Shoestring GPUSB

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Eric, just about any small refractor will do for guiding as long as you can achieve focus with the DSI. You main issue with a guide scope will be aligning it with a guide star while keeping your imaging subject centered on your DSI II chip. That is where adjustable guidescope rings come in. There was a thread recently on making guidescope rings that could give you some ideas

thanks Paul. so with autoguiding it has to be from a bright star? can't do any star? good idea with adjustable rings. How big do they come in?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

It doesn't need to be a really bright star, you can use any star as long as your guidecamera can see it clearly. Avoid optical doubles if you can.

Losmandy rings come in the range of 90mm, 108mm, 125mm and 160mm so I imagine other brands would be similar. If you are handy with a welder and a drill you could make your own. This page will give you an idea of what your after. Or have a gander at Andrew the Astroman's homemade set

[Harpspitfire]

eric, thats exactly right- no communication- however,i do have a serial port of my computer- if i didnt have this i would of had to get a serial to USB adaptor-- if i ever get a chance to try this out, ill be more specific with what i did to get it all working- i think you might need bnoth ascom files though- check out guidemaster and startrack thoughm they both look relatively simple-- you still need the drivers though, you can get the links from guidedog-- theres also a GPUSB and GPINT test you can download to check out mount compatability

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

thanks for the links Paul. really helped me out there. Would happen to know where to get them here in Aust?

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

Hi John. With my setup, I can get connected fine with Guidestar with Virtual Serial Port and my EQ6 mount through the GPUSB but I don't have the ASCOM driver installed. your CG5 mount should work well with the GPUSB unit also. How do you go by connecting the GPUSB up?

cheers