Celestron 8" Edge Guiding Solutions?

[boggsd]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to figure out the best way to autoguide my Edge 8". I am wanting to get a .7x focal reducer but I know that this complicates guiding through off-axis with a slim back-focus. This I still don't truly and fully understand. There is also the option of a piggy-back but then I must find a suitable assembly to mount across the length of the Optic. I am planning to use a QHY5L II as a guide camera and the budget is atmost between $500-550. Thank you for your help.

[boggsd]

The budget is including the guidecam so in reality it is about $320 less

[PNJ]

Hi 

I had the edge hd with QSI 583ccd,   wish I never sold it, as it was a great imaging set up.  I did use the 0.7 reducer

Yes sthe back focus is very critical to get nice shape stars, so a ccd with a built in off axis guider is perfect.  off course it depends on the back focus of the ccd camera or dslr

however piggyback is not to bad, I used a ADM rail across the top of the tube rings and a 70mm guidscope sometimes when I needed a wider field to find a guidestar

I'm luck as I had the lodestar guider which is very sensitive.

depending on your back focus of your camera I believe the new celestron off axis guider is within the limits and comes with lots of adapters.

Paul J

[boggsd]

Would it be better to get the Orion autoguiding package and radius blocks?

http://www.telescope.com/Astrophotography/Autoguiding-Solutions/Orion-Awesome-AutoGuider-Refractor-Telescope-Package/pc/-1/c/4/sc/60/p/24770.uts

http://telescopes.net/store/fdc8r-dovetail-radius-blocks-only-for-celestron-8inch-sct.html

Or is there an option like the V Series Guidescope Kit with the Orion scope?

http://admaccessories.com/V_Series_Guidescope_Kit.htm

http://www.telescope.com/Orion-ShortTube-80-Refractor-Telescope-Optical-Tube-Assembly/p/9948.uts?keyword=ShortTube

I'd prefer not to send as much with the secondary option

[ollypenrice]

An OAG wold always be best with an SCT but if that is not possible I would avoid adjustable guide rings because they are a potential source of flexure. I use an ST80 bolted down hard and, in ten years, have never failed to find a guide star.

But when imaging with a catadiotptric I have always used an OAG and Lodestar. There is not point in going for high res imaging if you don't match it with high res guiding.

Olly

[souls33k3r]

Hi mate, look at this thread which has some really good suggestions

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/258744-edgehd-8-autoguider-off-axis-guider/page-1

Hope this helps

[swag72]

Personally I would use an OAG at this focal length.