AstroPaul

What is difference in tube length between 254PDS and the 254PD? I am told the PDS version is shorter but need to know by how much.

Hi I have altered the arm of my AZ5 mount to the vertical position. This means the cable control is now sticking upwards and more difficult to reach. My question is can the altitude gearbox be rotated somehow to bring the cable down to the horizontal position? Otherwise, the mount works very well.

Thanks for any advice. Paul

I have just acquired this scope and have not had chance to check it out, but great to hear your rave review. It certainly looks and feels well engineered, the focuser, tube rings and retractable dew shield are all impressive.

A shame its firework and fog season here in the Midlands!

I used the Schematic of the Ports diagram on page 47 of the Synscan manual published 2017 for my handset version 04.39.04.  Multi Purpose port RJ12  pin 1 shutter went to the tip of the 2.5mm jack plug and pin 4 common went to the sleeve of the jack. I dont know the cable colour scheme I'm afraid.

I must admit I did not know this would work but it does. Just follow the Synscan instructions in section 11.4 Camera Control with the lead connected from the multi purpose port to the camera jack socket and it controls multiple exposures. I did learn however that once group of exposures is complete it automatically goes onto the next group. I used Leads Direct and they did contact me to discuss the job to make sure they understood the requirements. 

Thanks Martin for some brilliant ideas and you explained your techniques very clearly.

Made one for my SW200p by rolling black plastic damp course membrane (buy in 25m roll!) over the end of the scope overlapping it and pulling it tight. Push it hard up against the screws near the end of the tube. Secure the roll with a few pieces of strong black fabric tape. Then repeat the process over the first roll and again over the second roll, extending it to a total length of about 250mm. Its still very floppy so carefully cover the inside and outside with layers of tape to add stiffness. Tape is a bit tricky to handle especially inside the tube but as it stiffens it gets easier...honest. The membrane and tape are cheap so you can afford to experiment to learn the technique. It may not look too professional but its light, its cheap an it works. Good luck!

I have a SW 250PDS OTA and want to use it mostly visual observing. I also have a SW 200P for simple astrophotos on a SW HEQ5 Pro SynScan.  Is there a Dob mount such as the Bresser that would be capable of mounting the 250 size scope or do I have to make one. I have already done this for the 200P so I have the skill but it takes time and does not save a signicant amount of money. Any advice welcome. I can mount the 250pds on HEQ5 (photo) but its on the payload limit and the eyepiece would be more accessible on a Dob.

Did exhaustive search for a cable for my HEQ5 hand controller to connect to dslr remote shutter socket which should be available fron ' your local SW shop'. Believe me the cable does not exist. Its a wierd mix of RJ12 plug on one end and 2.5mm jack plug on the other. They even need different cables. Undaunted after much research I commisioned Leads Direct to make a cable. For auto AP it will be very useful. Set up the various parameters, select Shoot and go inside for a well earned hot drink. The cable should arrive tomorrow and with bated breath will test it indoors and report result. A camera can also be controlled by an Intervalometer which costs less at £11 than the £18 for the cable... but the cable cuts down on equipment needed and I am keen to use handset features I have already paid for. Watch this space...

I have a new SW HEQ5 Pro and learning how to use it. It sounds impressive after using a simple EQ5 for a year. Despite all the hi tec I still would like to use simple control knobs for manual tracking, when perhaps there is no electrical power available. I see there are short shaft stubs under 2 small rubber covers on the mount that imply that control knob could be attached to them. The handbook says nothing about them so does anyone if they can be used for manual control, like the EQ5? The shafts are larger than those on the EQ5 so normal control knobs will not fit.