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The 8 inch RASA is probably the largest kit I’ll use tripod based with the ‘27, at least that’s my thinking at the moment. I need to get a short losmandy plate to mount my 80mm f6 refractor on which will probably be the main grab-n-go set-up. I don’t want to get involved with counterweights, the RASA set-up is easy to Dec balance as the guide scope/air+ assembly is on a lockable slide on the RASA’s top rail. If I have the 585 mounted I can slide the assembly forward compared to when I have the 2600 Duo mounted on the RASA. So at present I’m getting a new routine sorted for setup. once I have all the bits in place and stored together as ‘a kit’ things will go much quicker. Spent a good deal of time taking cables from different kits for the test run. As the ASIAIR Plus is the common factor I’ll keep all the cables with the air regardless of which scope/camera option I decide to use. Hopefully then the muttering will become a little less frequent…

Tried the HEM27 out last night: Full Moon, no filters, IC434 (Horsie) not the best subject with no filters under a full moon! Mount control via ASIAIR Plus. RASA 8 mounted with an ASI 585MC camera fitted, guiding with a 9x 50 guide scope. PA taken into AIR+'s the smallest circle ? then straight to IC434 centred on the chip with minor framing alteration. Focus adjusted and 20x 30 second 'Live' frames stacked. I moved on to M45, then M42 and a couple of other targets moving each side of the meridien framing on chip each time with minor adjustments. Pleased with this first test of the mount under stars (shame about old blobby). Although it didn't actually perform a flip on the same target I did take it each side and it found what it was asked for. As a precaution I kept the max slew rate down a notch at x512 as I 'm tripod mounted but it all handled well so next time out I'll change the settings and let it slew at max. IC434 image attached. Colours are a bit washed out from the full moon. Processed in PI.

Tried the HEM27 out last night: Full Moon, no filters, IC434 (Horsie) not the best subject with no filters under a full moon! Mount control via ASIAIR Plus. RASA 8 mounted with an ASI 585MC camera fitted, guiding with a 9x 50 guide scope. PA taken into AIR+'s the smallest circle ? then straight to IC434 centred on the chip with minor framing alteration. Focus adjusted and 20x 30 second 'Live' frames stacked. I moved on to M45, then M42 and a couple of other targets moving each side of the meridien framing on chip each time with minor adjustments. Pleased with this first test of the mount under stars (shame about old blobby). Although it didn't actually perform a flip on the same target I did take it each side and it found what it was asked for. As a precaution I kept the max slew rate down a notch at x512 as I 'm tripod mounted but it all handled well so next time out I'll change the settings and let it slew at max. IC434 image attached. Colours are a bit washed out from the full moon. Processed in PI.

My HEM27 has now arrived. It works well with my ASIAIR Plus or with my laptop and NINA. Just a quick test run at present but no real snags to contend with. I just have to remember it uses a different commander software to my CEM60.

My HEM27 has arrived. I’ve had some fun today making an adapter for the top of my tripod to take it. Weathers closed in so I’ve just been setting up my laptop and NINA with its drivers, my ASIAIR Plus’s too now recognises it. Bit of a fiddle changing the saddle over to take losmandy plates. It now doesn’t go back in it’s case without removing the saddle clamp screw. Aim to get the rasa on it tomorrow and drive it around a little indoors.

Be good to go back and get some more of the hamburger to strengthen that and add the comet back in again. Just a thought...

Great combo. I've used the 533 with a RASA and really had great results from them. As Olly says you won't have the tilt problems of an APS-C chip (I currently use a 2600 Duo or 585 on the RASA) but luckily both are fine. Looking forward to seeing your Horsie when you've finished. Much to enjoy from now on. Remember to curve your cables at the front end to cut down on diffraction effects.... The printed cable guides FLO sells are great for that.

I had a go at the Crab nebula tonight 15x 300s OO VX10 f4.8 ASI2600MC Duo ASKar Ha/OIII 6nm NB filter... Cropped down just to make processing a bit faster!

Just warmed up and a quick process of IC434 old Horsie...

Thanks for the write up. Waiting for my HEM27 to arrive, noted about the handset although I’ll be running an asiair plus to do pa etc., which worked well with my AZ-GTi mount. Already using Commander with a CEM60 so familiar with that. Intending to use an 80mm f6 or RASA 8 on the mount…

I’m using an ASIAIR Plus and have an HEM 27 on order. I went for the standard 27 because I intend using it via the air plus. I’d read about conflicts between the EC and PC controllers of the mount so decided to save some money. The airplus’s PA is said to be better than the iPolar too.

I guess if your reasonably local then a 'Window shop' is an option at an event like that. But having travelled lots of miles you just feel you need to come away with a 'little'🤫 trinket to make the effort worth while...

Superb image(s). An area you don't normally see as a single frame. I like that.

Don’t discount the iOptron CEM 70 & 120 mounts great workhorses. I have an older CEM 60 which ( touch wood) is going strong still. iOptron are known more for their mounts.

What sort of kit are you wanting the mount to handle?

-22° C and he's complaining! At least Gorann you have clear skies. Great imaging as usual.

Hi, I've just added a ZWO EAF focus motor unit to my set-up. Although I've jogged the focuser back-n-forth and found a 'focus' with ASIAIR, I haven't been able to find a how-to or do a calibration of the EAF focus motor. I'd like to know the extent of it's 'numerical travel' rather than just the position it focus' in after being attached to the focuser and switched on/connected. Other focusers I've had give a calibration routine to take the focuser fully one way set either a max or zero point run the motor in the opposite direction and set the opposing point. The awkward thing here is that I've fitted it to a rasa so visually there is no movement of the focuser to know when a min or max position have been reached. Using: ASIAIR V2.1.1(10.74) Any help greatly appreciated.

Splendid imaging Gorann.

Waiting for my HEM27 to arrive that 10-15 days seems to have been there a long time FLO… Any further set-up hints/tips guys while I wait for the postie…

@DrStrange Thank you. A wedge. Necessary to get the length of sub frames.

Ordered an HEM27 from FLO. Will update and a review in due course.

I know that feeling. But for me a result like that was back as a teenager in the 60’s after holding a film camera to an ep and getting my first moon shots. I’m still doing it, you get hooked…

I've come to the decision to sell my AZ-GTi in the New Year along with my home made eq mounting. It's been great for the 80mm scope I've been using it with but I'm looking to get a longer and heavier scope and I think that will just be pushing things a little too far. Definitely retaining the 80mm that's a great little scope but my next scope up is my 10 inch f4 newt and that is way too big for the GTi. No I'm after something in the 115 / 120 frac range. I've had an Altair Wave Series 115 and like all things you sell you wish you hadn't. https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/408199-diy-pantilt-tripod-head-for-my-az-gti/ So keep an eye on the classifieds in the new year... NOW IN CLASSIFIEDS