My New Setup

[TheMrGecko]

Very exciting day for me today. I just took delivery of my new mount and guidescope package after talking to some friendly people on here to make sure I got what I wanted. This is a HEQ5 with the Rowen Belt drive modification. And she weighs a ton. It came with 2 counterweights but I only needed to use one which is a good sign that I'm under-weight! Great for imaging! (I hope)

it's being guided by an Altair Astro GPCAM v2 Mono camera through a Antares Versascope 10 x 60 Guiding scope.

 

 

I also picked up odds and ends I needed like a 2-inch Barlow lens a baader  2" Ha filter and a RGBIR filter set for my mono cam so I can do planets with it

 

This is going to be a lot to learn. Anyone have any tips for me, I have never guided before or used a goto mount. Thank you for reading

[John]

Looks great !

Don't forget to set the mount to your lattiude - it looks like it's set at around 34 degrees at the moment which I'm sure North Lincs isn't

(apologies if you knew this - I just thought I'd better mention it )

[TheMrGecko]

Yes i still need to set Latt. i was excited to show it to people  I will do this on my next clear night

 

[scitmon]

Very nice, is that a 200p you have on it?  How does the HEQ5 cope with it? Sturdy enough for AP?  I'm contemplating either this mount with the belt mod or the AZ-EQ5 GT...

[TheMrGecko]

It's only a 150pds. So it's vastly under weight. Only had to use 1 of the counter weights. It's solid as a rock. The belt mod is well worth the money 

[PeterCPC]

You might want to consider a dew band for the guidescope. When you come to use PHD2 use the guiding assistant as it will help with settings. You will need to know the focal length of the guidescope and pixel size of the guidecam. A good PA will be crucial.

Peter

[TheMrGecko]

I have dew band I used for my dslr. Should work nicely on my guide scope. What do you mean by PA

[PeterCPC]

Polar Alignment. For long exposures you must get a good PA.

Peter

[geordie85]

It's great to get a new setup, until you realise the forecast is total cloud cover for at least the next week. 

My only advice at the moment would be to take your time getting your polar alignment as close as you can and also take your time balancing everything correctly. Most of all, enjoy the opportunities you do get.

[TheMrGecko]

Yes. Hope we get a gap in the clouds soon so I can test out polar alignment and. Aligning and learning how to use phd

[Starlight 1]

Have fun with your new set-up PHD DEV 4 is the last one out with PA  alignment in it . test the new camera out on that.

[tooth_dr]

Thats a super looking setup you have bought!  I had a Meade 6" reflector that I used for imaging, and I really like the size of it.  Hope you have many happy cloud free nights!

[TheMrGecko]

Might make the jump up to 200 when the time is right. But right now having  a low weight setup with pay off when it comes to guiding 

[tooth_dr]

19 minutes ago, TheMrGecko said:

Might make the jump up to 200 when the time is right. But right now having  a low weight setup with pay off when it comes to guiding 

I spent a good 2-3 years with my 6" newt, then moved to a bigger mount and scope.  Carrying and setting up becomes a bit of pain, as even an 8" is fairly large.  I'll look forward to your first images.

[SM1978]

On 10/23/2017 at 10:42, TheMrGecko said:

Very exciting day for me today. I just took delivery of my new mount and guidescope package after talking to some friendly people on here to make sure I got what I wanted. This is a HEQ5 with the Rowen Belt drive modification. And she weighs a ton. It came with 2 counterweights but I only needed to use one which is a good sign that I'm under-weight! Great for imaging! (I hope)

it's being guided by an Altair Astro GPCAM v2 Mono camera through a Antares Versascope 10 x 60 Guiding scope.

 

 

I also picked up odds and ends I needed like a 2-inch Barlow lens a baader  2" Ha filter and a RGBIR filter set for my mono cam so I can do planets with it

 

This is going to be a lot to learn. Anyone have any tips for me, I have never guided before or used a goto mount. Thank you for reading

 

 

Did you have any problems with achieving focus with the VS60 and that camera?  Did you need an extension at all?

[Luna-tic]

Gorgeous setup. Send it to me, the latitude is properly set for my area, that way you won't need to change it. 

One question. What is the rubber band that is stretched over the 11:1 knob on your focuser and connected to something lower on the mount? Is that an electronic/autofocus setup, and if so, how does it work?