I got to the end of my tether with guiding and finally came to the conclusion that a lot of my problems were because of using 2nd hand mounts which probably needed some tweaking to get them working properly and for me this is not an option. I can operate, but not fix, so if it doesn't do what it's supposed to do I'm stuck.
So I bit the bullet and bought myself a brand new NEQ6.
Yes I know it's heavy but I won't be asking for help to lift it. I went down to Stonehenge this weekend and did a couple of images to try it out. OK I know it was a full Moon but the main purpose was to try out the NEQ6 and test out the guiding.
Everything worked perfectly, however because of the Moon and the murky conditions the resulting images were not as good as they could have been. I was forced to do 3mins maximum because the sky was too bright on longer subs.
Anyway, for what it's worth:
M51 23 x 3mins (lots of gradients and noise) but still better than previous attempts.
(http://www.caroleastronomy.webspace.virginmedia.com/_wp_generated/wpe432ec4f_0f.jpg)
I started to do M13 at around 2.30am, but hadn't noticed it was actually becoming foggy (too long looking at the laptop instead of at the sky). Only 3 x 3min subs 800 ISO (through foggy conditions) ;).
(http://www.caroleastronomy.webspace.virginmedia.com/_wp_generated/wpf3fec87a_0f.jpg)
Very noisy, and again gradients to process out.
Carole
Good start to the new mount.
but why Stonehenge and not London?
the full moon far outshines any light pollution from London.
Mac.
Hmm, the results are fine but was the successful guiding due to the new mount or the rural skies ?
Hopefully youll get the same results from Bromley.
You'll also need another mount for the obsy. ;)
Quotebut why Stonehenge and not London?
Because I was going to Stonehenge anyway. I went with the UKAI group for their Gravity DSC.
QuoteYou'll also need another mount for the obsy.
Yeah, but one step at a time. Need to sell existing mount/s and ETX105 to square the bank account!!!!
Don't have the correct pier adapter as yet to put the NEQ6 on the pier, so will use that for DSC for the immediate future, then put it on the pier and have a re-think about whether I will use the (Original) CG5 GT for DSC, or sell it and remove the NEQ6 every time we go until I can afford a 2nd (new) DSC mount.
I have to say what a pleasure it was to use after all the hassles I have had. Object was bang in the centre of the FOV every time (never had that before, almost always had to slew it to get it central).
Advantages of the NEQ6 over the CG5 GT:
a) Takes heavier scope no problem.
b) Has lit Reticle in polar axis scope.
c) Does not have sticking out motor housings which often get stuck and/or catch on cables.
d) I could not see through the polar axis scope properly on the pier with the CG5 GT because of the pier plate which was right where my chin needed to go. I knew this was not a problem with an EQ6 as I already tried it as I knew some-one who had the same pier and NEQ6.
e) NEQ6 is quiet. Whereas the CG5 GT is very noisy and I was feeling very awkward at 2am in the morning if I needed to slew the mount (even just to put it back to park) in case the neighbours could hear and I would get complaints.
Carol,
I'm after a cheap second mount if your going to sell the old one.
Chris
Glad you've got yourself a decent mount at last Carole. Ity was obvious from Kelling that the old one was made of gorgonzola (or so it seemed). You should get greatly improved images and nice easy guiding with the EQ6.
QuoteI'm after a cheap second mount if your going to sell the old one.
Hi Chris, I am selling my DSC CG5 GT in the first instance (as opposed to the CG5 GT in the obsy) and I want to sell it for what I paid for it which was £300, and between a chappie at Kelling and Robert, the spare CG5 GT is now fully functioning. (Many thanks Robert).
I do have a prospective buyer at the moment so will let you know if it falls through, although you might not want to pay £300 for it.
Carole
Carole,
Did the previous owner who you purchased the mount from, know that there was a problem with it when they sold it to you?
Tony G
QuoteDid the previous owner who you purchased the mount from, know that there was a problem with it when they sold it to you?
It was sold to me under the impression it was working OK.
To be fair he bought it second hand in the first place as part of a set up (but didn't need the mount) and I don't think he knew the history or really used it.
So no, they didn't know there was a problem and when there was he was very good and sorted it out, so no complaints there, he's been very fair.
Carole
Why dont you strip the ETX and use the OTA on your new mount,
Mac.
QuoteWhy dont you strip the ETX and use the OTA on your new mount,
I've got a separate ETX125 (OTA) already stripped which I can put on the EQ mount.
I am hoping to sell the ETX105 to help towards the cost of the NEQ6 as I really only use this now for Public events.
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Apr 18, 2011, 08:49:50
I do have a prospective buyer at the moment.
Does the prospective buyer know there is a problem?
Carole,
Looks like a very successful test of the new mount.
Let's hope your problems are all over and you can get down to some serious imaging!
Mark
QuoteDoes the prospective buyer know there is a problem?
It has been fixed, but in any case the prospective buyer's brother knows all about it and what has been happening. He only needs it for Observing and the GOTO was working OK anyway, he's currently using a manual mount and just fancied a GOTO.
Carole
QuoteLet's hope your problems are all over and you can get down to some serious imaging!
That's the plan Mark.
Although I've been imaging for a while now I sure have wasted a lot of time on 2nd hand equipment not performing properly, do you remember several months on that modified webcam that was supposed to work in LX and didn't, and now several months on guiding problems?
A lesson to be learnt there I think.
Carole
QuoteA lesson to be learnt there I think.
Welcome to the world of astronomy.
:cheesy:
Quote from: Carole
A lesson to be learnt there I think.
Caveat emptor.
Having a sell up to compensate for the purchase of the NEQ6.
Quotedo you remember several months on that modified webcam that was supposed to work in LX and didn't
sold that as a guidecam yesterday within 1 hour of putting it on UKBuySell. OK, drop in the ocean compared to the cost of the NEQ6, but will almost pay for the new pier adapter.
Carole
I don't buy secondhand, for the reason that all this stuff that does not work properly is doing the rounds all the time
QuoteI don't buy secondhand
Should have followed your example Fay would have saved myself (and others) a lot of grief.
But the camera above that I sold works OK as a guide camera - just not as sensitive as the QHY5.
Carole
Fay, that's the main problem with the second hand market, though not all of it. You never know the history but it's the nature of the beast. Unfortunately the prices don't always reflect that.
Carole, yes I certainly agree with you about grief !!!
Robert
All of my current kit is 2nd hand. Only fault so far - not enough time for me to use it :(
QuoteAll of my current kit is 2nd hand
But Ian, you are probably able to diagnose and fix it if it's not working as it should, and this is something I can't do.
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Apr 20, 2011, 16:42:11
QuoteAll of my current kit is 2nd hand
But Ian, you are probably able to diagnose and fix it if it's not working as it should, and this is something I can't do.
Carole
This might be true, but your previous statement missed out that qualification. Caveat emptor as always, but I would maintain most of the stuff on the used market has been looked after and works fine as the majority of the people selling stuff are just the same as us...
Quotemost of the stuff on the used market has been looked after and works fine
Yes but what I am saying is that older things might need some adjustment just like anything else needs a service now and then, so I think I must buy new in future (at least things like mounts and cameras).
Carole
Quoteolder things might need some adjustment just like anything else needs a service now and then
That's what I keep telling my misses... ;)
Ian - I agree with you - I like to think that most astro geeks are honest people just like you & I & wouldn't knowlingly try & palm off a dodgy guide camera or mount.... I will always try & buy 2nd hand first & buy new only if I can't find what I am looking for.
John.