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Spaced Out

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  1. Spaced Out
    Sir, you are a mind reader ! Thanks, this is exactly what I was thinking about just now, I've read a lot online about f4 and collimation woes. This was going to be one of my next questions about TS optics newts. I may try a new autofocuser first and see if I can tension things up a little bit better. If that doesn't work then I guess I can still use it on a different scope once I've saved up the £.
  2. Spaced Out
    The autofocuser turns but the spindle doesn't rotate and the tube doesn't move. The SW autofocuser is tight on the spindle but it slips when the focuser tube is tensioned up, result is the knurled silver bit turns but the spindle does not turn. I guess this is supposed to happen when the tube reaches it's limit of travel and stops. If I loosen off the tension a little it turns ok.
  3. Spaced Out
    This is good to hear ! I may upgrade the SW autofocuser to a better stepper motor then, that should allow me to tighten things up a little with the focuser tension at the same time (I hope).
  4. Spaced Out
    Thanks. I was considering upgrading the autofocuser to try and tighten things up a bit. I suspect the SW autofocuser may be the weak link for me. I was looking at this. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/primaluce-lab-sesto-senso-v2-robotic-stepper-focus-motor.html
  5. Spaced Out
    Yes, but I'm limited by the SW autofocuser, I just don't think it is designed for holding/lifting heavy camera gear.
  6. Spaced Out
    I am slowly coming around to this way of thinking....... Trouble is whichever route is taken it means £££££ !
  7. Spaced Out
    Thanks I think the issue for me is probably the added weight of a heavy filter wheel + OAG all hanging off a rather fickle SW autofocuser. I don't have tilt problems with the DSLR and I suspect OSC cameras would be less of a problem too as they don't carry that added weight of a FW.
  8. Spaced Out
    Thanks. Are you using a SW autofocuser and how heavy is your camera + FW etc ?
  9. Spaced Out
    Thanks, I guess I will need fine focus and autofocus for imaging and with moonlite that means £££££...... Unfortunately there don't seem to be many (if any ?) other options for the 130 PDS and I've read on here one or two people saying they were underwhelmed by moonlite focusers so that makes me nervous. 🤔
  10. Spaced Out
    Thanks, it's useful, tbh I've been through all of that many times now. I think the real issue is tensioning the focuser so that it works well with the SW autofocuser. The SW autofocuser is a fickle thing, if you tension the focuser so the tube is held tighter (and I presume, less likely to sag) then the SW autofocuser just slips on the spindle and won’t turn it. I find that to use the SW autofocuser and prevent it from slipping on the spindle you have to ease off the focuser tension and then it seems that with a heavy load the focuser tube can move a fraction. I've got the SW autofocuser set up now so it will lift my 1.3KG camera (+ filter wheel, OAG etc), if I ease off the focuser tension the focuser tube will just slip, if I increase the tension the autofocuser will slip on the spindle. Trouble is this current tension isn't enough to stop movement of the focuser tube when the heavy camera is put on there, so I get this slop/sag.
  11. Spaced Out
    Thanks for this. I’ve tensioned the spindle as much as I can but that is limited by the SW autofocuser that slips if I tighten it too much. I don’t use the lock screw because I have the autofocuser fitted. I haven’t touched the 3 focuser collimation screws. It came to me direct from the factory and works well with DSLRs so figured there’s no need. The weight of my mono + filter wheel combo is the issue here. I have gravitational movement of the focuser tube that then leads to coma like stars along one edge of the image. I can replicate this if I place a laser collimator in the tube and then put some pressure on the end to press it downwards, you can see the laser dot move around the primary donut. The secondary is well aligned (I used a TS Concentre for that) and general collimation looks to be bob on to me. If I could tighten the spindle tensioner any more I would but then the SW autofucuser just slips and is useless. 😕
  12. Spaced Out
    I use APT for long exposures with DSLR (5 - 10 mins), set up the imaging plans with anti-vibration pause of 10 secs on mirror lock up and also pause for 30 secs between exposures to allow the sensor a little cooling time. Not sure of this is the correct approach but it works OK for me. I read somewhere that if you leave the mirror locked up or use liveview on the DSLR screen it can cause noise/glow problems, again, not sure if this is true or not ?!
  13. Spaced Out
    Thanks ! It’s Dunstanburgh Castle, walking distance from home so it's nice to go up there on a clear night. A larger version here... https://www.flickr.com/photos/132427272@N04/27088214165/in/album-72157655928764628/
  14. Spaced Out
    Classic, done that one a few times !
  15. Spaced Out
    Hi all Just wondering if many people are using these telescopes for imaging ? The spec looks OK but I wonder how they are in practice ? In particular I am interested in how suitable the focusers are for a heavy imaging train ? This is the weak link in my current set up (with very limited options to upgrade the focuser) and my reason for looking around elsewhere. Thanks
  16. Spaced Out
    Good work ! 👍
  17. Spaced Out
    Well after a weekend of research it seems there is not an easy solution to my focuser sag problem on the 130PDS. There are just 2 focusers that will fit it seems ? The Baader SteelTrack Diamond (my preferred option) won't fit. Moonlite - It'll fit but it costs ££££££ especially if adding autofocusing, while reviews seem mainly favourable a couple of people have said it’s no good. TS-Optics MONORAIL 2" Newtonian focuser with Micro Transmission – it’s cheaper but fiddly to fit (drilling holes), can’t find any reviews but the spec seems to suggest it’ll be better for my purposes than the stock focuser. I’m waiting for a reply from TS optics as to whether this one will fit too. https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p6522 Tbh, I am starting to wonder whether I should move to a new telescope with a better focuser rather than faffing about trying to fit one into the 130PDS. I’ve been looking at TS optics 6” f4 Newts which have the same two TS focusers mentioned above, trouble is I don’t know how good these focusers are !
  18. Spaced Out
    Hi all Has anyone here fitted a Baader Steeltrack/Diamond Steeltrack or a TS Optics Monorail focuser to their 130 PDS ? If so, how was it to fit and how does it perform ? Thanks
  19. Spaced Out
    Thank you. This looks interesting, certainly worth considering I reckon.
  20. Spaced Out
    Most were 130 PDS but a couple were 200 PDS, M33 was 200 PDS. Yes crop sensor DSLR.
  21. Spaced Out
    Very little difference apart from focal length, I actually like the 200 PDS. My original plan was to buy 2nd hand HEQ5 and 130 PDS to get started but then a HEQ5 and 200 PDS came up near me and I couldn't resist. I had planned to just sell the 200 PDS but ended up keeping it while I learnt with the 130 PDS. Some pics with DSLR and both telescopes here, not the best because I am learning, rubbish at processing and I didn't use any calibration frames but it'll give you some idea. https://www.flickr.com/photos/132427272@N04/albums/72157663479649980/with/44093130860/
  22. Spaced Out
    Thanks for this. Is it rock solid ? I guess your imaging train is a similar weight to mine then (1.28kg ish)
  23. Spaced Out
    Thanks for this. I think I'd prefer the steeltrack but I don't think they make a fitting kit for the SW 130 PDS ? I don't really want to be drilling holes and bodging things !
  24. Spaced Out
    I use both 130 PDS and 200 PDS on a HEQ5. I have a permanent pier which is outdoors (not inside the walls of an obs) and I only use the 200PDS on calm nights because it is like a big sail in the wind. Having said that the 200PDS works fine on my HEQ5 and with guiding I get 10 minute subs no probs. The 130 PDS is perhaps better matched to a HEQ5 and slightly less prone to getting blown about by the wind too.
  25. Spaced Out
    Hi All Just wondering if anyone has solved the problem of focuser sag with a heavy imaging train on a stock SW focuser by swapping over to a Moonlite focuser ? My camera and filter wheel weighs in at around 1.28KG and the stock SW focuser on my 130 PDS doesn’t like it. I’m considering Moonlite as a replacement but have seen mixed reviews, some people love them but a few say they are useless ! It’s a lot of money for me so I am keen to hear some success stories before I commit to saving up the ££££ for purchase. Thanks 👍
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