LX200 Classic guidance with DSLR

[jabberwock48]

Having recently acquired a 12in LX200 Classic and now a wedge I was thinking of trying some astrophotography. Having looked through the posts a Canon 450d modified by DSLR Astro seems a good route - with the bonus of being able to use it normally. However what I am not clear about is what equipment I need for guidance. At the moment I am wheeling the scope out for use so would prefer a method that does not involve a laptop. I suppose one option is via the LX200 CCD port but presumably some sort of splitter or off axis guide adapter is required as well as the CCD.

[Merlin66]

I've got the 12"x200 on a wedge... use a DSLR for spectroscopy...

You can use a ST80 guide camera, and QHY5 with a ST4 direct cable to the Lx200 main panel ... but this still needs a computer to run something like PHD. BTW the CCD port on the Lx200 is only a guide port!! nothing to do with imaging!!

The alternative is to use an old SBIG ST-4 guide system which is self contained - no computer!

( I also use an OAG for real precision guiding... but that's another story)

[Psychobilly]

LVI Smartguider or its Orion variant is another laptop free option...

Peter...

[jabberwock48]

I guess using the LVI Smartguider or similar requires a piggyback scope of some kind rather than an offaxis guider. Presumably you can use an off axis guider and a reticule eyepiece for manual correction but I suppose it would soon get a bit boring.

[michaelmorris]

Manual guiding - the sport of kings!

[Merlin66]

I used to guide Oly OM-1's like that for about ten years!!

Much easier today.

[alfi]

it should be possible to use the lvi smartguider for offaxis guiding, isnt it a normal 1,25" mounting of the guidecamera on those?

i have a lvi, and it fits in a 1,25" mounting, but i use a guidescope.

alfi

[Merlin66]

Alfi,

Yes, they all have 1.25" fittings so any camera with a nosepiece could be used as a guide camera.