adyj1

Anyone in France? Pop round to @ollypenrice and check he's OK, would you? I'm starting to worry he got abducted half way through that last post... 😉 Phew - he's back. Stand down Les Astronomeurs! 😂

Did you use different tools this time Carol, or have you just got better with the software you had? Ady

I can only see S1 E1 being broadcast Tuesday 28th May at 9pm... Ady

From my flo wishlist 😉 It's Father's Day soon - I'd better start dropping hints 😂 Ady

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-replacement-saddles/adm-dual-dovetail-adaptor-for-az-gti.html There's another slightly smaller saddle available from ADM for the GTi, but this one ticks alll the boxes ☺

There is an option to move the primary mirror further into the tube. You have to replace two sets of bolts (6 in total), and probably get three longer springs, but if you don't mind taking your primary mirror out (simply done with 3 screws), then it isn't difficult. I've done it to a SW 1145P small newtonian (that needed quite long , and to my SW150PDS when I fitted a baader cliklock (only an extra 10mm needed for that one). Ady - this advice is based on you having a newt. Rereading the thread, I may have got that bit wrong 😉

Are you sure? I thought this was in the free version (although now I've upgraded to 'plus', I can't check) In the picture below, I have tapped the '11.1 x 17.6' text to bring up the screen @Pazis talking about. Ady

You've got it right - polar alignment sets an EQ mount up to be used accurately, and is a physical alignment achieved by physically moving the RA axis (using the latitude and elevation bolts). This is done first and there is no need to have the mount switched on. Star alignment is the setting up of the goto 'computer' (traditionally the handset in an out-of-the-box goto mount), rotating the mount around its RA and Dec axes to allow the computer to align its internal database of sky objects with where in the sky it needs to point the telescope to see those objects. The goto computer assumes accurate polar alignment, and so star alignment always needs to be done second. Ady (I hope this makes sense, I've redrafted it a couple of times for clarity, but in my experience this can sometimes make it less clear 😂)

Effectively, in APT after the platesolve where you press 'sync' you are actually doing a very accurate one-star alignment*. If you move to a different area of the sky and do a second platesolve and sync you have done a very accurate two-star alignment. Ady * I'm just remembering the days when I did manual star alignments without an eyepiece with the illuminated cross-hairs. That was really, really inaccurate

James, Awesome shots - you've done well with the blended beach shot. I'm thinking I need to get me some of those biscuits 🍪 😂 Ady

I'm not sure about 'much easier'... sounds as much effort if not more. Both have their advantages, but one problem with the poured concrete pier is how to attach the mount. With this version @dtastrohas been able to reuse his tripod base and screw - which is definitely cheap and easy 🙂

An interesting benefit of this type of pier! Nice job. Ady

Luckily for me, the AZ Goto handset had the correct connector. It looks like you may have to wire up a converter... Here are the pinouts the AZ-Gti is expecting:

but apparently not to whoever packed it! ( or maybe listed it)

Postie delivered a Canon 1100D I got cheap from eBay (£50 from a Cash Converter shop). I'm quite pleased with it on initial inspection 😄

I got a set of shims from Doug Dieter back in September, so he still does them (mentioned many times in old EQ6 rebuild threads). This is the email I got from him; "I do still supply the EQ6 delrin shim sets. Each set contains 12 shims, 4 in each of 3 different thicknesses, 0.020 inch, 0.015 inch and 0.010 inch. This is more than enough to rebuild both axis of your EQ6. Each set is $16.00 USD, including the shipping to the UK. You can order a set via PayPal. " His email is skygazer@kennaquhair.com Hope this helps Ady

Thanks very much for that - it lists my Nikon D3200, so I may give it a go. Ady

Is there a list of supported dslrs anywhere? I couldn't find one...

A good question, but I've only had it a couple of months so time will tell. I'll probably end up putting another cheap garden cover over it during the height of summer...

I used 'Cygnus Astro Covers' http://neilross758.wixsite.com/cygnus-astro-covers/breathable-covers The site seems to be a low-volume producer of covers and the feedback during the order process was a bit non-existent, but I'm very pleased with the heavyweight cover I received. Far better than the garden chair cover I was considering... Ady

Yes, I have a v3 handset which came with a SW AZ Goto mount. It supports the AZ and eq modes

Unfortunately, my guiding ambitions were put on the back burner once I realised that my EQ5 couldn't take the 150pds AND st80 guide scope. I also found I had a lot more to learn about everything else, so haven't got round to looking at it again. Hopefully I'll be able to have a go at it over the summer... Ady

I agree with Mr donkey, it may be a very big minus for you that it only runs on Windows, but it's hardly a shortcoming that sets it apart from the rest...

I agree - thanks for showing the detail, Alan.