CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

OK a big question, I am happy with the NexGuide for guiding but I don't care for the fact it doesn't give me a view in the computer.
And I have to use a 90* Diagonal for viewing which makes it really hard to focus.
What I want to know is, does the Orion StarShoot Autoguider work the way you expected it too.
Thank you.
Craig

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

When it works it is flawless. But on occasion it will develop problems almost always dealing with the driver and it's communication with the computer. Since it is nothing more than a QHY5 sold under Orion's name that has also been hindered to limit it's use as solely an autoguider if I had to do again I would buy an original QHY5 or spent the bit extra and went for a lodestar.

Jmho ymmv
Matthew

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I searched for the Lodestar web site and found this:

http://www.sxccd.com/lodestar-autoguider

They only sell thru distributors, so for costs, need to look at other sites.

A review:

http://www.astrosurf.com/comolli/strum60.htm

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you Matthew I'm looking at both the QHY5 and the SSAG.
Craig

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you Jim H for all the effort but Lodestar is just out of my budget.
It sure has good test results.
Craig

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Have you considered buying used? Astromart is a pretty good site they do make you pay for a one year subscription or membership I think around 10 or 15 dollars I have bought a few things off of the site and have yet to have a problem I have only heard of problems when people purchase from overseas.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Hand in the air...
I originally got the SSAG camera to use with OAG.
That turned out to be a big rookie mistake.
I finally gave up on my hair-brained quest and quietly got a side mount guide scope in the 50mm variety. It just appealed to me, and had focus adjustable.
So the end result was a Magnificent Mini Autoguider via the back door.
A big plus, which could not have worked out better, was the included small rail base it came with. My Telescope came with a shoe for a guide scope anyway, so my diabolical plan was to use the accessory base to mount my Red Dot sight on the stem of the 50mm guide scope.
In fitting it up, the base fit perfectly where I wanted it. And with one 1/4" hole in the stalk, it was mounted with one of the supplied screws. :-o :mrgreen:
Wa-Zoo!
http://www.dropbox.com/s/y78yr2zg2hie76e/2015-07-13%2020.33.19.jpg?dl=0

Once Orion's tech support explained how to get PHD to work with the SSAG, it has been pretty flawless for me with PHD.
(In my case, select the "StarShoot Autoguider", and NO scope.
I was tearing my hair out until then, trying to configure a telescope into the damned PHD program.)
I did have to tweak settings in the "brain" icon for PHD to get the tracking spot on for me. But it seems to be getting tighter each session.
(Yes, Push Here Dummy was even a little steep for my learning abilities. :lol: )

After climbing the learning curve to this point, I am getting hours of accurate guiding in most incidences. Which has been a great confidence builder for me.
I only wish I would have just started off on the right foot with AutoGuiding. :roll: :lol:

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Yea I saw 2 from GB and declined that thought.
Craig

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Thank you very much Sonny I pulled the trigger on the SSAG and it should be here Tues.
Hopefully time enuogh to get it all dialed in by the trip to the Desert on the 11th for the Meteor Shower.
Craig

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I think you will get it dialed in before.
And if not, you are going to come home with it dialed in. ;)

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KABQ&state=NM

This is not funny anymore.
Blue moon tonight is likely a wash.
Meteors are likely a wash.
Fine, I'll keep turning pens.
At least I am selling those and saving for a new 9.25 SCT or maybe a 4" APO refractor.. nah.. too cloudy.. I know, a really large fan to blow this junk out of here..
Sigh...

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Patience Jim. Patience.
Nuclear fusion can clear the sky.
But it can also bring on a nuclear winter.
Beans. Eat lots of beans that are not soaked long enough.
The hot air rising will make a hole for you.
(It can also make a void around you.) :lol:

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Anyone know why they call it a blue moon? That nomenclature never made much sense to me. Nothing but clear skies out here but then again nothing else really to see besides the sky either. Summers already over everything is turning brown again it seems to go so quick up here.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Second Full Moon in a month.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/blue-moon-makes-fridays-moon-special/story?id=32789558

If ND is anything like Wildoming was, you'll be getting your first freeze in mid September.
Then 9 months of winter...
I don't miss that part.

Oknoder Loc: Western North Dakota

Yeah Sonny I know what a blue moon just didn't understand why it was called Blue. Yeah it gets cold up here pretty quick usually mid to late September no later than October winter is at least started one of the only pluses of winter up here is that it's only daylight 47 8 hours a day and the rest of the time it's dark so that helps with astronomy