Gear improvements (Torben)

Gear improvements

After getting frustrated with a variety of issues regarding PA and guiding, as well as ease of setting up, I've made some improvements to my gear.

From the bottom: I got a used Skywatcher tripod with 2" legs - while I like the idea of a portable set-up, I figured while I'm staying in the backyard, I might as well have something sturdier and building a permanent pier wasn't an option (yet).

I replaced the iOptron wedge with the William Optics model, after finding that I repeatedly lost my polar alignment when moving my lens to the target - hopefully this will cope better (yet to see first light).

I got a used Skywatcher scope ring, that, after a little machining, fits the front of my lens, allowing me to lock it down in two places - it also meant I could move the guidscope to the same rail, improving on differential flexure issues.

Having freed up the side-rail, where my guidscope used to sit, I moved the AsiAIR Pro and WiFi extender up (they were previously clipped to my tripod).

I know having the Wifi extender move around throughout the night isn't best practise, but no issues so far. This means I can power all components from the AsiAIR, resulting in a single power cable to tidy up. I had to get a second counterweight to make up for all this piling on and at 4.5 kg the setup is now close to the SkyGuider's max of 5kg...balances nicely in all axes, though.

I've designed a fine- focuser and had it 3D printed, making focusing with LiveView lovely and smooth now.

Finally, top of the lens I've got a holder for my phone. After investigating means to use a theodolite app to perform a basic GOTO, I found out that the app I've been using for Polar alignment, PS Align Pro, already has an experimental feature performing exactly that task - Have a look here, it works rather well! - http://astronomy.robpettengill.org/blog200623.html

All I need now is clear skies!

Low-Cost Astrophotography
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"Nordish by nature"
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The OSC Club (One Shot Camera)
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