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My new upgraded rig for the NexDome has finally been installed after 5 months from ordering the gear at the end of January this year.
New rig
10” f5 Klaus Helmerich Carbon Fibre Newt ( GSO mirrors and focuser) EAF focuser, Orion guide scope , ZWO 290MM guide camera.
Skywatcher EQ8-R pro mount with tripod pier
The upgrade couldn’t have gone better , I just had to enlarge (jigsaw) the existing tripod feet cut outs from 100mm to 150mm diameter and the new tripod pier and mount fit perfectly on the under deck concrete piers.
The 10” f5 newt fits nicely in the NexDome with plenty of room to walk around and sit at my workstation ( I don’t think a 12” newt would fit ) The Skywatcher EQ8 tripod pier actually gives you more space compared to my old EQ6-R tripod due to the low spread of the legs.
I carried out some testing 2 nights ago for the first time
Setting up EQMOD for the Synscan Auto Home Position function, Balancing ( so much easier than the EQ6-R , you can push the whole rig with just one finger )
Polar alignment adjustments were accurate and responsive
Focusing , Star centering and sync alignment etc….
Setting up PHD2 and testing guiding ( I have some Dec backlash to adjust but guiding figures look promising ( 0.65 to 0.80 arc sec ) at 30 to 40 degrees Alt , average seeing
A bit more work to on the rig and testing , but so far so good
Cheers
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