cloudyweather

On 07/05/2024 at 22:55, Elp said:

I use the WO one.

You mentioned this a month ago now, but would you happen to remember which WO 'handle' you use for the Starfield? I 'think' you are referring to a mounting bracket, so is there enough clearance to insert fingers underneath?
Oh - and Starfield 102mm (s) have landed in UK...

Thanks

2 hours ago, Elp said:

It works quite well.

Both the am3 and 5 have dual modes where you can use them in equatorial or alt az mode, simply by holding down a button and powering on, after a few seconds it'll switch mode and when you send to home you'll see the different orientation of the declination axis. You do have to physically adjust the altitude range (it has two ranges like an ioptron mount, in the UK it'll be fine to set it on the higher range as you won't have to switch them physically (simple process of loosening two cap head screws either side of the mount, sliding the mount head to the next fixing hole and retightening)). Then to use it in alt az mode you change from your altitude angle for EQ to full 90 degrees, then switch on, goto home and you'll be set. 

You use the ZWO stargazing app to control it in its simplest form, app connected to the mounts hand controller (a joystick which contains the WiFi chip), and it has an in built stellarium. It's very simple compared to Stellarium or Sky Safari but once on you can search for a target then press goto and it'll slew away. If off target slightly you can manually reposition with the joystick then sync to mount to set it. I actually find it better to use than ioptrons handset.

In alt az you don't polar align, set it roughly pointing north then go, helps if your tripod is also level. It takes your location into account and as it's using a stellarium you can visually see how off it may be when it gotos unlike traditional manual hand controllers. Haven't used it manually in EQ mode, it's even easier when using it with an Asiair, cameras and with plate solving. Then you can fairly accurately polar align it.

So in Alt-Az, just levelling and pointing North (with compass) allows you to goto (and correct if necessary) and TRACK once there.  Just not to the accuracy of EQ, autoguiding and asiair.

Sounds a perfect halfway. Many thanks.

Hi

I'm looking to explore my future upgrade path from a Starfield 102mm and manual Sightron Alt-Azimuth Mount on a CF tripod to the next step.

I'm thinking ZWO AM3 with goto but unguided and no additional 'boxes'.

And then onto Auto-Guiding and ASiair mini etc.

It's all about cost.

My main question is, Can the ZWO AM3 be used for Visual Goto (without ASiair and auto-guiding)?

How would you polar align? 3 star alignment? Happy to use phone and the pictured hand controller. Obviously the Starfield and a RDF too,

Thanks,

Sean

44 minutes ago, YogSothoth said:

A good choice and I’m sure you’ll be very happy with. A good 4” scope is a great all rounder. Just one thing. It doesn’t appear to come with a diagonal, so you might want to add one of those as well.

I did order a WO 2" diagonal and Baader SkySurfer 3 too. Forgot to list them. Thanks.

On 18/05/2024 at 21:32, Elp said:

It's a long focal length, 714mm native and 571mm at 0.8x reduced which id still class as medium focal length. Maybe doable but for reliability it's one of the reasons to autoguide so minimal to none bad subs, also depends on what target you're imaging and how strong the signal.

Thank you. That's just what I needed to know.

I've ordered the Starfield 102mm, a Sightron Alt Az mount and the StellaLyra CF tripod. Along with hopefully a nice selection of eyepieces (3.2mm, 5mm, 12mm BST StarGuider and 30mm StellaLyra) plus a Solar Wedge (seems the year for it!!!).  I can add a HD mount later.

Many thanks all, Sean

I hope this isn't too stupid a question but using the Starfield (and flattener/reducer) on a HEQ5, is it possible to take reasonable unguided images with an attached DSLR? I'm really pushing my budget getting the HEQ5 and want to keep things simple for now. Thanks

Does anyone have a favourite case/bag for the Starfield 102mm? The FLO suggested bag is too long. Thanks.

Does anybody find the Starfield 102mm needs a dew heater in the UK damp weather? Or is the sliding dew shield sufficient? Just planning ahead to make sure any portable battery is sufficient for mount and extras. Thanks

1 hour ago, Elp said:

If you're quick the offer SF is now an even better price.

Yeah - FLO told me. I just don't understand how dust could get inside the optics if it's been looked after. Do other people have dust in theirs?

1 minute ago, Mr Spock said:

Standard fitting it comes with.

I think they were WO, but most should fit.

Great - that's what I was ordering. Many thanks

On 07/05/2024 at 19:11, Mr Spock said:

Starfield 102 on an EQ5 (great mount for visual only), and the scope that replaced it. If you are imaging you'll probably want an HEQ5. Both mount and scope are within your budget.

 

 

Is the SkySurfer attached to an extension? and which finder shoe are you using? Many thanks

On 07/05/2024 at 19:11, Mr Spock said:

Starfield 102 on an EQ5 (great mount for visual only), and the scope that replaced it. If you are imaging you'll probably want an HEQ5. Both mount and scope are within your budget.

 

Phone image through the Tak. There's very little difference between the Starfield and the Tak. I had them side by side and it was a tough call as to which was better.
 

I was going to get StellaLyra 30mm 2" SuperView Eyepiece and BST StarGuider 60º 5mm ED Eyepiece but not really sure of others. I need long eye-relief for glasses.

Coupled with StellaMira 2" 90º Di-Electric Diagonal and Astro Essentials Variable Polarising Moon Filter 1.25"

I do want to explore the moon and it would be nice to see a planet or two along with everything else. So it would be good to know thoughts on practical useful magnification for the UK. And the other items I've listed. Thanks

On 07/05/2024 at 22:20, WolfieGlos said:

I use my Starfield 102 purely for imaging, and I run it on a HEQ5 as shown here, and have been for just over a year now. The HEQ5 handles it with no problem and is well within the weight limitation, although the HEQ5 is hardly a "portable" mount. Although if using it only at home, you can also purchase a wheeled pillar mount (or make your own!). 

I can carry the mount and tripod out of the house with a single (or two) counterweight's all in 1 go (I'm late 30's if age is a factor), and then attach the scope afterwards. 

Hope that helps.

I assume carrying the mount head separately makes it easier? The HEQ5 mount seems to be 3kg heavier than the EQ5 - doesn't 'sound' a lot but... (my wife's stage piano is 20kg and that's a killer).

I would have thought it normal to setup and level tripod, then add mount and then scope? Or is that wrong? As you can tell, still debating HEQ5. Thanks

On 08/05/2024 at 20:25, Scosmico said:

The star field is out of stock, but this one 102mm is. Very good on visual. 

 https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/rvo-horizon-102-ed-doublet-refractor-ota.html

I think I'll wait for the Starfield at the moment. Thanks

1 hour ago, Elp said:

If you want light consider a harmonic drive mount, small and no counterweights needed. I've imaged DSO through the native FL of the SF with my hem15 perfectly fine, it was autoguided with a 200mm FL guidescope.

Is the HEM15 as complicated to align and use as the 'Quick Start Guide' implies? Would this be equivalent to a HEQ5 Pro for tracking? Thanks

I should also say that I'm going to be principally visual for now. Learn the skies rather than focus on the imaging side. It would be nice to take the odd photo but I know the needed HEQ5 for HQ images is not light (as others have noted).

So FLO are recommending the EQM35.

"The EQM35 sits between the EQ5 and the HEQ5 in the line up; the EQM35 is basically a mini HEQ5 in terms of tracking capabilities, only the HEQ5 has a higher payload. The HEQ5 Pro would be best for imaging, followed by the EQM35, then the EQ5 Pro which doesn't have quite so accurate gearing and stepper motors."

The newer EQM35 (6 years old) also takes a slightly higher payload than the EQ5 (which is 13+ years old)...

13 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

No. Just the tripod as is. I then either sit on a stool, or, for zenith, kneel.

No risk of scope hitting tripod then? (for Starfield rather than your Tak). Thanks

13 hours ago, Mr Spock said:

Starfield 102 on an EQ5 (great mount for visual only), and the scope that replaced it. If you are imaging you'll probably want an HEQ5. Both mount and scope are within your budget.

Phone image through the Tak. There's very little difference between the Starfield and the Tak. I had them side by side and it was a tough call as to which was better.

Are you using a Pier extension? I can't see from the photos.  Just trying to price up combinations. Thanks

This is probably a really stupid question, but why does the EQ5 say 42k+ object catalogue but the HEQ5 13k+?

4 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

Starfield 102 on an EQ5 (great mount for visual only), and the scope that replaced it. If you are imaging you'll probably want an HEQ5. Both mount and scope are within your budget.

Phone image through the Tak. There's very little difference between the Starfield and the Tak. I had them side by side and it was a tough call as to which was better.

Thank you so much for the pictures. The Starfield on EQ5 looks great. I'll need to check weights/sizes snd ease of setup on the HEQ5 - even if I'm not imaging immediately on the starfield, it might be good to lay the groundwork.

Do you find your red dot finder awkward for near zenith spotting? Thanks

7 minutes ago, M40 said:

I've never used the starfield but I can say that I have absolutely no regrets on the sm125. M45 positively sparkles in visual, solar system objects are surprisingly good and much as I dont do astrophotography, I do have a go at eeva and I will not run out of targets any time soon. Just to thicken the plot just a little, flo have an open box sm125 at a very good price because of a blemish in the carbon fibre. Enjoy 🤣

"Brand new, unused but with some carbon fibre irregularities in the weave pattern ...!". I'm not a structural engineer but I'd have thought the weave was integral to the material integrity - but like I say, I'm not a structural engineer.

10 minutes ago, Elp said:

The optics shouldn't really be the highest percentage of that budget, tripod + mount should be.

That's what I'd heard:)

My 'overall' budget is probably around £2,000. How that is split between optics/mount etc ...

15 minutes ago, M40 said:

I note earlier you mentioned moving your setup to different places, the heq5 is heavy, likely twice the weight of the eq5, but, the heq5 can handle a stellamira 125mm with ease. The sm125 ota and the starfield 102 ota are similar weights so food for thought. All the best.

Yes you are right. I will need to move occasionally. Dare I ask how the Stellamira 125mm compares to the Starfield 102mm? I have to admit to seeing it on FLO... Thanks