rob_r

Hi, I have the same mount with a SkyWatcher 127 and been using it for just under 9 months now. I don't hear any tapping or clicking, the odd quiet whirring sound now and then when tracking, yes. With the app alignment I use 'one star alignment', at this time of year and due to viewing limitations at the back of my house I align to Altair. Seems to work well so far. As far as my understanding of 'backlash' goes, every geared mount will have some degree of 'backlash', it is just an undesirable side effect of using gears in anything but there are ways of reducing the effect. With the SynScan app when aligning and after every 'go to' operation on objects always uses the 'up' and 'right' arrows to allow you to complete the alignment or 'go to' operation because you 'will not be sending alignment information to the computer in which backlash has introduced errors. The result will be go-to operations that are far more accurate.' https://themcdonalds.net/richard/wp/backlash-in-telescope-mounts/

Possibly try a x2 or higher barlow lens, you can place this between the scope and the camera. Instead taking a still, shoot a video with the camera. I have the Skywatcher 127mm with the same mount. On the live view screen, zoom in on the camera to get a better idea on the focus. I get pretty much the same result to be fair. I posted a thread not so long ago here with my results from a single shot so may be worth a look for comparison. Saturn is relatively low so your scope has a lot of atmosphere to go through.

Thanks for the replies, I think it was a lesson for me about managing expectations. Seeing a super sharp Jupiter and Saturn through a super wide angle lens does not necessarily translate well to the camera especially given the altitudes and conditions. At least as I understand it Saturn has 'bottomed out' now in it's altitude so hope for better as time progresses. Thanks for the encouragement.

I was in two minds about posting these to be honest. Both are single shots with a SkyWatcher 127 and a Canon 600D with a 90 degree diagonal in between. They both viewed much better and as such I think that set my expectations a little too high as to what could be actually achieved. Saturn I managed to see for the first time as I was down in Norfolk just outside Wroxham on the 3rd July, Jupiter was from Preston on the 6th July in poor seeing coupled with some sporadic low cloud. Three of Jupiter's moons are also in the image (towards the bottom right) but very under exposed. Even trying to stack 50 frames of Jupiter, the results were pretty much the same. I have since learned that ideally I should be shooting video instead for better results. The images have just some level adjustments to brighten them up a bit. It's a start at least. Shutter speed: 1/4 sec ISO: 100

Nice images. Only seen Jupiter and 4 of it's moons for the first time this week despite being fairly low in the UK skies.

Hi, I am off on a break in Norfolk for a week starting this Saturday. I am staying a few miles north of Wroxham. I have only been observing from just outside Preston, Lancashire and it is fairly light polluted as I am close to the city. It has been so light even at 11pm these past several weeks I have given up observing from home for the summer season. So, would it be worth packing my Skywatcher127 telescope up take down to Norfolk? Should I be able to see a noticeable difference if the clouds stay away (and stay up a bit longer)? Thanks!

This is my first from last night of Sirius, just a single shot with a Canon 600D and the Skywatcher 127. I think the ISO was 1600 and the shutter speed about 20 seconds. Looks to be slightly too long due to the trails. No processing either but it was taken with a 90 degree mirror so the image is flipped. Although it was being tracked with a GTI AZ mount, I think I also had a few alignment issues as it kept drifting out of centre. Surprised the camera could focus to be honest.