rockinrome

I can't really advise on what equipmeny to buy, but this seems a sensible choice.

DO NOT save on the mount, this will be your most important piece of kit - the SkyWatcher HEQ5 PRO (or equivalent) is considered the starting point for astrophotography.

All the best.

Check out these resources:

https://astrobackyard.com/buying-your-first-telescope/

You could also check https://www.astroboot.co.uk/AstroBoot for one ......

Hi Ben

This will be no effort for the HEQ5 PRO which should come with 2 counter weights - 2 x 5kg.
Payload capacity: 11kg for imaging, 15kg for visual.

All the best.

Hello

I would also consider the GIGBYTE Brix - approx. £80-£100 for the unit then (say) 128GB SSD + 8GBRAM (£60??)
I have configured 2 of the J1900 units for myself and my father and they are superb!
Come with USB2/3 Wi-fi, Wired network, HDMI and VGA, sound/mic port.

All the best.

Hello all
I recently bought the Altair GPCAM1 AR0130 Mono to use as a guide camera.
My question is - is it OK to run without the CS "filter" installed.

Background:
I need to reach the correct back focus when using it with the Orion thin off-axis guider (TOAG) and the Altair Astro 1.0x field flattener.
The flattener needs an optimal 56mm from rear flange to camera optical plane which I can get with the provided attachment rings - basically replacing the T-adapter ring and then installing the TOAG. This is all OK.
That gives me 49mm from the centre of the TOAG to the camera optical plane which of course I need to make the same to the focal plane of the GPCAM.
From the centre of the TOAG to the top of the TOAG "stalk" is 43mm + 0.5mm for the base plate.
This is where the fun begins ........
The smallest I can get the AR0130 is without anything screwed in, thus removing the CS ring, giving me a distance to the focal plane of 7.5mm (according to specs.) I can then "shove" this onto the TOAG base and hold with a grub screw - all seems fine. This giving me a total distance of 51mm, so 2mm (approx.) too much.

<phew>
 

So ...... is that OK? Can I run guide camera in this way (without any window glass?)
I have thought about placing a 1mm ring/shim between TOAG and camera - making 50mm to camera focal plane.

Any thoughts people??

Thank you as always.
Clear skies.

Matthew

On 03/07/2019 at 22:27, Jojo204 said:

If I were you I’d be safe and buy a new filter.

You have many sets of filters available but only one set of eyes! 😜

AGREED!

Hello and welcome!
As mentioned by @laudropb - The Skywatcher dialectic is an excellent choice "bang for buck!"

Clear skies
 

Hi John
Getting a really high-end barlow with this telescope *may* not be the best idea as it is likely to show up imperfections in the telescope build (mirror) itself and indeed the supplied eyepieces.
Sure, if you are looking to keep long term and upgrade the scope then I would possibly agree.
Like all these things small steps are the best so that you don't get disappointed early on.
Of course this is only my take on your situation. I have always been disappointed by the view with a barlow (the Moon aside!)
I know that you can't really afford to get a whole host of eyepieces, but you can get 3/4 in a suitable range.

Clear skies
Matthew

No problem. Glad you sorted! (I am UK though.......)

On 08/09/2018 at 18:39, msacco said:

Hello, Im trying to update my SynScan V3 hand controller and for some reason Im always getting an error while trying to update like this:

When I tried updating earlier today, I've got this error when I reached 3.23% every time, now it happens earlier quite randomly, I tried searching for solutions for that, and I tried flashing in all modes (Li, Mi), but nothing helped, Im pretty sure I have V3 hand controller, because when I first connected I got this:

The hardware was the same, the firmware was 3.35 if I recall, and the database was 2.27, I might be wrong, but thats what I remember having. I downloaded the latest firmware version (3.39.05) from the official skywatcher website, but it simply not working, I got an adapter from RS232 to USB because I have no RS232 slot in my motherboard, I tried flashing many times, I also tried flashing while connecting my hand controller to the main connector(not sure what its called), but that still didn't work.

When turning my hand set on Im getting the following message:

The most reasonable problems I can think of are:

1.I don't have Synscan V3(from what I've searched and saw, I do, but maybe Im dumb..)

2.Im trying to flash the wrong version(I just went to V3 firmwares and downloaded the most updated firmware, might be wrong tho)

3.I read in many places that because the USB speed might be too fast for the connection, the updating stops, but who knows...

Currently I can't even use my Synscan hand controller because it simply not turning on, only when Im trying to update, kinda lost and not sure what else I can try, would love to get some help, thanks! Hope I didn't miss any information.

Heh! I've done the update recently and all OK here.

Make sure you also have the latest updater.

If you like you could send me your handset - I'll try the update and send it back of course .....

(I have the USB to serial adapter with the correct chip inside - forget the spec, but it DOES matter......... I've been through the headache myself ........)

All the best.