bottletopburly

i set pier adapter up last to polaris by drilling and tapping last ,rather than trying to set pier up to polaris all pre done ,if that makes sense .

How do I ditch the handset? I plug the USB cable into it. It's the latest handset with built in serial to USB. Check with @FLO should be this cable https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html

basically andy an eqdirect cable goes from mount to pc plugging in to the port that the handset uses i use a usb hub at mount so that lets it in my case APT and phd2 talk to mount via eqmod .

Plus 1 for that tip , my tip just use a local builders merchant work out how many bags and cement needed and a few spare just in case you run short ,hire a electric mixer from a local hire shop cost is about £15 for a weekend they will drop it off and pickup ,i used rebar in the bottom of mine a bit overkill , make a wooden disc to take m10 or M12 threaded bar that will fit pier base holes ,double nut bar to disc ,make sure you bend threaded bar in on the end so it can't come out once set in concrete, once concrete poured push threaded bar into wet cement levelling as you go, once all set remove disc you will see underside nuts incased in concrete you can use these to level base once bolted down if not sitting level by adjusting to suit thats all i done . https://photos.app.goo.gl/1TimCVQde3zcS4mQ7

Don i use APT https://ideiki.com/astro/Default.aspx ,and use Carte du ciel (CDC)and control mount via EQmod using an eqdirect cable , i guide using phd2 , to be honest i rareley use cdc as i have pointcraft (platesolving)configured in APT so take an image of the sky blind solve and sync mount and use the objects catalogue in APT all run on windows 10 ,have used canon and nikon using APT no problem .

Tbh if your using eqmod and using APT imo i would ditch the handset and get an Eqdirect cable , you don't need the handset ,you also it shows your not tracking you need to enable sidereal different tracking rates stars sun moon etc ,if imaging with APT i would look into getting pointcraft working ,platesolving is so accurate no need to star align i dont even use a finderscope and half the time don't even use cdc .

Thanks,Yes im battling with colour the main culprit seems to be the idas D2 filter and my processing , i may try an evening without the filter and see how the colour is then combine into a final image all trial and error

Cheers Pete 👍

More data added now 5hrs 48 min data over three nights seeing wasnt great but hey you have to grab what you can

Shutter life on the canon 450d is 100.000 clicks though that’s only an estimate and may last longer than that , if you dig your scope out and see exactly what you have then you will get better advice as you’ll probably be able to attach camera to it with minimal outlay , does the mount have motors ? Better if it does otherwise you’ll have to use short exposures , I’m sure others will have better advice for you . regards Dave

New camera Nikon d5300 so tried on a target previously done with canon 1000d using my Tecnosky 70q lot less noisy , happy with result just need more data 1hr 44 min of data

Juan did my 1000D ir removed works out about £75 inc delivery

Link ?

I use a USB adapter works fine on my canon 1000D as long as your usb is 2amp find on aliexpress easily enough ￡13.04 | 5V Power Supply USB LP-E6 Dummy Battery ACK-E6 DR-E6 Power Adapter for Canon EOS 5D Mark II III 5D2 5D3 6D 7D 60D 60D 70D 80D https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/ZAt1Fem59

Yes it does https://ideiki.com/astro/usersguide/multi_camera_operation.htm

Wales is good not much to spook you other than Dragons , creep up on you they do lols 😂

When my lad was little we used to watch bottletopbill and his best friend corky on ch5 , my nickname was burly so my online nick name became bottletopburly you’ll find the lynx cable a lot more rugged build 👍

How old is the eqdirect cable is it the old type cable or is it a newer fdti type , I had the hitecastro cable at first it had a blue plastic usb plug had a few problems with it so replaced with a lynx make cable from @FLO fdti type better made too and Eqmod finds it every time.

Unscrew long barrel this will leave you with a 2” connection

Thanks I’m awaiting APT 3.90 release which will allow me to run indigosky ON PI4 via APT , wondered if N.I.N.A. could do same thing .

Out of interest can N.I.N.A be run from a pi4 and controlled from my laptop.

To connect camera to the skywatcher 150pl you need one of these https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/skywatcher-dslr-m48-ring-adapter.html now the skywatcher has an eyepiece adapter that unscrews from it’s base which is 2” here you unscrew the top piece , you need bottom part , this will then screw into the adapter in link , so once connected to camera you can connect to telescope focuser you do ,you do not need Barlow lens using camera this way you will achieve focus .

Don’t think the 750d is a good Astro camera maybe @Alien 13 can clarify

Have a look at secondhand camera sites such as Wex , camera jungle , mpb.com as opposed to eBay here you can see condition how many clicks and you do get a warranty rather than buying blind , canon seems to be the main make of Astro dslr, 600d seems a good dslr which I was going to get I have been using a 1000d canon , but instead I went for Nikon D5300 red version 24mp mint condition 1800 clicks for £275 body only it all depends on your budget .

I’ve had that on my 200pd before put it down to moisture in atmosphere