Crignog

4 hours ago, Gmx76 said:

Hi, try these, deliberately not cropped so you can see exactly what I captured. Definitely need a lot of practice with my new GPCAM2 290C, but the motor seems to work ok.

That's awesome! What sort of exposure time is this? Sorry for all the questions 😬

Nice one! I don't suppose you have any images taken using the motor you'd be happy to share? 

On 17/05/2020 at 23:29, Gmx76 said:

So the clouds cleared enough to get a look at Venus.  Nice and clear view of a crescent.  Tried the motor, seems to be a good idea but I clearly need to learn how to use an EQ mount properly!

 

My apologies, completely missed this reply! Have you had improved results over the last couple of months?

6 hours ago, Lockie said:

Yes, the 130p has the same f-ratio of f/5 so it's 'fast' enough for imaging. The focal length is similar with the 130p being slightly longer, so the field of view will be slightly less. The focuser on the 130p isn't the most camera friendly so you'll be limited to cameras that you can plug into the focuser like an eyepiece, like the one I used above. 

Appreciate the reply! Do you know if it's possible to modify or change the focuser to help achieve prime focus?

Hi Lockie, you responded on one of my topics recently, love the results you've got so far! I got the StarQuest 130p, I want to get this same motor drive. Do you think I can expect some similar results? Thanks

17 hours ago, Gmx76 said:

Thanks all. Ordered and just received, thanks Altair Astro for amazing support during the buying process and a speedy delivery! Comparing to another I tried the mount and scope seem solid. Tripod is so-so but you get what you pay for. Got the motor too, though yet to be tried. Need to learn the eq system but happy so far. 

My Starquest 130p arrived a couple of days ago, I don't have the motor yet, but if love to here how you get on with it!

Just now, Cornelius Varley said:

The ST4 port allows the mount to be controlled by autoguiding software such as PHD (Push Here Dummy) during imaging. Usually a small telescope, known as a guide scope, together with a camera are attached to the main scope. The images taken by the guide camera are monitored by PHD and the software sends commands back to the mount using the ST4 port to correct for any drifting during imaging. 

Thanks for your reply! Is it a specific type of camera I would need to use?

I have just received my SkyWatcher StarQuest 130p, and I've had it in my head that I will get the RA Motor Drive to go along with it. The device has an ST4 port "for auto-guiding". I don't really understand what that means. Do I plug a cable from a computer into the motor to track stars more accurately?

Just now, Waldemar said:

...Just a warning: cheap and imaging are 'contradictio in terminis'

Maybe the best thing for you to do, is to buy this book:   https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/making-every-photon-count-steve-richards.html
It will tell you why some things work and other things do not

Appreciate the recommendation, thanks!

8 minutes ago, Cosmic Geoff said:

The Bresser camera you cite is not equivalent to a DSLR. It appears to be a video camera designed for planetary imaging - the basic principle being to take a video and then process it to get a single image with the atmospheric shimmer edited out. For its maximum exposure, you'd need to find a data sheet.  Given the price, I would not expect more than modest results from this camera.

In principle, yes, but as the Starquest appears to be a lightweight budget mount, don't set your expectations too high.

Thanks for this So in a nutshell should I stick with my phone for now and look at getting a DSLR in the future maybe? I'm not expecting some crazy images, I'd just like to be able to pull out some definition of some brighter DSO's

9 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

Your mount is static, so unless you can fit a motor then long exposures are not possible anyway. The camera might have a manual I would suggest you read that but if the camera could do longer exposures it would likely be quite noisy. The camera might work for live stacking to generate an image.

Perhaps you already own a webcam, this you may be able to lightly modify to use on your telescope.

It's an equatorial mount and I'm going to be buying the RA motor drive for tracking, so that should enable longer exposures?

I have a Pixel 3XL (phone) and in the meantime plane to try and take some images using a camera app to shoot in RAW and try out the Astro-Mode. I don't have a webcam I could try out I'm afraid.

Thanks!

As far as I understand, in order to attach a DSLR to a SkyWatcher StarQuest 130p I'd need to add a 2x Barlow to reach focus. If instead I bought this cam: https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/bresser-mikrokular-full-hd-eyepiece-camera.html#SID=1712 would I negate the need for a barlow lens? And if so can it be used to capture longer exposures?

4 minutes ago, Gmx76 said:

Hi I am also considering this scope.  How does it compare to the Explorer 130p? 

From what I've read the StarQuest is just an upgraded version of the Explorer with a different mount and it's white not black

10 minutes ago, Lockie said:

Doh! I must have missed your comment, sorry about that, I've noticed that YT doesn't always alert me to comments for some reason? Yes that's the motor! I think it also fits the Skywatcher Avant range also. I'll be sure to review it so stay tuned

The supplied eyepieces will be good to get you started but the 10mm would be my choice to replace first as it does suffer from some optical defects known as aberrations. If you can stretch to it check out BST Starguider eyepieces, FLO sells them, but definitely get to know the initial setup first before upgrading as laudropb suggests  

That's really helpful, thanks! Really appreciate your timely response 😊 very much looking forward to the video!

14 minutes ago, Lockie said:

Hi welcome to SGL. 

 I put together a video review of the exact telescope I while back. It might be helpful as it covers one or two things that you can do to improve the scope. You've made a good choice though from all the budget scopes I've tested  I've coincidentally just ordered the StarQuest 102R plus the optional motor drive for myself as I think it's one of the best budget setups out there capable of tracking the stars. 

 

Hi! I've seen your videos, they are actually what helped me decide on this particular telescope! To be honest I've been unable to find much in terms of review, but thankfully yours was very insightful

is that motor drive the one that fits all Starquest models? I commented on your video asking this in fact! 😛 would really love a review or overview of how it performs. It definitely seems like the next purchase on my list, apart from perhaps an eye piece at some point.

Also, do you mean the 102R is a better set over the 130 reflector? I suppose that's subjective to the user and there uses?

Thanks again!

49 minutes ago, laudropb said:

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL. Try your new set up first before thinking about upgrades. The tripod may well be perfectly adequate. Learn how to use the scope to find objects in the night sky. This can be difficult at first but with a bit of practice you will soon learn. Above all enjoy yourself as you set out in your new hobby.

That sounds like really good advice, thanks! I think it's just the anticipation of getting my first scope. Really can't wait!

Hi! I'm very new to astronomy and have ordered a SkyWatcher StarQuest 130p as my first telescope, which arrives soon. As I understand it the tripod is the biggest weak link in the setup. Is it possible for me to buy a replacement, better tripod to improve my viewing experience overall?

Apart from the tripod what would you recommend upgrading?

Thanks!