Guide scope on Megrez 90?

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Hi guys :) I am looking to do some imaging with my Megrez 90, using the Orion Mini Guider:

http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/Autoguiders/Orion-Mini-Autoguider-Package/403/productview.aspx

Does anyone know if this will mount directly to the Megrez, or will I need to go down the path of tube rings?

Thanks :)

[BruceG]

I think the Orion mini Guide scope will mount onto that ridiculous foot that WO have installed on the Megrez 90. If you have a later model without the foot, you probably will have to go down the tube rings route. I am going through the same frustration trying to figure out if I can mount the ST80 on the Megrez.
Bruce.

[LewisM]

I'd wait and get the new deluxe version - it at least has a helical focuser. The originals - like the ones Bintel sell, are a royal PITA to get good focus with as you are moving the objective and the camera in and out to try to make a good focus, which then all goes to pot the minute you tighten up the objective (I always left the objective not secured, which is not a good thing, but at least it held focus!).

In short, I disliked the Orion mini guider a LOT. I sold the insensitive SSAG, but kept the scope as I can unscrew the rear adapter and mount it to a Takahashi finder scope, which makes for a 1000000000000% better rig.

Your results may vary, but there was ALWAYS flexure with this system, not to mention the focus issues.

BUT, it works, though not the best. My imaging has improved 100% since using a long focal length guidescope (self made from an old Meade refractor) with solid rings (not guide scope rings) and a Lodestar.

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I ended up modding my Meade SCT finder - mounted it on the megrez mounting rings. Ive only used it a few times, but it seems to work fine with the QHY5L-II mono. I use the adjustable screw ring that comes with the QHY5 to adjust the focus - once you set it, it doesnt need to be changed.

[johnnyt123]

A problem I sometimes seem to run into is not finding a guide star when looking at deep sky objects where no other star is in site. This especially happens with long focal length guidescopes. Longer focal length does give more accurate tracking but you need a more sensitive camera.

I am thinking of mounting 2 guide scopes at slightly different angles in the hope that maybe 1 has a guide star in its FOV.

Has anyone tried this before?

John.

[LewisM]

I used to have this problem, but upgrading to a Lodestar has eliminated this occurence due to the Lodestar being incredibly light sensitive.

My guidescope is rigidly mounted, and the focal length is 600mm - which is a LOT longer than the Orion mini guider ;)

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I agree with Lewis best bet is to get a better guide camera. The one I have gives me a big field of stars, no matter what I point it to.