90mm MAK scope as guidescope?

[tich]

I'm still completely new at all this so please forgive my ignorance. I am thinking about going into imaging at some point although I do have a limited budget.

I was wondering if a small 90mm Maksutov telescope could be used as a guide scope? As I watched a video on youTube last night & a guy on there reckoned he piggy backed one & used it with his set up. If they aren't suitable is there a better option? Or are proper guidescopes the only way to go?

[Carl M]

SkyWatcher ST80 is the best budget option for a guidescope, you can get away with using a 9x50 finder coupled with a QHY5 if you are on a lower budget.

[Spikey]

Hi Tich, how's things mate?

You can use any scope as a guidescope but some are more suitable than others.

The MAK doesn't have a massive FOV so might limit your choice of guide star but that's the only disadvantage I can think of.

Are you going to bung a DSLR in the 200p and use the SPC with the MAK to pulse guide?

[tich]

Hi Tich, how's things mate?

You can use any scope as a guidescope but some are more suitable than others.

The MAK doesn't have a massive FOV so might limit your choice of guide star but that's the only disadvantage I can think of.

Are you going to bung a DSLR in the 200p and use the SPC with the MAK to pulse guide?

Things are going well here apart from the weather!!!

Yeah that was the plan I've been looking at a few second hand DSLR's to use with my 200P I know I will be better off with a better mount but I'm initially just looking at getting started.

[ollypenrice]

The F ratio of the Mak is too slow as well as the FL being too long. With a slow f ratio you would need guide subs much longer than most mounts will cope with. On my EQ sixes I guide, sometimes, at 0.5 second intervals because the periodic error is pretty fast. As above, you can't beat an ST80 with a finder guider in second place.

Olly

[tich]

Thanks for the advice I have googled the scope but haven't found anything as yet only an Orion ST80:icon_scratch:.

I've still got to get a DSLR sorted (canons seem to be the common weapon of choice) plus the relavant software I'll need to get started. So sorry if I start to bombard the forum with daft questions..

[Spikey]

The only daft question is the one you don't ask Tich.

Contact me whenever you want and I'll do my best to pass on my limited experience.

[Tribal-Wolf]

Is an EQ5 mount up the extra weight?

[tich]

Is an EQ5 mount up the extra weight?

I do intend to upgrade the mount at a later date all being well, I'm sure I've read threads of people using an EQ5 mount to do some DSO imaging.