Auto guiding system

[alexV]

Hello everyone

I have plunged my self into astrophotography and so far so good
One of my favorite hobbies

Iam still battling with drift allighment but while I go through that learning curve I thought I'll do some research about auto guiding systems

How do i choose the right system for me. Was just looking at bintels web site and prices start from $500 and up to $1000

Will that be good enough for DSO

http://www.bintel.com.au/Astrophotography/Autoguiders/Orion-Mini-Autoguider-Package/403/productview.aspx

Thank you

[multiweb]

Yep - that will work nicely.

[leon]

AS Marc said, perfect.

Leon

[alexV]

Thank you guys
So all those more expensive system are they more accurate?
Thank you
Alex

[multiweb]

This system is a good all rounder from short to medium FL. Guiding becomes harder at long FL when using an OAG (off axis guider) to circumvent flexure which requires a more sensitive guider at higher frame rate, then there's AO (Adaptive Optics). The list goes on and on. There's always a better system but the Bintel combo will work for you for years to come.

[alexV]

I see
Thanks a lot for your help guys
Alex

[2stroke]

Alex we just got http://www.alignmaster.de/ and are waiting to try it out with our heq5, hopefully this weekend if it clears up. I tried the sycscan 3.28 beta 21 but didn't have much luck on our first quick test, well the mount wasn't level hahaha http://www.skywatcher.com/swtinc/customer_support.php?class1=1. If you are going to flash and update hand unit use a real comport those usb to coms are bs. As for DA we use the canon 1100D and Backyard ESO as its alot easier then a recital eyepeice and is able to display path. This vid will hlp you rap your head around Drift Alignment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OtelWKWntc

As for guiding we just got a used meade dsi pro and a meade ds 60mm refactor and some 102mm guide rings with longer bolts about $250 total and does one nice job on first testing with PHD ascom to eqascom. Just learning the ropes with the new rig now using an eqdirect cable and will show you next time we are out at MPAS.

[alexV]

Thanks 2stroke

[alexV]

2stroke please let me know when you'll go there next time
Thanks

[2stroke]

Will pm you before I do, just waiting on the weather :(

[alexV]

Thanks

[Garbz]

I recently purchased exactly this guider. So far I'm happy with it. I knew the limitations of the focal length compared to the 2m focal length of the scope but the next step would be to piggyback a longer refractor to the scope and guide through that.

A lack of mounting hardware made that cost prohibitive for me though.

I've gone from 20sec to 1-2min exposures with no significant decrease in sharpness of my images.

[alexV]

So when you ready for upgrade all you need is smaller scope?
Is that right Chris?

[Garbz]

I was warned from the beginning that autoguiding through a 50mm guidescope will be difficult with a 2m SCT. I was originally looking at the Orion Awesome guider package instead but couldn't fit it in my budget at the time (damn house renos).

When I'm ready for upgrade I'm plannning on a small refractor or a small guidescope like the Stellarvue f80. This would double my focal length from 160mm on the Orion 50mm finder guider to something like 300mm which makes it more suitable for my 2m SCT.

Part of this will also be visiting my mounting arrangement. Apparently flexture becomes a bit of an issue when guiding through longer focal lengths so rigid mounting becomes critical.