Nigella Bryant

Generally imaging at f20, also with low altitude an atmospheric dispersion correcter improves the image. I've yet to get any clear skies to try this year so far. Well done.

I'm just cringing at the thought, my modded Canon 1000d has just done a runner, lol.

Me too, best thing for an old neq6/eq6 is to do the belt mod. Made a huge difference in smotheness and tracking.

The WiFi suggestion was mearly to see if a goto could be performed in the bedroom with you seeing it track to the alignment star on skysafari. You may have a malfunction on the handset.

I understand, it's not the same as mine but if it says it's for the synscan mount I guess it's OK. It does say it connects to skysafari. It's only to get WiFi from mount to your phone /tablet to use skysafari, etc. Other's will know how to build a WiFi unit, unfortunately I'm not that good at building my own, but I know others do.

I guess you could use a polar align app on a phone or tablet then do a star align. Using skysafari pro6 if your mount has WiFi. If you use a WiFi adapter and skysafari you can see your scope slew to your align star on your phone or tablet. Skysafari pro6 is half price till 18th June I think around £5. WiFi adapter around £20

I alway's park my mount in home position when finished and unpark and then align, usually two star alignment is enough to put the object in the field of view. Are you properly polar aligned?

I had the same trouble a few years ago with a mount, worked around it by plugging in a 12v battery pack into the working mains plug as suggested. Quick fix and chargeable.

There's some good YouTube videos on the subject.

As far as I know you'd only get max 20secs /30secs subs b4 field rotation takes affect. If eventually AP is your goal then better to get an equatorial mount. Just a thought.

Second hand dob would be my choice. For sale adds here or Astro adds.

It's not to bad actually for us oldies, from next year, Mars is quite good and 2022 Mars and Jupiter placed higher in the sky. Gives us time to save up for that 16inch scope, lol.

Settled over bethlehem I think.

I took a 3 day trip to tendaba Gambia when in Gambia, no light pollution a small campsite. Stars reflecting in the water.

Mars will be good next year 2020 as long as I make it to 61, lol

Thanks Olly.

No I hadn't because of having to buy asiair as well but I'll look into the cost comparison of buying the asiair and the EAF. Thanks for the suggestion. OK, I've looked at the zwo options and slightly cheaper for both asiair and the focus motel. My problem with this is that I use a modded DSLR for DSO imaging and my zwo asi120mm is usb2 so I'd also have to change camera's making it even more expensive. Also my setup is permanent so I use a PC. I'll be learning to guide with PHD2 along with sharp cap which does support zwo filter wheel and asi120mm. It would I believe also support the moonlight usb focus motor. I know all this electronic support is new to me but I guess the only way is to jump in feet first. I've now got most of the needed equipment except for the usb controlled focus for the moonlight.

I'd have no clue how to go about making one myself and I agree that computer control is better for future proof. How do you control the focuser via USB? Is use APT for my dslr and Sharp cap for my zwo asi 120mm and asi 224mc. I've also bought a zwo mini electric filter wheel to use with my asi120mm on planetary imaging in lrgb. I'm a novice on electronic stuff and ever only used manual up till now.

Hi, I'm thinking of buying a moonlight electric focuser for my moonlight CR1 focuser. There are two, one manual at £215 and another manual/usb ASCOM control at nearby £400. Quite a difference in the two price wise. Would it be prudent to get the usb one in the first instance rather than regret it later? I've only ever used manual electric focuses in the past. Be nice if there's other's that use the computer version or other type's that are computer versions to give me an idea as to whether it is better than manual. Many thanks.

True, I've bought an ADC, hoping I'll have better views (when the weather improves, hopefully).

How is one covered for insurance if the mount is easily accessible and it's easy to take. I had a meade 12inch stolen several years ago and that was in a bolted ror. Thankfully I was insured. Afterall it's a good grands worth sitting outside.

Here's my grab and go scope, modded 12inch OO12 UK f4 on a modded neq6.

I began astronomy when I was 11 now 60, how young must you start, lol.

I hope not, 12,000 of them, what hope for astrophotography, forget light pollution, what about starlink pollution?

Yeah and I'm 60, time's not on my side, not good.