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[Asimov]

  Worked out ok but the system has a few teething problems.

First up, I'm not keen on guiding with a camera & laptop - Totally destroys dark adaption & it's not enjoyable.

This is guided with a 6.5mm EP with crosshairs in it however it is not illuminated, making it really hard to guide with I had to hide a star behind the centre of the hairs & then wait for any star flares to peak out as it drifted. Add to the list of yet another bloody astro toy - 1 illuminated EP. The other problem would be I don't have a timed remote & I was too busy guiding to worry about counting the seconds off in my head.

Apart from that, I'm happy enough. This is a 108 second exposure @ 800 ISO. 100% crop. No drift alignment beforehand.

Nice round stars, that's what we're looking for in this image There's no way the stars would be round at this exposure if I wasn't guiding.

[Astroman]

Nice work, stars look round enough, and fuzzy? Would be difficult to do without the illumination and with the lappy blarring away, time to get some red acrylic or gel, works good for dark adaption.

[Asimov]

Fuzzy - Prolly cause I wasn't too worried about focus, close enough was good enough for this test plus the trans. is terrible tonight. Dew & humidity.

I'd still rather do it with a reticle Andrew. I'm sick of using a bloody laptop in the field.

[Asimov]

Come to think of it, I don't see any 'fuzz' Get your eyes checked Andrew

[Astroman]

 

 

[Asimov]

Seriously though, I'm not sure what you mean by fuzzy. Could be something I'm doing wrong

[Lester]

That's a good start John; Jewel Box I presume.

Yes once one starts, then the tweeking/buying begins.  I got a illuminated EP from Andrews some months ago=cheapest I could find. 

[Asimov]

Thanks Lester. I'll go & look at Andrews to see what they have.

[Rob_K]

I got a illuminated EP from Andrews some months ago=cheapest I could find. 

Yep, me too.  Good value - light is adjustable.

[Asimov]

I got a illuminated EP from Andrews some months ago=cheapest I could find. 

Yep, me too.  Good value - light is adjustable.

So is the one I'm making right now Bugger Andrews

[Astroman]

Fuzzy = slightly out of focus

Just makes the stars look a little more blobby than I think it should look  , gotta love scientific terms.

[Asimov]

Ok writing it down in me DSO handbook - 'Fuzzy' = Shit focus ya wanka! - Check. Mind you, I spent all of 12 seconds getting focus & said 'she'll be right!' My main concern was getting the fuzz-balls round

[Paul Haese]

Looks good to me John. There is a guy on IIS that hand guides with his laptop and and cross hair and it is something like 10 minute subs. So keep at it mate. Stars are really nice.

[Asimov]

Thanks Paul. Yeah I thought about using the laptop with the DMK & Joe Smith's cross hairs. I'm sure it would work out well but I think I'd rather have my eye to a reticle for something different. Call me old school.

[Paul Haese]

You won't after about an hour of doing subs John. I remember doing that during my days with film. Sore eyes can happen quickly. Try it for a while, but even a laptop with some red cellophane is gonna be better than a reticle. Choice is yours though.