[APML] Taurus Tracker III (Was: Astrophotography 2004 - Price ShockHorror)

[Alan Voetsch <alanv12952@yahoo.com>]

Sorry all, I'm re-poating this with a different subject line to reflect
the change in topic,

Alan

--- Alan Voetsch <alanv12952@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hey Jason,
> 
> --- "Lane, Jason R" <jason.lane@navy.mil> wrote:
> > I saw in your message below that you use a Taurus Tracker.  I have
> > been considering purchasing one for my setup, and wanted to ask you
> > what your likes and dislikes are about the Taurus Tracker, ease of
> > use (especially with the autoguider), etc., etc.  I own a Meade
> LX90
> > 8" SCT telescope, so my setup is similar to yours.  I'm asking
> > through APML in case anybody else has some input.
> 
> I love the darn thing. It is the one piece of equipment I own that I
> have NEVER considered upgrading or swapping out for something else. I
> have no problems using it at f/10, other than having to work a bit
> harder to find guide stars. 
> 
> After the initial setup, when the viewport, and guideport are made
> parfocal with your cameras focus, nightly setup is a breeze. Focus
> using a regular EP, locate your guidestar with an IREP, drop in your
> ST-4 or 201, rotate the camera for best composition, start your
> guiding
> and then the exposure. Before the exposure is started, you must
> remember to pull the viewport up out of the light path. That is the
> only drawback I have with the Taurus. After you've taken 1 or 2 3
> hour
> exposures of nothing though, you learn to double check it. 
> 
> It's important to note here that during initial setup, exact focus is
> important for ease of future use so, it's not a step to rush through.
> Also note that when that step is done right, all the focus points for
> the film, and the guideport are easy to achieve night after night.
> What
> it means is that you can simple drop your autoguider in, rotate it so
> the axis of travel are in line with the current configuration, and
> you
> should be already at best focus.
> 
> Alan
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 	
> 		
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