Rob63

I adjusted the backlash following the skywatcher guide (someone posted it on this site), it's pretty easy to adjust.

See post by ste7e on this thread page 3 for the pdf  

PHD 2 now reports "backlash is small, no compensation needed"

I also adjusted the stiction out of the Dec and RA axis which has made a difference (scatter graph on phd much tighter)

Guiding now averages 0.65" 

I use an ST80 (400mm @f4.9) with a ASI120MM for guiding and PA, it works absolutely fine.

I has the same issue after the last update. There was a post on the pixinsight forums about it.

Solution: Uninstall Pixinsight then  download latest version and re-install. (i.e. doing updates within PI doesnt fix it)

I think this was the post https://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=14562.msg87376#msg87376

Rob.

Hawke are a well respected make in the birding world, I have a pair of Hawke Endurance ED Bins (from FLO) and they are excellent value for the price.

No experience of the Blackwatch model though.

Rob.

2 hours ago, groberts said:

My astro laptop currently runs Windows 7, which I have to say I prefer over W10.  Is RDP available on Windows 7 + if so how do I get to it? Obviously if I used the Prima Luce Eagle that would be W10 Enterprise I believe?

I realise that one day I'll have to change to the dreaded W10 but for now enjoy using W7.

Graham

 

Same thing for Win7 - you need Pro or Enterprise.

I have just made the switch to W10 Pro in the last few months and have to say it's a lot better than I was expecting.
You do have spend a while changing the settings to maximise your privacy (plenty guides out there)
Most importantly for those with W10 Pro (or enterprise) - set active hours so the system doesn't apply updates and reboot itself in the middle of a session !
You can set up to 18 hours as your "Do not reboot time"

R.

3 hours ago, Davey-T said:

RDP ( Remote Desktop ) is part of Windows OS  to allow remote wireless connection between 2 Windows computers, it used to work really well on Win XP but MS messed about with it so not sure which version of Windows is needed to use it now.

You need Windows 10 Pro (or enterprise) to get RDP, well worth it as it's much better than Teamviewer.

Rob.

On 16/07/2018 at 16:13, Obi Wan Ken00bi said:

Thanks!! Awesome comment, I'll save this one and order a EQ mod cable after summer is over (and I can image again)...

I agree with Mikey2000, get the cable now and get things working before you take it outdoors. The learning curve is not too steep but it does require a bit of work.

Best resource for learning EQMOD is Chris Shillito's youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVrU4T3b2d25cMaqbGNBxQA

Rob.

19 hours ago, ste7e said:

I've tried to do a test to quantify the problem.

This is what I do:

• install the counter weight extension shaft
• put one of the weights on the shaft and position it right at the joint between the standard and the extension shaft
• don't put a scope onto the mount
• rotate the RA axis so that the shaft is horizontal
• tighten the RA clutch while supporting the weight shaft

When I then let go of the weight shaft, the RA clutch cannot hold it horizontal and the mount rotates until the shaft is pointing at the ground.

From what you've said, Rob, your mount wouldn't rotate in these conditions.  Is that right?

Does it sound like I have a problem with my clutch?  Or, am I expecting too much from the mount?

Steve

Well I think its a pretty extreme test as you should never be that unbalanced, however I just tried it with one weight at the very end of the normal shaft (I don't use the extension) and it holds but only just - a slight push will cause it to move.

I think the acid test is to get everything properly balanced and see if things will slip with a small bit of pressure applied. If it does then you may have a problem that needs addressed.

I am no expert however so it would be good to get other opinions.

That doesn't sound right, mine doesn't move at all when the clutch is reasonably tight.

Rob.

Welcome to the club.

Check out Chris Shillito's channel on youtube for everything you'll ever need to know about Eqmod.

looking forward to seeing how you get on.

No Astronomical darkness for me until September so I will be turning to the light side until then, assuming the sun comes out to play.

Rob.

3 hours ago, mikey2000 said:

I’ve made the silly mistake of not extended the counter balance shaft and that also blocks the polar scope.  I felt pretty silly after that one :-)

Been there, done that - D'oh 

Hi Ryan,

interesting, It's a tough decision as a belt modded, stripped down, new bolts and tuned NEQ6 is essentially what the EQ6-R is (apart from the handle which is a simple but great addition)

Hard to say which would be the better performer without seeing actual RMS figures. I and others have been getting an RMS of around 0.8" out of the box with the EQ6-R (I won't be attempting to tune that before the warranty is up). 

I'd be tempted by the tuned NEQ6 though, I suggest you try and find actual reviews of an Rother valley tuned mount and also think about what payload you are likely to use in the next few years.

There is never a straight forward decision to make in astro imaging, I will be buying a cooled camera this year, that will be a real headache to choose as well!

good luck,

Rob.

I'd go with the EQ6-R, the NEQ6-Pro + Belt mod is not going to be much cheaper than the EQ6-R and doing the belt mod yourself would invalidate the warranty.

However a 2nd hand NEQ6 + belt mod could be tempting if you are in any way mechanically minded, you will not find the mod difficult to do and you will really get an understanding of how the mount works as you try to tune it. I don't think the belt mod makes a huge difference to guiding performance but it certainly does to the noise level.

Rpb

I posted some info about AVX disassembly before but this seems like a good thread to add them again. 

http://rocketsparrow.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/how-i-made-better-celestron-avx.html (note the comments at the bottom about removing the RA tensioner there are 3 grub screws to loosen first  and it needs a very small allen key as shown above)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10605262@N04/sets/72157646742806679/?ytcheck=1

This guide is for the older but similar CG5  http://astronomyboy.com/cg5/

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/578878-celestron-avx-rebuild/

I replaced the RA bearing with an angle bearing  although it does leave a slight gap as mentioned in some threads but it made a HUGE difference to RA stiction

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKF-32007XQ-Metric-Single-Row-Taper-Roller-Bearing-35x62x18mm/130940248658?hash=item1e7ca5a252:m:m3AAqpQNFsFJgnN6vqioQOw

It's easier than I thought I didn't even need to remove the RA from the mount part.

It certainly made things less sticky and balancing became a lot easier although guiding performance wasn't much better. 

In the end I bought an EQ6-R which has been a massive improvement. 

Rob.

I am a fully paid up member of the EQ6-R club since the start of the year.

Very impressed with the build quality, looking through the polar scope cover the inside is clean and neat, and things seem to have been set up well (my polarscope is also aligned)

Naturally, the weather has been awful ever since but on the one night I got out and the seeing was actually decent I was able to test the mount and got similar figures to other reviews I have seen for this mount “out of the box”.

Guiding was under 0.8” RMS and I generated a PEC curve (5 full rotations of the worm) of ±6.5” 

Very happy with that and it can probably be improved on with experience.

Haven’t had the chance to image yet but on those stats I am very hopeful (I have ED120 & ED80 fracs)

EQMOD works without any issues and I have a gamepad working with it.

Goto has been very accurate after polar alignment with sharpcap pro. I do a 3 star sync with EQMOD and the first star is within a couple of degrees in the finder scope and the next two much closer and were visible in the main scope so I didn't need the finder.

The handle is a great addition, so much easier to move than an NEQ6 due to that simple addition. I found it fairly easy to move from the house to garden (via patio doors) with mount + tripod + 1 weight.

My only negatives –

1.      The home position markers – White on white ??? a job for a permanent marker here I think.

2.      The green clocks, while I quite like the 'jade' green colour however, it's very difficult to see the lines under red torch light.