Cheap Guidescope

[mswhin63]

Hi All,

Have had a good DIY venture over the last 3 weeks or so and are close to completing a number of projects. The first is a cheap guide-scope using a Skywatcher in-line finder and other items.

Ingredients:
SW in-line 9 x 50 finder
My beloved webcam that I was using to capture planetary. (It has been abused over time but still works :) )
Pope garden retic sprinkler (grey looking one)
and a lot of careful drilling and sanding.

It turned out quite well and the webcam on its own found enough stars to guide on (separate post of this)

Images:
1 - Package - https://picasaweb.google.com/109920401953767744541/Equipment#slideshow/5696601322134110530 - the lugs clamps down the camera to the pope sprinkler head.
2 Connected to my scope - https://picasaweb.google.com/109920401953767744541/Equipment#slideshow/5696600681250466114

I will clean this installation up later but I am more interested in functionality rather than aesthetics at this stage.

[arifmshaikh]

Hi Malcolm

I have also finished mine with GSO 8x50 right angle finder with Philips spc 800 webcam. Just waiting for the testing. I bought convert adapter from Bunnings plumbing sections and both end fits perfect to the scope and 1.24" eyepiece.

[alistairsam]

Hi Malcolm,
which webcam are you using?
I tried an unmodded spc900c webcam with an st80 guidescope from melbourne outskirts but it couldn't detect stars.
I know a lot of people have webcams as guidecams working fine from reasonably dark skies, but not sure if anyone had success from outskirts of cities. waiting to get a qhy5 or an orion ssag.

[mswhin63]

I too tried many plumbing item and I was going to use them but just tried out the Pope sprinkler ($5.00 and a snug fit) and required the least modification, just boring out the centre for the camera.

I do like my plumbing options though as they fit better but any lip on mine would never achieve focus. I have already removed the focus collar. This maybe the difference between GSO and SW finders. Using plumbing option needed more attention.



The camera I am using is the Liquid Digital vAgent v5 (http://agent.liquiddigital.com.au/). I also found the input level is best at the highest resolution. I found this out while imaging planets and the moon as higher resolution needed so many filter. I also remove any IR filters if any as this can improve levels as well.

I was going to sell these unit and managed to get a wholesale account but communication is not the best with the company. The camera has really well for my needs. I think though I may end up getting a specialised Guide Camera but until then, it is working and quite happy with it. The real test will be some areas of the sky that may not have reasonably bright stars.