Newforestgimp

Hi All, I have a Small refractor for wide field AP, just wondering what the next step might be in terms flexibility. An 80, 90 or 100 ? I know the prices increase considerably with refractors so where is the sweet spot for AP, which should I be looking out for at the bring n buy sales ? regards Andy H

First light for the 150 SCT, ready to achieve focus on that lovely lunar shadow last evening.

Thanks, Yes it’s looking something along those lines, neater than the bungee I’m using.

I couldn’t actually find my own post in the forum hence the bump from my profile. I do mean the motor control box not the synscan handset theyre two separate items on my mount, I no longer use the handset as I control with alignment and pointing from my laptop. So I just want a neat solution to mounting it on the pier, using a bungee ATM. Currently the mount itself is secured by the mount being drawn down onto the orange tripod head by the central bolt from an old EQ5 tripod, friction is working for the time being but I understand where you’re coming from.

Bump

Hi all, Im looking for ideas of how to mount a skywatcher motor control box to a pier, I don’t want to destroy the standard tripod mount as still need to use it on the tripod as well. I’m probably overlooking something obvious, any ideas ? cheers Andy H

If it was tantalised softwood I’d agree but I chose 6x6” solid oak gate post for the reason its more structurally sound & should last a bit longer. The studding lengths will be trimmed down when I’m sure I have enough to play with, they’re currently a bit longer than ideal to secure the bird table.

Complete build thread...

It’s been a while since last update on pier build as my mount has been away getting the Darkframe treatment, but it gave me time to address & refurb the garden and finish the pier. I’m pleased with how it’s turned out.

Mount is currently away being tuned but the second hand ‘boss’ has come up a treat !

Getting there, secondary brief met 👍

After getting a little tired of manoeuvring my tripod in and out of the shed I thought I would investigate building a permanent pier, but knowing that it was likely to be frowned upon by she who must be obeyed I thought I’d make it dual purpose. so I am now a fair way in to the most expensive bird table in the world that by night can be used for astrophotography...

Interesting & thank you, if I ever get the will power to try again I will change that, it kind of makes sense with the issue I’d been seeing. But having just paid for the full version of APT it might be a while with the lighter evenings now in uk not so much opportunity for experimentation.

Wow, I could be overthinking what sort of spec I need if it can run from a stick PC. im guessing 8gb ram 128gb SSD storage in any processor will be adequate to run... APT, PHD2, CDC, win10 & rdp ?

That looks neat and tidy. Thanks for the details I’ll take a look 👍👍

Promising, Could I enquire what spec you’re running ? There are thousands and I’m struggling to know what is more than enough to do the job. My guess is win10 is the biggest drain on resource. I’m looking at 2nd hand rather than new.

Hi All, is anybody successfully using a mini PC running Windows 10 to control their astrophotography applications ? And are you able to run it from a 12v leisure battery ? what’s the experience like ? Any foibles or issues ? Things you’d do differently next time around ? Regards Andy H

I have been considering Raspberry Pi with astroberry or stellarmate, any experience of the WiFi range ? at the moment I RDP into my laptop (that is cabled to the mount) to keep an eye on proceedings which is working well, but think a mini PC would just tick the boxes when using away from home.

I’ve given up on darks after advice from this forum and dither every third or fourth frame, saves SO MUCH time when creating darks of guided subs. Currently I run bias frames at the end and flats the next day. messed about with using bias frames as darks too, it didn’t kill anything 😉

I use APT to run a lights plan so would fixed duration even if not quite as full on as a NINA style shutdown etc, not managed to get NINA to work yet. I've bottled it tonight, & ordered a longer active usb extension so I can set laptop up in the shed, will see how that works out 👍

Thanks All, Think I’ll see if any flipping will be scheduled with the target, it would be nice to get more than an hour or so per session.

Wow !! Uk suppliers take note 😂

What’s the consensus regarding setting up and leaving gear snapping away whilst retiring for the night ?

The little DC hub is a winner. I’ve now mounted both with strong Velcro so it’s neater 👍

Hi the USB hub is a RSHTECH 4 Data port & 1 Charging port on amazon £20.99 it is aluminium and 12v powered but i wouldnt call it industrial. Time will tell how long it will last but so far so good....