Grierson

Thanks again both. That’s the approach I would have taken with a terrestrial camera/lens combo but it does not seem to work with my astro imaging set up. No bunnies show until the subs have been stacked. I thought perhaps there may be a quick software tweak that may show them up. However I will have another go!

Yes, thank you Vlaiv. I just wondered if there may be a simple way of checking which may provide an instant answer. I must admit to not using Flats, I only take Darks. Clearly I will have to develop my imaging routine.

Although I am no longer a beginner I am still in the foothills of the learning curve. For the first time this week, since I started imaging, images from two nights have suffered with what I believe to be dust. 3-4 darker circles appearing, but only visible, after stacking and extracting the background from my stacked subs. (I’m currently using an ASI294 OSC) I’ve cleaned the glass in the optical path but short of doing a full imaging session I wonder if there is any way of checking that the issue has ‘gone away’! Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

I would be inclined to replace the cable before delving in to the mount. Having said that getting at the power socket is not difficult.

In which case I would be inclined to bite the bullet and invest in the Lynx item.

I’m not sure. Typing in the name to the FLO site brings up the Lynx version. A quick call to them should clarify. (Or, if it was me, I’d cross my fingers, plug it in and try it. )

Bear in mind that you will need the Lynx Astro EQDIR Adapter cable from FLO.

Using EQMod would simplify the whole thing, doing away with the handset and if you can accept the more limited number of targets. In my experience you do need to do a one star alignment if you are to use SkySafari/HEQ5 combination. Have a look at the early manual that ZWO published. When I tried I did put the co-ordinates in to the handset but I’m not sure that’s necessary. As stated I don’t now use the handset making for a significant tidying up of the cables.

I use Astrodude’s 12 videos for ‘absolute beginners’. A bit lengthy but well worth the effort to understand many of the basics. Google - AstrodudePixinsight

There is of course the Pi based ASIAIR from ZWO which again is prebuilt. Downsides are the cost and the fact that only ZWO cameras are supported (some Canon and Nikon DSLRs have also recently been added) and the interface is either iOS or Android. Upsides are you get the full package including focus, guiding, plate solve, EQMod and so on together with large company support.

I would certainly get it checked out before looking for something else. You ‘might’ save yourself a lot of money!

Yes, thanks. I pose the question as, in my very limited experience, there is enough to overcome for the OP without adding guiding to the mix if it can be avoided in the early days. When I started out a couple of years or so ago I put everything together in the mistaken belief that you simply switched the power on and away you went. Big, big mistake!! Lot of very frustrating times later I finally got guiding right but I would not wish the heart ache on anybody.

Is it fair to say that, despite recommendation above, if the OP opts for a CMOS camera he can forget the added complication of guiding in the early stages?

Or a second hand iPad. I run mine on a 5 year old iPad running iOS ver. 9.3.5. and, as far as I can see, the latest beta version of the ASIair software (ver. 1.08) is only available for the iPad although presumably there will be an Android version in due course.

Many thanks Pierre. I will check them out.