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Originally Posted by g__day
Ken,
You can remotely control the CG5 using the freeware Nexstar via a (4 wire) cable from the handcontroller to the serial in port of a PC / laptop - no length restrictions.So Goto from a remote PC with the CG5 is pretty simple once you have the cable and free software.
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Well, that's good news.
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Originally Posted by g__day
So one other think you might later look at is motorised and/or computer controlled focusing, I am a few weeks away from doing remote PC controller focusing - so skip that one for the moment.
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My ED80 and dob already have the Orion Accufocus fitted.
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Originally Posted by g__day
For auto-guiding you need something to mimic a S-BIG autoguide controller - unless you are fortunate to have an S-BIG unit. However these can be emulated by a PC running the right software as it processes the video in from a ccd. I happen to have bought an Meade DSI which comes with some great planetarium, imaging, focusing, dome control and auto-guding software - for Meade specific electronics. However there are great emulators out there to convert Meade proprietary commands to Celestron commands for alot of your mount control. e.g. Guidestar
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You just lost me again! Damn that jargon!!!
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Originally Posted by g__day
There is a whole slew of learning and products to process an image once its been captured.
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Yep, familiar with all that. Been processing images captured in Toucam software and Desire long Exposure suite for about a year now using Registax, PaintShop Pro, and Photoshop CS.
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Originally Posted by g__day
If I had to surammise your two stated choices the CG5 is capable but you need to support it with the right software and cabling. The LXD75 is likely to be mechanically inferior but Meade bundle great, integrated software at least with their CCDs to drive their mounts far more benefically then Celestron do.
Celestron - better hardware on the Mount, possible to acquire 3rd party software to do all a Meade s/w package can can. Meade - lesser mount, better, more integrated software in my very limited experience.
What have others found?
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After reading the Celestron owners manual and many reviews they all say to just plug in the RS-232 cable and Bobs your Uncle as far as Lappy controlling the mount.
I use a very large EQ mount now for Astrophotography (as well as the piddly little EQ!
). I just want a portable goTo mount for when I am away from home! Be damned if I'm gonna dissassemble and carry my 3 tonne bohemeth every time I wanna do imaging somewhere else.
I took the beast to the local fair on saturday, and nearly blew a foofle valve!