New AP setup

[Daff]

Hi All,

I am looking at buying some equipment to start taking some photos. Being as I only have a rickety 5" reflector at the moment it will be a whole new setup.

I want to future proof myself as much as I can so my initial thoughts after reading about a million forum posts and reviews are a:

An EQ6 mount (EQMOD control and all that stuff), an ED80 refractor and use my current DSLR.

This should give me plenty of leeway to upgrade to bigger OTA at a later date. The ED80 can become a guidescope for the bigger system.

Im still looking at how I will guide the initial setup. Maybe the Orion 50mm mini guidescope and starshoot autoguider camera?

Looking forward to your thoughts and ideas.

Daff

[cventer]

Looks like your reading has paid off.

Your suggestions are all great and will not dissapoint.

Suggest you keep an eye out for 2nd hand ED80's. They com eup quit often and can save you a bundle. 2nd hand EQ6's seem less common but they do show up every now and then.

50mm finder with starshoot will do a fine job guiding the ED80. My suggestion is just buy a starshoot and then buy a 2nd hand 50mm finder which come up for sale all the time here. Modify the finder to use the starshoot. You will be a happy camper.

Doubt you will ever use the ED80 as a guidescope... but they have good resale so dont stress.

[bmitchell82]

not much to complain about on that research! Ive taken plenty of photos with the ED80 finder guider setup!

Brendan

[Daff]

Cheers Guys

I like the idea of the finderscope. Will keep an eye out for one.

I think Bintel have Skywatcher ED80 for $599 at the moment. Sounds like thats a pretty good deal.

Thanks

Daff

[ashcb1]

Just wondering what the difference apart from the name of the following:

Skywatcher SWED80 Refractor $599 at Bintel, or

Skywatcher Black Diamond ED80 $999

Thank You

[bmitchell82]

well theres the ED80 Pro Gold tube which is the older version of the new Black diamond ED 80. difference very little.

[NorthernLight]

As far as I can tell the gold tubes aren´t sold anymore. The only difference between the ED80 and the black diamond ED80 are: the latter comes in an aluminium case and has a 10:1 Crayford focuser whilst the former comes in cardboard and has standard crayford.
I bought the ED80 and focus through a Bhatinov mask- never had any issues with this focuser and my DSLR. It´s a good combo.

[NorthernLight]

Talking about modding a finder to be used as a guider: is there a tutorial on how to perform the necessary modifications?
I would like to give it a shot.

[bmitchell82]

there isn't so much a tutorial to do it, you have to adapt the rear cell to take a 1 1/4" nose piece or a M42 which most guiders have on the front. being aware that the focal point of the lense. I know for a fact that Orions SSAG and the SW you need to shorten the SW tube approximately 15mm where as Meads DSI 1 or 2 possibly 3 will work straight up as long as your adaptor is about 4-5mm from the end of the tube.

If you have a little lathe or access to a lathe this becomes easy, without that kind of equipment silicone is your friend but also your worst enemy as you wont get a good fit nor will you have accurate guiding for fear of flexure on connection of silicone to guider plus the inconvienence that your guider is locked in so you cant easily remove it.

Brendan

[NorthernLight]

Thanks for your prompt answer, Brendan. But this is too much hassle since I don´t have a lathe nor access to one. The silicon solution is, as you said, not a very convincing one so I just keep the finder intact :)

[Daff]

I looked into it too but at around $100 for a 50mm guidescope that is built for the SSAG it wasnt worth my time or effort trying to source bits and lathes! Lazy? Maybe. Easy? Yep!!

[ashcb1]

Well I am thinking of getting the ED80, the $599 one but before I do I already have a Vixen VC200L I am new to AP and I am thinking that the 80 would add to the mix eg sometimes try the 80 and other times use the Vixen. I am interested in DSO. Thanks

Ashley

[ZeroID]

If anyone wants to spec out the requirements/measurements for an adapter and send to me I'll see how easy it is to make them up. Got lathe, will turn. Probably got some alum tube stock or steel that will do as a starter.

[alistairsam]

That sounds great Brent.
I was looking at modding my 9x50mm finder as well.

I'll post some dimensions but here are what some ppl have done as you might have seen

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=532206&postcount=5

http://www.pbase.com/martyt/image/108435381
http://msfastro.net/articles/finder_guidescope/

a ready made finder/guider adaptor
http://www.modernastronomy.com/accessories.html

[Daff]

It's official!!

NEQ6Pro, ED80 and SSAG ordered and on their way!!

Looking forward to sleepless nights and an empty wallet!!

Now if only the stuff was here now. After weeks of reading and researching I am about as patient as a 5 year old at christmas at the moment.

Cheers everybody

[bmitchell82]

you just doomed everybody to at least 3 days of shiiiet weather! :D congrats on your new toy... and should i say MERRY CHRISTMAS

[Daff]

I reckon you will have a few good days yet. I reckon about Wednesday next week when it all arrives it will be wet and windy!!