Short Guide Scope Wanted

[leon]

Hi Guys at the moment I am useing a WO 80mm FD as a guide scope and it works quite fine, however I need something a bit shorter to do the same job.

Could anyone suggest a shorter scope that I could use, please.

Why you may ask, would I want a shorter one, when the WO is doing the job, well we wont go there, it would be long and boring tale.

So if anyone can suggest something I would it would be much appreciated.

Leon

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

How long is the 80 Leon? I use a Tak FS60-C, and while it's only 60mm in clear aperture, it does a fine job guiding my FS102 at 820mm f/l. The FS60-C is about 35cm in length including the dew shield, add a little for the guide camera. Very nice when you swap scopes and use the 102 to guide the 60. Great optics in both as you'd know. Monte Wilson also uses an FS60-C to guide his FSQ-106.

[avandonk]

If you want short and light try a 90mm Mak here

http://www.myastroshop.com.au/produc...asp?id=MAS-252

I use one to guide the 100ED and the SN10. I also use a 0.5 focal reducer to make it about 600mm f/7. Also bolt it directly to your imaging OTA to minimise flexure.


Bert

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

How about this Orion from Bintel:
.
* Multi-coated 80mm f/5.0 optics deliver bright, wide-field images.
* Solid metal 1.25" rack and pinion focuser.
* Sold as optical tube assembly only, no accessories.
Weight 1340g.
Tube Length: 40cm
Tube Diameter: 92mm
Note: The OTA will require either a diagonal or extension tube to reach focus.

[bojan]

How about one of those mirror lenses 500mm F8, plenty of them on ebay for up to AU$200 (new)? They are 15-20cm long max.
I intend to use one myself for guiding.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by bojan

How about one of those mirror lenses 500mm F8, plenty of them on ebay for up to AU$200 (new)? They are 15-20cm long max.
I intend to use one myself for guiding.

I have one of these Bojan - and they are way too dim to use as a guide scope. I've tried!

[allan gould]

I use a modified 8x50mm alignment scope as a guidescope for my 80mm WO triplet. Works perfectly as a guidescope with a webcam and Guidemaster.

[bojan]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I have one of these Bojan - and they are way to dim to use as a guide scope. I've tried!

That's not good ..
I have also rubinar 1000 F8.. I saw some people using them for guiding, they are pretty short (~25cm) and light (2kg). Perhaps this one would be better?

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by bojan

That's not good ..
I have also rubinar 1000 F8.. I saw some people using them for guiding, they are pretty short (~25cm) and light (2kg). Perhaps this one would be better?

I guess it'd depend entirely on whether there was a really bright star handy.

[Zuts]

Hi,

I was using a 70 mm Saxon F5 achro which I got second hand on eBay for 50 bucks. They are quite cheap new, very light and not too bad for guiding.

This scope would have the same FL as the Tak FS60-C. Of course it is not a patch on the Tak but does have a greater light grasp and is far cheaper.

I have heard of some people guiding through finderscopes, maybe you should say what you mean by short ?

Chears
Paul

[RB (Andrew)]

Leon, as Geoff mentioned earlier, get the Orion Short tube 80, it's excellent as a guide scope, it's light and quite cheap.
It's what I use with my Orion guider.

[leon]

My God, you guys are just awesome, just ask and you will receive, many thanks for your response.

I like the idea that Chris put forward actually sounds like it might be the go.

And Andrew I just have to mention you are looking scary mate, is that really you in the Avater. , or is that your mate from Under Belly

Leon

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

leon - here are a couple of mine. I use two FS60-C clamshells to give it total rigidity - but one is fine. I just had two so I use them. Guide stars are usually no trouble to find, so I don't use rings. If this becomes a problem, I'll go and get an Orion X-Y GuideStar Finder. I have a little extra length in this shot because I've got both my camera angle adjuster and field flattener in the image train.

The third image is of Monte's setup.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by leon

And Andrew I just have to mention you are looking scary mate, is that really you in the Avater. , or is that your mate from Under Belly

Leon

LOL, yeah mate that's me.
Me mate from Under Belly took the photo.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

No brainer, ST80. Small, light, cheap, the tried and tested standard.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

No brainer, ST80. Small, light, cheap, the tried and tested standard.

The ST80 is an achromat Leon. You want to use it for photography?

[Bassnut (Fred)]

I think Leon was only on about guiding. True, crap for imaging .

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

I think Leon was only on about guiding. True, crap for imaging .

I also use my FS-102 to guide my FS60-C for some terrific widefields on occasion. I reckon it adds a great dimension to a setup to be able to swap their duties from time to time. If Leon already has a Tak, it kinda makes sense to make both Taks - some accessories will then work on both.

[RB (Andrew)]

Leon basically images with a modded FF Canon 5D so I suppose using it on a 60mm to image will be overkill.

[leon]

Thanks Guys, as mentioned I just need it for guiding, the Tak dose a great job for imaging, and as Chris said the FS 60 might be the go.

Many thanks for your help.

Andrew tell your mate he took a great shot.

Leon