kendg

Hose clamps come to mind for me.

You don't need a laptop or desktop computer for Astrophotography BUT With no computer you lose plate solving, you limit yourself to DSLR (mainly) cameras you lose the ability to do sequences of exposures and/or targets and lots of other nice to be able to do things

Gotta love the swivel screen. Don't leave home without it

Using the sun 1) put a stick in the ground (.5 to 1m high) 2) make the point of the shadow from the stick 3) come back in an hour or so and mark the point of the shadow Connect the 2 points and you have an East/West line. Put the south legs of the tripod on this line and the north leg is right where it needs to be.

It really is a great moment when it "all comes together"

I used this. https://www.celestron.com/products/t-adapter-for-schmidt-cassegrain-telescopes and https://www.celestron.com/products/t-ring-for-canon-eos-camera On a C6

This might be of some help. http://www.12dstring.me.uk/fovcalc.php

http://dslrmodifications.com/ is the starting point http://dslrmodifications.com/rebelmod450d1.html for the 450d

Another one to consider. I've got one and it's just fine. You should be able to find it on Amazon UK https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B071CV3RX7/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For some great info on home made dew heaters https://www.blackwaterskies.co.uk/2013/05/making-your-own-nichrome-dew-heater-bands/ There are some great references at the end of the web page.

I made one of these a couple of years ago. Works a charm. http://www.valleystargazers.com/Chair.pdf

Agreed, but I like the attitude of Hawaiian wayfinder Nainoa Thompson. Mauna Kea is used as a sign post to find a way home. Now it can be used to find a way forward.

The Supreme Court in Hawaii just ruled in favour of building the Thirty Meter Telescope. Finally puts the law suits to rest. Wonder if I can mount my DSLR on it when built

First purchase https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html

If I read your procedure right for polar alignment, you always put Polaris at 9 o'clock and it drifts. Remember, Polaris revolves around the pols so you need to put is at the correct position around the circle. A good app will help you get the right position for Polaris at the current time you are doing the PA. I use an app called Scope Companion on Android.