herne

I hear what you’re saying but you have to stop chasing the rabbit at some point 😂. I’m in no rush so I’ll see what crops up in the classifieds given the budget.

Exactly my thoughts, but at least you have the foundation in place 👍.

Different budget for different items. A new mono camera + filters costs more than an HEQ5 Pro and a reflector such as a 130 or 150pds, but that (for me) doesn't mean the budget is transferrable. So to my mind I'd say (ball park) up to £1000 for a mount, more (say £1500) for a mono camera and filters - or around £1000 for an OSC. Telescope budget is as yet undecided but would be less for a 130/150pds than for a larger refractor. And with regards the scope, I'm as yet undecided on going down the reflector or refractor route. Neither would ever be really large and heavy so an HEQ5 Pro should be more than sufficient for future gear. A 130/150 would be well within weight limits as would something like a StellaMira 90mm triplet or WO 91mm triplet for example. What I was leaning towards but sometimes you just need to go through the logic 👍.

Short version - new mount or new camera. Long version - I have a nice, portable, wide field set up now which I enjoy very much. This consists of a William Optics Z61ii scope, modified Canon 700D, Az-GTi mount, ASI Air pro + iPad, mini guide scope + camera. I’m now looking to move into a second set up for more detailed studies and capture fainter objects. Due to not having bottomless pockets, this needs to be done in stages so the question is what to buy first as I’d like to be able to use whatever is bought first in the mean time rather than have it sit in a corner gathering dust until the next purchase is made. Buying a new scope first is out as I’m already pushing the weight limits of my Az Gti. Which leaves me with mount first or new camera first. With a view to the size of any potential new scope (130 or 150pds, or a larger refractor) I’m looking at an HEQ5 Pro. Camera wise it would be an OSC or mono + filters (probably the latter). I’m blowing hot and cold on this - one day it’s the camera, the next it’s the mount. On balance I’m leaning more towards the mount first because, as capable as the little AZ Gti is, I could probably push my existing imaging further with a more solid base. Plus it may give me greater flexibility when it comes to the next purchase. I’m probably answering my own question here but thought I’d throw it open to suggestion. And hope I win the lottery in the meantime 😀.

Good point about storage if the tripod is the same and I didn't realise about the bearings, plus I know there's a belt upgrade (if needed/wanted) for the HEQ5. Something to ponder 👍.

I’m considering getting my first reflector for imaging and this 130pds seems like a great place to start. I already have a small refractor (WO Z61) with guide scope & camera but would need a new mount to go with, what recommendations would you have? I see FLO do a package of the 130 + an EQ3 Pro mount, however once camera (DSLR atm), guide scope/cam and all the accessories get added on it might be pushing the stated 5kg weight capacity? Clearly something along the lines of an HEQ5 Pro (or larger) would solve any issues, however I need to consider both storage and cost - ideally I’d have change left from £1000 for scope, mount, collimating tool, coma corrector, dew heater/hood, so an HEQ5 Pro is a little OTT. I’d be controlling it via my ASI Air Pro + iPad rather than a laptop so whatever mount must be compatible there. Thanks.

👍 Haha nope. The clouds must have gathered again shortly after and the night was a wash out. Ah well, there's always next time 😀.

If you haven’t seen it already, here’s a video from Astrobloke showing his strip down of the AZgti. iirc he specifically mentions the spring and doing it differently to cuiv. Clouds finally parted for me around midnight although still a few about so reduced subs to 90 secs rather than 3 mins to dodge clouds. Haven’t looked at the data yet so not sure what’s been captured (I went after M81/82). On the plus side I actually remembered to remove the L-enhance filter this time 😄.

Next to those adjustment screws are small allen key bolts which holds it all securely. If you can't move those adjustment screws the allen key bolts may be tightened down too tightly. There's one either side (see red circle below) and the slot they are in governs how far the mount can turn using those larger adjusting screws. Don't loosen too much as the mount might start to wobble - you should be able to find a sweet spot though 👍.

I haven’t felt the need either - “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Finally managed to have clear skies last night so got out for a session to test powering my DSLR, AZ-gti and guide camera (via USB) directly from the ASI Air Pro using a single 12v 5amp power supply into the AAP. Happy to report that during the 5 hour session everything worked just fine 👍.

👍

Not at present, it’s on my shopping list (a 533mc pro). Interesting the USB ports could be used to power dew straps. Thanks for replies all. I’ll probably persist with the mains power adapter for now which has 4 USB ports - much the same thing as a USB hub, just bigger. I’ll strap it to a tripod leg and see how it goes. Long term I’ll get a smaller USB hub if the ports on the back of a camera don’t work out.

Next little project - powering 2 dew heater straps. How are people doing this? At present I plug my 2, which have USB cables, directly into a mains extension lead (it has USB ports built in). I do have a little battery pack but that drains after about 2 hours of use, so no good. Other than getting a larger battery pack and mounting it somewhere on the tripod or AZ-gti, is there a way of powering the dew heaters direct from one of the ASI Air's power output ports? I guess ideally a male DC to female USB cable, preferably with a Y splitter to couple with 2 USB plugs into a single outlet, but I can't find anything like that without combining multiple cables, which is just getting messy. I'm sure there's a simple solution but clearly much too simple for me!

There’s some discussion here about powering things via the AAP, including an excerpt from the manual with diagram which says they don’t recommend powering mounts via the AAP. btw the foot of your guide scope should slot straight into the top grab handle of your Z73, then just tighten a screw to hold in place.

Very neat 👍.

Just looking at how you attach the azgti to your WO eq wedge. It looks like a regular dovetail (Astro Essentials?) but how is that connected to the azgti? Just a single bolt into the base or something different? Does the head of the bolt get in the way of the wedge’s saddle or is that inside the recess groove underneath the dovetail? It also looks like you have a nut and bolt at the top of the dovetail - does that serve a purpose as well? A WO wedge is on my shopping list (as are an ADM saddle, a sturdier tripod and new camera) so interested in how things connect.

Playing around this morning, settled on this set up for ASI Air positioning (and perhaps helps a little with balance too): I swapped out the dovetail back to the one that came with the Z61 as there is better spacing. Getting an Allen key between the scope and bar to tighten the hex bolt holding the AAP is a little tight but just doable. Here's a close up: I'm glad I did have a play around as I also noticed the small hex bolts on the base plate next to the bubble level had come a little loose so needed tightening. And while on the subject of the eq wedge, by default it comes with a large plastic head on the adjusting and locking bolts, one of which can get in the way while slewing. Replacing it with a regular hex bolt (once tightened it rarely if ever needs adjusting) helps:

Very nice and interesting to see where you’ve managed to fit the asi air and Wi-Fi router. The 533mc Pro is on my shopping list so good to see it included.

Very useful, thanks both. Just goes to show that reading the results of an equation doesn’t beat experience 👍.

No not being used and a neat idea 👍.

A little update on this. After further tinkering the weight doesn't appear to be the issue, it's the power and (probably) servicing. I've been using an old 12v 2amp adapter I found lying around in a drawer (god knows where it came from originally). It's worked ok for the best part of a year but it's showing it's age now. Connecting it to a more suitable power supply works nicely. I probably also need to give the mount a service as dec especially is feeling pretty stiff and doesn't really turn freely when loosened. I'm also experimenting with how to attach my ASI air to the mount or scope, rather than leaving it lying loose on the tripod spacer plate, with associated trailing cables. There seems to be sufficient room on the end of my Z61's dovetail, mounting it underneath. A little awkward to get at the hex bolt, but not impossible. I also have a load of metal L brackets from a DIY shop which may be useful - kind of like @AstroNebulee's DSLR L bracket but much more home made. Something to try out and will post a pic once cobbled together.

Thanks for the replies all, food for thought 👍. Bottom line - any will be a step up from a DSLR. I'm leaning towards the 533, but not rushing into any decisions until I do some further due diligence.

I'm in the market for a new one shot colour camera to pair up with my William Optics Z61ii scope (focal length 360mm). For reference I also use the Astro Essentials 30mm mini guide scope + ASI 120MM mini guide camera, all mounted on an AZ-gti mount in eq mode and run using the ASI Air pro (and is why I'm only looking at ASI cameras). In terms of targets, nebulae and galaxies are my focus. I was initially looking at the ASI 183MC pro camera due to the small pixel size married up to my short fl scope. However, with an eye to the future and potential additional telescope purchase of either an imaging reflector such as the 130/150 pds or a larger refractor (and mount to match), my main concern is how well it may combine with the 183. That wouldn't be for at least another 12 months though and would still want to keep the Z61 regardless as it's a great little scope. In terms of pixel scale, the 183 sits right in the "sweet spot" with the Z61 at 1.37, although the 533 (2.15) and the 294 (2.65) aren't a million miles away and would improve as focal length increased. But, as nothing more than a keen amateur, is that really something I need to concern myself with? Possibly not. Anyway, would the 533 or 294 perhaps be a more flexible purchase, with the future in mind? I don't think there's any "wrong" answer here as I imagine any purchase will be a step up from my current DSLR. All are much of a muchness in price and their different fields of view is a non issue for me. On the other hand of course there's always the adage of buying something for the gear I've got, not the gear I don't. I've tried searching the web for other's experiences. I've found a few who successfully use the 533 with the Z61 (and even shorter focal length scopes), but hardly anyone who combines the 183 or 294 with the Z61 (or similar). I'm probably over thinking this as usual - I'm just interested in people's experiences and suggestions please.

Hahaha, very well put! I needed some counterweights during lockdown and there was zero supply available, so ordered a rod, nuts & washers off the internet. Cut it to size with a hacksaw and Bob's your uncle. Honestly I wouldn't change it now. Saved me a few pennies too.

Picture below, minus the bird's nest of cables! I have tried mounting the ASIair onto the scope (and thus the mount) to help with cable management, but that was definitely causing weight issues on the AZ-gti, so I tend to just perch it on the tripod leg spacer (not really ideal). I also took some Moon pictures the other night - I was ready for a DSO imaging session but the Moon was full and ridiculously bright so DSOs were out. As I'd done my set up and PA I figured I may as well have a crack at the Moon for a change. I had no idea how the AZ-gti would track it, especially on the eq wedge, but to my (very) pleasant surprise it handled it very well indeed. I'll include a final picture of it as well - c.300 1/200th shutter speed stacked photos @ ISO200 using everything else as described above (minus the guiding). I also left 4 seconds between each frame to allow the camera to settle and reduce shake, so overall c.20 mins elapsed time, during which there was a negligible amount of drift of the Moon between the first and last frames. I was quite impressed by that.