SX Lodestar Autoguider + ST80 anyone using ?

[jnc71106]

Hi all is anyone using a SX Lodestar autoguider with an ST80 ?

If so how does it perform ? And do you need to use an extension to get focus a bit like you do with a QHY5 ?

Cheers

[LDUNN1]

hi, I had a solidly mounted (no guide rings) QHY5 + ST80, a few months back, and while I always had a guide star, I never had so any to choose between that I felt confident that I would not run into issues at some point.

So when I saw a C102 I bought that figuring that if I used it with a focal reducer I'd have similar focal length to the ST80 but faster optics able to pick up more stars, But within less than a week of buying the C102, someone on ABS advertised their Lodestar & wanted a QHY5, so we worked out a deal & I switched immediatly to a C102+Lodestar - which is very good. I am about to try the ST80+Lodestar, hopefully next time out - I think this might be the guiding system I settle on.

If no one else responds in the meant time, I'll try & give you an update once I've tried this combo, but I think it may be 2 or 3 weeks before I try it.

[Jessun]

I use an ED80 with the Loadstar and would imagine the two scopes ST/ED are similar enough for guiding purposes - which equals Great, and I use an 80mm long 2" extension tube to reach focus. I put the Lodestar on one of these:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p288_TS-Adapter-von-T2-auf-C-Mount.html

Leaving the issue of possible diff flex aside for this type of setup - I don't immediately see what would perform better. The Lodestar is very sensitive, and also has its own ST4 port so you can get rid of one cable to the computer.

[ollypenrice]

I'm another user. I use two de-lensed Barlows stuck together to get the focus. No guide rings, star every time. My only gripe is the too-flimsy cable fixation out of the camera and I can't be alone because Telescope Service do a nylon device to beef up this bit of the Lodestar. It is rather sensitive since they went for such tiny plugs.

But a good sysem and, as Jesper says, one fewer cable!

Olly