NickRose2006 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Currently I'm using my LX SPC900nc on an old Celestron refractor that has a 700mm FL and is f/11. Would the focal ratio be the reason why I can't pick up fainter stars for guiding? Would a faster scope be better for the SPC900nc? I'm currently looking at the Orion Mini 50mm guide scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonperformer Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the shorter focal length is better because it gives a wider fov, and so has a better chance of finding a suitable star. But I may be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychobilly Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) 400 mm & f5... something like an ST80... will give you loads of stars without needing a very sensitive guidecam... I use a 500mm f8 Telephoto lens with a Meade DSI IIc as my guidescope on the obs setup but an ST80 with the Synguider... These days guiding software guides to sub pixel levels so the need for longer FL guidescopes is diminished if your imaging at reasonable FL's...Peter... Edited March 1, 2012 by Psychobilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRose2006 Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 A few days ago I recieved my Celestron 9x50 finder scope and tonight just finished the mod. I didn't have time to test it the proper way, but I put the camera/finder on the ground pointing up to the sky. Tried sharpcap first and had gain at full and exposure at 1sec and picked up many stars but when I went to PHD it did not pick up any stars. I tried changing the gain and exposure slider but nothing. The camera Im using is a LX SPC900.Tomorrow or Sunday I'll test it the proper way on the main scope and mount.* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonperformer Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 A few days ago I recieved my Celestron 9x50 finder scope and tonight just finished the mod. I didn't have time to test it the proper way, but I put the camera/finder on the ground pointing up to the sky. Tried sharpcap first and had gain at full and exposure at 1sec and picked up many stars but when I went to PHD it did not pick up any stars. I tried changing the gain and exposure slider but nothing. The camera Im using is a LX SPC900.Tomorrow or Sunday I'll test it the proper way on the main scope and mount.*Well, speaking as someone who has absolutely no experience of this at all, it seems to me that the problem has to be in the PHD settings - you know the camera is working. Is the program 'seeing' the camera? That seems to me to be the most obvious answer - and something that can be tested away from the scope. But then, based on my 'experience', I could be talking complete rubbish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRose2006 Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 Is the program 'seeing' the camera? That seems to me to be the most obvious answer - and something that can be tested away from the scope. But then, based on my 'experience', I could be talking complete rubbish.PHD does see the camera. I have used the camera on another scope before with PHD and it does pick up the very bright stars like Vega. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonperformer Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Right, I was obviously correct when I said I was talking rubbish . Hope you manage to sort it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollypenrice Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 If not using a highly sensitive camera I'd go for a fast guidescope of decent aperture. Like Peter I'd point to the ST80 of which I have two. They are great.Olly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 I have attached a MS LifeCam Cinema to my 9x50 finder scope but the FOV is very small it seems to me. It's difficult to find a star. I haven't had a chance to try it with PHD as yet. I'm beginning to think an ST80 might be worth buying rather than faffing about too much. They aren't all that expensive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRose2006 Posted March 11, 2012 Author Share Posted March 11, 2012 I decided to go the 9x50 route since it was cheaper for me and I felt it would be better then the refractor I had been using, which was a Celestron 700mm f/11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRose2006 Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 Well here is the final mod of the finder scope into a guide scope. I also modded my second SPC900 into a guide cam. To see more pics of my webcam mod go here: http://stargazerslounge.com/diy-astronomer/148315-spc900-lxmod-yesyes-style-20.html#post2209515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RikM Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 A finderguider is about 200mm at f/4, so gives a nice wide field and a bright image. I use a QHY5 guide cam rather than a modded webcam, but have no trouble finding guidestars. It seems to work very well indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Yes, I've decided to take that route as well. When funds permit I shall be buying a QHY5 to attach to my 9x50 finder scope - I already have the adapter. It should be a big improvement over any webcam being more sensitive and having a much bigger sensor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russe Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 http://www.modernastronomy.com/accessories.htmlDid you use this adapter to connect the SPC to a 9x50 finder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickRose2006 Posted March 19, 2012 Author Share Posted March 19, 2012 Yes I used the SPC900/880 1.25" adapter. What I did was put two layers of the gorilla tape on the adapter and then put that into a PVC reducer bushing SP which I also put two layers of gorilla tape on. One side note, you might have slight trouble putting the adapter into the bushing so you might need to use a hammer to fully set it into place in the bushing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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