New setup options

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

G'day,

I've pretty much decided that I NEED to go equatorial, I was hoping my dob would've lasted longer but kind of figure it could be ok have two scope systems, one for visual / planetary photography (12" skywatcher goto) and the other dedicated for deep space photography.
So, I've pretty much decided that I will go the neq6 mount. (these purchases will be staggered- there is no way around it).
The next phase will be the scope purchase, I'm looking at around $1000 and have narrowed it down to
1. The gso 8" RC
2. 10" bintel newt
3. Sw ed80 or if I can stretch 100.

I'm more keen on a mirror scope as my dslr will be full spectrum (when it returns). I could still go refractor but would then have to maybe buy an additional ir filter clip in.

Now the part I've got little experience on ... Guiding ... Any suggestions for a good reliable system that would suit the options? I was thinking cheap short tube Orion? Any suggestions would be appreciated and I'll look into it.

Cheers!

[billdan (Bill)]

Hi Russell

I use the Orion Mini Guider (50mm f4) with lodestar fitted and it guides my SW 8in f5 perfectly with flat graphs in PHD.
I believe you can go up to 1500mm main scope focal length with the mini-guider before things go kaput.

Bill

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

Thanks for that info Bill, that's very helpful!

Cheers

Russell

[Poita (Peter)]

The SX OAG and Lodestar are a brilliant combination for off axis guiding, and I never had trouble getting a guidestar. All the pain in the bum problems of alignment of the guidescope, flex etc. just disappeared. It just works.