AstroTrac........ alternatives

[garethmob]

hey guys.

im interested in possiably getting the astrotrac for my imaging... but im mostly interested in if theres any other alternatives

i could possiably afford the astrotrac but if theres anything remotely cheaper

thanks guys

[ronin]

Obvious one is an EQ mount with motors. Not aware of anything else that is commonly available. Time to go googling.

What equipment are you imaging through?

As you mention an astrotrac is it a camera mounted on to this?

Is so, then possibly an EQ3 with a dovetail to mate camera body and lens to the EQ. The camera will not be heavy so weight should make it an option.

[garethmob]

iv got a 300d with up to most likely a 200mm lens

iv got a EQ2 mount which i dont have a scope for... but it dosent have a motor yet

iv tried to googlein but it just kept showin astrotrac

[pvaz]

If you need the portability then the astrotrack seams the right option. But if you don't need it to be that portable, then you can get an HEQ5 for about the same price as the astrotrack (with polar scope, tripod and 2 heads) and you'll have a mount you can build on and add a telescope later.

A light weight EQ will be cheaper but will limit your options later on.

[Wobbly Bob]

A Scotch or barndoor mount, knock one up out of plywood, piano hinge and 1/4" bsw rod

[Psychobilly]

EQ3 Pro works rather well... using the polarscope I have managed subs up to 4 mins at 180mm fl unguided (which is just as well as the EQ3 Pro witht he current firmware has "issues")

Comes with the tripod, doesnt need all those essential Astrotrac essentials - the fancy gear heads or wedge...

http://stargazerslounge.com/members-equipment-gallery/102557-new-arrival.html

Still my portable widefield setup but has been replaced with a HEQ5 Syntrek on a pier for home use... I swap the controllers to effectively have a HEQ5 Pro and EQ3 Syntrek which has all the fuuctionality you need for widefield really...

Billy...

[m.tweedy]

how about a barn door tracker

Single Arm Barn Door Tracker

http://stargazerslounge.com/diy-astronomer/122200-barn-door-tracker.html

[LukeSkywatcher]

The barn door trackers seem a great alternative to an astrotrac. If i had a saw i'd probably give making one a go. But the cost of a saw would go against making a cheap alternative to an astrotrac.

P.S.~~I hate splinters too.

[martin_h]

P.S.~~I hate splinters too.

No splinters in MDF !

[LukeSkywatcher]

I'd get them...........even from MDF.

[pete_gamby]

Hope the mods don't mind me posting this link but Vixen has an all-in-one photo guider based on the GP2 mount head:

GP2 Photo Guider

In stock in the UK and available to order from FLO :-) As usual with Vixen kit, it is not the cheapest but you do get everything you need except the camera including a carry bag for £699.

Cheers, Pete

[russ]

Hope the mods don't mind me posting this link but Vixen has an all-in-one photo guider based on the GP2 mount head:

GP2 Photo Guider

In stock in the UK and available to order from FLO :-) As usual with Vixen kit, it is not the cheapest but you do get everything you need except the camera including a carry bag for £699.

Cheers, Pete

That looks good. I'm basically using just the same but a driven EQ5 with ball & socket panhead in place of the dovetail. It's all very portable and easy to setup. I would like to replace the steel tripod with a aluminium one for a lighter setup still. I get no benefit from the steel tripod with only a camera on board.

Total cost of setup - £70

[garethmob]

where did you get yours from russ? if you dont mind me asking

[russ]

Another SGL member was selling it and i picked it up at SGL Salisbury in August. It wasn't a one off, seen plenty of bargain EQ5/CG5 about with and without drives. The EQ3 would be fine too. And i've seen those with dual drives for £50.

[ollypenrice]

But the whole darned project rides on the mount. You can't have a mount that's too good...

Olly

[garethmob]

lucky atm i just wanna try star trails but thas the best i can do, i do have a EQ2 mount i brought from another member on here might get drives for that any ideas where cheap EQ2 duel drives are? iv noticed FLO have them

[russ]

Wait for the Astroboot to start again. Just before it shut for Christmas there was all the bits needed to drive an EQ2. A motor for £5, Orion EQ2 handset for £10 and a battery box for £3. And because that's three items you'll get free delivery, so £18 all in.

[garethmob]

oooooo thanks russ

i av bought quite a fair few from the astroboot over the years was looking at them but i didnt think id be able to get it to work i do now tho!!

roll on janurary!!!

[Dangerous-Dave]

Hope the mods don't mind me posting this link but Vixen has an all-in-one photo guider based on the GP2 mount head:

GP2 Photo Guider

In stock in the UK and available to order from FLO :-) As usual with Vixen kit, it is not the cheapest but you do get everything you need except the camera including a carry bag for £699.

Cheers, Pete

Shame about the price as that is a tidy looking mount. I'm sure Vixen made something similar years ago as Phillip's Astrophotography by HJP Arnold has one on the cover in the old green livery.