Waldemar

Why don't you just use SGP? If only to prevent an attack of some kind

Delete Sequence, re-start and re-install. ? don't forget the ini files Sequence200.pdf

Yes it is very quiet... But people will answer your questions if you put them there. Just not a lot of traffic at the moment. That could be explaned in a very positive way... 😉 I do believe not many people have problems with their ASA mounts, nor the software. ASA support is not very fast either sometimes.

For problems with Sequence you best try the ASA forum: http://forum.astrosysteme.com/index.php?/forum/16-software/

That shows how critical and unreliable wifi is... For me only wired connections, even if it were only for health reasons...

I think nothing works better than a wired connection, but not by Powerline... I use a USB-Ethernet converter without any problem. Icron Ranger (Expensive): https://www.icronshop.com/icron-brand Silex (Cheap): https://www.silextechnology.com/connectivity-solutions/device-connectivity/ds-600 Both work well and have a range of about 100 meters over cat6 cable. When using fibre optics, the Icron's range is 300 meters A plus on the Silex is that it works with real USB3 as well as USB2 in the same unit, but different connections. The Icron Ranger has different units for USB2 or USB3

As far as ASA mounts are concerned: I had a DDM60Pro and now I own a DDM85Standard. 1. The DDM60 was portable and very easy to set up once I got my head around the software. The DDM85 is too heavy for portabillity, but basically the same. 2. To run, balance and trim (PID) the mount, a programm called AutoSlew is provided with it, which is not really intuitive, but like I said once I got my head around it, it was a breeze. To control it a programm called Sequence is provided which I find not very handy and it still got some issues. But The SkyX or SGP or any other programm or combination of programms works realy well. 3. Yes, if you call working with it from the warm living room behind a laptop with an ethernet-usb extender, remotely... 4. I never had any technical issues with either ASA mounts 5. ASA mounts are incredibly solidly build and absolutely 'highest end'. Because of ASA's Direct Drive technique there is no PE, no backlash and an incredible accurate performance. I still have no idea what the new series will cost... ASA is not very open with information... I agree with Dave about Sequence. SGP works absolutely great with ASA mounts. ASA seems to be working on a very sofisticated programm that will do a far better job (they say)... I am very curious when it will be released.

That's the way, Ameesa! Take your time, don't rush anything. If going for SkyWatcher, make sure to get one for imaging, for an imaging scope can be used for visual, the other way around, you will have to change the scope.

SCT is an acronym for Schmidt-Cassegrain-Telescope. PDS is the type of a SkyWatcher 130 0r 150 mm Newtonian with a shorter tube, so it will be better suited for Astrophotography: The new Sky-Watcher Explorer-130P DS has the same superb parabolic primary mirror as the Explorer-130P but features a 1.25"/2" Dual-Speed 10:1 ratio focuser for enhanced focus control and a shorter tube length with the secondary mirror positioned closer to the primary mirror for more convenient prime-focus photography. The Explorer 130pDS is a surprisingly capable imaging Newtonian, check out the images and discussion from owners at Stargazerslounge: https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/210593-imaging-with-the-130pds/ "Hey ill have a look at it"...A look IN it would be better... All your questions will be answered in an understandable fashion.]😉

Hi Ameesa, welcome to the forum. Depending on what you want to image, a SCT is not an easy start with astrophotography.... For planets and moon, okay, but for DSO's it is better to choose a fast refractor or a Newtonian like the 130 or 150 PDS As has been advised many times, do yourself a favor and buy this book: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html

You should be able to do some DSO imaging with your Canon, that scope and mount, although a 300 mm Newt will need some correction, depending on which one it is. You'll have to keep in mind that this is a big scope, catching a lot of wind and it will act as a sail, and thus making it very hard on your mount to keep it under control. Shielding it from the wind will make a big difference. Also keep in mind to put the focuser with camera in line with the cw shaft for the balance. I would also like to advice you to read the book "Making every photon count" https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html. That will give you insight in the do's and dont's of imaging and will save you a lot of trouble and money... Polar alignment needs to be as precise as you can get it. Any misalignment will make it harder or even impossible to guide!

You will need to balance your scope in three ways: RA, DEC and radial. The last one presents the problem for you, because as Wim already mentioned the focuser is on the side of your Newtonian and therefore disturbs the radial balance. You will have to compensate that with weight on the opposite side of the OTA, or turn the scope in a way so the focuser will be in line with the cw shaft, which will make it only suitable for imaging... For visual use of a Newtonian an Alt/Az mount is the easiest.

Hi Dave, here you go 😉 01AutoslewSoftwareManual for absolute encoders - english.pdf

That means he'll be screwed...

Congratulations! :-) a magnificent mount, indeed!

Just to show how easy and nice a little imaging can be and how much can be seen with very little effort. Simple single twilight picture with a handheld iphone 7 at the eyepiece The image is a bit cropped. This can be done with virtually any set-up.

TEC 140 with a choice from the Quad TCC, PowerMate 2x or 4x, or the Lunt DS filters does it for me. Combining in this way, just one scope is quite versatile.

In short the difference between a good (read expensive like the PowerMates) Barlow and a cheap one is that the good one will do it's job without noticing it and the bad one will only be in your way and irritate the hell out of you...

Or use parfocal rings: https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p581_Baader-FR-4-1-25--parfocal-ring-for-eyepieces-and-adapters.html

well, for €13,20 ... you never can tell, maybe it is junk, but maybe you are lucky... worth a gamble I think.

To give you something to think about: the 16"dob gathers 211% more light then the 11"SCT. ((16:11)²) On top of that the focal-ratio of the dob is a lot bigger (F5) then the SCT (F10), so 4 x more light per mm² with the same aperture. We are talking about huge differences now, so they are totally different beasts. While tthe SCT is perfect for moon and planets and small galaxies, the Dob is perfect for wider field and fainter object observations. Both are hard to image with though. The SCT because of the long focal length and the dob because of it's construction. So if imaging will be your objective, then neither of these will be easy to handle, but not impossible. I hope this helps a bit with making a decission.

Having owned a couple of SCT's myself, and used the FT replacement microfocuser as well as the FT Crayford focuser on the visual back, I totally agree. No more mirrorshift because of focussing with the focuser on the visual back. It is a pity though that a mirror lock is not always available...

+1

pfff... that was good fortune, then... Yes, the ASA can not be compared to a Celestron... the proof is in the price. I will have to get mine up and running, too. I housemoved almost a year and a half ago, planning to build an obsy, but still did not have a chance... I'm getting a bit frustrated that my equipment is just sitting there...

Aim the main telescope to a distant point like a tower or something like that. Be sure that both main and guide scope are focussed. Then adjust the guidescope with the three setting screws on the rings until you will see the exact same thing. It may be a bit confusing, for left and right, or up and down will be reversed. In the beginning everything is new, so it seems incredibly difficult, but as soon as you get a bit of a grip on it, the quarter will fall and everything will be okay 😉 Enjoy your new equipment and welcome to the Lounge!