SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I know better than to beat a dead horse.
Good Bye Celestron.
Hello iOptron! Shopping used.

Anybody got a mount to unload?

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Uh oh, it died? Will there be services? Perhaps you can get a 2 for 1 with your old camera 😂🤣😂🤣

I’ll keep an eye out for a used mount.

Send me a PM with your address if you want the focuser. If you can send me a pix of yours, I have a couple different ones, so I get the right one.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Sent.
I've been looking and right now leaning towards a Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro.
But can't get an answer about USB connect to my Laptop, or ways to run it via computer.
Still digging.

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

No fricken way!
I can’t believe the trouble you have had with your mount.
I hope you do better with what ever you decide on.
Stay calm and breathe in, breathe out, move on!

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks Jim, I am.
The Universe has spoken to me, and I'm shopping my butt off.
But this time, I'm armed and dangerous. I have almost 5 years of learning the hard way. And things have improved a lot in that time.
And yes, I got a lemon of a mount, but I nursed it, and fixed it, and coddled it, and learned a ton!
And I persevered. Now, the Universe has forced my hand to put on my big boy pants and get serious.
I'm not looking for anything but a mount. And I think I have it picked out.
I was reading the manual on the EQ6-R Pro hand controller and discovered it can connect to my computer. Almost exactly the way my AVX did. That is a prerequisite for me, computer controlled.
Between the AVX, and the Orion G3, I survived and learned. I actually read through the manuals online and have an idea of what they are saying.
Putting an EQ6-R under my Peashooter is going to look hilarious. But I think it will take me to better places. I know my equipment now, and can run it the way I dreamed of when I was beginning, remotely.
So being forced into a new mount is providence.
What bugs me is it is built by Synta Corp. Same folks would made my AVX.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Hahahahaha, under your peashooter.

I took a pix when I had mine setup, it did look funny, but results are all that matters. That peashooter takes some nice pix tho. I did get a field flattener, it by the time I got the correct spacer/adapters, it was time for the RASA to go up.

I think you will be very happy with the new mount.

(Download)

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Holy Mackrel!
Got enough counter balance iron on there?

I took the OEM 11 pounder off my AVX a long time ago, and made my own smaller counterweights. I think around 9 pounds or so.
The OEM weight had to be so high on the stem it would hit the front elevation screw handle. Too heavy, and too big around.
Not every set-up needs so much counterweight.

One thing about it, my set-up isn't one of the prettiest, but it looks fine in the dark, when blinded by the soft glare of my computer screen, looking the other way.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Hahaha, I had just put the scope on, I had to use a smaller single counterweight to balance.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I'm sure. But had to pull your leg about it.

Yep, the little fellers have the DSO's nailed.
Your '80 sure looks good with the electronic focuser, powered filter wheel, and that 1600 camera on it. Downright sexy.

When I decided Orion was dragging me into the game, I wanted to chase Nebula. My pea-brained logic was that if I could reach the distant weak Nebula, maybe the closer stuff would be easier.
And in some ways, things like spiral galaxies and such can be had. But I still favor the Nebulae.
The closer stuff comes in too big most times.

Some tend to look past the little refractors. It reminds me of a friend I use to work with. His Son and I were the same age. He was getting teased one day by the other guys on the crew. They were challenging his manhood, goofing around.
His retort was, "Oh yeah, well an Artist doesn't use a big brush."
We about fell down laughin.
Albe Clark (Pronounce Al-Bee). A lineman, he was a Friend of mine. Linemen are a different breed of cowboy. I was a 20 something grunt (Helper, Groundman).
Wow, a memory ~50 years old. ~650 Moons ago (Putting it into Astro Terms.)

Anyway, peashooters are for those nights when there are a gazillion stars, Mr. Moon is dark, and we're lookin for the cherry on top.
A Back-up for when Richie is being a Cretin.

Europa Loc: West Hills, CA

Yes, I am finding these widefield Nebula are so much more interesting, so these smaller refractors are really nice.

They would be much nicer if we had darker skies 😀

The RASA is 620 fl. But you really need smaller. Can’t complain about the RASA tho, I can image quick.

Marc G Loc: East Grinstead, West Sussex, England

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html

this is the lead i use with HEQ5 pro

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks Marc!
So this plugs into the Handset bottom? (And the computers USB, of course)

Celestron has/had a RJ11 to 9 pin serial port connector. I adapted it to a USB.
I haven't seen a 9 pin serial port in probably 2 decades. It went the way of the Doo-Doo in PC's.

Marc G Loc: East Grinstead, West Sussex, England

No sonny. Plugs straight into mount and laptop. Controlled by eqmod

Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM

Nikonshooter had an AVX mount that he had repaired if memory serves he had put aside in case yours broke. Or last I heard any way.

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

Bummer Sonny , we're once again in the same boat , don't feel bad I'm tired of the same fix something every time I go capture some photons. My lil' Squirts Vet bills are real high {congested Heart failure} is no joke but, that's what ya do for your best friend.