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Alistair, I cannot go past 30 sec exposure at the moment, thanks entirely to a faulty declination motor in the HEQ5 - it was giving enough free play to star trail after 30 secs. It finally gave up the ghost last night and whirred, without ANY movement in dec whatsoever - the small cog on the head of the shaft of the motor (that is only press peened on!) was not turning - the shaft was though, meaning the shaft had lost ALL traction on the cog. Tasco have been very good and replacing the motor assembly - this time as a precaution, I think I'll permanent loctite the cog (there seems JUST enough gap for the ultra thin automotive sleeving permanent loctite), and do the RA one as a precaution.
Hopefully, when that is back up and running properly, I'll pass 1 minute comfortably. I had before.
SW ED80 refractor used for all shots. I love this scope, but I need more aperture. Harumpf.
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