[Mark_Heli (Mark)]

Thanks for all the great advice.. After a year (at least) of thinking about an upgrade, I finally bought an AZ-EQ6 today and de-forked the LX90.

Attached are some pictures of the deforked LX90 and the new AZ-EQ in boxes. I will setup the new mount tommorow and create a new "unboxing" thread with pictures for those that may be interested in the AZ-EQ6.

Originally Posted by Poita

Well, you are going to get the mount either way, so get the mount

Re the scopes, I would defork the LX90 AND pick up a 2nd hand ED80.

Don't worry about an OAG initially until you have come to terms with the new mount etc.

When ready to look at an OAG, I would look into the QHY5L-II (or the chinese equivalent) as it is way, way more sensitive than the SSAG, it is up there with the Loadstar for sensitivity for guiding (I owned both). The SSAG isn't really up to the job for the LX90.

Peter - Thanks for the advice. I decided to just start with just the mount and will buy an OAG / guider once I have the mount, polar alignment, software etc.. sorted out. Lots of reading and learning to be done...

Originally Posted by traveller

Hi Mark,
...Once you get the hang if it, defork your LX90, get a focal reducer and mount it on the EQ6 and use ED80 as guidescope.
Cheers
Bo

Thanks Bo - I agree that the focal reducer with the LX90 is a good idea. I will probably get the Optec Lepus at some point in the future. I believe this is one of the few reducers that works well the Meade ACF optics.

Originally Posted by Amaranthus

I'd go option 1 initially - that is essentially what I am thinking as the next step for my Celestron 8" SCT -- whack it on a AZ-EQ6 and add some sort of guiding (OAG or guidescope). Then at a LATER date I'll upgrade my imager and get a beautiful new APO. Stepwise investment is the key, to both allow you to increment your skills, and to make it easier to 'sell' the purchases to the wife

??

Thanks Barry. I ended up taking option 1. Looks like we have similar equipment and idea's around incremental upgrades. I agree that an APO would be an excellent addition to the scope family.

Originally Posted by scagman

Hi Guys,
You may find that the SSAG isn't sensitive enough to use with an OAG.
I use the orion SSAG with a seperate guide scope (orion ST80) and find this works well.
The other night I tried the SSAG with an OAG and found that I couldn't see any stars. I swapped the SSAG with a lodestar and had stars immediatly.
Another alternative is the QHY5L2 which is very sensitive and would be a better option than the SSAG.

Cheers

Hi John - thanks for this excellent advice. I decided that the SSAG may not be sensitive enough and that either the QHY5L2 or Lodestar would be a better choice. Once I get the mount sorted out, I will then consider which OAG / autoguider to go with...