Test Object for EQ6-R tune

[Startrek (Martin)]

Over the past week or so I’ve been spending some time on my EQ6-R mount to minimise backlash mainly in Dec plus a re orientation of my Newt to achieve better balance
As far as minimising backlash is concerned the procedure is quite simple but the fine tuning, testing and outcome is the time consuming part.I adjusted both Ra and Dec works gears (micro binding is the hard one to eliminate) and tightened the Ra and Dec motor drive gear belts.

Sunday night presented an hour or so of clear skies for testing so picked NGC 3372 Carina a nice big bright object full of nebulosity and a comprehensive Star field.
Only managed 50 minutes before clouds rolled in yet again but the tracking and guiding were promising. Started imaging at Alt 37 degrees.
Total rms ranged between 0.48 to 0.60 with no excursions in either axis and a the mount recovered well from dithers ( within 10 sec ) This is the best this EQ6-R mount has performed since buying it back in late 2018 ( I usually guided between 0.70 to 0.85 on good nights ) Up until then I hadn’t touched a thing.You can end up chasing your tail once you fiddle with the gears but after a few goes at it and a few nights testing you gain experience and confidence.
The only other test to carry out is guiding in other areas of the sky , especially north
Anyway I was surprised how much detail the rig captured on Carina with relatively short integration time
Star shape was good and fairy tight but a little coma on the left hand corners which I can live with.
Happy with this test but more nights needed to qualify what I’ve done to date

NexDome Obs
8” f5 GSO Newt
EQ6-R mount
ZWOASI2600MC Gain 0 cooled to -10C
Optolong L Extreme filter
Baader MPCC CC
18 x 3 minute dithered guided subs
40 x Flats
50 x Bias
Tracking and Goto EQMOD and Ascom Stellarium
Framed focused and captured with APT
PHD2 Multistar guiding
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.7 OSC narrowband Bi Colour

Attached some OSC NB Bi colour versions using Compose module to load data sets and the SHO matrix in colour module

Comments welcome
Thanks

[Anth10 (Anthony M)]

Glad to see you have made measurable improvements Martin.
As you say you can find yourself going around in circles chasing the fine adjustments but in the end if you are satisfied that's what counts. I know I'm never going to tame my Newt -it's part of the endless wrestle with these scopes!
These test shots look pretty spot on to me.
Good work.
A

[Sunfish (Ray)]

Great detail. I like the colour of the first one and the cropped view.
Looks like a head and shoulders front on of a creature with a triangular head.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by Anth10

Glad to see you have made measurable improvements Martin.
As you say you can find yourself going around in circles chasing the fine adjustments but in the end if you are satisfied that's what counts. I know I'm never going to tame my Newt -it's part of the endless wrestle with these scopes!
These test shots look pretty spot on to me.
Good work.
A

Thanks Anthony
A few more nights in different parts of sky especially north with quantify if I’ve nailed it
When you’ve been guiding around 0.70 to 0.80 with Ra and Dec excursions for 3 or more years and you see what these EQ6-R mounts can do with a bit of effort and TLC, it’s very satisfying considering it’s carrying nearly 15kg and at the time the mount only cost me $2.2k
Cheers
Martin

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by Sunfish

Great detail. I like the colour of the first one and the cropped view.
Looks like a head and shoulders front on of a creature with a triangular head.

Thanks Ray
Yep Carina is a big monster that’s for sure