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I am considering the IOptron CEM120 for my remote Obs setup. I am not too fussed about guiding, and I believe that at this price bracket, guiding will be needed anyways. Imaging will be with an EdgeHD 1100 and an Esprit 100ED. I am leaning towards the vanilla CEM120, as I have read a LOT of posts on CNs where the EC version seems to have a lot of problems with SDE (sub divisional error) and many of the EC owners are actually trying to find ways to disable the encoders on their EC mounts! issue is, I can get a really good deal on a CEM120 EC, but I’m very very worried regarding the issues with the encoders. The vanilla CEM120 owners seem to be very happy with their mounts. I would very much appreciate some feedback from the CEM120 EC owners? Should I stay away and stick with the vanilla mount? Please do not suggest Mesu, used 10micron or AP. I am set on the CEM120. Many thanks Ossi

Thanks. I know the formula. it’s understanding it properly and applying it to my imaging is what I struggle with. But @vlaiv has done it again and provided a comprehensive read that I’m about to read and study!

P.S. I wish you can simplify the image scale analysis you mentioned above. I do not understand it, and I’ve tried to read about it, but can’t get my head around it? In many posts, I see imagers mentioning that they are imaging at x pixel/arcsecond, or something like that. How do you reach that? For example, I have an 294MC Pro, and an Esprit 100ED AND EdgeHD1100. How do I calculate and UNDERSTAND those measurements of image scale and under or over sampling? thanks Ossi

Vlaiv, considering the 6micron pixel size, do you think the 2400 is a good match for an EdgeHD1100?

Makes sense what you said Vlaiv! doesn’t that suggest that ZWO did not do enough research before releasing the 2400? As you have nicely analysed, the 2400 is caught somewhere in no man’s land?

Why hasn’t this camera taken off? Its full frame, and considerably cheaper than the 6200? It’s always discounted on FLO, so seems it’s a slow seller? Why isn’t it as successful as the 2600 or 6200?

Thanks Simon I’ll take that on board. I’ll go for the 11” imperial then. Issue is, I need the dimensions to try and fabricate this abroad until I can get the plate sent over from London. You mentioned that I should go for the Imperial one? But the rings are M6 metric as you’ve advised? I’m confused? If the rings are metric, shouldn’t I go for the metric plate? Best regards Ossi

Hi everyone I have an Esprit 100 and the supplied dovetail is extremely short Can you please advise what are the thread specs of the 4 holes on top and bottom of the stock rings? I also want to fabricate a dovetail AND top plate. The scope is currently abroad, and there is no possibility to order any plates and the local knowledge is ZERO? I would be extremely grateful if someone can provide: 1- thread and size characteristics of the 4 screw holes of the OTA rings 2- what are the specs of a losmandy dovetail? Cross sectional measurements? 3- I had a look at Sky watchers 335mm dovetail and it’s sold out everywhere. I will try to fabricate a similar one. On FLO it says it has 10 M8x1.25 and 10 1/4”-20UNC screw holes, but the diagram shows at least 40 holes? 4- Which holes on the dovetail would be used for the OTA rings? The M8s or the UNC ones? 5- I Found a diagram of the Skywatcher dovetail on TS Optics that has also confused me, as it shows M8, M6 and UNC? Many thanks Ossi

The Irish times describes it as a “mosaic”, so must have been multiple exposures of different parts of the sky. Total width is of FORTY FULL MOONS!! 👏

Stunning!!! Chapeau!

What was it that NDT said in his book? ”the universe is under no obligation to make sense to you” 😉

Sorry to budge in, but if we take into consideration that the universe is ever expanding at about 73km/s, why do we give stellar objects a particular fixed distance from our viewing point? Shouldn't the distance be ever increasing by the second? ie: M31 is described as 2.5 lightyears away? Shouldn't that number be increasing by the second? a year has about 31,536,000 seconds. So, over a year, our distance to M31 should have increased by 2,302,128,000kms, and that is just one year? (equates to about 2 light hours a year)

Exactly...I am planning to get the NON f/2 ones, which are meant for f/3.5 to f/10, 36mm 6.5nm set

Thanks Adam, very informative

I am just going by the pics on FLO's website. But regardless, just so I can understand this. What are the consequences of buying mounted vs unmounted 36mm filters? Do they have an impact on EFW choice? Say I purchase the v2 ZWO EFW, 7x36mm filter wheel. Will the filter wheel accept mounted AND unmounted 36mm filters? Thanks

I see, thanks for that. I think once they ship and FLO gets them in stock, it will be clarified. So, I'm after the 6.5nm NON f/2. Just to understand at what price point they will be available in 36mm: The 6.5nm CMOS optimised f/2 set 36mm are: £435 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-filters/baader-high-speed-65nm-narrow-band-filter-cmos-optimised.html The 6.5nm CMOS optimised f/3.5 to f/10 are: £408 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-filters/baader-narrow-band-filter-set-cmos-optimised.html It seems they will be 36mm MOUNTED, but not sure. BTW, what sort of consequence does mounted vs unmounted have on a particular filter wheel? I intend to use the Version 2 ZWO EFW, 7x36mm. I am not sure if it accepts mounted or unmounted 36mm filters, or both?

Thanks Adam Not sure when they were in stock! They're all out of stock now? I have noticed that the new CMOS optimised Baader filters ALL show marketing for F/2? And in the description it says: 6.5 nm FWHM, recommended for extremely fast optical systems from f/3.4 to f/1.8 Does that mean it would not be suitable with an Esprit 100 at f/5.5?

I have been using my 294MC Pro with my SW ED80 Pro for the past year and a half, and happy with it. I do not understand why amp glow is ever mentioned as an issue. We take Darks when doing AP, and the AG is cancelled out, with the rest of the dark noise etc...never was an issue. I've also heard good things about the 533. I've also seen some very nice images on Astrobin with the 294, 533 and even the 183 OSCs. I think you will be pleased with either one you choose.

Thanks Adam. You've been most helpful.

Excellent. Many thanks. These still seem to be in the pipeline. I will keep an eye out for them. Last question please, sorry. Is there a HUGE advantage in going with 3/4nm over the regular 6/7nm SHO filters? Surely they are better, but are they MUCH better for me to consider them, considering I am just starting out with mono?

Oh, thats's very helpful Adam, thanks. I guess I will wait for those CMOS optimised SHOs. BTW, the link you provided is for their LRGB filters.

So the set currently advertised on FLO is the newer version, but with older charts? Can you please advise regarding the full Baader LRGBSHO set vs the ZWO? The ZWO is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. Will I regret getting the ZWO? I believe in "buy once, and cry once." Obviously not Chroma or Astrodon buy once, cry once!! 🤪 If I need to go to the £1100 Astronomik set, I will go for that, but if the Baader set is decent, I will settle for it, even better if the ZWO will do the trick?

Old chart only, or are they selling the OLD set as well?

36mm? I can see that they only offer a MOUNTED 36mm, as opposed to all others offering unmounted 36mm? Does that have any impact on filterwheel choice? I am planning to purchase the ZWO 7x36mm version 2 FW?

Thank you all for the replies. So, let me make it easier for you to advise me on which set to order: P.S. I will be starting out in Mono imaging, so NEWBIE alert! ☺️ A- Baader LRGBSHO 36mm: £695 LRGB: £290, no idea what LRGBC is? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-filters/baader-lrgbc-ccd-filter-set.html SHO 7nm/8.5nm: £135x3: £405 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-filters/baader_narrowband_36mm_filters.html B- Optolong LRGBSHO 36mm: £668 LRGB: £239 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/optolong-filters/optolong-lrgb-deep-sky-imaging-filters.html SHO 7nm/8.5nm: £429 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/optolong-filters/optolong-sho-narrowband-deep-sky-imaging-filters.html C- ZWO LRGBSHO 36mm: £516 LRGB: £175 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-filters/zwo-36mm-lrgb-filter-set-optimised-for-asi1600.html SHO ALL 7nm: £147 x 3: £441 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-filters/zwo-36mm-ha-7nm-narrowband-filter.html D- Antlia LRGB: £318 LRGB V series: £318 https://www.365astronomy.com/antlia-lrgb-v-series-astronomy-imaging-filters-36mm-unmounted?search=antlia SHO only available in 3nm or 3.5nm, and very expensive for my budget. E- Astronomik LRGB: £1142!! LRGB Type 2c MOUNTED: £338 (I've read somewhere on CN that these have been replaced by newer better ones?) https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomik-filters/astronomik-l-rgb-typ-2c-colour-filter-set.html SHO 6nm: £268 x 3: £804!! https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomik-filters/astronomik-h-alpha-6nm-narrowband-ccd-filter.html Astronomik is WAY too expensive for me, and I am worried about the CHEAPEST option, the ZWO? The SHOs are all 7nm, instead of 8.5nm for OIII & S? Wouldn't that be a better option? The Baader seems to have the middle ground in price, but their LRGB is pricey? Many thanks!!