Icesheet

Ok, I've weighed everything. Scope- 2.3kg (2kg without rings) Camera Body- 0.5kg Orion Mini guider with GPCAM2- 0.75kg max So total equipment weight would be 3.5kg max. Does the counterweight count towards the payload? If so ~4.5kg. Waiting on some parts so I'll see how I get. From reading it seems the focal length coupled with tracking error may be the limiting factor. Still, as you say Louise...

It's around 2.5kg with the finder scope and rings attached. Removing them would take it to around 2kg I guess.

Ok, so guided you might expect to get longer subs or maybe even similar exposures times with a longer FL? I have a 500mm scope which I'm keen to use. Seems like I'll be pushing it but there's no harm in trying I guess. Just worried if it doesn't work out it I might not necessarily be able to tell if it's down to my lack of experience or the limitation of the mount.

What is the maximum focal length people have had success with the SA, guided or unguided? I see there is a 380mm example here. Anyone had success at 400mm+?

I would love to know how you're getting 8-10 min exposures especially @300mm, that's amazing! Are you autoguiding?

+1 for this

Here's two of my better efforts so far. Was delighted that I was able to pull out the Horsehead from the Orion widefield. I have a lot to learn but I would not have caught the bug without the Star Adventurer! All these done with a Nikon D3200 and Sigma 70-200mm F2.8. Exposures range from 60-120sec. Typically ISO800-1600 at f4-6.3. The lens really isn't the best but good enough just now. I would not hestitate to recommend it to you!

Hi John, Thanks for your reply, I will get an introductory post up soon With regards to this scope, I'm going to try and get more info.... I've contacted the original vendor and if I can get it at a price that I feel comfortable losing if it all goes wrong I'll give it a go. It could turn out to be a great deal. I'm very intrigued after reading this post and some others on the scope. I look forward to getting more involved in the forum Chris

Hi all, This is a strange first post but I'm bumping this up as I have the opportunity to buy an identical scope. I see Mr Julius hasn't posted for two years, did anyone know him personally that could ask him what his experiences with it were? Here's some pics. I'm actually a beginner. Would something like this be putting me in way over my head? Cheers Chris