Simon Dunsmore

Hi John, Thanks for your reply. Yes, I sync after each alignment. Good shout about the box, I'll try that

Hello people, If you live in the UK I hope that you're all enjoying the clear skies of late. I have a question that I am hoping you good folks may be able to help me with. I have recently moved to controling my heq5 using Stellarium. Here is the process I use. Manually polar align with polar scope Tweak alignment using Sharpcap Start Stellarium and Stellarium scope Using EQMOD Centre on alignment star and sync The problem No matter how many alignment stars I use the slew is always conserably off target. Last night I did this again and for ease chose the moon as a target, although the scope was pointing in general the right direction, the moon was not in the eyepiece at all. I would appreciate any advice you could give. On another side note, anyone ever concerned about dew on their laptop. After last nights session it looked like I had taken it swimming Thanks again Simon

Hi Folks, Loving this discussion and images, in fact loving them so much that I just tried to order a Skywatcher 130p DS, but alas none to be had in the UK right now Keep inspiring me Stay safe Simon

Hi, Just thought I'd get back to you with a huge thank you. I did as you suggested. Eureka moment! I also used an eyepiece to get as close as could to focus and then switched this out for the camera. Next step is to use my new found ability to use Sharpcap for polar alignment. That's what I love about this hobby, the breakthroughs. If I could I'd buy you a cold one! Thanks again Simon

Thanks, I'll give it a go. How hard can it be 😊?

Hi, Thanks for your reply. Yes, sorry tried increasing and decreasing the exposure in increments.

Hi People, Update. OK so I got everything set up and working in the daytime, with the camera attached to the guidescope and focused on a pilon across the road. Night time.... Set up, switched on camera and fired up sharpcap. Did a basic polar alignment... So far so good. Can't get anything other than black on the screen. If I shine a torch across the guidescope it goes grey but that's it. I tried winding the focus right out and then slowly winding in, nothing. I tried uping the gain, again nothing. Tried altering contrast, brightness.... Nothing. Have to admit, I'm totally baffled. I don't give up easily but this really is frustrating. Im sure it's down to something simple, but I don't know what else to try. I've tried the camera in the main scope and attempted focusing that way, nothing. This must be down to settings? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Bit of a newb to this camera stuff so be gentle 😊 Thanks from a very cold and frustrated 😤 but enthusiastic stargazer Simon

Hi Folks, Thanks for all your help. We have lift off! Will definitely check out those tutorials. Thanks Simon

Hi Folks, After a day of pulling out what little hair I have left. I thought I'd appeal to the mercy of you life savers So I'm trying to set up my heq5 mount to be controlled directly from my laptop. I'm attempting to use carte du ceil as Stellarium just wasn't playing ball. I've installed ASCOM and have had some success but I'm aware that I need EQMOD. The problem is whenever I download EQMOD it downloads as ASCOM. Sorry if this is a silly question but where can I download EQMOD? I'd really appreciate it if anyone could help Thanks Simon

OK thanks, I'll try it on a clear dry day. Thanks again for your help. I wrongly thought it was a matter of just plug and play. I'm guessing that the fact that the screen goes light or dark depending on if I cover the lens or not is good sign that the camera is working?

Hi, Thanks for your reply. The scope is a Skywatcher evoguide 50ed. I tried it in the day but still nothing. I'm not really sure what I'm doing with the settings, so I'm probably down to my incompetence. Trying to find a clear and step by step guide is not easy. Novice problems!! Thanks again Simon

Hi John, Just found this thread and wondered if you solved the problem. I'm having exactly the same issue. I have Windows 10, installed drivers and Sharpcap. I get either a dark, light or flickering screen. Appreciate your help Kind regards Simon

Hi Thanks for your quick reply. I'm using a Skywatcher evoguide 50ed. Should I be able to see anything with just the camera and no guide scope? I'll try your suggestion once the rain stops!!

Hi Folks, I'm new to this ccd camera guidescope dark magic, so please be gentle and forgive me my ignorance! So I purchased myself a used QHY5-II MONO camera for guiding. I installed the drivers and Sharpcap. I plugged the camera into my laptop, so far so good! The screen shows that the camera is connected and if I point it at a light source the screen lightens, but no image. I attached it to a guide scope and tried altering the focus, still nothing. I'm sure it is something simple but just can't figure out what to try next. Really would appreciate the help of anyone out there who has a similar experience or knows how to assist. Thanks again Simon

Hi, I know that I'm late to the party with this, but just came across this thread. And I'm interested to read your comments I have a lovely 200pds and after saving for a long time just purchased a Heq5 (used) which I collect this weekend but since doing so I've read so many posts that say the scope is just too heavy and will not work on this mount. Thanks Simon

Hi, Wow! Love these. So these were taken with a DSLR through a 200pds on a Heq5? Maybe ill give it a whirl!

Thanks Olly fit your explanation, much appreciated. I also have a 72ed whi ch which is a lovely little scope for wide field. I was looking for something with a little more focal length which is why I was leaning towards the 130. If you have any suggestions that may be more appropriate, I'd welcome your thoughts. I just need to move the 200pds. Thanks for your reply. As I mentioned, I will try the 200pds until I can sell it. Do you find much difference when imaging with the two with regards to image quality?

Hi Folks, Thanks for all your replies. I figured that go with the 130PDs would be the general opinion. I if that's the way to go, I'll use my 200pds until I can sell it and then go for the 130. I've got it listed at £195 does this sound about right? Thanks again Simon

Hi Folks, It's been quite a journey, plenty of mistakes made along the way. Finally I've almost assembled a rig that I'm happy with. I started with a Skywatcher 130p on an EQ3/2 mount, sold the mount when it just wasn't cutting it. Next I purchased a used eq5 pro goto. Much better! This is where I goofed, I developed a fatal case of aperture fever sold the 130p and purchased a 200PDs. I then started down the road of astrophotography, so far so good. Until I realised the EQ5 pro wasn't man enough to take the 200PDs. This whole process took 8 years! Just recently after much saving and reading a hundred different articles I found a still boxed and unused second hand Heq5 pro goto mount (which I collect next weekend) I have since read that the 200PDs is too heavy for astrophotography on the Heq5. Here's the question, is the 200pds really too heavy? I have thought about selling this, it's in perfect condition and boxed but no one seems too interested, do I keep trying to sell it and buy a 130PDs or just ignore the negative reports and go for it with the 200PDs? BTW I'm imaging DSO using a Canon 60D and qhy5l-ii guide camera Thanks from a confused but enthusiastic star glazer. PS I read somewhere that even the neq6 isn't man enough for the 200PDs...really???

Hi Folks, One more question. I see you can buy Adobe Elements and Premier on eBay for around £10 or Elements 6 for the same price. Excuse my ignorance, but will this software be suitable? Thanks Simon

Wow! Thanks for all the replies, that really opened up a lively debate, loads to think about and research further. Love this forum!

Hi Folks Another question to you wise astrophotographers! When it comes to editing your astro pics, what software do you use? If Photoshop is your weapon of choice, did you buy the whole package or is there a cheaper option? Better still, is there a free option? Looking forward to your responses Thanks Simon

Thanks Louise, I have an Heq5 pro goto mount. That all makes sense, thanks, and as long as the guidescope has a rigid fixing to the main scope all should be fine?? I have to admit, I am leaning towards the skywatcher Ed. Thanks again Simon

OK, thanks!

So this is the set up right now, the scope looks pretty dwarfed by the Telrad I know! Still unclear, are you saying the finderscope bracket is a not a good idea? Also, 50mm or 60mm, pretty confused about the best guidescope to suit the GHY camera (that I already owned). This has an adapter with it for fitting to 1.25 opening, will I need another adapter as well???? Sorry for all the questions Simon