Re: [APML] Call for Input

["Bob Hughes" <rhughes@extremezone.com>]

Jason:

Thanks for your input. Sounds like others have had the same problem. I was
thinking of using a 1.25" collimator to see exactly where the alignment is.
One thing that I have done is to take up allot of the "slop" with my
extension tubes etc. None of them (including the Flip Mate port) fit real
well and as such there is allot of alignment error. I have been using brass
shim stock wrapped around the "OD" of each male port to take up the diameter
difference between male and female. Seems to be allot better but the guide
star is still located in the lower left hand corner of the chip image in the
Flip Mate.

I tell you,  if there was someone on this reflector who had the expertise to
properly align the Flip Mate, I wouldn't mind paying a few bucks to get the
problem resolved. I have hesitated taking the Flip Mate apart fearing that I
might make the situation worse.

Thanks for your reply Jason.

Bob Hughes


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Lewis" <jle667@airmail.net>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 8:17 AM
Subject: RE: [APML] Call for Input


> Bob,
>
>   I think that a lot of folks have alignment and focus problems with the
> flipmate.  Mine seems to be centered, though the reticle is horribly out
of
> focus (almost invisible) when the ST4 and eyepiece are focused on a star.
I
> have heard reports from others about theirs being off center.  I've also
> heard rumors that SpectraAstro claimed that it was the ST4 chip that was
out
> of alignment, while SBIG claimed that their chips were always in the same
> location.
>   Depending on your misalignment direction, you might be able to make some
> alignment adjustments by putting a spacer on the mirror stop so that it
> rests in a different location when viewing through the reticle.
>
> Jason
>
> See Astrophotos at http://web2.airmail.net/jle667/
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Bob Hughes wrote:
>
> On another note, I purchased the Flip Mate for the ST4 from Spectra. I
find
> that when I have the ST4 tracking and I get an x,y display of say, 55/50
or
> some where close to the center of the CCD, optically the star shows up
down
> in the lower left corner of the chip image as seen through the Flip Mate.
If
> you or anyone else on the Reflector have any ideas on how to align the
Flip
> Mate, comments or suggestions would be appreciated. I use a William
Optics
> 80mm as a guide scope.
>
>
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