I'm a cheapskate - what is my most cost effective method of guiding?

[studio1one]

I'm guessing it will be an ST80 with an SPC900 controlled via PHP and pulse guiding in EQmod?

any cheaper method out there?

[swag72]

A 9x50 finderscope - cheaper than an ST80

[studio1one]

Thanks, will the SPC be able to lock on a star with a 9x50?

[ollypenrice]

It might, but guiding is the key to everything and from what I've seen of webcams they need plenty of light. I'd go for the ST80. They are pretty darned cheap!!

Olly

[steppenwolf]

The cheapest method is to use an ST80 and your built in Mark I eyeball but that's not really what you wanted to hear so stick with the ST80 idea and an SPC 900 or the equivalent SPC 880 which is available from Morgan Computers for £41.98 including delivery .

[Earl]

I have dabbled with a finder guide and not been too successful but i will look into it again. I use a 80mm apo as a guide.

[studio1one]

Thanks folks. I think, as I already have the 9x50 I might buy the SPC and try it with the finder first. I can machine a workable adapter easily enough from bits I have lying around. If it doesn't work properly then I haven't lost anything and can go ahead and buy the ST80.

Has anyone tried an off axis movable mount for the finder so you can always find a nice bright star to guide from? I was thinking you could set up the shot on your camera and then move the finder around until you have a nice bright star in view and guide from that.

[swag72]

I had my guider in a pair of rings at one stage, so that I could move it around if needed. To be honest, I've yet to not find a guide star.

[Breakintheclouds]

I recently started using a finder guider and an SPC webcam and have been finding it a great solution. There's a little bit of axis adjustment in the standard finderscope holder and so far (touch wood!) that's always been enough to find a guide star.