RayD

Maybe Rodd, but you're then arguing against your own queries. As you well know, providing the distance of the sensors of your imaging camera and your OAG camera are in the same place in relation to the focal point, then they MUST both be in or near focus as this is how it works. With the Lodestar I can understand the issue as the sensor is 12.5mm back from the barrel, so you may not achieve it unless your turret can protrude inside the chamber as it can on the SX one. If you have now used a ASI 174, which I and you assume is fully 'compatible' as far as sensor distance goes, then short of an obstruction or other physical issue (presumably you have checked that the Lodestar actually works and can focus by other means) then there aren't that many other things it can be.

Well then that says to me it's a faulty OAG with a misaligned or damaged prism.

You may need to swap the Lodestar for a ASI120MM or similar, or a camera where you can take the C mount connection off to push the sensor closer to the prism.

Yes I appreciate they are different, I was just trying to obtain a focal point for your Lodestar to see if it can move in close enough when mounted to the OAG. I would say not due to the very short back focus on the ASI1600.

As I noted Rodd, you may not be able to use a Lodestar with the ASI1600 and OAG in its standard configuration as the ASI has a particularly short back focus distance. I think the ZWO OAG is really designed for use with the ZWO cameras, the 120MM usually, which I believe also has a 6.5mm back focus. The Lodestar has 12.5mm, so you simply may not be able to get it close enough. With the SX OAG I got mine to work as the turret goes inside the camera chamber, but I don't think this is possible with the ZWO one.

You could try by eliminating an issue with the OAG prism by installing the Lodestar directly in a 1 1/4 eyepiece holder in your focuser to make sure you can indeed get focus, and it will then let you calculate a rough distance. It's a basic starting point but may stop you chasing around in circles.

Tim and Ken are spot on. The Lodestar can be a bit awkward to focus with an OAG, especially with the ASI1600, which from memory only has something like 6.5mm sensor distance. I did a simple YouTube video here showing how I overcame this with the Atik 16200 and Atik OAG, but with the ASI it is very tight.

Eeeeeewww........I think I know his UK Cousin!

Perfect, followed by 'snake pit', and then by a full assortment of Raiders of the Lost Ark style obstacles to negotiate

Holy cow I've just seen this thread. I didn't know people did this......that's scary! I've seen what paint stripper does to paint, I dread to think what it would do to a camera sensor!

You can set it up to send you emails if various things happen or, more specifically, don't. It potentially saves a wasted night if for example your guiding fails to set after a meridian flip, it will send you an email to tell you. A very hand feature.

Not high and mighty at all, Mike. I chose to upgrade for similar reasons and, like you, mine was $39 so made sense to do it at this point. I also wanted the notifications module, and I hadn't paid for that add-in on 2.X, and really glad I did as they work brilliantly.

Yes I think there really needs to be something in it that works for you otherwise 2.X still works absolutely fine and I'm sure is still going to be used for a while to come.

No you aren't wrong at all, you're 100% correct. I was wrong as I just vaguely recalled Jared saying they were expecting to have a major release per year, so set in my mind this effectively being an annual fee. As you rightly say, if you don't want to update you don't have to, so it doesn't have to be an annual fee if you choose this route. Thanks for the feedback on the videos, much appreciated

Also fair to note that they do emphasise this is NOT a subscription model as I wrongly called it. If you want the projected annually released major updates you will have to pay, if you don't then you can keep your current version.

Thanks for that Gary, I thought I'd seen it somewhere which was why I had in my head it would be an annual fee. @iwols for interest here are the noted major changes: · Planning tools o Show target rise and set on an easy to read graph o Easily identify when it is “safe” to start imaging (twilight, etc) o Choose start and end times quickly by clicking on the graph o See an itemized list of errors and warnings to help you plan the capture sequence o Define your own custom horizon to reflect your environment o Check the status of the moon · New features for start and end times o Define times by altitude (or by time of day) o Lock time or altitude § When time is locked, the time will remain static from day to day and the altitude will vary § When altitude is locked, it will remain static and the time will vary · Integration with FocusLock (still beta) o See FocusLock status without needing the FocusLock application o Perform basic operations direct from SGPro o Restart the current frame if FocusLock reports you are out of focus m (will block until focus is re-acquired) o Prevent FocusLock from altering the focuser position during image integration · Update manager overhaul, managing SGPro versions is now easier than ever o Receive notifications that your SGPro is out of date o Snooze these notifications for 7 days (more time intervals soon) o View release notes in a new, rich text formatted, area o Download and upgrade without ever going to the MSS web site o Opt-in to the beta-track directly from the update manager to get notifications of new betas (or new releases… whichever is the latest) · Gear o Support for Gemini SnapCap FlatBox device o Support for Canon Digic 6 and 7 cameras o Native support for ZWO ASI (beta) o SBIG RBI Implementation · Misc changes o Addition of “per event” gain control o A sequence can now import targets from other SGPro sequences o Updated CTYPEn FITS headers to report projection as gnomonic (instead of default) o SGPro will now more accurately detect the need to auto connect with a flats box o Recovery mode stabilization o Added camera gain to the file namer (%cg)

Ah yes that was it. You are right and I do apologise for giving the wrong information. @iwols it is the major releases, which from memory Jared said they are expecting one a year which is why I had in my head annually.

I think they will still do a discount if you have the 2.X license, so worth checking. No it is now an annual subscription which seems reasonable as the guys do need to support it, but with full time jobs I think they struggled with the income stream the way it was. I believe it is $99 per annum, but that includes all the optional add-ons that you had to pay for separately in 2.X. The planning tools are quite good, and let you see the altitude of your target with a graphical curve complete with the dark periods shown for your location, and you can then plan, start and stop an imaging session accordingly. There are some pretty good details on it on the MS site, but I have used it and it is excellent, a really nice addition.

There are a number of differences, with the main one being the subscription model (you have to pay for it annually). The major functional change is the addition of the planning tools, which are pretty good. It's worth having a look at the Main Sequence website and forums to see the change list, but it's up to you if you feel you want to go the subscription route. They will only be providing major updates now for 3.X, with only critical updates being applied to 2.X

All very valid solutions. I run a Lakeside via my Pegasus Hub Ultimate and it was very easy to make a lead to suit (took 15 minutes or so). The Sesto Sense is also very good at the moment, and you can see the 'bench' operation in my video here. I haven't used it in anger yet, but I'm all set and in the position to do so now, so will add a video with it after proper use. The obvious big benefit of the Sesto Sense is the lack of external controller. You can move it by hand when powered down, but this means the calibration needs redoing as the counts are lost. Yes I tend to agree with the bulkiness of the Lakeside controller. It is very functional and reliable, but can be a bit of a chore to house it. This is specifically why I went with running it from my Pegasus Hub, and it runs perfectly via that. The benefit of the Lakeside over the Sesto Sense is that to use on multiple set ups you only need one controller, and can then get motors and brackets at a much cheaper price and run them by swapping over the controller. You can't do this with the Sesto Sense and would need a complete unit for each one. I'll keep people updated on its performance as the Lakeside has really proven itself in the long-term, but the Sesto Sense hasn't yet, so time will tell if it really is a viable contender.

Ooh it's a new model with new livery. Be interesting to know if it differs in any other ways.

I've not looked to be honest John. I'll have a look tonight and let you know.

Yes I think you're spot on Dave. Even Pegasus has a little cover on theirs, and it does make a difference to how it looks. Let's face it, we all want things to work, but we do also like it when they look pretty.

Noooooooo don't tell the wife! It is very nice Steve, I really like it so far, but of course it comes with a premium price tag!

Oh without doubt, Steve. The look, feel and to be fair operation so far for me (software) is typically Italian, absolutely beautiful, and not at all industrial like the Lakeside.