ASDAcam for guiding piggy-back AP?

[c3po]

HI all.

Just getting into the AP scene with 35mm film (i know DSLR is nicer to work with, but i can't afford one yet!) and recently got hold of the ASDAcam and it got me thinking...

The ASDAcam works great on lunar & planetary stuff, and seems to pick up stars quite well in SharpCap. Whilst using it, i noticed that there is a digital reticule that can be super imposed on the image by the software - what's this for?

I wondered if, whilst piggy-backing my35mm SLR on the scope, the ASDAcam could act as a sort of manual guiding cam with my RA motor providing tracking - does this seem feasible?

[JamesF]

It is possible to make a finder-guider using a webcam. Not sure if the ADSAcam will be sensitive enough, but there's only one way to find out. Assuming it works it is possible to use the images from the webcam to get a PC or laptop to control some mounts. Whether it would work for yours I couldn't say, but if you have a look at stan26's posting on cheap AP in the DIY section it might give you some ideas.

James

[c3po]

It is possible to make a finder-guider using a webcam. Not sure if the ADSAcam will be sensitive enough, but there's only one way to find out. Assuming it works it is possible to use the images from the webcam to get a PC or laptop to control some mounts. Whether it would work for yours I couldn't say, but if you have a look at stan26's posting on cheap AP in the DIY section it might give you some ideas.

James

i'm under no illusion that it will auto-guide my mount (a CG-3) as it's not got go-to function. Could I somehow automatically control the RA motor, it has the dial thingy that allows manual speed correction and forward/reverse action, but that's about it.

[JamesF]

You don't need goto for guiding. stan26 modified his motorised but non-goto setup to guide. You might be on your own with the CG3 controller though.

James

[c3po]

Thanks for positivity James, looks like it could be a go-er.

Think I best get my head into some of Stan26's threads and see what's required.

[JamesF]

They're definitely inspirational. It's impressive what you can achieve when you don't know it's not possible

James