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Re: [APML] Pictor 201XT autoguider



Personally I think the 201XT is a fine autoguider for a beginner. Like most, I started out manually guiding using a reticule eyepiece. This was about two years ago. Of course manual guiding got old in a hurry. I still wasn't sure if long-exposure AP was for me, so I didn't want to make a huge investment in an autoguider. So I bought the 201XT.
 
I was able to use it OK, but it could be frustrating, especially when there were no bright guide stars available (I use an OAG). Perhaps if I used a guidescope and had more choice of brighter guide stars, I'd still be using it. Anyway, I found I was spending inordinate amounts of time setting up for each photo trying to find and focus on a guide star. So I sold the 201XT on astromart (for about $50 less than I paid for it), and got an STV.
 
For a net $50 investment, it was well worth it, if only to get some experience using an autoguider.
 
Kevin Wigell
www.kwastronomy.com