tomato

Thanks Sara, I'm really looking forward to the bigger FOV and the increased sensitivity that will come from a mono CCD. Steve

Thanks for the replies. I do take the point about having all the required filters in a single wheel to avoid repeated changes. Which ever way you cut it, that £1200-1300 differential remains, which is a 50% contribution towards my next scope. Looks like I'm going with the Moravian.....

Sorry to labour this topic but I am getting very close to pressing the button on this one. There seems general agreement that if the budget can stand it then go with the QSI 683. However, the price delta between the two cameras (both with integral filter wheels) isn't trivial, around £1200 looking at the cameras on IKI and 365Astronomy websites? That's halfway towards a 10" RC, (the next phase of my upgrade) so my question is the QSI £1200 better than the Moravian? I know the filters will be a bit cheaper for the QSI but not by a huge amount.

Lovely image, beautifully framed. It's great to zoom in and see the myriad of deep field galaxies. HST eat your heart out!

Hello Harry, Good luck with the Mesu, I class it as a portable mount (just), definitely can't say that about your old one! Steve

Yes, a piece of tape on the barrel, should do the trick!? PHD can work better on a slightly out of focus star, I think it allows the software to read the brightness trend across the pixels more reliably. In practice if I see a lot of faint stars come into view on the guide camera as I move the focuser, I generally leave it at that.

Hello Tony, I have the same set up as Starlight 1 and pretty much use the same method. If you wind the helical focuser nearly all the way out and centre on a bright star (if the clouds ever go away☹️), then you can gently slide the camera in and out to find the point of focus. Make a note of the ideal length of the camera barrel proud of scope tube for future set ups. Clear Skies Steve

If I had the option again I would have paid the 200 euros to get the Mesu as a two section bolt together unit. My single piece Mesu travels safe and secure in a hefty flightcase but it really is a two person job to lift it in and out of the car.

100% agree regarding the Mesu 200's reliable and accurate tracking performance. I set mine up and take down for each session, it is a robust piece of kit. Biggest scare to date was when l didn't secure it properly in the back of the car and it fell over, but survived intact. It is now transported in a (large) flight case. I use a home made, very heavy pier style tripod, a cross between the one sold with the EQ8 and the Mesu one. You would not describe it as a grab and go but as you point out there is no point going to a dark site with a set up that trembles in the breeze. The new lattice style tripod on the Altair Astro website looks pretty sturdy but I have not seen any reviews. Steve