Meade Autostar and guiding

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I've read some forum responses where the guiding accuracy of the Autostar is questioned.
I'm setting up to use the DS motors and Autostar with a 180 tooth worm gear drive. I'd be interested in any feedback from users as to how accurate the guiding is on their unit. I realise that Autoguiding can also be used, but at this stage I'm interested in the "base" unit capabilities with/ without PEC.
Any/ all feedback welcome.

[allan gould]

Could never implement PEC guiding or reliable autoguiding with mod CG5 mount and ds motors. Goto was excellent and tracking would give 1min unguided shots but the worms etc would never allow autoguiding or PEC to my sattisfaction. Thats why I got rid of mine.
Allan Gould

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

Allan,
Do you think your problems was the CG5 mounting ( ie the quality of the worm drives) or the "step size" of the DS motors and the "control" of the tracking rate.
I'm about to use a TV Systems mount, similar to the Losmandy GM8, the current drive appears excellent with minimal errors. I'm obviously hoping I'll get the same outcome PLUS GOTO by using the Autostar and the DS motors.

[allan gould]

Good question. I really am trying to remember back a while. As I remember I had a hard time adjusting the worm gear mesh on the CG5 mount so that it was as good as I could get it but then I found that the backlash was too great (particularly in RA - Dec appeared to be not so bad). Better worms would be a great advantage and I must admit I was surprised that the DS motors would purr along quite hapily at a consistent speed. Slewing rate a bit slow but it got there. There is backlash compensation of a sort with the autostar and I must admit its the greatest selling point of some of the Meade mounts. PEC implementation was also a problem and I think that it was the sofware version I was using, but that is probably patched by now.
I did enjoy the autostar and when the scope was properly polar aligned remarkably spot on for goto.
Regards, Allan