, a photo of the completed setup??

Mark,

Many thanks - I have saved your guide and printed it out for study - it should be very helpful!