rnobleeddy

Answering my own question, but it appears I can rule out #2 based on this thread. In better news, this thread suggests #1 should be fine. So I guess the questions really boil down to whether anyone has any advice on GPUSB, astroEQ and any others that are available, and how would guide performance using a guide camera compare to getting the full upgrade kit?

Thanks to one of the admins for pointing out that I'd misunderstood what I needed to get started with guiding yesterday. This lead to more research and inevitably, some questions, which I'm hoping some of you fine folk could help me with? I have a EQ5 mount (yes, I know, not perfect!) which started off without any motors at all, and have since added dual axis motors and have just found a second hand enhanced handset, so have effectively added https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/enhanced-dual-axis-dc-motor-drives-for-eq-5.html. The enhanced handset has a ST4 port and I'd like to full understand the options I have to start experimenting with guiding. The goal is to be able to autoguide - GOTO functionality would be used occasionally but not essential. I'm almost exclusively interested in controlling the scope via PHD2 and/or using EQMOD so don't need handset GOTO functionality. I also have a planetary imaging camera that whilst not sold for guiding (and not having an ST4 output, only USB) has been reported to work well as a guide camera. As best I can tell, there are four routes that I think will work: 1. get a guide camera which outputs ST4, which connects to a laptop and the ST4 port on the handset 2. get some more skywatcher kit such as a synscan, which will allow me to cameras that are not specifically for guiding, in which case I'd connect the camera to the laptop, the laptop to the synscan and then the synscan to the ST4 port on the handset 3. get a 3rd party box that sit between the laptop and the ST4 port. It appears there's at least the Shoestring Astronomy GPUSB, astroEQ and hitecastro usb guider available to play this role. 4. sell what I've got and just get the GOTO upgrade for the EQ5 mount Unfortunately my questions are numerous: - Have I made any obvious mistakes in understanding how this all works this? - Is option 2 really different to option 4 - with the equipment I have, if I stick with skywatcher kit, can I just add the synscan controller box (assuming I can find one) or is it more complex than that? - If I try to get a 3rd party box (option 3) then are there others out there? None of the ones I've listed are particularly easy to come by right now. As I understand, GPUSB can't do GOTO but astroEQ can. - If option 1 is viable then it may be the easiest approach - it looks like a ZWO ASI 120MM would work fine - any reasons why not? - outside of the quality of the guide scope and the guide camera, are any methods better/worse than others?

I'm jealous you found stock! Let me know if you find a viable alternative - it might not be perfect, but if you want to image there doesn't seem like there's anything else that comes close at the price.

Thanks all - sounds like the 0.9x is fine as long as you don't mind taking a little length off the focus tube. As best I can tell, the 1x's are a little more expensive, but I'll probably see what comes up second hand until the 130PDS is back in stock.

For anyone who stumbles across this and wants the answer, I found https://openphdguiding.org/man-dev/Basic_use.htm to be a good explanation of what's required. I need a synscan or GPUSB device and the cable that Peter mentioned above.

Thanks for the heads up - I'd mistakenly thought this was like a GPUSB - I'll do some more research then! I'll mark this as WITHDRAWN.

Looking for a USB cable to connect an EQ5 enhanced handset to a laptop. for EQMOD and PHD2 etc. USB preferred but will consider a serial cable. Unsure if there is more than 1 product that does this - the obvious choice for a new version is https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html For reference, the handset is : https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/sky-watcher-enhanced-dual-axis-handset-upgrade-for-eq-5-mounts.html

Got one within minutes (via astrobuysell).

Assuming I've understood correctly and a 0.9x coma corrector causes problems with the focus tube on the 130PDS, is that a reason to get a 1x coma (such as Baader Mark-III MPCC or the GPU) for that telescope?

Before I buy https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/sky-watcher-enhanced-dual-axis-handset-upgrade-for-eq-5-mounts.html I thought I'd check if anyone had a second hand one for sale? I'm not sure if these handsets are just for EQ5, but I'd also be happy with any other way to hook my EQ5 to PHD2. I currently only have the basic control box with no ports.

Thanks, There's no obvious problem, it feels like the threads are just incompatible. Given the Barlow and the Nikon t-ring were obtained separately and work fine, I presume it's the canon t-ring and so I've ordered a different brand. Realize this question may have seemed obvious, but it's good to get reassurance that I'm not missing anything obvious. I expect I'll be posting more here in due course, but hopefully not about screwing threads together!

Until the 130PDS is back in stock I'm trying to take a few shots of the moon with my old reflector telescope. I've successfully hooked up a 2x Barlow(https://www.firstlightoptics.com/barlows/astro-essentials-125-2x-barlow-with-t-thread.html) with a Nikon t-ring (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Ring-for-Nikon/293525566844?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) to allow me to take photos of the moon with my Nikon D3000. Realizing that particular camera will be awful to use for more serious imaging, I got a second had astro-modded Canon 450D in preparation. I then decided I ought to make sure it works, so bought a https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-93419-Adapter-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000237C9M t-ring adapter thinking I could just swap the camera over. The issue is that the Barlow won't screw in to the Celestron t-ring adapter (specifically, the same part of the barlow that screws in to the Nikon adapter fine). It starts to tighten, but is a tight fit and after maybe 1/4 of a turn it won't turn anymore. I realize that it's hard to diagnose this kind of issue via me writing text alone, but just wanted a sense check I don't have anything obviously wrong? I realize this is low quality kit, but the telescope I have uses 1.25" kit and the scope I intend to buy uses 2", so there wasn't much point in getting high quality kit. Even at this price I imagine things should screw together?!

Interested in the mount, but not sure if I need the battery, so if you're willing to split let me know?

Is this still available? Definitely interested, but I live near Nottingham and so not sure if a 4 hour round trip is a good idea at the moment.

Looking to get into astrophotography, so looking for - a scope, either a Skywatcher 130PDS or 150PDS - a mount. Depending on the scope I'd consider an EQ3-2 but ideally an EQ5, or HEQ5. Live near Nottingham, but can pay for courier.