Imaging and Flip Mirrors?

[northcanadian]

Hello:

I have a 9.25 SCT and a DBK21 camera. I have a problem trying to get a planetary image (through a Barlow) on my laptop...no problem though, straight through the scope.

Would a Meade # 647 Flip Mirror System work for me, and would it fit my SCT...or could someone please offer any inputs and suggestions?

Thank you...again

[brianb]

I don't have any problem with my C11 - just aligned the finder very carefully - planet behind the x-wires in the finder is on the chip even with a 4x Imagemate.

A flip mirror might help you but I find them more trouble than they're worth. Yes the Meade flip mirror will fit the SCT threads on your system but the Vixen flip mirror is a lot cheaper & will fit provided you have a 2" visual back fitted.

[arad85]

The meade can be collimated whereas the orion can't. I have one, but haven't used it in anger yet

[AztecastroMcJ]

was cosidering flip mirror myself,

but would advise saving some money and getting by without it

my finder is never accurate enough to help when using barlow (ok without tho)

i have found few methods i use can help,

i start with viewing planet with barlow and low power eyepiece say 25mm,

i then change up to either 10mm or my 7mm, i then observe planet for min or 2,

check planet centered and has little drift as possible, can take min to settle down,

my scope AZ Goto has PAE (pointing accuracy enhancement)

which i found is really helpfull if done at high mag like x300 or above,

basically u just recentre planet using PAE with barlow and a high power EP

and save in PAE menu

if later on the planet drifts way off laptop screen, i can then just Goto planet and i have found this is very accurate after PAE is done as above

make sure camera settings on high gain and bright exposure

important with Saturn esp

very VERY carefully remove ep and enter camera,

then i refocus recentre and capture planet

alot of times planet will be moving or drifting as i enter camera so

u have to be fairly quick but carefull not to move/nudge scope at all

James

[Psychobilly]

I used to find a cheap zoom EP made parafocal with the camera very useful....

Peter...