how do you guide without a laptop?

[Mark at Beaufort]

I recently decided to improve my knowledge of astro photography using my Canon 10d DSLR. I now have a celestron CG5 with motors to both axis and placed the camera on my Astro Tech 102 EP refractor. I took 5 - 30sec exposures at 800 iso of the Pleiades plus 5 dark frames (same exposure) plus 5 short exposures bias frames - 1/4000 sec. The attached photo shows the end product using DSS. Clearly I can see stars down to 12th mag which is a start. However I don't have a laptop so it will be difficult to guide without software. Any recommendations? I have several scopes which I could use in addition to the APO refractor but I assume all guiding must be done manually unless there is a better way?? Advice would be appreciated.

Mark

[NickH]

SBIG STV or ST4 if you can find one second hand. The latter being a hairy mare to use in practice..

[Ant]

Don't you need an auto guide port to use those?

Not sure if the CG5 has an auto guide port (might have , I just don't know).

You could guide with an illuminated EP and manually correct - but that's HARD.

Ant

[simonm]

Its very expensive but I've just bought an LVI camra, I ran a St4 About 5 years ago. Its going to be a while before I have the LVI fully tested but all looks good so far..

http://www.lvi-cameras.com/cameras.asp

[Merlin66]

If you do have a guide socket on the mount, I think the QHY5 camera can directly interface with it to guide, just needs a J11(?) cable.

[barkis]

Fit an illuminated reticule to a guide scope, and use your hand controller to keep a guide star inside the small box in the IR. You may have to use a 2x Barlow in the guide scope to increase guiding accuracy. If you are doing 2 minute sub frames. you can do a decent job.

It is a PITA method, but one that was used before all the modern gear arrived on

the scene.

Ron.

[Mark at Beaufort]

Thanks for the advice. I will start with the suggestion from Ant and Ron that I use an illuminated reticule (I have a 12.5mm already) plus a barlow (I have a 2x). I will see if I can guide to produce a 2 minute sub frame although I know I will need a few!!

The Celestron CG5 that I have, although new, does not have an auto guide port so I assume that to improve I might need to upgrade the mount with a goto system which I know is available from Steve at FLO.

Thanks again.

Mark

[Ant]

Your a brave bloke Mark.

I wish you luck, manually guiding is hard and painfull - you'll see what I mean after the first few...

Just make sure that you're in a confortable position before you start.

Ant

[ngc2403]

Hey,

all of the above cameras needs a PC to power/ focus it apart from the LVI camera. Which looks like a very nice little system, and perhaps the perfect travel guider ?

anyway the idea of manaul guiding is very hard and i bow down to you for trying :notworthy:

i would suggest that you get some sort of pc support because it helps to focus the camera, it helps you alot in many ways.

ally

[Mark at Beaufort]

Thanks for the further advice Guys. I will have a go at manually guiding but if I get frustrated, which sounds like the case, then I will obtain a laptop. I have focussed the Canon DSLR pretty well so far and noted the focus mark position on the refractor. I intend buying a twin mounting bar for the Celestron CG5 mount and use either the WO66 or the Celestron SCT 6" as the guide scope. If I obtain a satisfactory photo I will post the end product - here is hoping I don't fall asleep whilst guiding!!!

Mark

[ngc2403]

it has been said by guiding gurus that SCT's are not good guide scopes.

i would go with the WO 66mm

[NickH]

Hey,

all of the above cameras needs a PC to power/ focus it apart from the LVI camera. Which looks like a very nice little system, and perhaps the perfect travel guider ?

anyway the idea of manaul guiding is very hard and i bow down to you for trying :notworthy:

i would suggest that you get some sort of pc support because it helps to focus the camera, it helps you alot in many ways.

ally

ST4/STV doesn't

[beamer3.6m]

That LVI camera looks neat.

[simonm]

Ive bought an LVI... its a nice looking package. not had chance to try it yet... 1 week after its arrived LVI have sent out a recall notice so its got to go back to Italy before I get chance to use it in Anger. The whole package looks really neat though.

[blinky]

The LVI looks good, but how do you focus it?

[simonm]

comes with a par-focal EP.

[beamish]

Shame about the Sterling -Euro rate I fancy that's a bit pricey but looks great !

[simonm]

I paid for mine two months ago

[beamish]

grrrrrrr

[ngc2403]

Hey,

all of the above cameras needs a PC to power/ focus it apart from the LVI camera. Which looks like a very nice little system, and perhaps the perfect travel guider ?

anyway the idea of manaul guiding is very hard and i bow down to you for trying :notworthy:

i would suggest that you get some sort of pc support because it helps to focus the camera, it helps you alot in many ways.

ally

ST4/STV doesn't

my bad never noticed ur post ,

they don't need a laptop.

You might want to price a second hand laptop with the standard guide cameras to see how it measures up with the price of the STV or the LVI

How much is the LVI?

[beamish]

about €430.00