AntHart

(MODS) if not in correct section please move… My apologies 👍🏼 Hey guys, Potentially selling my EQ6 pro synscan. It’s been Darkframe tuned (just received back) Its had all new bearings and grease, rail kit, Rowan belt mod and has a 2 year back to base warranty from darkframe. ive owned the mount for 7 years, never been outside for prolonged periods , handled like a new born!ha tripod and weights in good condition too. I don’t have an ‘official power supply’ always used my bench top variable supply ….. reason I’m thinking of selling is just because Ive took a real shine to wide field with my dslr over the months I didn’t have it while it was being serviced/tuned ( took way longer than I thought ..covid I guess!?) I’d like to delve in to that area for a bit and possibly upgrade my 6d lenses or maybe even swap to Sony ( blame Alyn Wallace!lol) I’m waffling sorry… What do you guys think it’s worth? Not sure what to ask for. Pictures below are from David at darkframe that he sent me but I’ll take some more photos. cheers. Ant

Hey Im thinking of buying a star tracker to use with my full frame 6d (astro modded) and 14/24/50/135mm lenses...and possibly a RedCat/Z61 There’s basically 2 on the market... Ioptron SkyGuider pro And the Skywatcher star adventurer pro massive difference in price! whats the best bang for buck? Any owners out there with any info plus pictures of your rigs would be great 👍🏼

That’s brilliant white/black, orange...that’s a cool combo but that orange and turquoise... no no nooo!haha!

Some very good points you’ve mentioned...like I say though this is purely for information, not intending to buy, was just one of my many questions I have 👍🏼 Cheers

That’s a very very good point! ...like I say it’s just for information, not intending to buy 👍🏼

The Celestron Edge HD 8 inch .......... Experience our best optical performance with EdgeHD’s aplanatic, flat field Schmidt-Cassegrain optics for pinpoint stars all the way to the edge of today’s largest imaging sensors and widest eyepieces Versatile design accommodates 3 focal ratios: native f/10, f/7 with the addition of a focal reducer, or ultra-fast f/2 imaging with a removable secondary mirror and third-party accessories Celestron’s premium StarBright XLT coatings provide maximum light transmission Going over the specs. 2000mm FL at f10 1400mm FL f7 with a 0.7 reducer 400mm Ish f2 with a ‘starizona’ Am I missing something here?lol Sure it’s not portable, it needs a hefty mount but for about £3000 in a fixed pier/obsy setup would this be something to consider over 3 separate scopes? Many of you probably know I’m new on here so constantly asking questions but if anyone has any feedback that would be brilliant. Im not looking to go out and buy this being a beginner it’s more a question of the hunger for knowledge and wondering if one day this might be a really good setup to consider vs multiple/different scopes Cheers Ant

Not sure I could live with that colour combo!lol 😯

Hi, I clicked the link and took a look...I’m not sure the imaging circle that provides is enough for my camera ( full frame ) ... from the website... An M48-fitting doublet field flattener is also available to flatten the field and minimise aberration and distortion. When used with the field flattener the Esprit-80's imaging circle is 33mm. The 6d needs an imaging circle of 44mm to cover the sensor fully. Thats a real shame!

Thanks mate, I think for full frame that FL is a little short but does look a tidy little scope 👍🏼

Thanks mate, the WO Z73 looks a beautiful scope!

Those images are gorgeous!! 😁 Thanks mate...I was looking at the Esprit 80 also but thought with the flattener it would be a bit over budget? I do like the WO scopes, the Z81 is high up my list! can I ask which camera you used for those images? EDIT.... since found this ... An M48-fitting doublet field flattener is also available to flatten the field and minimise aberration and distortion. When used with the field flattener the Esprit-80's imaging circle is 33mm. I don’t think the imaging circle is enough to fully cover a full frame sensor... Thanks again Ant

Hey Wondering what you guys would spend your money on if you had a up to a grand and wanted a nice wide field refractor (inc flattener/reducer if req) for a full frame dslr. The mount i have is an EQ6-Pro...also planning on buying the ASI120mm guide cam and possibly the Evoguide 50ed guide scope Interested to see what you’d choose 👍🏼

Hey Quick Question about polar Alignment and what you guys use..maybe even a poll?? A dedicated camera like the QHY or iOptron? - OR - Sharpcap/software based using the guide/main scope. Whats the pros and cons of each Open to all ideas 👍🏼

Hey I’ve been wondering about dew heaters and controlling. Why would I need a controller? Whats wrong with just plugging it in and leaving it at ‘full power/not controlled’? There must be a reason for a controller to exist and the only reason I can think of is that if the scope gets ‘too hot’ it’s bad? I know the idea is to keep just above ambient to avoid dew. These little bands draw only a few watts, I’ve even got one that’s usb powered for dslr lenses, that’s got no controller. Id be using on a 2” guide scope and a 3-4” refractor I’m still new to this so might be obvious but If someone could please explain a bit more about it I’d really appreciate it...I’ve searched around but can’t seem to find the answer Thanks, Ant

Hi *any mods - not sure if correct section to post? - feel free to move if not 👍🏼 I’m looking to power a mini pc/Intel NUC whilst out in my camper van. It will need 19v , upto 5A I have a big leisure battery setup (220ah) so powering it isn’t an issue. Trying to find some sort of 12v to 19v 5A converter is...I’ve seen cheap ones for a fiver and those buck converters but I’m not trusting that to power an expensive PC Is there anything like a Pegasus pocket power box that has a 19v DC (smoothed and reliable) output anyone knows of? Even a ‘branded and reputable company’ made 12v to 19v laptop charger maybe? I know many will reply saying why not just use a laptop???? This is a mini pc designed for acquisition AND editing. I could just buy a laptop yes, but £ for £ they are over priced and underpowered, last around 2 hours until needing a charge and I don’t need a screen as I have a 27inch monitor/tv already installed in the van (luckily enough this takes a 12v DC input so no messing around) My current home pc isn’t suitable for editing anyway so my plan is to build a system that is capable of doing the job of a cheap acquisition stick pc/mini pc and also powerful enough to edit. Intel NUCs are brilliant for this job...I can use in the van to get the data and easily take inside once home to process. i could build a do it all NUC for around £500 ...a mini pc for acquisition and then a full desktop pc as well for editing would be at least a 1/3 more. If anyone has any experience powering something like this directly using a converter .. Or even uses a 12v DC car laptop charger that outputs 19v and is reliable please let me know. How do you guys power laptops if using out in the field/star party’s etc without a mains hookup? 👍🏼 Thanks Ant