Re: [APML]: Recommendations for ST-4 Accessories

[Christopher Go <rigel@mozcom.com>]

Jerry,

I was just kidding.  It's just makes my life easier...  8)

Chris

At 11:45 PM 1/9/98 -0500, you wrote:
>
>
>deMike wrote:
>>>  I am planning to order the ST-4 to use as a guider
>>>with the following system:
>>>
>>>   AP 600 (early, non "E") mount
>>>   AP 130mm F/6 refractor
>>>   AP 80x900mm Guidescope
>>>
>>>  Are there any recommendations from this group
>>>for additional accessories that would help in the
>>>autoguiding or setup?
>
>
>Chris wrote:
>>The #1 accessory that you need is a Spectra Flip Mate!!!  You can't use the
>>ST4 without this... 8)
>
>
>Sure you can!  With this stable a mount and a refractor, you don't need the
>Flip Mate. 
>
>If you had some SCT with mirror flop, on one of those "forked" mounts, then
>probably you would!
>
>Here's a trick: 
>
>First couple of times out, focus your guidescope and ST-4 with the
>readouts, maximizing the number readouts, but not oversaturating the chip
>(say over 75).
>
>After you are familiar with this method of focusing, on a night of really
>good seeing, focus the ST-4 by the numbers. Take a little time to really
>nail it. 
>
>Then place your guiding eyepiece in the guidescope with a barlow attached.
>Then (here's the trick part), focus the eyepiece by sliding it in and out
>of the barlow. Then lock it down really good, like with two set screws.
>
>Next time you go out, it will be parfocal with the St-4, and you can focus
>it, and center the star in the guiding eyepiece box at the same time,
>therefore focusing the St-4 and centering the guidestar on the chip.
>
>If you spend the money on a guiding eyepiece and barlow instead of a
>flipmate, at least you will have a fall back position if your ST-4 doesn't
>work some night for some reason. You will also need a guiding eyepiece
>anyway for when you drift polar align.
>
>Also, I find with the ST-4, the AP 130EDT, and a 12mm guiding eyepiece and
>3x barlow, I know exactly how faint of a star I can guide on at a one
>second integration with a boost of 3 or 4 in the brightness Adjust average
>mode. With this setup,  IF I can the star in the guiding eyepiece, I can
>guide on it.
>
>Jerry
>
>
>
>
>
>
Christopher Go
Christone Industries
Manufacturer and Exporter of Quality Fossil Stone and Wrought Iron Furniture
Cebu, Philippines