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ZWO AM5 - Experience and lessons learnt
david_taurus83 replied to AstroGS's topic in Discussions - Mounts
I did actually get round to doing a comparison of the AM5 guided by PHD2. As I suspected, the PHD results were more reasonable with an average guide rate of 0.8". The point of my thread was not to cast a shadow on the AM5 and its abilities, its a great mount and if I didn't have an AZEQ6 on my pier, I would have probably kept the AM5 as my main mount. I was trying to see if my long held suspicions about ASIAirs guiding graph figures were a bit on the generous side. Which they are! https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/415062-asiair-am5-guiding-results/ -
Same. Not been feeling up for much astro lately. I used to check Clear Outside multiple time everyday seeing if there was a chance of a few hours. Relentless cloud for months and a rubbish start to the year has dampened my urge to do anything lately.
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Esprit120ED / QHY Q-Focuser HP
david_taurus83 replied to paulh235's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
If possible, I would be looking at returning the QHY unit and swapping for something that can go on the course side. In my experience, the Esprit fine focus design is not up to the task of imaging. It is essentially a Crayford design and will eventually start slipping. -
Esprit120ED / QHY Q-Focuser HP
david_taurus83 replied to paulh235's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
I had a DSD AF3 which uses a belt around the focus knob. The AF3 itself worked flawlessly, it is the Esprit fine focus mechanism that wasn't up to the task. The course knob does have a grub screw. You need to turn it to access it through no 1 hole I believe. -
Esprit120ED / QHY Q-Focuser HP
david_taurus83 replied to paulh235's topic in Discussions - Scopes / Whole setups
The Esprit focuser is rack and pinion but only on the course side. The fine focuser mechanism is a sort of Crayford type design. I had an auto focuser on this for a while but the fine focus started slipping. I had to change to an auto focuser to fit the course side. Not all auto focus units have the torque to move the course side though. -
Guiding spikes after dithering. Can't find why.
david_taurus83 replied to aleixandrus's topic in Getting Started With Imaging
And CMOS. I don't bother with the task of taking multiple sets of darks for different exposure lengths. Just a set of Bias frames for a master bias and dithering takes care of hot pixels and walking noise. That is of course with the newer CMOS with no amp glow. -
This was hard fought material to gather. Started back in October and gathered the last sessions worth a few weeks ago. Almost every night was mithered by unexpected clouds and the best nights weren't forecast clear at all! Still, managed a touch over 14 hours worth. It's a bit brighter than I would normally process but all that dust! Esprit 100 and ASI2600MC, no filter. 421 x 120s subs, 100 gain, 50 offset. Processed in Pixinsight.
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Sky-Watcher at the Yangtze River Delta Star Party
david_taurus83 replied to FLO's topic in Sponsor Announcements and Offers
Looking forward to seeing this on the market. In true Skywatcher style, it will no doubt be offered as a package on an EQ5! -
Leaving a mount outside
david_taurus83 replied to orly_andico's topic in Getting Started General Help and Advice
About 5 or 6 watts if they are on full power. I leave the Pegasus power box to control them dependent on temperature and humidity. It's rarely at 80% power under the cover. -
Leaving a mount outside
david_taurus83 replied to orly_andico's topic in Getting Started General Help and Advice
I've had my AZEQ6 outside now for 2 years under a TG cover. No rust at all apart from the usual surface corrosion on the counterweight bolts. The trick is to keep humidity at bay under the cover. I use a dew strap turned inside out (warm side facing out) and left running 24/7. No condensation forms on the mount or scopes this way. That's an old picture below but gives the the general idea. -
With regards to the camera, you say you struggled to connect it at first but eventually you used the cameras power adapter and it connected fine. Do you mean a 12v power supply that came with the camera? If so, it sounds like there is an issue with your power supply that you use to power everything else. What are you using?
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Is it worth imaging with a 85% lit moon
david_taurus83 replied to AstroNebulee's topic in Imaging - Discussion
I took a few hours of data on M45 the other side of the full moon last weekend or so. I compared to some subs I already have ready for the stack. I will be throwing away the ones I done last weekend! FYI I image without any filters on my 2600MC.