Anonymous
Unregistered
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I have been trying to put together a facility where I can remotely use a telescope in a warm room (to include initial allignment, focus, and DSI and LPI astrophotography. In other words apart from initial set up the rest is indoors !
I got a Log Cabin constructed and the computer is housed in it. 40ft away is an observing roof which gives good views of horizon all round in a reasonable dark site. I have USB connection and JMI PC focus control ready for this distance. I use a laptop currently beside the scope.
I will be in a position in March to upgrade the scope and am wondering what to get. If I go Meade RCX with autostar I should have everything since I use DSI and LPI. Having said that eq mount is better and I could go 200R on a good mount. Celestron CGE is an obvious option given my current kit and we have a local dealer who will trade.
Anybody already use a warm room for astronomy out there and can share their experience before I part with cash.
Thanks
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Moggi1964
Vendor - Astro Laugh
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 3636
Loc: Madison. NJ. USA
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My guess is that the real experts on here will say the mount is everything so get the R OTA and maybe an ME from SB!
I have no clue but I like to see if I get it right sometimes  
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Morris
www.astrolaugh.com
Astrosystems Telekit 10" with F/6 JC Wilkinson mirror
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 9284
Loc: Lexington, SC
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For automation I would suggest a Paramount ME and LX200R OTA. (YuGo Morris)
I've had a CGE for quite some time and it's a good mount that would do the job but that ME is the Automation Champ. But the CGE has done excellent tracking for me and is very easy to computer control. I've run mine with wireless, USB to Serial, and Bluetooth. GOTOs are very good too.
But then, if you are fairly certain you will stay with the DSI then the RCX is one fine scope. Best views I ever had through a SCT (or any other scope) were with a 10" RCX. It too talked well to my computers. It is also available with a wireless handbox that was very convenient.
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Jerry
TOA 150, FS-152, 14" LX200R, AP-1200
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celestial_search
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/18/04
Posts: 2569
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Dave:
You might try also posting this in the Observatory Forum. There are many people there who have built warm rooms. They may be able to share their experiences.
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Frank
C-11 XLT
8" f/6 Newt on GEM
Tak FS-102II
SV 80L Triplet APO
EQ-6 Mount on pier in backyard observatory (EQMOD)
CG-5 AS (GOTO)
SBIG ST-5C CCD and Canon Rebel XSI
SSAG
Oberwerk 15X70s and Pentax 10X21s
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Moggi1964
Vendor - Astro Laugh
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 3636
Loc: Madison. NJ. USA
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Quote:
For automation I would suggest a Paramount ME and LX200R OTA. (YuGo Morris)
I've had a CGE for quite some time and it's a good mount that would do the job but that ME is the Automation Champ. But the CGE has done excellent tracking for me and is very easy to computer control. I've run mine with wireless, USB to Serial, and Bluetooth. GOTOs are very good too.
But then, if you are fairly certain you will stay with the DSI then the RCX is one fine scope. Best views I ever had through a SCT (or any other scope) were with a 10" RCX. It too talked well to my computers. It is also available with a wireless handbox that was very convenient.
Jerry,
you KNOW he won't just "stay with the DSI" 
It's the CCD equivalent of aperture fever!
Visually it would be like using a Kellner on a TEC 140 when you know a Nagler is going to give you so much more. You just have to buy the Nagler (or Pentax if you lean that way).
Time will tell 
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Morris
www.astrolaugh.com
Astrosystems Telekit 10" with F/6 JC Wilkinson mirror
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AstroArlo
sage
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 427
Loc: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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Dave:
I have a warm room attached to my roll-off observatory. I'm running a Paramount ME, 20" RCOS Ritchey-Chretien, and an SBIG STL-11000M. The major problem I encountered was the limitation on the length of USB cables.
The maximum distance for the USB is 16 feet. All of my equipment worked reliably with only a 16 foot cable. However, it requires about 25 feet to go from my telescope, down to and under the floor via conduit and into the warm room. I had some problems getting the USB to work at this distance until I found an active USB cable. Everything works perfectly with the active cable once you have the ports set properly. I live in a small town and could not purchase an active USB cable locally, so you may have to order one from an internet supplier.
Some other RCOS users utilize an ICRON Ranger, which is a long distance wireless. They setup their computer wherever they want with one wireless transmitter, and put the other one on top of the scope!!! Then they only have short cables to deal with - I think these things have a range over a 100 feet...
As far as telling you what other equipment to buy, that depends on how much money you have and what your interests are. Prioritize what you want to do with your telescope and buy the setup which does this the best.
The one thing I do advocate is a good "generic" mount rather than an integrated system like the RCX - then you can change out OTA's as your interests change or as technology advances. For example, I can put any of my OTA's except for the RCOS (too heavy) on my Losmandy. The Paramount will handle any of my OTA's, but I don't plan on taking a 150 pound telescope (20" RCOS) on and off of the Paramount!!!
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Best Regards, Arlo
Grand Cosmic Observatory, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
CATS/CASS - 20" RCOS Ritchey-Chretien, C14, C8
REFRACTORS - 155mm Astro-Physics Starfire EDF w/4" Focuser, 102mm Televue Genesis, 78mm FS Takahashi
ASTROGRAPHS - 8" Lichtenecker Flat Field Camera, 6" JSO Schmidt Camera
MOUNTS - Paramount ME, Losmandy GM200, Takahashi EM-100
CCD/IMAGING - SBIG STS-4, SBIG STL-11000M
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