Start me guiding please

[Peter Reader]

Hi all,

Not entirely sure I can afford guiding yet but: can someone whack down a list of links to kit that would start me guiding as cheaply as possible please

I'm just interested to see what I would need.

Current kit:

EQ5 mount with SW dual axis motor drives.

Thanks chaps

[steppenwolf]

This link on my website may be of some assistance. You will also need a second telescope to use as a guide 'scope like this one.

[Zakalwe]

PHD: Free of charge

2nd hand finderscope: £30

Modified webcam: £45

Adapters: Anything from free to £30

A better camera would probably be the first upgrade...something like a QHY5: £175 + adapter from Modern Astronomy £28.

[Peter Reader]

How do you connect the laptop to the motors to control them?

[Zakalwe]

How do you connect the laptop to the motors to control them?

You can let EQMOD do it, or connect the ST4 port on a guidecamera (for instance the QHY5) to the ST4 port on the mount (assuming your mount has a guide port?).

[Peter Reader]

no it's a basic EQ5 with no ports whatsoever...

[steppenwolf]

The OPs mount doesn't have an ST4 port. The link I posted tells you how to connect to the mount by modifying the hand controller.

[Zakalwe]

no it's a basic EQ5 with no ports whatsoever...

Can it be controlled with EQMOD? Does it have a RS232 port on it?

[Zakalwe]

The OPs mount doesn't have an ST4 port. The link I posted tells you how to connect to the mount by modifying the hand controller.

Ahh...fair enough. I saw that bit in Making Every Photon Count:icon_salut:

[fatwoul]

So I could maybe use my Celestron NexImage with PHD? I hadn't thought of that...