Manually guiding an autoguider ??

[Hoges]

(Probably should rename this: can you guide with a camera/laptop combination....)

I've got an HEQ5 mount with no autoguiding port so I'm planning on getting the synscan upgrade and the Orion autoguider. In the meantime I've been guiding with the illuminated crosshairs - which is a pain and leads me to this question.

Is it possible to manually guide using the autoguider plugged into the laptop and manually adjusting the telescope mount via the usual handpiece? I figure making adjustments using a laptop screen has gotta be easier than squinting into a 9mm eyepiece and also that the autoguider would provide perhaps a more magnified view?

Or would a different camera/software setup be better (don't think I've seen any laptop screens with crosshairs displayed on the software).

Another one of my hairbrain ideas!!

[acropolite]

I believe that you can modify the standard hand controlled to add a guide port. http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/eq_mod.pdf

[nebulosity.]

Hi John, yep I've done it. Used a webcam on one scope with the imaging camera on another one (had two similar size scopes mounted together) plug the webcam into the laptop focused up on a star, zoomed in and put some bluetack cross hairs on the screen and made adjustments with the hand controller to keep the star centred with taking exposures with my main camera.

It worked well, pretty tedious but not as bad and manual guiding though and eyepiece.

Cheers
Jo

[Hoges]

Thanks Jo. I might give it a whirl and see how it goes. Might be able to draw up/print some crosshairs on some clear plastic to stick over the screen.

[Merlin66]

John,
You can use Al's Reticule to present a guide crosswire on your screen...
no need to have the plastic overlay.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=21798&highlight=al%27s+reticule

[Hoges]

Perfect! Many thanks.