bottletopburly

Hardest part was getting correct debayer setting in regim right ,bit of trial and error but I find it stacks well and adding data to previous data is really simple , startools I find for me is a lot easier than ps .

Tecnosky 70mm 346mm quadruplet , autofocused approx every hour approx 5.50 hrs of 240 sec subs stacked in Regim processed in startools

I started off same setup as you ,quickly succumbed to fitting a camera ,i hope when you say funds are tight that`s a loosely worded term as your about too find out there is no such statement YOU have been warned lols ,enjoy the ride , soon got frustrated by the finderscope and fitted a Telrad finder ,see just cost you another £30 there ,then a camera another £100 the list becomes endless ,wouldnt change it though ,seriously though go with the flow ,baby steps to start off .

Ivo @jager945 has done a video using startools to process the pillars of creation from Hubble Data , will have a good look later but I’m sure will be useful for processing tips .

Platesolving is your answer , I know it’s been spoken about before Alan it’s worth the leg work in the end 👍

Alan Drop ivo @Yoddhaa message on APT forum he may be able to help or at least let him know issue for that particular camera

@matt_baker lovely image , dithering makes a big difference definitely recommend doing so to anyone not doing it .

I use an Orico usb 3 12v powered , ten port not that I need so many also has a 2amp charging port which I use to power canon dslr via USB adapter only need 4ports

The key to processing is good Data , take time to get darks and flats get the latter two and you’ll start to see a difference and more data the better .

impressive well done .

Thanks David your efforts are appreciated by the Astro community I’m sure , a lot of work put into getting it where it is today . Regards Dave

Drop @Yoddha ivo a message on APT forum I’m sure he will be able to help .

If your not aware Apt works via indigo sky , similar sport of thing as stellarmate runs on pi4)info on APT forum ( ccd cameras work as far as I know awaiting dslr drivers release )

Eqmod is really good I use an Eq6 Mount, APT and Carter du ciel ( found it easier to set up than stellarium as you need stellarium scope too ) though once if you have platesolving setup in APT you don’t necessarily need to use a planetarium program if you know what your target is ,ps don’t worry about platesolving just yet , Apt can control the mount using ascom /Eqmod via eqdirect 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 )I have never used the handset ever . AP is a black hole that sucks money in very quickly as you’ll find out 😂😂😂 before you chuck more money into the ap black hole see if there is a local Astro club maybe someone there can show you their setup using Eqmod may save a lot of frustration which shouldn’t be too hard once you have all the parts and software required, and maybe read Steve Richards book Making every photon count .

Im sure I saw another review somewhere might have been skyatnightmagazine I will have a look , I’m not imaging in mono so no filters used so unable to answer that regards fwhm , the sub posted as came off camera no cropping.

There is a review here of a Meade same scope rebranded https://astrobackyard.com/meade-70mm-quadruplet-apo-review/

Better late than never lols , i will see how second outing goes but first light was good ,build wise seems good other than the dust cap loose fit but i have a friend machining me a better one ,i have added an autofocuser , and will probably relocate guide scope to the guidescope rings , field rotatator built in , and tilt adjusters built in too if needed eos adapter quickly easily fitted ,field looks flat to the edge, too me anyway ,focuser is smooth seems solid no slop ,

I know this is an old post but having recently acquired this scope i will post a sub of this scope M11 ,equipment used canon 1000D idasD2 filter . L_0078_ISO800_180s__20C.CR2

Me neither

Autofocus brilliant wouldn’t be without it 👍

Motor should hold tight in place , try that first if your getting a motor saves more expense if not needed.

Finally got round to doing darks as dithering wasn't playing ball hopefully that is sorted for next outing /M11 not a great deal of subs as testing on the night on a few targets,approx 35min 300s subs data technosky triplet APO 70x 350mm FL canon 1000D idas D2 filter guided ,stacked in Regim processed in startools

Why not keep both and buy a good condition Eq6 pro or neq6

Yes don’t worry about halos I had read this too but soon found it was to do with this one setting .

If you get a halo around stars and you use DSS it’s a setting can’t remember off top of my head something to do with hot pixels needs unchecked, I use regim now , I will look at DSS to jog my memory.