Upgrade to Takahashi 200B Mount

[TS225]

Hi All,
I have just purchased, second-hand, a TSC225 and EM200B mount. The mount is
circa 90's and only has plug for hand controller. Is it possible to replace
the control box with a later model or incorporate a autoguide function into
the control box? The aim is to do long exposure astrophotography.
Any suggestion welcomed.
The scope is in great condition and has more accessories than I can cope
with!
Cheers
John Field

[JohnG]

Hi John

A TSC-225 :eyepop:, they are few and far between.....

As far as I am aware you can buy the Temma kit for the early USD model EM200's and there is a kit available for the USD 111, not sure about a 90's model though, they were supposed to have been one of the best Tak mounts built.

:welcome: to IIS.

Cheers

[gbeal]

John,
can you run a Shoestring style GPUSB, or ASCOM style connection instead.
Failing that a "doctored" hand controller, as the H/C input (assuming it is the same as my EM200) is a simple PS2 style plug.
I am sure you can sort something out to make it do what you want.
Gary

[TS225]

Thanks for the feedback! I will have to look in to those options; any links welcomed.
Cheers
John

[Dennis]

I have the EM200 Temma II which has GoTo and an auto guider socket. I know of a local guy who used to own an EM200 USD III which just had the auto guider socket but no GoTo.

I assume the EM200B just has the plain hand controller with RA and DEC buttons, no GoTo and no auto guider socket? If that is the case, I’d e-mail Art at Takahashi America (http://www.landseaskyco.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22_105)to see if the EM200B can be upgraded to a Temma II mount to provide both GoTo and auto guiding capability.

Cheers

Dennis

Contact page: http://www.landseaskyco.com/catalog/contact_us.php

[gbeal]

Try this, http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/UncensoredTakGroup/message/26202
Gary

[TS225]

Hi Dennis,
Thanks for the info.
Cheers
John:)

[TS225]

Hi All,
I heard back from Rémi at Takahashi Europe that the upgrade for the early EM200 was discontinued at the end of 2009.
He suggested that I upgrade with the FS2 complete kit with motors (12V version).
This system works fine with EM200 old version.
See information and price here :
http://www.astro-electronic.de/fs2.htm

Looks like a good option and will cost around NZ$2600 for the complete package. This is about the same price as a GO-TO EQ6 mount and I am sure the EM200 will perform better.

Will save my dollars up to do this.

Cheers

John

[Dennis]

Hi John

That’s great news – I read lots of good reports on the German FS2 system when I was investigating motors for my old Vixen GP mount several years ago.

Cheers

Dennis

[Stephan]

Although it might be a bit late here is my input.

You might have found out that the EM200B doesn't have the same gear ratios as the later USD versions and thus you can not just use the USD electronics. If you need a fast goto capability the FS2 solution is the best.

However if you just want auto guiding you can get a cable made which splits into 2 inputs, one for your hand controller and the other one the auto guider. Though you can not connect the autoguider directly to that, you will also need a relay-box. The cable is about $100 or around that. Let me know if you want to do that so I can have a look for the contact details for the guy who makes those cables.

Of course there is also an intermediate solution with slow GOTO. In this case you just modify the front panel slightly and get the Boxdörfer MTS-3 SDI controller with the optional display and GoTo function and off you go. The controller can be programmed for any gearbox. However the original motors of the EM200B are not capable of fast slewing speeds.

Cheers,

Stephan

[TS225]

Hi Stephen,
No input is too late! I would be very keen on the cable/relay box option. I am in may ways an old fashioned astronomer who can find things but starhopping and circles. The guiding though is much easier when done electronically! I will google the option as well.
Cheers
John

[Stephan]

Hi John,

I checked my stuff and the cable was actually $320 not just $100, so you probably better off making one yourself.

Cheers,

Stephan

[Nighthawk]

Dear all,

I'm also an owner of a Takahashi EM-200B mount looking to add autoguiding functionality. Please post references to the solutions, who have suggested. Thank you.

--
Marcel

[TS225]

Hi Marcel,
Great news on your purchase! I am currently building my obseravtory, at long last. I will eventually upgrade to the astro-electronics system. As an interem I looking at building a splitter box that will enable me to use both the hand controller and use PHD autoguiding to guide the telescope. The Takahashi user groups have charts and wiring diagrams for these. Hopefully my dome and scope will be operational by June 2010 and I can give you more info.
By the way did your mount come with a manual? Mine didn't and have been trying to tracck one down.
Cheers
John