AutoGuiding an LX90

"Colin Dawson" wrote in message
. uk...
Hi all.

I should really be thinking about getting an Autoguiding solution in time
for next winters season.
Apart from this, I know nothing about what's needed to get something up
and running.

Hi Colin

With my limited knowledge I'd hoped that someone else would answer you....

For what its worth:-
I'm aware of a couple of methods but haven't tried any of them yet owing to
the limited opportunity and keeness to play with the DSI when the sky is
clear. Also myself, rather than the telescope tracking is the limiting
factor. I'll probably get into playing with the guiding functions when I get
another DSI and learn how to accurately polar align (maybe something you can
help me with?). I've even got astro-engineering's 'polarmate' and still
can't get it right. Must be a consequence of growing up without a pole star
;-)

You'll need a guidescope piggybacked onto your LX90. I bought a cheap-ish
80mm Skywatcher Refractor OTA for £119 from
http://www.warehouseexpress.co.uk/ . The telescope itself has been used more
for its F/5 optics in imaging rather than the guiding. I'm presently
surprised with this aspect of this additional use. Following the additional
weight of the OTA, you'll be buying a few counterweights for the LX90 OTA
(how one requirement always leads to another...)

The piggyback mountings don't come cheap, you may want to consider a DIY
solution. I've seen a few homemade solution's on the 'net that'd do but
ended up buying a solution from telescope house that's made by
astro-engineering http://www.astro-engineering.com/ . They sell two types,
The OTA I'd bought forced me into the parallel rail ring mounting system
which I sold a kidney to fund.

Once the optics are in place and aligned you can use a webcam with
'guidedog' software http://www.barkosoftware.com/GuideDog/ .

An issue with the webcam idea is exposure time, sensitivity and potential
for guiding without a bright object in visible the FOV. Some are starting to
the use the Meade DSI as an autoguider. This comes in at about £270 if
bought in the UK but does have the added bonus of having autoguiding built
into its software as an addition to the imaging functions. Also being a
Meade product which integrates just nicely with your telescope.

Hope this helps

Best Regards


Chris