shazstars01

Hello all, I was wondering if there are any budding APs out there that have had a good experience sending their camera off to be modified for AP by any reputable online services? And if so, could they recommend any? Many thanks Shaz.

Thanks so far for everyone's input. 😀 I am starting to side towards getting a Celestron AVX mount with a Sky Watcher ED 80 Refractor, something like this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/skywatcher-evostar-80ed-ds-pro-outfit.html Reason for the AVX mount I get a sense from research that the Skyportal software from Celestron is more reliable than the Skyscan from SW. Skyportal also does the auto polar alignment Reason for the SW scope As my research continues, what I am seeing more and more is that something like the 8" SCT would not be wise first scope for any sort of photography, given cooling time and accuracy needed with long focal length. Great for viewing, but perhaps not as a first scope for photography. But something like this SW refractor may give the best of 3 worlds .... a) viewing of planets/moon, b) images of planets/moon c) images of deep space (eventually). And it's apparently quite a 'forgiving' scope so good for beginners. Do you think my logic is sound? Starsense Autoalign I also have a question on Starsense Autoalign. Would it be advisable to use it on the refractor for any sort of star alignment? I have read it's much more important on the SCTs especially if you are starting out, but on the refractors the star alignment is much more simple. My understanding is the Starsense is purely for plate solving/star alignment, it is not an auto-guider camera. Great to get your thoughts on all of the above! 🙏

Hello all, I am a newbie to astronomy 😀 and am considering either a Skywatcher EQ mount + scope, or a Celestron EQ mount + scope: Potentially this: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro-series/skywatcher-evostar-80ed-pro-heq5-pro.html (many have recommended this as a great first scope for deep sky imaging and good also for planets/moon) or this: https://www.celestron.com/products/advanced-vx-8-schmidt-cassegrain-telescope (many have recommended this as a great allrounder scope with a focal reducer accessory needed for deep skies) My aims are: 1) ease of use using app where possible for goto tracking (plus star alignment and polar alignment) 2) great observation of planets, sun, moon 3) very good --> great imaging of planets, sun, moon and deep skies (galaxies, nebula) as I get more advanced Very interested to hear whether since these posts 2 years ago there has been any change in opinion? Are they both still evenly matched? I am interested in the build quality but also the software quality of the goto apps for both of them (SkyPortal v SkyScan) and, importantly, anyone's experience with firmware updates for the equipment. For instance, I have heard Celestron's firmware update process is a nightmare. So the software side is very important for me. Very grateful for your input! 🙏

Thanks Joel, very helpful. Would you also recommend this sort of fast refractor (say an ED80 DS Pro) for planetary imaging (plus sun, moon) in your experience? Has that worked well for you? PS. Some great shots on your Astrobin 😀

So the Starsense Autoalign (yes the link was correct you shared) would fit onto the top of the Skywatcher 80ED DS (if I chose to buy this), as it would do on top of a Celestron OTA? Interested to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of the Edge 8 OTA versus your Skywatcher, and in particular if you don't mind expanding a little on your comment in post further above that 'something like this (ED-80) will give you a much easier introduction to astrophotography'. Thanks again 🙏

Hi Shimrod, Sorry for the completely newbie question, but your point re the ED80 DS-PRO is interesting as I have read on quite a few websites and forums that this is a great scope for observing and imaging, both for planets and deep skies, which has made me very curious to see if perhaps I match the Celestron AFX mount with that scope. If I did this, would all the Skyportal app features using wifi on the mount (eg star align, polar alignment) still be possible? I am assuming so because aren't these features specific to the mount, not the scope? What about my Starsense Autoalign? Would this still be effective and worth keeping to use? I am still in the time period where I can return it I think. Great to get thoughts! 🙂

Many thanks for everyone's input so far 😀 Very close to pulling the trigger on the AVX. BUT.... two of the last things on my mind about the AVX mount versus the Nextstar Evo mount (or even the Nextstar SE mount): 1. The size comparison. I have read that the size of the AVX mount + tripod setup is considerably larger than the SE/Evo mount + tripod setup. Has anyone seen any pictures comparing size? I have tried for a while on Google but nothing. Sadly at the moment with lockdown I can't even go to any local scope shops to see in the flesh/check weight etc. 2. The moving and setup comparison. I have read that it's recommended to not move the AVX mount + scope + tripod (say from my living room to the garden), rather each time it would need to be dismantled and re-assembled. Whereas with the SE or Evo, it's a simple move with scope + mount + tripod all attached. Grateful for thoughts to the points above 🙏 Thank you again.

Hello all, I am new to astronomy and am new to this forum, so I hope I can learn lots from the members and also have some of my initial questions answered. Please be kind and patient with me I very recently (last week) bought a Celestron AstroFi 102 Mak-Cass after reading some good reviews, but have not been impressed as even with a Starsense Autoalign I have not been able to get the scope to align/calibrate to the stars needed to begin the 'EEA experience' and start to use SkyPortal to goto various planets and stars. BUT....in the short time I have used it I have managed to manually see the moon and take quite a nice photo.....which has got me thinking that perhaps what's really drawing me to astronomy is not just 'observing' but also the astrophotography side too. To that end, I have decided on one thing for sure: returning the 102 Mak-Cass and instead investing much more money in getting a very decent upgrade. My choices are exactly as per this post - Celestron Nexstar 6 Evo SCT or Celestron Advanced VX 6 SCT. Given I want to do more on the photography side obviously starting with some basic stuff (moon, planets) then progressing to more advanced techniques (deep sky), all the research I have done is pointing me towards the EQ mounted AVX. But I have also read a few articles on the setup that needs to be done each time you use the scope with the EQ mount and that is starting to worry me! Even with a Starsense Align it seems I would have to go through polar alignment each time, and then the star alignment, at the very least. I would like to get the thoughts of the kind members here: 1. do you think the AVX setup is too complicated for someone who is just starting out? I am quite a techy guy so I get tech easily and can learn quick, but I am new to astronomy. 2. does the Starsense Align make the setup any easier? 3. on the Celestron website they claim the AVX has 'All-Star™ Polar Alignment'. What is this exactly and can I use the SkyPortal app for this (like I could for the star alignment using Starsense Autoalign)? 4. is the EQ mount suitable for classic goto 'observing' (ie not simply photography)? I would want to use the SkyPortal app so guess I also need the wifi module to add on? Really appreciate your thoughts - thank you!