Clarkey

I had the same problem with Phd2 taking an age to calibrate. My issue was the guide speed in Eqmod was set up at 0.1 rather than 0.5 and it was having to carry out far too many calibration steps. Worth checking as it reduced the calibration time from about 20 minutes to under 5.

The Reference object error sounds like it was trying to go to a location which would depend on the settings. Try selecting an object in the framing assistant first, then plate solve. It should slew to the object then keep plate solving until it is with the tolerance you have given it. (I think the default is 0.5 arc minutes).

Have you tried solving from a saved image? Here is a link explaining how. At least you would be able to get it working in advance.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/676773-nina-plate-solving-and-re-alignment/

Also, I'm sure you have, but some settings in NINA don't seem to update fully without restarting the program.

I use NINA and ASTAP without issue. Have you put the location of the exe file in the plate solving options? That would be the only reason I can think of why it could not find it. Even auto download / install does not fill in the file location. As I had ASTAP installed already I had it in another directory. 

I have one of these:

AGPTEK Magnetic Tracing A4 LED Light Box Drawing Pad Dimmable Brightness, Physical Buttons Control, USB Power Cable for Animation, Designing, Stencilling X-ray Viewing/Sketching Diamond Painting: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

It is A4 but I use it with an RC8 and it works ok. It is back-lit and even. I did get another one initially but it was lit from the side and the light was pretty poor so that went back. I have not used it for narrowband on this scope, but it is reasonably bright.

I can't remember the exact one - it was a universal one (Bresser maybe?) with a full length cut out. The guider fitted nicely in the groove providing you could avoid the bolt heads.

I have recently converted my ED80 to guide using the 9x50 finder. To avoid using the existing bracket I added a new dovetail to the top of the rings and used cable ties to hold it in place. If you get it focused in advance it works well and does not appear to have much flex.

Hi,

As a regular reader of the SGL forums, I thought it was about time I introduced myself and started to contribute.

I only got into astronomy / imaging last year having purchased a 200p and HEQ5 for visual use in January. Although I always had imaging in the back of my mind, the idea was to spend a while observing then think about further kit. Anyway, that was the plan.....

1 year and a small fortune later I am now completely hooked on AP. I now have a SW ED80 DS-pro, an ASI1600 and EFW, an RC8, AZ-EQ6 and a cupboard load of other stuff. I am currently waiting for my Canon 600D to be returned after astro modification. I am now under orders to tame the spending or get a new wife. 

As I live in Cumbria the imaging time tends to be limited, with grey skies being standard fare. I now spend every day obsessively checking the weather forecast for the occasional break in the clouds. Despite only imaging for about six months, I have made some progress and am quite pleased with some of my images - although I know they can be improved. I have enclosed a couple for constructive criticism (be kind - I'm still total novice).

Anyway - hello to everyone and clear skies to all.