EQ8 first light

[peter_4059]

I picked up my new EQ8 on Wednesday night. Luckily the weather has cooperated and I've managed to install it in the obs and get polar alignment sorted. I've also made myself an EQ direct cable and now have EQMOD playing with it. Last night I tried the latest development EQMOD version V129a, this one seems to be compatible with Autopec for the EQ8.

After all that I couldn't resist capturing an image - 10 x 5min Lum subs on M83.

I've definitely noticed an improvement in both RMS and peak guide errors in RA compared to my EQ6 with these optics. I think there is a bit of Dec backlash still that I need to look in to.

I haven't bothered updating flats, bias and darks since updating my QSI firmware so the calibration is not famous but it's a start.

Thanks for looking.

[jwoody]

Nice one Peter, an EQ8 is next on my shopping list too. Did you buy locally if you don't mind me asking?
Jeremy

[RickS]

Sounds like the mount upgrade went smoothly, Peter. Looking forward to some more images...

Cheers,
Rick.

[troypiggo]

Sweet! Looking good!

[peter_4059]

Yes I bought it locally - excellent price and service from Astro Pete.

[ozstronomer]

Nice round stars Peter, guiding looks good

All the best with the new mount

Cheers Geoff

[rustigsmed]

Nice one Peter sounds like a smooth transition!

[Atmos]

I give that a :thumbsup:

[Flugel88]

Nice M83 Peter the EQ8 has been a great mount for me even with my heavy GSO 14RC.

Only thing i would keep in mind is dew and water settling on the mount.

I have noticed because I'm lazy and don't bother to wipe the dew off my mount after a night the bolt heads and lots of the stainless parts of my eq8 have gone rusty.
I need to get some kind of water proofing like lanolin spay maybe :question:

[Slawomir]

Great news Peter that the upgrade has been a success; looking forward to reading your impressions with your new mount as you get to use it more :thumbsup:

[peter_4059]

Yeah the rust proofing is probably the weakest part of the EQ8. I've done some DIY to the DEC axis to try to keep the dew and other crap out.

I've also posted some guide log data from last night. Not bad for the crappy seeing in Brisbane.