Sky watcher Mercury 70/500 as guide scope?

[Pryce]

Does anyone have any experience using this telescope as a guidd scope? 

 

I had one a few months ago, in fact it was my first one, but I've since sold it and.. eh.  Upgraded a bit. I wasnt happy with what the telescope provided visually, but back then I hadnt gone down the astrphotography rabbit hole yet.

But now I have the chance to buy a second hand one for next to nothing and I'm wondering if it would be viable as a guide scope for my 150PDS as my other guide scope is more or less permanently fixed to the 72ED.

[michael8554]

With your ASI 120MM Binned X2 it might cope with the fairly focal length.

But the basic focuser, plus the long extension to replace the star diagonal, might just be too wobbly for accurate guiding.

And how will you mount it ?

Nothing to loose by trying I suppose.

Michael

 

[Pryce]

I'd make a custom mounting plate on top of the newt and mount it directly to that. 

 

But yeah,  the focuser and drawtube may be an issue. As far as I remember from my first one the drawtube had a lot of flex.