knobby

@AdamJ the stud appears to be about 11mm and the two screws that hold the mount on appear to be 82.5mm apart ...

Thread here

Hi Gary, maybe see if you have a club near you http://www.astronomyclubs.co.uk/Clubs/Default.aspx?CountyId=49 They can probably help.

It's a bit weird to explain and mine had no manual ... but the peg is a screw in stud that locates the middle of the mount but just positions it centrally unlike a Skywatcher that screws down. The 'tripod spreader' screws in the same hole from below.

Very nice Peter, I normally class remote imaging as cheating 🤣 but as it's your rig that you built and run that's no different really from me sitting in my front room Teamveiwered to the laptop in the back garden 😃 Just a bit further ! Really nice.

Ah, the centre post is part of the tripod, it screws into the top. I'll be changing the saddle to losmandy later, I'll take pictures.

Yes, came with the carbon tripod ... I've never used Ioptron products before but It appears to be the same fitting. It does show both types of tripod in the manual.

Weirdly I've just set up a new profile in PHD2 using PPec for Ra ... Rushed to test the other night and just tweaked the old profile.

So, very rushed first session between clouds and teething problems aligning the mount. Log attached.PHD2_GuideLog_2022-08-20_213456.txt Poor seeing and whispy cloud, lots of mistakes my end then eventually had a good 20 minute spell. HEM 27 non EEC / Carbon tripod / SW 72ED / Flattener / 290m guide cam / OAG / ZWo EAF so approx 4 kg. Tried calibration a few times and complained about dec backlash, but in all honesty PHD2 did this on every mount I've ever had. Overall, after tweaks in RA aggression managed 0.98" which is way better than I ever got with my AVX, HEQ5 and AZ-Gti. edit - forgot to add, tried polar align in Sharpcap and APT paps, both gave different results 😞

That's really nice !

It's a bit worrying that the original screws won't go back in ? Is the 1 screw that's in place still maybe wound in too far ?

Yes, for DSO I'll have the tripod as low as possible for rigidity but I did have to extend the legs to make sure the scope wasn't over hanging the feet. I'll probably hang the battery pack from the mount when in use.

New firmware released. V20220510 HEM27 Firmware Upgrade Improvement:  Improving GOTO Accuracy Bug Fix:  Removed hand controller PEC for HEM27EC mount.

HEM27_C9.25.mp4

Hi all, took delivery of an 'open box' Ioptron HEM 27 on Wednesday. Very impressed by the look and feel of the workmanship and can't wait to try it. Tested connections, Ascom, Ioptron commander etc. indoors and updated the firmware with no problems. Connects to APT but can't slew from program, performs goto's ok but no manual slew, again not a big issue as I plate solve. Only gripe so far is when converting the saddle to Losmandy, the clamp becomes very stiff / catchy and won't release under spring pressure - seems poorly machined but I can probably resolve that with tiny shims or washers. Ascom / Commander software - https://www.ioptron.com/v/ASCOM/iOptronCommander_ASCOM_DriverInstaller8.exe ~~~ needs ASCOM Platform 6.5 SP1 or later to run ~~~ Install info - https://www.ioptron.com/Articles.asp?ID=332 Firmware - https://www.ioptron.com/Articles.asp?ID=345 Firmware install info - https://www.ioptron.com/v/firmware/HEM27_FirmwareUpgradeInstruction.pdf If like me you're coming form a Skywatcher mount and field power (12v battery etc) you'll need to get a 5.5 x 2.1 to 5.5 x 2.5 convertor - something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174950199535 as the HEM 27 uses the 5.5 x 2.5 socket. It Is only a tiny bit bigger than my AZ-Gti / wedge and just as easy to handle with my dodgy old back ! What is freaky Is watching It slew the C9.25 around with no counterweights as though It's a small can of beans 🙂 Photos, videos etc to follow...

It's here 😃 cheers @FLO

Looking good ! You don't need me anymore 🤣

You're probably right, the 3 x pixel size is a pretty old rough guide.

Excellent captures Mark ! Might want to check the dates though 😄

They've just sold one (albeit an open box one) To me 😂 Happy, scared, anxious ...

It's dead in here Steve, should have posted it in the imaging section! I can't move it for some reason though.

Don't be put off by the amp glow, just making you aware in case it freaked you out when you saw the first image roll in. Have a read through this ...

I think you've done well there, be aware that the AVX gets some bad reviews but it will be fine for wide field stuff. The 183 has horrible amp glow on long exposures but should calibrate out easily. Only extras that jump out are dew straps for the scope and guide scope. For planets you could add a C8 sct or possibly a C9.25 but that's the limit of the AVX. I wish you and the Mrs all the best with your new hobby.

Welcome back Shane.

The Barlow isn't always a necessity... You want to aim for around 3 x the pixel size of your camera as an F number, maybe up to 5 times if seeing is good.