Guidescope Change

[Shelster1973]

Just wondering if I would see any improvement in my imaging if I replaced my existing guidescope (9x50 finderscope that came with OTA) with an ST80?

Have recently started using a CCD so really do want to try and push for the longest exposurers that I can possibly get.

[Pompey Monkey]

A 50 mm guide scope should do you fine. I have a similar guiding set-up and I (usually) get about 0.7" rms guiding error on my Az EQ6 mount.

Are you experiencing problems? I found that once everything was aligned and balanced, making sure that I got a good calibration near the celestial equator (0 degrees declination) made all the difference in my guiding.

[Shelster1973]

Not experienceing problems as such...just looking for ways to improve things that final bit.  Kind of an obsession to always want to make things that bit better.

[Tinker1947]

I went from a Finder scope Guiding to a ST-80 there are more guide stars and it looks really cool....I need to update the photo it now sits on a AMD  Mini Max..

[wigggyy]

I use the st80 find it good for guiding as previously said lots of guide stars to chose from

[Starlight 1]

Never got my 9x50 to work with PHD so I am back on the st80 ,

[ollypenrice]

What's your RMS guiding error? If it's about half of your pixel scale at the imaging camera you don't need to worry provided you're sure you have no flexure.

Some might say that, since a reflector can always have a little mirror movement, an OAG is best. Others might say, 'If it ain't broke don't fix it.'

Personally I avoid adjustable guide scope holders. You don't need to search for guide stars any more so I prefer to bolt my guidescope down nice and hard. It doesn't need to be centered.

Olly

 

[Skipper Billy]

I went the other way - from an ST80 to a converted finderscope.

Reasoning - less weight - less chance of flexure - no floppy focuser - no daft length adapter sticking out the back putting huge leverage on the sloppy focuser.

Does it work ? ........... well enough for me!