NGC 2419

I just came across this GIMP astrophotography tutorial today. It should give you some ideas.

Clear skies!

I have been using the Skyguider Pro for about a year and really like it. In my opinion, there is no need to buy an overpriced wedge in order to get good results with this mount.

While the stock wedge could definitely use some refinement, I've been able to get good polar alignment by loosening the locks just enough to turn the adjustment screws and still feel some resistance. After that, I don't touch the locks. In fact, the only time I touch the locks is if the temperature has changed significantly from the previous night  causing the locks to become loose or tight.

At the focal length that these mounts are designed to operate, you don't really need perfect polar alignment. Get whichever one suits you and get out and take some pictures.

For reference, I usually shoot at 300-400mm with 3 minute exposures. I'm pretty sure I could expose longer if my skies permitted.

Clear skies!

Maybe try updating to the lastest firmware, 4.39.10, available here.

http://skywatcher.com/download/software/synscan-v4-hand-controller-firmware/

Clear skies!

That's not encouraging. Guess I'll stick with the Skyguider for now. Hope to try some 2:00 subs tomorrow with better balance.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the info and the link. I opted for the Skyguider Pro and can get 2:00-2:30 exposures pretty easy at 250mm. I've only had a chance to do 400mm once and got 1:15-1:30 but it was pretty unbalanced so I had to throw away about 35% of them. (Second counterweight ordered.)

I'm not really interested in guiding since 3:00 is about the limit for my skies and I don't want to be tethered to a laptop. I like being able to pick up my rig and walk out the front door to image.

I'd love to know how long you can go at 400mm unguided as I would upgrade in a heartbeat to have go-to capability if I could do even 2:00-2:30. With the Skyguider Pro, I'm ready to image in 5 minutes but it takes me 10 to find my target.

BTW, your setup looks nice.

Cheers!

1 hour ago, Chris Tardif said:

They do have a polar scope in development.  No firm ETA, but they are testing and I think it will be out by the end of the summer. 

Do you have a link to where this was discussed? I was really interested in this mount for DSLR work but the lack of a polar scope made it a non-starter.

Thanks!

Maybe I'm just thinking wrong, but can't you just use the Alt-az firmware and tell the mount that you are at 90° latitude?

3 hours ago, CraigT82 said:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/skywatcher-auto-focuser.html

 

I also needed to buy a toothed belt and pulley for this fitment but they're easily found online

Ah, thanks. No wonder I couldn't find it, I was looking for something that was belt driven. Looks like a Europe only item but I think the Orion USA one is identical.

Thanks again.

On 12/11/2018 at 09:25, CraigT82 said:

Is this the mirror moving focuser (knob on the back of the scope) or an aftermarket crayford/R&P focuser?

 

The skywatcher motor focus unit is cheap and can be fitted to all sorts of scopes with a little imagination, reduces vibration to nothing.  This is how I fitted one to a Skymax 150 I used to have...

 

Do you have a link or a part number for this focus motor? Thanks.