Starsense auto align and guiding

[Happysolderer]

I have the starsense auto align on my EQ6 R PRO. It works fine getting you to the target, but it doesn't actually keep the target in view. It turns out that celestron also does a guide scope. 

Does anyone have any experience with the guider? Is it something that can run alongside the auto align on the EQ6 mount? 

I already guide using ZWO mini guide scope and the ASI 120MM camera.

[michael8554]

I'm going to break this down into sections.

1) AFAIK StarSense automatically Star Aligns the mount.

That means it adjusts the mount's star map to match the position of the stars on the particular night.

2) To GoTo a target you then have to use the mount's handset, or a Planetarium on a PC connected to the mount.

3) If tracking has been enabled, the target should stay in view well enough for visual use with an eyepiece.

 

If the target is rapidly drifting out of the eyepiece, then it may be that tracking is not enabled.

 

4) If you want to take images with a camera attached in place of the eyepiece, you may find that the stars aren't round in the downloaded image.

That's because of drift caused by imprecisions in the mount's driving system., which become apparent in the long duration camera exposures.

5) This elongation can be minimised by Guiding - which you say you already have, with a ZWO mini guide scope and a ASI 120MM camera, you don't need another Celestron guide scope.

6) So what software are you using to drive the Guiding ? PHD2 for example ?

Michael

 

 

[Happysolderer]

As far as I can tell the Celestron starsense auto align does not track, there isn't any facility to track. It takes you to where you want to go and then leaves the rest to your mount. 

I use PHD2. 

I have no issue with using it but if it can all be done in one simple package it would be better when I'm taking it out on the road. ( at the moment I have a pier in the garden)

 

[michael8554]

Okay, so I'm not sure what you want to know ?

Michael

[Happysolderer]

Will the guider work hand in hand with the auto aligner. Is it something that I can plug into the available socket. 

I have an adapter that allows me to use the Celestron auto align with my skywatcher mount. The adaptor has a spare port. Will it all work as one (auto align+guider