Unistar Mount and DSCs

I just took delivery of my Unistar Deluxe---and Deluxe it is! Now I'm
considering packing it up and sending it to Larry for an NGC Super
Max.

Has anyone out there done this? Is the DSC setup worth having or does
it just make everything another cable hassle? Does it in any way change
the operation (smoothness) of the mount? Using up to a max---Celestron
9.25 Cat, and most often refractors in the 80-120 range, will the DSCs
enable me to actually find things other
wise "unfindable"? i've always found what I'm looking for with a chart and
a Telrad. But, I have found a few things that I was sure of and recording
the RA/DEC would be handy. Also, being able to use my software to find
RA/DEC and then easily go there would be handy. I just wonder if these work
as well, and as easily as would be worth $700.

I need some input and discussion on this.

Thanks
Doink

Doink wrote:
I just took delivery of my Unistar Deluxe---and Deluxe it is! Now I'm
considering packing it up and sending it to Larry for an NGC Super
Max.

Has anyone out there done this? Is the DSC setup worth having or does
it just make everything another cable hassle? Does it in any way change
the operation (smoothness) of the mount? Using up to a max---Celestron
9.25 Cat, and most often refractors in the 80-120 range, will the DSCs
enable me to actually find things other
wise "unfindable"? i've always found what I'm looking for with a chart and
a Telrad. But, I have found a few things that I was sure of and recording
the RA/DEC would be handy. Also, being able to use my software to find
RA/DEC and then easily go there would be handy. I just wonder if these work
as well, and as easily as would be worth $700.

I need some input and discussion on this.

Thanks
Doink



They are nice, and save a lot of time if accurately initialized.
They are really useful for doing things like locating Pluto and Neptune
in smaller scopes. Properly installed, they have no effect on the
movement of your mount. You will notice nothing.
Personally, I like units (or simply encoders and an interface) that
allow connection to a laptop via USB (preferred) or tty port.

I have never seen a Celestron 9.25 on an alt-az mount, however.

Skies!
Uncle Bob

Thanks UB,
Not sure about C9.25 as yet thought the heavy duty mount is supposed to to
be able to handle it. Still, the encoder/computer setup seems very
appealing for exactly what you mentioned. I would a heck of a time finding
Pluto with a telrad! I mostly want to locate some galaxies and would like
to indentify them correctly...

Thanks

Doink
"Uncle Bob" wrote in message
g.com...
Doink wrote:
I just took delivery of my Unistar Deluxe---and Deluxe it is! Now I'm
considering packing it up and sending it to Larry for an NGC Super
Max.

Has anyone out there done this? Is the DSC setup worth having or does
it just make everything another cable hassle? Does it in any way change
the operation (smoothness) of the mount? Using up to a max---Celestron
9.25 Cat, and most often refractors in the 80-120 range, will the DSCs
enable me to actually find things other
wise "unfindable"? i've always found what I'm looking for with a chart
and
a Telrad. But, I have found a few things that I was sure of and
recording
the RA/DEC would be handy. Also, being able to use my software to find
RA/DEC and then easily go there would be handy. I just wonder if these
work
as well, and as easily as would be worth $700.

I need some input and discussion on this.

Thanks
Doink



They are nice, and save a lot of time if accurately initialized.
They are really useful for doing things like locating Pluto and Neptune in
smaller scopes. Properly installed, they have no effect on the movement
of your mount. You will notice nothing.
Personally, I like units (or simply encoders and an interface) that allow
connection to a laptop via USB (preferred) or tty port.

I have never seen a Celestron 9.25 on an alt-az mount, however.

Skies!
Uncle Bob