Meade off-axis guider ?

[FarmerBen]

Hi I'm trying to put together a guide system to go with my lx200.

Is anyone using the Meade off-axis guider with a guide camera in the same light path as the imaging device?

What would be the pro's/con's of such a setup and is the light loss from the off-axis guider enough to make a difference to long exposures?

Cheers,
Ben.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Ben,
Didn't see any replies to your question?
I've used a Lumicon OAG for a while on the 12" LX200 with no problems. The pick off mirror is away from the CCD chip area so there's no impact on the recorded image. Using a 2" extension and a LPI for guide control.
I've also got a Meade OAG unit and it's similar, but not so robust.
Recently I changed over to a Lumicon Newtonian OAG ( 2" fittings) to allow me to use the Zero Shift focusser in the optical path. Again, no issues.
The OAG needs to be positioned before any focal reducers etc.
Hope this helps.

[FarmerBen]

Originally Posted by Merlin66

Ben,
Didn't see any replies to your question?
I've used a Lumicon OAG for a while on the 12" LX200 with no problems. The pick off mirror is away from the CCD chip area so there's no impact on the recorded image. Using a 2" extension and a LPI for guide control.
I've also got a Meade OAG unit and it's similar, but not so robust.
Recently I changed over to a Lumicon Newtonian OAG ( 2" fittings) to allow me to use the Zero Shift focusser in the optical path. Again, no issues.
The OAG needs to be positioned before any focal reducers etc.
Hope this helps.

Thanks, it does indeed help.
Cheers,
Ben.