Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b89429c566825f6ab32bcafbada449c9.jpg

Auto Guide Help Required, Please


Recommended Posts

I’m looking for a Auto Guide scope and Guide Camera package, to fit on a 8 Edge HD. I’ve been looking on various UK websites and  seen plenty of cool looking Astro gear, but to be honest, I’m clueless on what to buy.  My budget is £400

All advice and knowledge will be appreciated as always 

 

Ben 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Generally for an SCT you'd want to use an off axis guider (cuts out guide errors caused by the mirror moving) also it's very hard to guide at 2000mm focal length accurately especially with an AVX mount (I have one)

On the flip side I've seen decent images produced with your set up 👍

I'd be inclined to get the 0.7 reducer (drops focal length to 1400mm) but that's £350 on its own 😒 and try for a used finder guider / mono camera.

Probably end up totalling £450 ish though.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah, just seen your other thread ... You have the reducer, maybe try https://www.firstlightoptics.com/off-axis-guiders-oag/off-axis-guider.html and a ZWO 120 mm https://www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-cameras/zwo-asi-120mm-mini-usb-20-mono-camera.html

But research the reducer spacing first and be aware that off axis guiding can be pretty tricky finding a guide star.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use the Celestron OAG with my Edge 8 - it's a chunky piece of kit and does take up a lot of backfocus, but gives me the advantage of being able to attach a 1.25" 0.5 reducer to my guide camera (QHY5Lii) to widen the FOV for finding guide stars. The downside is that if you're using the reducer, this OAG takes up too much backfocus to attach a DSLR (OK for cameras with shorter backfocus distances though - I don't think you said what your imaging camera is). 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please excuse my ignorance but I just presumed any guide scope / guide camera would mount on top of the scope and get the job done. I’ve been looking at these packages

here,

 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/sky-watcher-evoguide-50ed-guidescope-zwo-asi120mm-bundle.html

 

here 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/starlight-xpress-lodestar-x2-autoguider.html

 

and here 

https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/altair-60mm-guide-scope-gpcam2-package.html#SID=1729

 

 

but now I’m totally confused... 

 

 

My camera is a Canon 1300D and I’m running this setup 

E5638962-0F46-412A-9006-6A3322DC8FF4.jpeg.95d8c2d00e9ea13732e51d15c96fa864.jpeg

 

What I’m confused with, is.......   I presumed the guiding setup and the imaging setup were two completely separate systems. 

 

ATB 

 

Ben 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ben,

On SCT's where the focal length is very long and there's a possibility of the main mirror moving (slop...) during a lengthy exposure, it's very common to use an Off axis guider (OAG) set-up. This is positioned in the optical path, close to the imaging camera and diverts some of the incoming light to a fixed guide camera, hence any movement of the telescope optics can be compensated and achieve good guide results.

Mounting a separate guide scope and camera relies on a good rigid mechanical mounting with no slack or sag during operation, and unfortunately may not fully compensate for any eventual mirror slop in the SCT.

I use a reflective slit which acts like an OAG on my C11 @ f10 for guiding. I can effectively guide for as long as necessary - no issues, no drama.

Hope this helps.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/blog/blog-53.html

The above review of the OVL OAG is well worth reading.

Edited by Merlin66
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

Ben,

On SCT's where the focal length is very long and there's a possibility of the main mirror moving (slop...) during a lengthy exposure, it's very common to use an Off axis guider (OAG) set-up. This is positioned in the optical path, close to the imaging camera and diverts some of the incoming light to a fixed guide camera, hence any movement of the telescope optics can be compensated and achieve good guide results.

Mounting a separate guide scope and camera relies on a good rigid mechanical mounting with no slack or sag during operation, and unfortunately may not fully compensate for any eventual mirror slop in the SCT.

I use a reflective slit which acts like an OAG on my C11 @ f10 for guiding. I can effectively guide for as long as necessary - no issues, no drama.

Hope this helps.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/blog/blog-53.html

The above review of the OVL OAG is well worth reading.

Thanks for the advice and link Merlin, it kinda made things clearer. 

So i need a OAG and guide camera? 

The Edge HD comes with mirror locks, so I haven’t noticed any slop before. 

  

ATB 

 

Ben 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.