Re: [APML] autoguider advice

[Matt BenDaniel <matt@starmatt.com>]

William,

For an SCT you should use an OAG, due to mirror shift.  The STV Deluxe
monitor allows you to keep the head attached to the OAG, while you focus
and select the guide star, and you don't need to bring a laptop into the
field.  

That said, I've used an ST-4 with an OAG on my C-8, and have gotten it
to work well.  It's just more work.

Either way, you can use a reducer lens for the autoguider to reduce
seeing-induced errors, although I've never had to do that.

Matt

> William Clark wrote:
> 
> Hey all,
> 
> With young kids at home, I find I am getting too tired to manual guide
> anymore.  I would like to get a autoguider but an stuck between the
> ST-4 and the newer STV (both of which are on sale at SBIG).  I use a
> Celestron C8 Deluxe (hand controller has autoguider port; no relay
> troubles then?) with a Lumicon Cassegrain Easy Guider.  People have
> emailed me stating that the STV and ST-4 like shorter focal length
> optics and off-axis guiders do not work that well with these units
> (re-calibration and whatnot).  I am into film photography now
> (piggyback and prime focus).  It will be some time before I get the
> time required for CCD work.  Do you have any advice as to which unit
> will serve my purpose?  I do not have a guidescope and would prefer
> not to buy one.  Can these units function on an off-axis guider
> set-up?  For piggyback, I can simply attach to the back of my scope,
> so it is not a problem.  Prime focus is more of an issue.  Could the
> Efinder of the STV be used for guiding prime focus film photography?
> 
> Any auto guider advice is appreciated.
> 
> Regards,
> -Bill

-- 
Matt BenDaniel
http://starmatt.com

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