Ags

I just wish my C6 was a C9.25... I was shooting quite low over a roof, so I hope I can get more out of the scope toward the end of the month.

I tried longer subs last night, 8 ms instead of the 3.7 ms I have been using recently. AZ-Gti > C6 > Revelation 2x Barlow > ASI485MC > AS!3 > Registax > Gimp

Much as I love it, maybe I can accidentally repeatedly hit my ZS66 with a hammer, and replace it with a Borg 90?

Why is there a cluster of albedo features in the highlands in the middle of the Moon? Do they have a name?

Thanks for the heads up!

The other GTi has a mechanical fault - the firmware was up to date anyway. But maybe I will open it up and "fix" it. What could go wrong?

Superb! Definitely a notch above what I am getting with C6!

After the firmware update the GTi is as steady as a rock! No AM5 for me - but can I convince my partner to put the money saved from the mount to a nice little Tak instead?

Jupiter in very steady seeing tonight. Also the Moon - incredible detail but the full moon burned a hole in my retina. Had a look at Polaris on a computer screen - very strikingly yellow and blue.

Destruction testing the GTi on Polaris now. To my great disappointment, it is working perfectly. No Alt Runaway == No AM5 🥲

Red is the new black 😀

The Alt runaway can happen anywhere in the sky, but is a dead certainty if I'm pointing at Polaris. I think the issue is Polaris may not move much, but it changes directions a lot and that seems to trigger the bug.

Well, the GTI seems a bit more healthy after a firmware update, done over wifi because I like to live dangerously. I will give it my standard firmware tracking test on the next clear night: tracking Polaris in Alt-Az mode. In my experience that triggers Alt-runaway very quickly - the problem seems to happen more closer to the pole. If it fails that test I think I may take up my partner's generous suggestion of an AM5... To be honest, I am half hoping the GTi fails its test. But my rational mind (I DO have one 🤣) tells me that the AM5 wouldn't be an upgrade photographically without guiding, and if I got it I would certainly go into an aperture fever feedback loop.

Got the new test print of Discovering Double Stars II today.

Is the hand controller optional or standard issue? It sounds essential, if it provides the wifi feature...

I am tending to the AM5 - it will attach to my Berlebach tripod, has a hand controller and there seem to be good reports. And it's red. But very nervous - I dare not spend a couple of thou and have problems afterwards!

My first AZ GTi gave me years of headache with ALT-runaway, weird wifi glitches and all-round erratic tracking. After it decided to catch every second causing a parmanent state of vibration, I decided to get a new mount. I looked at all the options, and decided to try another AZ-GTi. After a week, this one has stopped moving left and down. As long as everything is to the right and up, I'll be fine 🥴 My partner was very sympathetic and asked why not a get a proper mount? I casually mentioned the price of an AM5, and they said the magic words "Just get it!" So... which Harmonic drive to get? I want it to run off a nice friendly app and if possible have a physical controller. It must support AZ and EQ operation, and connect to the tripod using a 3/8 thread. My modest deep sky astrophotography ambitions comprise unguided subs of a few seconds. As for planetary photography and viewing I have a C6 but maybe might consider an 8 inch CC if I had a mount capable of carrying it. I like the look of the ZWO one, and of course it matches my camera.

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p11371_Artesky-Polsucher-Adapter-fuer-Skywatcher-AZGTI-Montierung.html Not sure about UK suppliers.

Took delivery of one of these today: Really pleased with it so far. The four rubber pads to grip the AZ-GTI base are a nice touch, and the arm to hold the polar scope is thicker than I expected and very robust. It seems there is even a couple of mm clearance between the GTI base and dovetail clamp bolt. It is also designed so that it can't slip out of the dovetail. Just a shame it only comes in blue!

AZ-GTI polar scope holder.

If we are talking of telescopes suitable for sports cars, I think someone has to say the magic word Takahashi. 😀

I think it's more interesting to talk about the items just out of reach, rather than the most extravagant items imaginable.

Did a reprocess....

This was three minutes....