knobby

1 hour ago, Stu1smartcookie said:

I only used the 1kg  counter weight maybe that wasnt enough ? I really do like the mount ... its so convenient , tell me do you use a guide cam? And do you Polar align this mount in EQ mode ? i thought about getting the polemaster or an ASIair . (More Expense zzzz) . 

Yes, it's guided (managed 300 seconds ok) I polar align with Sharpcap.

I'd stick with the AZ-GTI, I did the same as you ... Couldn't frame anything with the star adventurer 😁 I love my AZ-GTI (in EQ mode) learnt to plate solve and now can frame even faint objects. I'd be more concerned as to why yours slips ? Mine holds a 72ED / OAG / ZWO 1600 mm and flattener , but it does need 2 counter weights to balance.

Been through the same process bit with an Altair gpcam, had to use a pylon about 2 miles away to focus. However I worked it out on paper it didn't focus 😒 I guess it may be the variables of filters adding 1mm here and there ?

Hi, I've had a 250px Dob and now a C8 edge. Completely agree with John, possibly teeny bit better on planets on the 250 but fairly noticeably better on DSO. The C8 however can be lifted and carried easily with 1 hand 😁

Not sure of the mount but you could use Celestrons software here https://www.celestron.com/pages/celestron-pwi-telescope-control-software to control the mount ... so one cable from PC to mount - plus one cable to camera and one cable to guidecam.

The cable to the mount may need a RS232 to usb adaptor but not to sure, I noticed that the evolution is wifi so you may not need a cable - Try the above software to see if you can connect wirelessly.

*** if you're guiding then I assume you have a EQ wedge ***

What did you do to the mount apart from replace the motor ?

Sounds like something is meshing too loose or to tight maybe.

On 20/04/2020 at 20:19, knobby said:

Thanks Scott, still umming and ahhing between the lighter HEQ5 belt modded and the EQ6R really not sure but appreciate your answer.

Sorry chaps ... I went with the HEQ5, long term my shoulder isn't going to get any better so the lightweight won 😁

EQ6R is clearly an amazing mount for the money !

I'll miss you all 😁

First thing I'd do is ask Rother valley how many amps the strap draws ... Or buy a multimeter and measure it. Then multiply how many hours you need by the ampage then roughly double it. That's the Ah rating you'd need for a battery to reliably last. To complicate things ! You probably won't have the strap turned fully up so you will get away with less capacity. 😁

Rough guess a strap for a 12" scope will be around 2 amps so 2 X 3 to 5 X 2 = 12 to 20 Ah sounds high but you never want to run the power bank down to more than 50% 

The benefit of pulse guiding (if I'm correct) is that PHD knows where the mount is pointing which makes calibration more accurate ... I think 😁

+1 for OAG, never got anywhere near round stars with a finder guider on mine (reduced to 1400mm) definite improvement with OAG but my AVX wasn't really up to it.

Try downloading Sharpcap, it's free and very popular so plenty of help available. Use a medium gain to start off and adjust exposure time til looks ok on screen. Take a video of approx 30 seconds and stack the frames with Autostakkert (also free) when saved tweak sharpness in registax (again ... free) good luck and have fun.

Can't quite remember but I know I used all sky plate solver ... I'll try to dig it out over the weekend 

It's weird isn't it ... Several different answers on web, mine is a bit heath Robinson with some bits hammered in and not screwed but when I plate solved it came back as 181mm. Maybe some are different ?

No expert but I'd say, yes it will calibrate out ok and it's caused buy slight tilt.

edit - love your youtube channel !

Hi Sebastiono and welcome, loads of friendly people on here and much to learn. 

Ordered HEQ5 belt modded from our good friends @flo and thanks Martin for answering all my questions 👍

Oooh lots of money 😄 out of my budget.

Erring towards HEQ5 / Rowan belt modded but @FLO showing 7-10 days delivery ...

Edit ... If I do go for HEQ5 would I be better spending an extra £30 on upgraded bolts or the usb cable ? 

Can I connect to the handset ( I have a RS232 usb adaptor)

Any luck Pete ?

Quick update ... Sold the AVX so now deliberating on next mount 😄

Nice Carole, the joys of f2.

Hi Stinky, you need to make sure time / date / location are correct on mount, also the Starsense needs to be calibrated to the mount otherwise the scope / Starsense could be aiming at different things.

Might be too late Alan, but have a look at this ...

10 hours ago, Starflyer said:

I'd say neither will allow you to image successfully / repeatably at 2000mm FL.  You may have more success at a lower FL with the dedicated reducer, but that's still pushing it.

If I had to choose I'd go HEQ5 Pro every time, far better mechanics / motors IMO.

 

Thanks Starflyer, should have added that I will be using the o.7 reducer so F7 / 1400 mm - 0.56"/pixel. My seeing is never going to reach that level so if I can guide just under 1 arc sec I'd be happy.

No rattles 👍

No expert but I think PHD needs to know where you're pointing roughly to calibrate successfully.