Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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I am just a begener in this wonderfull field of AP. I curently have a Celestron Nextstar 130 SLT,an Orion 100mm reflector and a DSI color.I can't get very long expousers and was woundering what mount I could get that would cost around $500. I know that this will have to be a used mount, but I am unsure if there is even one that I can get for this amount and I don't know what brand I should look at. I want it to have goto capibility as I do not have a very good grasp of how or the desire to find my targets by star hopping. Is this a possibility or am I just fooling my self.
 Any help with this would be greatly apprecieated.
Thanks for your help.
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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ericjacob613
Photon Hog
Reged: 05/25/07
Posts: 3060
Loc: Santa Barbara CA
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The Celestron CG5 (non-goto) is about $400, I think, and the goto version (highly recommended) is $700. I can make 2 - 3 minute unguided exposures with it. It's a very nice mount for the price.
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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Eric,
Do you have any pics that I can see? I had seen a few used ones for sale but was unsure of the quality of photos I could get.
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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Also, have you seen any reviews of the Ioptron alt-az eq mounts. They are only $425. What are you thoughts on this mount.
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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ericjacob613
Photon Hog
Reged: 05/25/07
Posts: 3060
Loc: Santa Barbara CA
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Blixx,
Here ya go:
http://cheapskate-astro.net/equipment.html
I'm not familiar with Ioptron. But I don't see how a mount can be alt-az and EQ at the same time.
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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Eric,
Do you have any photos that you have taken of nebula or planets with the CG5 goto, that is if you have the goto. I guess I should have been more clear, sorry. However, that is a very informitave sight.
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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Oops, I guess I didn't go to the right part of sight. I see them now.
Thanks,
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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Nils_Lars
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 922
Loc: Santa Cruz Mountains , CA
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I also have the CG5 with goto and I can recomend it for AP it works well for the price.
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Erik
Orion ED 80
Orion Atlas GOTO mount
Williams Optics reducer
Various eyepieces and other gear
Baytronix 80mm guidescope
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
PHD guide
Canon 400D (unmodded)
Stilleto Focuser
Tamron 75-300mm&28-80mm lenses
NexImage webcam
http://home.comcast.net/~eriknlarsen/site/?/photos/
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FoxK
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/07
Posts: 1763
Loc: Cape Cod, MA
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Blixx..all those photos I take are with the CG5 advanced GT (goto)..I think I paid $800+ after tax/shipping though. Mabey they will come up on Orion Deal of the Day soon
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Orion 80mm ED Apo Refractor
8" Classic Dob (used as Newtonian on CG5 mount)
Meade 70-AZ-A 70mm Guider using PHD
LS60TCaK/B600/C
CG-5 Advanced GT Mount
Nikon D40x with T-Adaptors
Philips SPC900NC
Imaging Source DMK 21AU04.AS
Dome=the box my mount came in so I can see my solar images in bright sun lol
- click for cloud prediction for Plymouth, MA. area
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Arkalius
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 668
Loc: Orange County, CA, USA
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Remember that you do not need goto in order to have tracking and autoguiding. Goto is an entirely seperate thing.
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-Arkalius
11" Celestron SCT on Orion Atlas EQ-G
8" Zhumell Dobsonian Reflector
Proud member of the Orange County Astronomers
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Dan G
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/27/06
Posts: 1024
Loc: Minisink, NY, USA
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Quote:
Also, have you seen any reviews of the Ioptron alt-az eq mounts. They are only $425. What are you thoughts on this mount.
Here are some threads from the Mount forum. IOptron for AP and IOptron. Does not seem a great fit for AP work.
Dan in NY
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TV 76, Vixen VC200L, TV NP-127is
EM-200, NJP
ST-2000xm and ST-402
Tranquility Base Observatory aka "The Shed" by non-tranquil members of the house
www.nyskies.com Still a work in progress!
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Jared
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/11/05
Posts: 1852
Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.
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No such thing as a "good" astrophotography mount in that price range, but there are some that may be adequate to get you started. At the top of my list would be the Celestron CG5 and the Meade LXD75 (assuming it is offered without an OTA--I know it was at one time). They are both fine with, say, a 15 pound load at 500mm focal length for 30s unguided exposures. By deburring them, adjusting the backlash, and replacing the grease in the RA assembly you can actually get pretty decent performance. The next step up would be something like an Orion Sirius (EQ-5) for approximately $1,150 w/ goto. The next step up from that gets you into some really capable mounts such as the Orion Atlas (EQ-6) or the Vixen GPD2. They both run about 3x your budget, but that's where mounts start to really become "good" from an AP perspective.
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- Jared Willson
- Fluorostar FLT-110 w/ TEC optics
- Vixen VC200L
- Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO
- Stellarvue SV80S
- Takahashi Teegul SP Mount
- STL-11000
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smasraum
sage
Reged: 01/13/08
Posts: 492
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lxd75 with autostar and no telescope $599
http://www.opticsplanet.net/meade-lxd75-sc-8at-schmidt-cassegrain-telescope.html
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=9012
http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/MBWHBHQ8F8AC9MN9252EGLP525/product_id/LXD75
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Steve
Houston (Friendswood), TX
 Space Center Houston
8" Zhumell Dob - Woo Hoo!!
Celestron C102 f/5 - Thanks Tim!
21mm, 13mm Hyperion
2.5x TV Powermate
Canon Rebel XT
Nikon 7x35
Bushnell 10x50
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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Thanks guys,
It seems pretty hard to find a CG5 mount that is used. I think that I am leaning towards the LXD75. I am hoping that I can find a good use one. $500 was at the top end of by budget. So I will have to go with a used one. I have some feelers out, so hopefully I will be able to find one.
Thanks,
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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ericjacob613
Photon Hog
Reged: 05/25/07
Posts: 3060
Loc: Santa Barbara CA
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Note that if you ever plan to autoguide, the LXD does NOT have a built-in autoguide port. The CG5 does.
Slap me if I'm wrong... 
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ericjacob613
Photon Hog
Reged: 05/25/07
Posts: 3060
Loc: Santa Barbara CA
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Be patient. In less than a year I've seen several CG5's sold here on CN.
There's also Astronomy Mall, and likely a few other places to find used gear.
For example:
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=265992
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22367
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Note that if you ever plan to autoguide, the LXD does NOT have a built-in autoguide port. The CG5 does.
That's true, and it's an issue if you want to use a self-guiding SBIG camera. With any other guide camera the mount's serial port can be used for guiding so it's a non-issue.
To gain SBIG compatibility an APM-909 module (about $40 on Astromart) must be added. Anyone willing to pay a few grand for an SBIG camera probably wouldn't mind that.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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Well right now I am just beginning in this field, so I will not be doing any autoguiding. Not to mention, I can't afford the sbig camera. I am going to try to be patient and see if I can find a CG5. I was only thinking of the lxd75 because I seem to see more for sale. Does that mean that there might be a problem with them .The CG5 seems to be IMO really better for AP, as you have said as well.
Thanks again for all the good info. If you guys can think of anything else that might help let me know.
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 5331
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I suspect that's because so many start out with the LXD75 then move up. I've had mine for several years and I take it apart for some basic tuning about once a year. It's proven to be a solid performer and an excellent value for visual and photographic use.
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I & II), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22367
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
I suspect that's because so many start out with the LXD75 then move up.
That's probably part of it. The LXD75 has always been offered as a mount alone so it has enjoyed a wider market than the CG5-GT (which has been offered only in a bundle with an optical tube). Also, it was offered with the Schmidt-Newtonians, which are the most imaging-optimized optical tubes offered with either mount and so has attracted more attention from imaging-oriented folks. The periodic error correction feature has been another attraction for folks with an imaging bent.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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So I guess that each mount has it's advantages and disadvantages. Is PEC a feature that I should be looking for? I think the lxd has it, but does the cg5 have it as well?
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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Also, which mount would be easer for a newbe to use? I have never used an EQ mount befor.
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22367
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Is PEC a feature that I should be looking for?
If you want to try unguided imaging PEC would probably be a great benefit. I use it on my mounts (except the EM-200, which doesn't have or need it) even when guiding, to keep the required number of corrections to a minimum.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 5331
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I do both guided and unguided imaging with my LXD75. Since I typically use exposures that are no longer than 30 seconds guiding isn't a huge issue, but the mount guides fine. I haven't fooled with the PEC yet. It's a good mount to start simple and grow with (as I'm sure you can do with other mounts as well).
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I & II), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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Jared
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/11/05
Posts: 1852
Loc: Piedmont, California, U.S.
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This forum actually has a detailed comparison of the LXD75 and the CG-5 (AS-GT) located here. It also includes references to the LXD55 which is the predecessor to the LXD75.
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- Jared Willson
- Fluorostar FLT-110 w/ TEC optics
- Vixen VC200L
- Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO
- Stellarvue SV80S
- Takahashi Teegul SP Mount
- STL-11000
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SureshotPL
sage
Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 409
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I would highly recommend the CG-5 GT. Mine is carrying a 15 pound load with 15 minute guided subs. I'll do a test to see how long I can go before I see trailing. I would also like to note that I am able to pull 4 minute subs UNGUIDED.
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-Kyle
http://www.pbase.com/sureshot2
Celestron C6-S
CG-5GT
Kendrick Digifire 10 + Strips
William Optics ZS66 Doublet + Astro Tech 90mm rings
Meade DSI Color + GPUSB
Meade DSI Pro II + Astronomik Narrowband Filter Set
Orion Filter Wheel
Celestron Neximage
Edited by SureshotPL (02/23/08 08:37 PM)
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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I really would like to go with the CG5 mount, I have the SLT mount and I like the ease of operation. This might be a little off topic but what is ment by taking subs. Do you mean that you take 4min shots then combine then. If so how dose one do that.
Dan
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Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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SureshotPL
sage
Reged: 10/09/06
Posts: 409
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A sub frame is essentially a single frame. So that means I am able to capture 15-20 minute individual frames. You generally take several sub frames and combine them to boost S/N. For example, right now I am shooting 10 minute sub frames, and will be taking 6 of them to give me an hours worth of data.
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-Kyle
http://www.pbase.com/sureshot2
Celestron C6-S
CG-5GT
Kendrick Digifire 10 + Strips
William Optics ZS66 Doublet + Astro Tech 90mm rings
Meade DSI Color + GPUSB
Meade DSI Pro II + Astronomik Narrowband Filter Set
Orion Filter Wheel
Celestron Neximage
Edited by SureshotPL (02/24/08 12:00 AM)
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Blixx
sage
Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 348
Loc: CO. Aurora, USA
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So would one conbine them in photoshop or envision, I have both. However I am not very good yet with either. I am working on this though.
Dan
--------------------
Celestron C6R ( The Yard Cannon)
Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT
Orion 100mm SkyView Pro
Celestron C80ED
Mead Telstar 60mm
Orion Starshot 2 Color
Mead DSI Color
Celestron NexImage
Orion 2x Shorty Barlow
Various EP's
CG5-ASTG Mount
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ericjacob613
Photon Hog
Reged: 05/25/07
Posts: 3060
Loc: Santa Barbara CA
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The process of combining subs is called stacking. It can be done in Photoshop but it is very tedious that way, especially if you have a large number of subs. I use a program called Nebulosity from Stark Labs (about $45). I think there are also freeware programs, perhaps someone can advise you on those. I've never used any of them.
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