PO'MANS imaging rig
Nov 8, 2015 07:16:41 #
Orion 8 in. astrograph f3.9@800fl / 8/50 RACI / meade lxd55 goto mounthead held by "Hercules" modified meade lx200 standard field tripod/ Pictor imager/ guider/DIY mobile imaging and storage cart with bells and whistles.
I noticed while taking this that my camera/fw wasn't seated in the focuser
One way to balance the gear
The Black Widow.
Nov 8, 2015 07:28:31 #
[quote=stepping beyond]Orion 8 in. astrograph f3.9@800fl / 8/50 RACI / meade lxd55 goto mounthead held by "Hercules" modified meade lx200 standard field tripod/ Pictor imager/ guider/DIY mobile imaging and storage cart that my CNA deco pauged "I put the stars on though" 1000 of them/ Remote teamviewer 10 from the "CAVE"
Nov 8, 2015 14:44:47 #
stepping beyond wrote:
Orion 8 in. astrograph f3.9@800fl / 8/50 RACI / meade lxd55 goto mounthead held by "Hercules" modified meade lx200 standard field tripod/ Pictor imager/ guider/DIY mobile imaging and storage cart with bells and whistles.
Great setup Stepping.
Craig
Nov 8, 2015 15:41:36 #
Craig , it took many years to get this rig together , I started "one piece at a time" like JK did with his multi year Cadillac.It's not the greatest but, it's my time machine.
Nov 8, 2015 15:46:31 #
stepping beyond wrote:
Craig , it took many years to get this rig together , I started "one piece at a time" like JK did with his multi year Cadillac.It's not the greatest but, it's my time machine.
Man, do I know what you're talking about.
Great patience.
Craig
Nov 8, 2015 16:01:15 #
[quote=stepping beyond]
Nice little setup you have accumulated.
I also have accumulated pieces at a time.
I like your star box for the laptop.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
stepping beyond wrote:
Orion 8 in. astrograph f3.9@800fl / 8/50 RACI / meade lxd55 goto mounthead held by "Hercules" modified meade lx200 standard field tripod/ Pictor imager/ guider/DIY mobile imaging and storage cart that my CNA deco pauged "I put the stars on though" 1000 of them/ Remote teamviewer 10 from the "CAVE"
Nice little setup you have accumulated.
I also have accumulated pieces at a time.
I like your star box for the laptop.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
Nov 8, 2015 18:41:23 #
There are so many things I am envious of in your images. First off the imaging chair with 4-5 pillows, looks comfy. Secondly your starbox fabrication is much better than the old obsolete grill I am using. Last but not least are the trees I see all over in your background, I know trees are a bane in this hobby but coming from upper Michigan I sure do miss the hardwood forests.
With your Bias weight is that to keep the Dec gears meshed, or just to get all your gear balanced without having your scope sitting to far forward in your saddle. I know we discussed something similar in PMs. I use a 3lbs east bias weight so that my RA gear is always meshed to the East, so that after the meridian flip I do not have to adjust my weights or worry about backlash. Yours looks to serve a different purpose, or I am just not able to envision how it all works together, which is a high probability.
Very nice imaging rig,
Matthew
With your Bias weight is that to keep the Dec gears meshed, or just to get all your gear balanced without having your scope sitting to far forward in your saddle. I know we discussed something similar in PMs. I use a 3lbs east bias weight so that my RA gear is always meshed to the East, so that after the meridian flip I do not have to adjust my weights or worry about backlash. Yours looks to serve a different purpose, or I am just not able to envision how it all works together, which is a high probability.
Very nice imaging rig,
Matthew
Nov 8, 2015 19:36:35 #
I thank you Buddies, My CNA is crafty she converted our old chopblock with my vision into a work of art . There's certain things I'm unable to do in my condition. I don't have everything hooked up when the picture is taken plus all I do is unguided and for now . It's all done with teamviewer 10 from the cave .My CNA said she'll get me an observatory someday but, for now this works for me. I sit on those cushions to fine tune my PA through my polarscope , I've got to be at just the right height or I'll hurt my neck. The RR tie has to be in the exact spot or else I'm fishing to get my precise balance pushing and pulling the ota and loosening or restringing .It's a fine tuned machine and it tracks pretty darn good , it's all about balance , harmony and keeping a lil' stress on the gears.
Nov 11, 2015 02:58:16 #
Great rig for chasing the Stars.
(The REAL Stars)
Your Black Widow Astrograph was one of my contenders.
But I decided on the refractor I have.
Wow! Your mount is a monster! Beefola!
Now I can see why you don't get to see Orion until December, there is a forest surrounding you.
I'm in for the night. It's 41 degrees and heading down.
So glad I'm not shivering out in that cold, Thanks to your leads!
;) :idea:
(The REAL Stars)
Your Black Widow Astrograph was one of my contenders.
But I decided on the refractor I have.
Wow! Your mount is a monster! Beefola!
Now I can see why you don't get to see Orion until December, there is a forest surrounding you.
I'm in for the night. It's 41 degrees and heading down.
So glad I'm not shivering out in that cold, Thanks to your leads!
;) :idea:
Nov 11, 2015 08:49:11 #
Buddy, It's name is "HERCULES" it was a deal because of a ding in the leg.It won't extend in the front {new $250} for the tripod but, I don't need it to extend. It can handle up to 65# , now its got over 40# on it. My lxd55 alluminum legs were just quivering under all the weight. Brainstorm ! find hercules to hold the load , it took 7 months to find hercules and then I had it modified for a 1/2 in. threaded rod Balanced: in "perfect harmony"tracks planets up to 3 1/2 min. in dead center with no drift after that it'll start to drift slightly. Last night had m31 in a 6mm ep for 5min. before it drifted off center. Pretty sweet !It only took 2hrs. to get there, then it was on.
Nov 12, 2015 04:30:58 #
stepping beyond wrote:
Orion 8 in. astrograph f3.9@800fl / 8/50 RACI / meade lxd55 goto mounthead held by "Hercules" modified meade lx200 standard field tripod/ Pictor imager/ guider/DIY mobile imaging and storage cart with bells and whistles.
Great set up that you have, it gives me some ideas. I have the same 8-inch that I use for wider fields than the 14 I normally use. But looking at your photo I need to construct something like you have to fight off all the dew on my laptop. Thank you for posting.
Nov 13, 2015 09:59:39 #
Algol , My CNA took cardboard boxes made a shell with a 7 in. lip on the botom of our old chopblock cart Deco paudged it spray painted all in 3 hrs. with a Dehumidifier going to dry it. Spayed with 1 min. dry and I put the GID astro objects on it and ready for the night. It sit high and is awesome on those dewey nights. $23 is all I spent on supplies and I don't have to worry anymore about the laptop being outside under a towel.
Dec 3, 2015 13:34:27 #
Well, my alignment isn't as great as I thought when doing longer exposures you really find out how poor it is really. Keeping the object on the sensor is a whole new ball game, I'll have to wait on a guiding system for now but, it's in my future. I'm learning one lil' step at a time and yall can just keep that info coming.
Dec 3, 2015 13:49:37 #
stepping beyond wrote:
Well, my alignment isn't as great as I thought when doing longer exposures. Keeping the object on the sensor is a whole new ball game, I'll have to wait on a guiding system for now but, it's in my future. I'm learning one lil' step at a time.
Stepping, I know how you feel about guiding but it will make all the difference in the world in your Astropotography.
I put it off for 2 years and I'm really sorry I did. Now that I use guiding I'm almost good at it. :thumbup:
Craig
Dec 3, 2015 15:12:55 #
CraigFair wrote:
Stepping, I know how you feel about guiding but it will make all the difference in the world in your Astropotography.
I put it off for 2 years and I'm really sorry I did. Now that I use guiding I'm almost good at it. :thumbup:
Craig
I put it off for 2 years and I'm really sorry I did. Now that I use guiding I'm almost good at it. :thumbup:
Craig
"Astropotography"
Yep, that sums up my attempts in one word... :lol:
;) :thumbup:
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