Hi everyone!
Been a Landscape photographer for many years and recently got hooked on wide angle milky way photography. I purchased a Skyguider Pro, with the electronic iPolar scope fitted and been using that for tracking the milky way. I now want to progress and look at capturing more deep space objects such as Nebula's. I have added a Redcat refractor to my kit. The issue I have found using the Skyguider Pro is actually pointing the camera (Nikon D810A) and Redcat in the right direction. I tried last night without a lot of success at trying the Heart Nebula.
So I'm looking at buying a GoTo mount, Have been looking at the HEQ5 Pro, but not sure if this is overkill for my current set up or I should go with that and then as I add maybe a guide scope/camera i have the ability to do so. So my questions are and I apologise if there are a few
1. I can see that the Polar alignment is manual, is that correct and straight forward, seen videos mentioning about the dials and that just confused me
2. Whats the difference between doing a polar alignment and doing a 1-3 star alignment with the handset
3. comes with a 12V cigar type power lead, what do guys use to plug that into if your in your back garden
4. using this is it necessary to then have to buy a guide camera and scope as well, Can't it track properly without these
5. Do you need to use these other programs on a laptop to help get you in the right position, what do they do, do they connect to my DSLR and tell it how many shots to take at what exposure time, ISO etc
Ideally I'd just like something that at a push of a button or two puts me facing where I want it to be so I can then start capturing what I need. Sorry if that all seems too much!