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Dilemma
Apr 12, 2016 11:19:38 GMT
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Post by davy on Apr 12, 2016 11:19:38 GMT
Saving for a new set up,have been looking at heq5 or save more for neq6, Dilemma If I got one of above im looking at getting a bigger aperture scope poss mak 150-180 quite a bit of cash ,and heavy kit to carry up four flights of stairs and more add ons to carry as well.
So a bit of a rethink and looking at a sw skyliner flextube 200p goto,it works in same cash as heq5, would fill my needs and a bit less hassle setting up.
Thoughts folks
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Post by Dragon Man on Apr 12, 2016 15:40:19 GMT
Davy, I have the EQ6 and as much as I love it there's no way I would bother carrying it up 1 flight of stairs, let alone 4!!!!!
The HEQ5 is a LOT lighter and just as accurate as the EQ6. I have carried one for a friend and it is quite manageable.
The EQ6 needs to be stripped from it's tripod as the whole lot is waayyyy too heavy, whereas the HEQ5 can be carried assembled, with just the tripod legs length retracted.
As long as you avoid the EQ5. Don't ever go less than the HEQ5.
You will have to restrain yourself from putting huge scopes on it though. Short length large aperture scopes are fine, but long reflectors are a No-No.
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Dilemma
Apr 12, 2016 15:46:04 GMT
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Post by davy on Apr 12, 2016 15:46:04 GMT
Looking at the future ,when im a tad older,, built like the proverbial brick out house, and weights not a prob the now,but this is long term thinking and you have all seen my lp from flat,so need location change to get results.
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Post by Dragon Man on Apr 12, 2016 16:16:26 GMT
OK Davy, if weight in no problem, and you won't be lugging it up 4 flights in the future, I would suggest the EQ6. It can carry a lot of scope weight and attachments.
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Post by Dragon Man on Apr 12, 2016 16:21:33 GMT
Sorry davy, I just re-read your original question and I missed the bit about the skyliner flextube 200p goto.
Personally, I'd still go for the EQ6 because you can place different scopes on it, not be restricted to the one scope as you would be with the flextube.
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Apr 12, 2016 17:51:52 GMT
It's nice to have a big-scope capable kit that can meet whatever needs you have...
...but, when that kit is heavy and complicated to setup, then it's nice to have a smaller, quicker setup... a "grab & go".
Sure you might get better results from #1... but you might find you use #2 more...
Just some thoughts...
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Dilemma
Apr 12, 2016 18:51:49 GMT
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Post by davy on Apr 12, 2016 18:51:49 GMT
Kit I have. Eq3/2 goto,now on this I can put a sw startravel 102 refractor or the sw ed80 pro with focal reducer, Using combinations of cameras Canon 450d or canon 600d cameras,pd1, samsung scb cameras, Going to be using backyard eos as ive bought the license for full version,qhy5lii with orion guide scope. So I have widefield well and truly covered. What I dont have is a scope with a bit of clout, This is why I want a bigger mount,if I get bigger mount then its more saving for bigger scope,I'm happy with an 8" scope dont need any bigger.
What I may do with bigger mount is fit the two refractors running twin canon 600d cameras, till I get enough for larger scope.
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Post by howie1 on Apr 12, 2016 23:35:15 GMT
Wow!!! ... the potential for combo's is mind-blowing with those cameras and your ED80 and your budget for a new mount and higher FL scope! Firstly, the HEQ5 PRO is a great bit of kit. I own one. I sold my NEQ6 for exactly the reason Ken gives. Stuffed back for me so too heavy! Sigh As per many posts on Stargazerslounge, there are many folk who overload the Skywatcher mounts and they behave just fine, sometimes tracking even improves! So HEQ5 PRO or NEQ6 are great mounts. But if you considered the AltAz EQ6 then you get smooth belt drive (both the EQ6 and 5 gears tend to rattle and the saying is they sound like coffee grinders LOL), and the ability to setup in either AltAz for a quicker (no PA) setup, or in GEM PA setup. Onto what you could carry on either of these and in line with your multi camera / multi FOV ideas ... you open up the idea to do the following. One of the mounts above. 2nd hand or new 8SE SCT or GSO RC tube (either of these as your narrow field 2000mm FL) with 2" SCT vis back and 0.63 reducer. Mount your existing ED80 on top of it as wide field 600mm FL with a 2" ext tube. Buy the Orion mini finderguider scope which has the helical focuser. It works fine with the qhy5ii for both guiding as well as wide field very fast (v low Focal Ratio) imaging with small sensor cams like your sammy. But if you do imaging thru it then its mandatory to get the helical focuser version finderguider else you'll struggle to get focus with the cam. So you'd have the options ... Very narrowfield = Sammy (very, very narrowfield) or DSLR (narrowfield - but live view great for planets as can zoom 5x or 10x) in the SCT/RC with the QHY in the ED80 to guide (as need the high power FL of the ED80 to guide on very narrowfield). Narrowfield to Mediumfield = two cameras ... you choose which for FOV ... in both the (reduced?) SCT/RC and also in the ED80 at the same time! ... with the QHY in the finderguider (will guide fine for this FOV in the small 162mm FL finderguider). Widefield = dslr in the SCT/RC or its reduced configuration and the second dslr placed into the ED80 and up to you if you need to guide with the QHY in the finderguider as its widefield. Or if not guiding you could put the Sammy in the finderguider for faster (but less pinpoint sharp) captures than the dslr/ED80 would capture - both would be about the same FOV just dslr longer to capture but sharper than the sammy/finderguider. Of course running software to work with the Sammy and BYEOS for the DSLR's and PHD or whatever guide software, and live stacking (AstroToaster maybe?) etc all on the one PC could well be problematic! I'm betting it absolutely would be problematic! So you'd more than likely have two PC's running the show.
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Dilemma
Apr 13, 2016 7:33:32 GMT
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Post by davy on Apr 13, 2016 7:33:32 GMT
Hi howie,,yip tons of configurations with kit I have already, I can run the Samsung cameras straight tomy 4 channel dvr via my portable array set up,this free's up panasonic toughbook to run mount and guiding ,can then use my toshiba laptop to run two versions of backyard eos, already have the orion mini guider, So my pref would settle on the heq5 for portability,this would get the belt mod to get rid of the backlash,I put ip a link weeks ago on the mob supplying this upgrade..settled then heq5 will be my next purchase,in no hurry as weather is poor as usual,will be working out all guiding ect via the eq3/2 in the meantime cheers guys, the heq5 was the preferred option but the draw of a sw skyliner flextube was an option.
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Apr 13, 2016 13:11:43 GMT
So here's a question... with software improving that can stack and correct for rotation, does that bring an Alt-Az SCT back into the picture?
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Dilemma
Apr 13, 2016 16:34:12 GMT
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Post by davy on Apr 13, 2016 16:34:12 GMT
The mind boggles rick,video astronomy is changing very fast now,, new terms for it,eg.. near live viewing.. very near live viewing, very very long exporure near live viewing,, honest it is video and not imaging real time viewing... aye right lol. Thing is to keep up with the hobby we have two choices , Stick to pure video or embrace what technology brings us,we can kid ourselves all we want but were heading towards imaging it's the software that is dividing video astronomy and astrophotography, we are looking at long exposure images getting its integration and stacking from laptop software instead of it being done inside the camera,and in my mind this is better for us as we get more manual control of the camera than from camera menus... mount wise your right the alt az mounts will get more control in near future,, the likes of built in guide cameras,, built in polemasters.. possibility even two cameras built in ,,constantly calibrating the mount..same as a two star alignment..
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Apr 13, 2016 18:52:42 GMT
There's no doubt that pure video astronomy will always be seeing images refresh in just a few seconds versus minutes.
When doing a broadcast, its vital that the viewing audience knows this. But I dont think it's a deal breaker -- people multi-task and can do other things while waiting for the 5 minute refresh to hit - and that 5 minute refresh is a "higher quality" view of the object.
When you're hosting during an outreach event, I think there's a limit to people standing there waiting, BUT... if they were looking thru an eyepiece, they'd have to wait in line at least those 5 minutes if not more.
Of course, when you're on your own, its up to you as to how much you're willing to wait. I know with the Mallincam SkyRaider DSm camera, I have a hard time waiting for 2x exposures to see the effects from my small tweaks.
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