Vixen VMC 110 as a guide scope

[gregbradley]

I remember seeing someone on Ice In Space using I think it was a Vixen VMC95 as a guide scope.

I was wondering how they perform as a guide scope.

They are compact, long focal length and light.

I was thinking of getting a VMC110 to replace my Astrotech 66ED refractor for guide scope work as the focal length is over 1 metre for the
little Vixen whereas the Astrotech refractor is only about 350mm.

Theoretically that should make for more accurate autoguiding.

My main concern is that most of these VMC scopes use primary mirror focusing which could lead to mirror flop and the occassional failure guiding as a result.

Greg.

[bilgebay (Sedat)]

Hi,

I have the same scope and was planning to use it as a guide scope. Will be very interested on the comments.

Clear skies

Sedat

[gregbradley]

I ended up buying a VMC95 just because its a bit lighter and smaller so I can mount it without balance issues. The 110 is also quite light and it may not even be an issue.

I plan to use it next time I image which should be in a week.

Greg.

[Gama]

Sorry i got to this post so late, but i have the Vixen VMC110 as a guide scope on my 20" CDK, and its great. Perfect for the long focal length, and no mirror flop that i can see, probably due to its small light mirror size.
Anycase, it makes a great guide scope.
I use around 2 seconds exposure on 99 % of my shots, and its fine.

Theo.