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Congrats. You are gonna love the mount.

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Thanks, any tips and tricks for me? Perhaps any mistakes to learn from? I intend on using it for mostly imaging, but will be taking it out to the big events for viewing, such as the Messier marathons. I've spent the last months studying the manual and all of the Tom's articles on bisque's site. I'm a very computer savvy person (Day job is a Snr SysAdmin @ eBay), and I don't think I'll have a hard time learning how to use it.

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Webmaster - Starizona - HyperStarImaging - Cuttin' Edge Observatory

SBIG STL-11K - C14, C8, Tele Vue NP127is, TV-60is - Paramount ME + Pinnacle Pier

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No tips or tricks about the mount as it is pretty straight forward. The real key to that mount is TheSky6 software. If you have used TS6 before you'll enjoy the additional features that are enable when a Paramount is connected. If you haven't used TS6 read the manual it is capable of doing a lot of stuff.

While the mount has great tracking and pointing you are going to really like the increased pointing and tracking accuracy provided by T-Point and ProTrack.

The only thing it appears you are going to miss is the direct guide feature of CCDSoft (only because I don't believe Starlight Express cameras are supported by CCDSoft). It is a nice feature to be able too toss your autoguider cables.

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I've been using TS6 for quite some time now with CCDAP and ACP (evaluation). It has worked great with my CGE, and I'm looking forward to using it with the HW it was designed for! I have been asking Terry at Starlight about status on drivers for months now and haven't been able to get any. I'm concerned that I won't be able to do T-Point or an Automapper without using CCDSoft. Is this the case? If drivers don't come out very shortly, I'll be forced to sell my M25C to get a camera that will work.

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Webmaster - Starizona - HyperStarImaging - Cuttin' Edge Observatory

SBIG STL-11K - C14, C8, Tele Vue NP127is, TV-60is - Paramount ME + Pinnacle Pier

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Thanks, any tips and tricks for me?...I intend on using it for mostly imaging, but will be taking it out to the big events for viewing, such as the Messier marathons.

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Just one - hit the weight room with dedication - maybe hire a personal trainer!

Congrats on the mount!

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N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey


Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke

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Just got notified from Bisque that my ME is completed, and they need a shipping address.

OMG OMG OMG OMG <-- giddy school kid excitement.

I ordered it in April 2008 through Starizona

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I hope you told them to ship it to me... ;-)

I look forward to seeing it at the AASP!

Congratulations!

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Chris Vedeler

Astro-Physics 160EDF
Astro-Physics 900GTO
Orion 80mm Guidescope
Canon EOS XT modified with Baader filter by Hap Griffin
Meade DSI Pro / Philips SPC900NC webcam
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www.aznightsky.com


Scottsdale, AZ

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I've been using TS6 for quite some time now with CCDAP and ACP (evaluation). It has worked great with my CGE, and I'm looking forward to using it with the HW it was designed for! I have been asking Terry at Starlight about status on drivers for months now and haven't been able to get any. I'm concerned that I won't be able to do T-Point or an Automapper without using CCDSoft. Is this the case? If drivers don't come out very shortly, I'll be forced to sell my M25C to get a camera that will work.

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You will be able to use T-Point without CCDSoft. You can auto center the target with your imaging software if it allows for that. Some folks use a video camera and manually center the stars on a monitor. Since I use CCDSoft, I have a script that auto-centers the brightest star in the imager's FOV. Unfortunately you won't be able to use Automapper2 without CCDSoft. But it is not hard to create a T-Point without automapper it just takes longer.

I also use ACP. I use it in a couple of different modes. My main use is as a control program to link the mount and the dome's slit. It does a very good job of that. When I use it as a mount and camera controller I then use MaxImDL as my image control software.

As far as counter weights, my current setup with the 12" SCT/ST-2000XM, SV-F50/Mallincam and WO 66mm ZenthStar/ST-402ME uses 3 weights. If I add the SV102 refractor I have to install the 4th weight.

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-Marcus

The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice.

http://jatobservatory.org


12" LX200R on a Paramount ME

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If I add the SV102 refractor I have to install the 4th weight.

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I didn't order any additional weights, but I did get the extension bar. I was told that I could get the C14 with accessories on the ME with the two stock weights. I'll try to figure out what exactly I need after I get it instead of pre-buying extra $200 weights. Seriously.. $200 a weight? What in the ...

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Webmaster - Starizona - HyperStarImaging - Cuttin' Edge Observatory

SBIG STL-11K - C14, C8, Tele Vue NP127is, TV-60is - Paramount ME + Pinnacle Pier

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I have tried both configurations with my setup (14" LX200, Aluminum Dew shield, 2 dove plates, 80mm guider, ST-237, crayford focuser and camera), requires 4 weights w/out the extension and 3 with it. I prefer having the shorter moment arm and added real estate. It would really stick if you had to wait on weights to use your mount.

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Even if I couldn't use the c14 immediately, I bet the tele vue can be used without weights.

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Webmaster - Starizona - HyperStarImaging - Cuttin' Edge Observatory

SBIG STL-11K - C14, C8, Tele Vue NP127is, TV-60is - Paramount ME + Pinnacle Pier

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They do look kinda naked without the CWs don't they.

I really like that pier though. Its a perfect match! Nice scope also.

I could look at Paramounts all day. I know they are boxy and some think they are ugly because they don't have the curves and lines like other mount's. But I like them. But then again I like the way the Max Mount looks too.

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My custom pinnacle pier will be here this week too. I ordered it months ago but Shahin has been having some recent production delays due to the inflating economy. It will have his newly improved feet, lighter than before full index adapter and a double anodize + powder coated finish. He's also having me beta test a new product that we will be able to talk about more later.

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Webmaster - Starizona - HyperStarImaging - Cuttin' Edge Observatory

SBIG STL-11K - C14, C8, Tele Vue NP127is, TV-60is - Paramount ME + Pinnacle Pier

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