what do i need to buy?

[jayconnor]

Hey guys / gals

I have recently acquired myself a guide scope and cam.

The guide scope is a 50mm Orion and slots straight into where my finder scope goes. Now i still want to have my finderscope on my telescope and have my guidescope on too. What do i need to purchase to make this happen?

any advice would be great.

[Startrek]

Jay
I use an 8” f5 newt too and kept my finderscope but added a heavy duty losmandy dovetail bar across the tube rings to mount my 60mm Orion guide scope and ZWOASI120MM guide camera
Solid as a rock no issue with flexure
I started with using a 50mm Orion guide scope “shoe mounted” off set but got sick of swapping my finder and guide scope over all the time. Now I’ve kept my finder in the shoe and added my guide scope to the central axis of the OTA , works well no issues
See attached photo of my rig
Martin

[Outcast]

One of these perhaps?

https://www.astroshop.com.au/product-page/prostar-trio-finderscope-mount

Or one of these:

https://www.bintel.com.au/product/orion-dual-finder-scope-mounting-bracket/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuOW_8p2m6gIVgw4r Ch3cZwChEAQYAiABEgJItfD_BwE&v=322b26af01d5

Or Martin's option below is equally valid...

[jayconnor]

exactly what im after guys! thanks very much for your help once again.

[jayconnor]

what do you guys use for your USB cords? my laptop only have two usb inputs. But i have three cords to go in. Guide cam, Main Camera and the usb for the controller on the heq5.

Just buy a usb port hub?

[Startrek]

3 x USB2 cables ( no longer than 5m , better if 3m long or less depending on whether your hub is located near the mount or located away near the laptop )
Buy a Startech 4 port USB3 powered hub
Guide camera USB cable straight to laptop if using PHD2
Main imaging camera to laptop USB cable can go via the powered USB3 hub ( eg Startech 4 port powered USB3 hub )
Mount to laptop can go via a powered USB3 hub ( eg Startech 4 port Powered USB hub )
Hub can be located either near mount or near laptop ( mine is near laptop ) I use USB3 cables as my laptop has USB3 ports . Everyone’s situation is different
Unpowered Hubs can cause problems
Cheap crappy Chinese USB cables can cause problems
Guide camera if USB3 can still work with USB2 cable but may have issues if USB2 cable is poor quality or too long

USB cables can be troublesome due to quality, length and compatibility

[jayconnor]

my laptop has usb3 so thats a bonus. thanks once again Martin.