spillage

6 hours ago, Spaced Out said:

My solution was to upgrade the focuser,

Hi

Can you let us know what focuser you went for?

Thanks all for you comments. Not really sure where to go as my current set up puts my pc in the elements and just had to replace the processor. To be able to move the pc into my shed I need a run of at least 6m from mount to pc. At the moment I am using vga and usb over cat5 extenders to connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse.

All the usb at the mount is connected into a startech powered usb 3 hub.

Hi All,

Looking for a reliable but not crazy priced active usb lead (at least 8m) to power my asi1600, wheel, guide cam etc..I was looking at the Lindy 43159 or a startech m/f cable. The startech I'm sure this would be more reliable but it has the power in the middle of the cable so I would have to butcher the psu and extend the lead.

Has anyone got any experience and advice for me.

Cheers

Mark.

@Jim Smith

How is the balance of the scope when you release the clutches? I would route the cables from the scope down the dec and along the ra if you have enough cable to allow dec full movement. Not sure if you are aware how much rotating the scope in the tubes also helps with balance.

*Might be worth loosing the telrad and using plate solving instead.

Sorry should have been clearer. I have a 3d printed ring ready to fit on top of the clips but would removing the clips remove this need.

@alacant

will removing the primary clips do away with the need for an additional ring?

cheers

Mark.

6 hours ago, Spaced Out said:

Hi all

Just looking for your opinions on the maximum weight you can comfortably hang off your stock 130PDS focuser without introducing tilt ?

 

 

At the moment one pair of jeans and an old summer coat!!!! I really need to strip my kit down for cleaning and get it all back up and running.

Doug was selling them a while back. It's worth sending him an email.

NINA is a great bit of kit. I have not used my gear for at least the last 6 months and within minutes I was up an running. NINA is very much like sgpro but in my opinion has some better options.

I just use stellerium to find a target and then use the search in NINA to get there. I also use cdc and connect this to my mount so I can see what is doable in my location.

Just found this tutorial on affinity photo and I must say its seems impressive for the price. I'm not a PS person so not sure how alike affinity is to PS.

Hi Dave and welcome.

I too am local to you. Just outside Langport. My advice is to not get involved with astrophotography....🙃

Have a look at the link below. I am just about to follow the same path.

I think this will be the next thing I do to my little 130. Just need to find someone who can print it for me.

I found my copy of SGP had connection issues when using the asi1600 and asi120 then started having platesolve issues. That is why I switched to NINA.

Give N.I.N.A a go.

Can the camera name not be changed in the driver? Sorry not able to access my gear at the moment.

Not sure how thick the adapter is but maybe a oil filter chain and cloth or a steel lid remover. The lid remover has got me out a bind more than once.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Multifunctional-Stainless-Steel-Can-Opener-Bottle-Jar-Lid-Remover-Kitchen-Tool/174360716808?hash=item2898b56608:g:Rf0AAOSwHfBfGnz0

I have a similar set up minus the zero backlash mod. I usually use the target most in phd. I would say try shifting the ota back or forward a touch and see how the RA reacts (looks it may be east heavy). I normally find it is either balance or slight backlash. Normally get 0.7" ish, but have had it as low as 0.5" on a good night.

Of course I could be totally wrong but that is where I would start.

Possible worm gear binding too tight/loose?

@sagramore

I have belt modded my neq6 and found it worth doing, picked it up cheap from ABS (still in packets) but would happily pay full price for a new one. I have seen it guiding as low as .5 so tracking will be improved. I also  used the time the mount was stripped to replace my bearings. The hardest thing is getting the worm gear set up correctly which can take a few attempts. Once done you will see a massive reduction in backlash. For about £100 pounds it get my vote.

You will find a dedicated camera with set point cooling much easier to use and it means gathering calibration is much, much easier. Processing is a learning curve but not horrendous.

Remember that even in Ha imagining under a full moon cannot be 100% full proof and O111 and S11 really benefit from a darker sky, just not as much as broadband.

3 minutes ago, Gina said:

Storm in a teacup!

Would that be politically correct by leaving out the coffee drinkers??

I think due to the fact that you can find very few reviews on the new eq8 says allot. I think it would be wise to make do with what I have and keep on saving towards something like a mesu (which would be my main goal). I know one is available second hand but due to work conditions I cannot spend that type of money on a hobby at this moment in time. If one comes up later and I have the cash then it would be a no brainer..

3 hours ago, matt_baker said:

This scope has served me very well

Sounds like you need to make adjustments to the focuser as @Stub Mandrel has mentioned.

Shame it has not performed that well. I have been meaning to buy one for months now.

Thanks for all the replies and info. I have seen the mesu on abs and really would have considered it. Unfortunately I do not go back to work until October (if I end up having a job to go back to) so will have to wait to see how things pan out. A second hand mesu would be my first choice but a brand new eq8 would be a close second. I think for now my old neq6 is doing okay and generally guiding at 0.7" so not awful.

If you have a local engineering shop you can get them to cut a slot in a length of aluminium bar. Bolt this to the top of your tube rings and then use a weight with a hole in it and use a bolt and butterfly nut so it can be moved up and down the bar as needed.