[APML] guidescope / setup question

[AikeM.Voelker-Jamin@t-online.de (Aike M. Voelker)]

Hi APML,

after selling my LX 200, I am working on my new sepup for astrophotography.

My first decision regarding the primary scope was to go for a fast Newtonian, a 
Vixen R200SS, it's a 8" f/4 (800mm focal lenght) telescope. 

The second decision to be made was (is) the guidescope. I've recently purchased 
a Vixen 80mm / 1200mm refractor, which I thought would be a perfect guidescope! 
I'm planing to get myself a EQ6 (expected delivery by the end of October), which 
is a mount that carries up about to 35 pounds and is said to be as dependable as 
the G11, but for a much more moderate price... 

But....

After talking to some of my astronomical dealers, I've discovered that they see 
a big problem in aligning the guidescope to the photographic scope. (The 
guidescope would be about 25" londer than my main instrument).

Furthermore, I've received the advise that I should go for a smaller guidescope 
such as the Meade ETX in order to prevent flexure, alignement problems of the 
complete system.  

Here are my questions:

- is anyone operating with a system comperable to mine?
- if so, what are the expieriences with it?
- how about the alignement of the two scopes when out in the field (I don't have 
  a permanent setup, so I need to setup the whole stuff every single night I   
  am photographing!)?
- what kind of guidescope "brackets" are useful to ensure proper accuracy?
- is the ETX a useful guidescope (mirror shift?)??? - I have read bad things    
 about using a ETX as guidescope.....

Any hints will be highly appreciated ,as I can't wait to get out in the field 
again. 

I definatly don't want to loose "Clear Sky" time (very rare in the last while 
anyways....), with a system that won't work at all.

Thanks for any input,

Clear Skies,

Aike
http://www.astrophotography.de







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