Power & Guiding?

[JoeKitchen]

First, thank you for the responses to my previous topic.  Right now I feel the ZWO AM3 with the optional counter weight would be best for me.  Although the AM5 appears to have better performance, I feel it could be over kill for the focal lengths I plan on using.  Plus the lighter weight and smaller dimensions of the AM3 make it more portable, which is a plus for my type of work. 

So now onto what to choose to power and guide this thing? 

For power, I was looking at the Celestron Power Tank Lithium Pro.  This appears to be the best power bank that I can still fly with.  Any other options that are FDA approved?

For guiding, I have no idea.  Any recommendations?  Optimally I would prefer something that I can use to both guide and polar align.  I suspect that the best placement on the system for polar alignment would differ then for guiding, or I am totally wrong on this?  If those placements are different, I dont mind repositioning the guide after initial aligning in order to keep the system as compact as possible. 

[michael8554]

Depends on the OTA.

Over about 1000mm Focal Length an Off Axis Guiding system is recommended, with a sensitive mono guide cam.

Below that focal length, a guidescope/guidecam combination that has a pixel scale of no larger than about 6arcsec/pixel,

Up to 3arcsec/pixel is best, according to the PHD2 developers.

With a mounting that does not include soft-tipped screws to hold the guidescope, which will lead to Differential Flexture and so elongated stars.

Michael

[JoeKitchen]

1 hour ago, michael8554 said:

Depends on the OTA.

Over about 1000mm Focal Length an Off Axis Guiding system is recommended, with a sensitive mono guide cam.

Below that focal length, a guidescope/guidecam combination that has a pixel scale of no larger than about 6arcsec/pixel,

Up to 3arcsec/pixel is best, according to the PHD2 developers.

With a mounting that does not include soft-tipped screws to hold the guidescope, which will lead to Differential Flexture and so elongated stars.

Michael

Good to know.  Thanks.