Altair Astro mini guider system - Anyone use it?

[swag72]

Altair 60mm Miniguider with Autoguider Webcam focuser, tube rings, multi-purpose base :: Autoguiding Equipment :: Altair Astro

I quite like the look of this mini guider system. I am going to get a pair of guidescope rings for my finder guider as I want to get the guider aligned with the scope. As the rings are over £80, I thought this was a pretty good way of ditching my finder scope and just using the one for both.

So, if anyone uses it or has seen one - When you want to use it as a finderscope that's fine and when you want to guide with it you just add something to the end of it? I can see how it works as a guider, but I can't see how it works as a finder - There's no eyepiece type thing there.

[ollypenrice]

I've got one but not tried it yet as a guider. However, it looks really solid. I've always argued that someone should make a guidescope with no focuser, just a tube into which to put the camera. No droop, no flex, and cheaper. In its other role it's a cracking finder.

Olly

[swag72]

So how do you swap between it being a finder and a guider? I can't see how it becomes a finder.

[riklaunim]

You put an 1,25" eyepiece in it and it's a finderscope

[johnrt]

Hmmmm. This looks tempting to use with my 6"RC to bring the weight down. It should work with a QHY5 & 1.25" adapter.

[ollypenrice]

You remove the little star diagonal and EP holder that comes with it as a finder and put in a tube which holds the camera. It is designed to do both jobs if you have the bits, but you do need a little kit to go from finder to guider.

John, I might be more inclined towards an OAG with your RC scope. Long FL, slow F ratio, mirror which might move...

Olly

[swag72]

Does it come with an eyepiece already? If not, what type and size would I need? Also, do they do them with cross hairs in them? I have to buy additional stuff than what is supplied?

Sorry, EP's are really not my bag!

[ollypenrice]

Just ask Altair Astro. They do it as a finder and as a guider. The EP has crosshairs and an illuminator which works well, though as I always flatten reticle batteries due to absent mindedness, I usually illuminate by shining my head torch across the objective. More sensible people will not have this problem!

Olly

[biopic]

Any thoughts on how this compares with the Stellarvue finderscope, which looks very similar, but reading the fine print is I suspect different?

[swag72]

Thanks all - New finder guider ordered - I look forward to only having one on the scope and having the guider pointing in the same place as the scope!! I know mine's out at the minute.

[Freff]

A follow up review would be useful Sara, I know a few people who are interested in this setup.

[swag72]

OK Tony, will do. I ordered the bits separately as advised by Ian at Alatir Astro.

This bit and this bit!

I won't be getting them until mid May as that's when I go back to UK for a few days and £25 postage to Spain was, I thought, a little steep.

[Freff]

Thanks Sara.

Is there any reason why you have gone for this set up rather than say..the ST80 which is proven and about £100 cheaper.

[swag72]

Weight Tony, it's all about the weight!!!

I've got a SW120ED with a Pentax 75 on the dual bar. Add the 314, filter wheel and reducer as well as the HR16 OSC I want to put in at the same time and my HEQ5 is about at it's maximum operating weight I reckon. We both need a diet!!

[Freff]

I guessed it was a weight issue. I recently changed from the ST102 as a guider to the ST80 because of possible flexure.

This halved the weight, the ST80 coming in at 2lb 11oz naked. No accessories or rings. A full 2lbs lighter than the ST102.

It will be interesting to know the weight of the AA Mini Guider when it arrives.

[buzz]

I ordered one of these, with the guiding attachment this week. With a Lodestar guider, the focus travel is not quite enough. I think it will be fine with any guider which has the chip buried behind the 1.25" tube. The guider attachment is made up of a locking helical focuser and a small extension tube. I have asked AA if they can supply another small extension tube, which will do the trick.

[Photosbykev]

I bought one before SGL8 and used it to guide my Canon 600mm prime lens and DSLR camera. With a QHY5 on the back of it there was never a problem with finding a good guide star. The only difference between the finder scope and guide scope option is that the diagonal and EP is replaced with a sturdy straight extension tube with EP holder. It has a beautifully smooth helical focuser and the mounting bracket with two securing screws is very robust. It just works out the box, you can't ask for better than that.

[swag72]

I've been using this AA mini finder guider now for almost a year - I got it soon after starting this thread. I'm very pleased with it. I use it with a QHY5 and I've never failed to find a guide star. Everything is aligned, so if I need to use it as a finder, a quick screw in of the eye piece and diagonal and it works perfectly. I did a review of it shortly after receiving it in the review section if anyone is interested.

[Photosbykev]

I just saw the thread date, almost a year old lol

[tingting44]

i got my Altair Astro 60mm mini guider today, does anyone know if there are any instructions/manual's online as its quite an upgrade for me only ever having a SW 9x50 till now.....