[Hoges (John)]

(Probably should rename this: can you guide with a camera/laptop combination....)

I've got an HEQ5 mount with no autoguiding port so I'm planning on getting the synscan upgrade and the Orion autoguider. In the meantime I've been guiding with the illuminated crosshairs - which is a pain and leads me to this question.

Is it possible to manually guide using the autoguider plugged into the laptop and manually adjusting the telescope mount via the usual handpiece? I figure making adjustments using a laptop screen has gotta be easier than squinting into a 9mm eyepiece and also that the autoguider would provide perhaps a more magnified view?

Or would a different camera/software setup be better (don't think I've seen any laptop screens with crosshairs displayed on the software).

Another one of my hairbrain ideas!!