mbalkham

My maths is good (or at least the predicted outcome is the same!). I managed to find a small break in the cloud and confirm there is no obstruction in this configuration.

Anyone know if the polemaster will work in this location? It did on the top of the losmandy plate (maybe 100mm further from axis) but I wonder if my tube will obscure the view? I read a field of view of 11x8 degrees. My polemaster is 450mm from the end of the tube and 50mm above the tube. If my math is right then a 4° angle at 450mm is 31mm so the polemaster shouldn't be obstructed? Proof will be in the test next clear night but interested to hear what people think.

Anyone got there hands on these filters? Can you recommend which of the NB filters suit which application? Thinking I want NB1, NB2 or NB3 for emission nebula from bortle 5 backyard. This is going in my secondary imaging setup piggybacked on my newt which currently comprises EOS R with various lenses. Ideally looking for something similar to duoband I use on the primary rig with ASI071. https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p11557_IDAS-NB2-Dual-Band-Nebula-Filter-with-Drop-In-Filter-Insert-for-Canon-EOS-R-Mount-Adapter.html

No good with heat or an overnight in Isoprop. Will pickup some acetone today and try that.

Original was scratched. I got it second hand. Heat will be my next try!

Yep couldnt find any instructions.

Hi all, Anyone done this replacement? I can't get the old window out (its glued). Tried soaking in Isoprop but no luck. Anyone know what glue is used and what solvent might get it out? Acetone? Thanks in advance Matt

My belt modded NEQ6 dithers quickly (I haven't measured but I'd guess maybe less than 10 seconds). I'm not sure it's down to the belt though. Sounds like some other setting/issue? I have settle of 1s set after the dither. In the attached image I have taken 6 120s images and 6 dithers in about 12.5 mins so def less than your 50s dithers maybe 5-10s per dither. Have you changed the amount of dither from the defaults? Mine are just default values (I forget what they are and aren't in front of that computer at the moment). I guess backlash could mean it takes longer to move the required amount of dither but it's moving a number of (or fraction of) a pixel so not like a lot of movement needs to occur. Are you running the guiding and dithering over a wifi connection or locally? If it's waiting to confirm receive info to confirm the dither movement it might take a little longer?

Finally got everything working how it should. Re-tweeked gear meshing, re-distributed weight on OTA and improved balance. Now running the NEQ6 at 0.3-0.5" RMS with over 20kg OTA and 20kg counterweight. ZWO OAG also helping i think.

Suggest you look at pixel resolution. Maybe the guidescope focal length is incorrect in one set of guiding. Iwould think this amount of change is unlikely to be down to the belt mod.

Something funny going on with these results. Error in pixels about the same top and bottom (0.27-0.24). Looks like something else has changed?

I've belt modded my NEQ6 and seen a slight improvement but I doubt you'll see much if you are already at 0.8"RMS. Maybe 0.1" if you're lucky but seeing, balance, PA etc. will affect things more than that. Belt mod def helps with backlash and runs a bit quieter. I've also added zero backlash mod also from Rowan but yet to get the best from that (still needs tinkering). And I have replaced bearings, hypertuned, and upgraded other components. Worth saying I am really pushing the weight on my mount (over 20kg of imaging and 20kg of counterweight) and am seeing typically tracking between 0.6" and 1" RMS.

There's a sneaky trick. Very clever, I might play with this at some point if I can't get RA and Dec closer to one another my some mechanical means. Just got my OAG and redistributed some weight onboard for better balance either side of the flip. Moved the computer/power etc. on top rather than on the side so much closer to 50/50 weight distribution now.

Good frames are round bad ones are very stretched in RA (maybe twice as long in RA compared to Dec).

Thanks all for the tips. Next clear night I'll give a few a go. Looking at OAG which could help me plus save some weight. Failing that might look at new guidescope rings. Prob move the onboard rpi and dew heater for better balance. Going to fiddle with ra meshing again. Try shorter guide lengths. Sort a couple of cables. Check balance with ammeter. Plus a couple of other things!