Guiding setup - what to get?

[Scooter]

Hi Folks,

Looking for a guiding solution for my setup which is currently 12” Newt on an EQ6Pro (might get a smaller scope soon more on that later).

Was thinking either an Orion Starshoot Autoguider (seen for ~ $450) or a QHY-5 (QGuider seen for ~ $380). Anyone care to offer opinions etc? Guess the budget was ~$500 so then these 2 appear to be the options.

Now was thinking to look at off axis guiding as well as separate guide scope so I can see 3 options for an off axis guider, Lumicon 2” Newt (will this work with an ED80?) for about ~$380, Orion deluxe off axis guider for about ~$200 and lastly a Meade off axis guider for $140. These all do the same thing or do I assume the more expensive it is the better? Which one should I marry up to the guiders listed above?

Lastly I was thinking of getting a smaller scope so was looking at an SW ED80Pro ~$700 but I notice the Blackdiamond can be had for ~$1100. What would my extra $400 be getting me?

Thanks in advance :cheers:

[Robbie]

I was going to get a dedicated guider but was talked into buying a meade dsi 1 by astro optical, couple this with the free phd download and its fool proof from memory the dsi1 cost about 250 dollars because they have been superseded cheap autoguider with the added advantage of being able to take a few pics as well. there may still be some kicking around in stores.

[multiweb]

Got a QHY5, and ED80 and the meade off axis for $140. I guide on the ED80 when imaging with the 5" and vice versa. I use the OAG on the C11 as to avoid flexure problems. Stick an ED80 on top of your 12" newt with the QHY5. You can't go wrong.

[Bassnut]

Hang on, the EQ6pro is rated for 20Kg and a Bintel 12" newt is 20kg, so your pushing it already, so the weight of the guide scope is a concern. IMO an ED80 for guiding will be problimatic. To guide on that rig, IMO, an ST80 would be the go, much lighter (and cheaper) than an ED80. And the QHY5 is the ducks guts for a guide cam, hands down.

[marki]

QHY5 and Orion autoguider are the same thing. Both use PHD guiding software which is included. I use the QHY 5 which is a good camera.

PS I have seen the EQ6 rated at 25kg at some sites.

[Scooter]

So doing some more research the QHY-5 and Orion Starshoot are the exact same thing so I guess as far as that goes cheaper it is (unless anyone can give me a compelling reason to spend the extra - and I know about lack of cables).

Bassnut - the ED80 would be to replace the 12" (just a smaller widefield scope) not to mount on it as a guider. Thats why I want the OAG, so the setup will basically be 12", OAG and DSLR (i.e - no different in weight to what I have currently). If I do use a seperate guide scope on the 12" I was thinking of just modifying the current finder.

Multiweb - how come you don't use the OAG on the 5" and what do you think of the cheap meade OAG?

On the guider (and it appears that all agree the QHy-5 and Starshoot are great) what about Robbies suggestion about going to a camera. I discounted things like webcams etc. due to resolution and sensitivity but if you could get another camera (given I said budget was ~$500) like the DSI II (for $600) would that be a much better option (gives some extra felxibility to image planets maybe)?

Thanks for the comments so far - keep em comming :thumbsup:

[Scooter]

Thanks marki (you posted whilst I was obviously composing) - I did vaguely think that was the case before I posted but it seemed weird there was such a price difference. A quick google earlier today shows they were infact the same cam which by all accounts is great :)

[mick pinner]

when it comes to weight on a mount it all depends where it is located. say for example an ED80 weighs 4 kg, mount it on top of a 12" reflector and suddenly it exerts a force probably 3 times it's weight. the ratings of mounts really is pointless.

[multiweb]

The 5" newt is too small for the focuser to support the QHY8+guider.
The meade adaptor does the job for me. Simple is good. No complaints.

[marki]

I also have the meade OAG and quite frankly find it to be pretty useless. It is very difficult to focus both cameras as the guide port is too long (i did consider cutting mine but threw it in the oh well another useless item pile). Not a big fan of OAG in any case and prefer to use a seperate guide scope.

Ciao Mark

[multiweb]

The trick is to move the imaging camera futher down the OAG so to reach focus you have to rack the focuser in, that means you have enough up and down play on your guider to slide it into focus.:thumbsup:
If you use a big scope that can handle the load OAG is the way to go. Otherwise you may run into flexure problems.

[marki]

Hi Marc

I have found that moving the camera back will indeed allow focus but the cost is clipping the image (I use QHY8 and D400). The larger lumicon's etc would probably alleviate this but when polar alligned on a wedge using a guidescope I can easily get round stars on 10 minute subs. We all have our preferences I guess.

Mark