Guidescope for ED80 on EQ6 Pro, bars,+rings question

[leinad (Dan)]

Hi Guys, hoping those that have been there or have the knowledge can help me out.

The wallets a little light and Im looking at getting a guidescope for the Saxon ED80 I have, and to also possibly use it on the 8" Skywatcher OTA, all mounted on a EQ6.

First, I know I'll have to get another counterweight(if using the 8" Newt OTA), but unsure what weight or how many I'll need.

Secondly, Im wondering whether side-by-side mounting is the best way to go, or to piggyback the guidescope. For either I'll need bars, rings, etc.

I already have rings for the ED80 and 8" tube, but the bars I have do not have ring mount holes in center or 1/3 distance from edges.

Can someone recommend what would be best required in regards to a guidescope/rings/bars/plates, and also the best place to purchase these from.

All in all, Im assuming its gonna cost me roughly ~ $500-800 ?

I know its a long ask for help but I was hoping someone has already been in these shoes; any input is much appreciated.

[leinad (Dan)]

*bump*

[iceman (Mike)]

What sort of imaging do you want to do? Do you want mount a guidescope with your ED80, or do you want to mount your ED80 onto your 8"?

I have an ED80 and an 80mm refractor mounted side-by-side on my EQ6 for DSO imaging.

Some images here

[leinad (Dan)]

Hi Mike,

I should have been a bit clearer. I was hoping to mount the guidescope with the ED80, and also use the guidescope with the 8". I guess the lighter refractor on the 8" the better due to less weight ?

[Terry B]

From the counter weight perspective, the proprietry weights are rediculously expensive. I bought a 2.5 and 5kg barbell weights for K-mart for about $10.
The hole in the middle is too big but can be coped with. They can be sandwiched between the 2 weights that come with the EQ6 to hold them in place.
I have a wood lathe so turned a sleeve to fill the difference in size between the shaft and the counterweight. This is neat but I'm sure there are other ways of doing it.

[Terry B]

Now for the bars etc'
I have been using my mount with a VC200L mounted on a cheap dovetail with good vixen tube rings. I then had connected my refractor on the top using tube rings as a guider. This worked well until I got a bigger refractor. This increased the weight. The result is the cheap dovetail will flex as I slew around the sky. The goto has become much more inaccurate as a result.
I have recently bought a side by side bar from these guys.
http://www.starstuff.com.au/
Not cheap but hopefully will be much more secure. It lowers the weight closer to the axis of the mount thus reducing the flexure.
Depends on what you aim is I guess.

[leinad (Dan)]

Thanks Terry, I'll check out the Starstuff site further.
Prices arent cheap! Almost half the cost of the entire mount itself.

Originally Posted by iceman

What sort of imaging do you want to do? Do you want mount a guidescope with your ED80, or do you want to mount your ED80 onto your 8"?

I have an ED80 and an 80mm refractor mounted side-by-side on my EQ6 for DSO imaging.

Some images here

Mike, can I ask which plate/bars and rings you used and where you got them from.

I wish there was a shop in Perth I could go to have a chat and see first hand.

[AlexN]

the side by side bars can be bought cheaper than the star stuff item... I got mine from ADM in USA www.admaccessories.com and its fantastically rugged with exceptional fit and finish..

I would go with something like the Orion ST80 as a guide scope.. its a ripper for the price.. although any cheapie 70-80mm achro refractor will do.. its light, just on 1kg if memory serves, gives a wide field @ 400mm focal length.

[AlexN]

oh- you can also try www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au - Matthew sells side by side bars too, again, cheaper than star stuff...

[leinad (Dan)]

Thanks Alex, I'll check it out.
Im planning on using the 350D on the 8" where possible with a guidescope, so not sure if this would work in side-by-side setup using the same gear as Id like to use with ED80 and guidescope side-by-side.

[AlexN]

yeah that would still be fine mate, just rotate the newt so the focuser is lifted slightly. that way the guide scope will have clear line of sight... Focuser position is not as critical with a side by side setup, as you can offset the weight of the camera/focuser by moving the side by side bar across a bit... thus, moving the lever arm in balance...

mounting it on top of the 8" would probably be ok,, I doubt you'd get much flex, as the 8" doesnt weigh all that much, and the guidescope/camera would be fairly light.