Jonny_H

13 hours ago, Skipper Billy said:

If you want it extending (and you cant do it yourself) I would be happy to do it for you. Just the postage to pay. Soldered connections and waterproof etc. PM me if you want it doing.

Thank you Billy.

I will certainly be in touch if I decide to go down this route. 

2 hours ago, Daf1983 said:

Hi,

I have a similar cable to use with my HEQ5 which is also too short. I don't have the answer to your questions I'm afraid (seems like Billy has generously sorted you out anyway), but does anyone know if the baader extension cable FLO stock would do the trick?

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/power-accessories/baader-2m-extension-cable-for-12v-cable-with-baader-outdoor-telescope-power-supply.html 

 

I too saw this cable. I actually reached out to flo earlier with my current set-up.  In short it should work so is an option!

Hi all,

I have had a Lynx Astro 12v DC power supply for some time now - this to power my HEQ5 mount.  However it has been bugging me how short the cable is (the DC jack end of the cable, e.g. the brick to the mount).  This leaves me with having to secure the brick onto the mount each time I set-up. as opposed to having it out of the way.

I wanted to know if anyone could recommend an extension cable to avoid the above scenario?  I assume I need a 2.1/5.5 male to female jack but wanted to get a good one (a lot of reviews I have read do not fill me with confidence).  Link to the power supply below:

Lynx Astro 12v DC 5A Low Noise Power Supply | First Light Optics

Thanks in advance,

Jonny  

Great video!

That 10" refractor is immense!  Bet that is nice and light! 🙃

I have recently purchased Philippes Astro Kraken 50ed mount (waiting for it to arrive).

Currently using the 50ed as a guide for my 150PDS but going to start using the 50ed as an imaging scope for those larger targets (I have the f/f already).

I figured it was Best to use what I already have rather than spending ludicrous amounts of money on another scope. Although i am fully aware that spending all of your money on this hobby is the key to success.....🤔 😜

Hi all,

As above - what are your thoughts on an esprit 100ed on a heq5 pro mount?  This for imaging purposes mainly.

Other equipment will be:

Evoguide 50ed, zwo120mm mini, zwo533mc pro, and field flattener......which I can't see weighing a particularly large amount.

I have seen a number of different views on this elsewhere so wanted to get your thoughts.

Yay or nay?

Thanks,

Jon

Call me cynical but with things like this I don't believe any petition can/will put a stop to it. Mainly down to the amount of money involved.....money talks as the old saying goes - rightly or wrongly.

As I said me being cynical!

Is a disgrace though and what will it do to our hobby!?

23 hours ago, vineyard said:

For the rings & mounting, Astrokraken is great - Philippe has a special set-up for 50EDs w flattener & ZWO cameras - w a finder shoe on top.  He will also do a Bahtinov mask for the 50ED which makes focusing a doddle.

Had a look at the Astrokraken site and it does look to be nicely made.  I have emailed Philippe as I have a couple of questions.

Hi all,

I have read some previous comments on here that some use there 50ed not only as a guide scope but also as an (I assume) imaging scope.

Mine is currently used for guiding coupled with a 120mm mini on a SW 150PDS and soon to arrive a 533mc pro as my main imaging camera.  However for a much wider fov I would like to consider using the 50ed in the future if possible.

Interested to know what others do interms of things like - a guidescope for the 50ed 'guidescope'? This of course if I understood the posts I have read correctly from others (perhaps they meant they use there 50ed as a grab and go for visual as opposed to imaging) 

Clear skies!

Jon

1 hour ago, KP82 said:

The 600mm focal length of the ED80 is too close to your current 150PDS. And you say you're happy with the newt for imaging, so I don't see why you would want the ED80. The ED72 however gives a much bigger fov, so for imaging only purpose I'd go with that.

Agreed that the 80ed is very close to my 150. That was my 'con' to this scope as it wouldn't be much different.  Thanks.

5 minutes ago, M40 said:

Let me post a link here that I have copied from another topic (page 4). I only understand about one word in three that vlaiv says but it struck me as being relevant. Hope it helps and doesn't just add to the puzzle 🤔

 

Blimey - I think I need to study that in more detail later....might even need to put it all in a spreadsheet!

Hi all,

I wanted to share some thoughts with you and would appreciate any feedback.

My set-up currently consists of a SW 150PDS, HEQ5 Pro, evoguide 50ED with ZWOASI120mm mini (for guiding) and soon to receive the 533MC (upgrade from using a DSLR).

I have recently been pondering whether to upgrade (not right away but in the not so distant future) a small ish refractor to join the family - mainly for ease of use for imaging. Note though I would still like to use my 150PDS as I do still like it.

I don't want to spend a fortune but would like something decent. I have been looking at the SW 80ED DS Pro and also the 72 with the latter giving me a wider fov versus my 150PDS. So I guess I am torn between the two! Both seem to 'fit' with my other stuff so I could use everything across both set-ups. Just trying to work out which one would be the better buy!

Any suggestions welcome

1 hour ago, WiltsStarGazer said:

I know it's supposed to be the book to get when starting out in imagining but.......

Is that not how much everybody else paid then? 🤔

OK - so the block that comes with the 50ed which mounts the tube rings onto the 50ed dovetail plate - does fit to the spare 150pds OTA dovetail plate. You just have to smooth out the two middle UNC bolt holes and remove the thread. You can then pass the bolts through the dovetail so that they bite into the block. I just haven't received my bolts yet but will post a pic once done!

59 minutes ago, masjstovel said:

Oh, I see.
The clamp i have were 3D-printed to fit the existing holes yes. Its an identical dovetail from SW as the one thats on the bottom that was in the 150PDS package. 
 

I have, for the time being just used the dovetail which came with the 50ed. It doesn't reach to both sides of the OTA tube rings but seems very secure. 

I have some bolts coming in the post next week so I will probably switch to the other dovetail. It will be more secure but more importantly it should centralise the 50ed more than current set-up. See pic below.

18 hours ago, vlaiv said:

Neither?

Both are quite a bit heavy and large for Heq5. 250PDS in particular - mount simply can't handle that much weight let alone be precise for astrophotography (almost 15Kg without imaging accessories).

200PDS at 9kg (+ imaging accessories - easily pushed up to 11Kg) will be right on the limit of what HEQ5 can handle - and any wind is just going to make sail out of such a large tube.

I mounted 8" F/6 tube on heq5 and while doable - you really don't want to do it.

150PDS is going to be very nice match for Heq5 mount and enjoyable newtonian to image with - maybe think of getting that one.

Agree with vlaiv on this.

I am a little biased though as I have this set-up (150PDS and HEQ5 Pro) and find it works very well

12 hours ago, masjstovel said:

@Jonny_H I replaced it with a dovetail i had. I dont remember any problems with unscrewing things no! Dont remember if i changed bolts - I think i did! 

Edit: Yeah as you can see theres 2 different bolts on the dovetail, And i use a 3D-printed clamp for best possible stability. Never really liked those adjustment-screws on the tube-rings (On any products). The clamp is attached by 2 bolts on the dovetail as well

Thanks for your reply.

Re: the bolts that attach the clamp to the dovetail - did you use the existing screw holes on the dovetail (and tailored your clamp holes to match)? Assuming the bolts you used are the same/similar UNC 1/4 1 inch bolts?

Sorry for all the questions - it seems that you cannot simply plug and play fit the guidescope to the OTA so searching for inspiration!

13 minutes ago, masjstovel said:

I got the setup you're mentioning. I got the 50ED for better pixel scale (3.2"/pixel). It's fantastic. Built in helical focuser is a dream, even if its a little "steel against steel" feel on it. 

(A mess with the cables, but its not set up for imaging here. It looks like a mess then too, but still..)

Thanks masjstovel. I ended up pushing the button on this last week - it arrived yesterday. I have trial tested the set-up indoors as I had reservations about fixing the 50ed via the finderscope shoe (I haven't received the unc bolts yet to fix a dovetail to the top of the tube rings). On that note - did you have issues unscrewing the stock unc bolt (the one with the black knurled wheel screwed onto it)? Assuming of course that you replaced that with your own unc bolts?  Or did you keep that - screw the dovetail on and secure with a cap etc...?

On 05/02/2021 at 15:02, Jamgood said:

I bought some of these. SVBONY Guide Scope Rings - I only used to rings, drilled new holes in my spare dovetail and fitted them to that. Then used these to fit the dovetail to the scope rings. Solid as a rock.

I'm sure there are better and cheaper ways to do it though. 

Just out of interest - did you struggle with unscrewing the stock unc bolt on the tube ring (look at my photo above and its the one on the right-hand tube ring).

I didn't give it all-out force but I think i would have striped the bolt head with my screwdriver.....its pretty tight! Assuming of course it does unscrew!? 😲

31 minutes ago, banjaxed said:

Hi Pete, welcome to SGL. Looks like you got a pretty good deal with that set up, a 6” mirror will give you some great views. One of the things you need to know about with a reflector scope is collimation which becomes easier the more you do it. You have joined the right place for friendly and knowledgeable people so you won’t be short of any help or advice.

Re: collomation - this user guide helped me and a vast amount of others with this. Well worth a read!

http://www.astro-baby.com/astrobaby/help/collimation-guide-newtonian-reflector/

I just did a trial indoors and the balancing isn't actually as bad as what I thought it would be! I haven't connected everything yet but so far it has just been a case of moving the tube rings further towards the front!

Still - I have ordered a few bolts from Westfield so at least I will have options!

2 minutes ago, Seelive said:

If you're in the UK try here UNC Phillips Csk Machine Screws ASME B18.6.3 1/4 inch in A2 Stainless Steel - Westfield Fasteners Ltd

 

Thanks Seelive,

Apologies I should have said that I am indeed in the UK.  I will give this a go - thank you.

Jon

Hi all,

I need a little steer in the right direction re: fitting a 50ed guidescope to my 150pds. 

In all honesty I haven't tried it yet but I am assuming that the weight of the 50ed at the front of the 150 tube (using the finderscope shoe) would cause me balancing issues. Happy to be corrected if that is nonsense!

Sooo....as I have a spare dovetail which I can secure on top of the 150 tube rings I was thinking of using that. Only issue is that I only have 1 bolt which I understand is a 1/4"-20 tpi UNC bolt?  I cannot seem to find another one of similar profile to the one that comes with the 150, e.g. philips head (assume countersunk) etc.... Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jon

2 hours ago, valleyman said:

The choice was basically cost related.

I am in no way expert with Astro. So spending £1000,s was not an option.

The 533 came in at the lower end of what I wanted. ie Cooled. Which would cut down on the amount of time photoraphing.

Darks not needed. Although I do have a Darks Libaray . As far as quality goes ZWO takes some beating for the Price.

Pat

Thanks Pat.

Yes cost certainly plays an important role! I dare say I will still have this dilemma in a few weeks but not going to rush into anything!.....although some would argue it isn't a bad dilemma to be in!

2 hours ago, valleyman said:

It works fine, Had very little time this winter to use it because of the constant  grey skies here in South Wales .

Heres a pic from it 

Nice capture given our glorious UK weather!

May I ask if you had any other choices re: an imaging camera or did you always have your eyes set on the 533? Sorry for the questions - just looking for inspiration from others as I truly cannot decide what camera to go for! 

4 hours ago, valleyman said:

Yes it is the same cable The camera is the ZWO ASI 533MC-PRO USB 3.0 Cooled Colour Camera

Nice! I am currently looking at the 533 or the 294mc pro. Pulling my hair out (what's left of it) deciding which one to go for! How are you finding the 533? Any issues so far? 

3 hours ago, StevieDvd said:

There is a usb to serial cable included in the AsiaAir Pro kit, the serial end is 9 pin male. So if you have a cable that fits the handset port on the HEQ5, ending in a 9 pin female you should be good to go.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a cable with a 9 pin female but thank you for the feedback.

2 hours ago, Venster said:

Then the cloud rolled in ☹️

The story of our lives! 🙄

The cloudy/rainy weather typically coincides with receiving new kit aswell...pretty weird! 🙃