S. Cross and pointers

[raymo]

Since I can no longer use my scope, I have wider fields to fry. This pic looks awful when downsized, so astrobin only I'm afraid.
6 x 15secs @ ISO 3200 @ about 40mm f/l.
http://www.astrobin.com/full/179771/0/
raymo

[kosh]

Hi Ray,

that's a pretty good widefield! Why no more scope?

Goran.

[raymo]

Thanks Goran; no more scope because I have reached the end of my tether. I am absolutely fed up with spending entire clear sky sessions
trying to get the thing to track. It's a long ongoing saga that some of the other members will be familiar with. Had a faulty hand controller, got a new one, first night brilliant tracking [round stars @ 160 secs], second night 20 secs, last try 8 secs[ but this time drift was in Dec which doesn't make sense because I had great polar alignment. Every time I fix a problem, next time out I have another one.
raymo

[LightningNZ (Cam)]

Nice first wide-field Raymo.
I know your pain with the scope setup. I can't get reliable tracking over 1 minute near the pole and 40 seconds at the equator with the 6" Newt and HEQ5.
Cheers,
Cam

[blink138 (Pat)]

.................. you cannot give up raymo, we all know one needs the patience of a saint for this hobby and i have often threatened to take up golf instead as it cannot be as frustrating as this surely ha ha!
your pictures were getting much better and the help and advice in the beginners forum that you have proffered have helped many out
put your "thinkin ed" on and sort it
i got my poor brother into this hobby and bless him he has not had great success over the couple of years he has been doing it............ now that is patience!
pat

[raymo]

Thanks for the support Cam and Pat; it is doubly frustrating when I think
that I gave up my trusty companions of nearly 30 yrs [Super Polaris and
6" f/6 Newt] because I needed a heavier duty mount. BIG mistake.
Good polar align--- great tracking, manual guiding, EVERY time.
I have had nearly 2 1/2yrs of almost unremitting problems and
frustration with this mount.
raymo

[PeterSEllis (Peter)]

Hi raymo,

If you buy a dud car (lemon), you don't give up driving, you trade it in and go out and buy another. The same applies to astronomical gear.

I love your photo.

Cheers
Peter

[raymo]

Thanks Peter, I would trade itif I could afford to. I think I'm stuck with it
until my eyes get beyond it.
raymo

[chuckywiz (Ben)]

Hmmm thats a real shame to hear Raymo, considering all the good advice you give around here maybe someone on here can help you out in similar fashion.. I for one would be willing to bring my Neq6 down that way for a session one weekend if it interests you to nut out if its a mount issue, or hand controller etc. Im not sure if hand controllers are swappable or not but ive got the one for my mount never used.

Ben

[raymo]

That would be fantastic, a fresh pair of eyes, and presumably a much
younger computer savvy brain behind them might easily pick up something that I'm missing. Have spare bedrooms. As I'm retired, almost any weekend would be o.k. We should have any future communication via P.M.
raymo