8 replies to this topic

[hobs1466]

If there is anyone with a Meade LX SCT (even an old one, mine is an original 2120 LX3) looking for a focus motor, I can not recommend Rigel Systems highly enough. Leon worked with me via email to get the specs right and answer all of my questions. The resulting wifi-nFocus system was fairly simple to install and works great. It was also pretty affordable compared to some of the other possible options that I found.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by hobs1466, 19 September 2023 - 04:48 PM.

[Rick-T137]

Do you have any pics of your setup? I have an LX3 OTA (on an EQ5 mount) and a Premier.

 

Thanks!

 

Rick

[rigelsys]

Here's an example 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[hobs1466]

Do you have any pics of your setup? I have an LX3 OTA (on an EQ5 mount) and a Premier.

 

Thanks!

 

Rick

Just added a picture of the mounted motor.

[Rick-T137]

That looks pretty slick! So you can focus using Wifi? That is really neat. Are you going to be doing some astrophotography with your rig?

 

Rick

[hobs1466]

That looks pretty slick! So you can focus using Wifi? That is really neat. Are you going to be doing some astrophotography with your rig?

 

Rick

Astrophotography is the entire reason I got it. I just used my DSLR on my Meade for the first time a month or so ago. After the second try, I realized that there was just no way I was going to be able to get even reasonable focus doing it by hand. So I started shopping for a motor. There were a couple of after market options, but Rigel Systems was one of the recommended ones and it was less expensive than most of the other recommended ones. In the end, I really liked the personal service, recommendations and advice that Leon provided.

 

What the picture shows is just the part that mounts on the scope. The hand controller connects via the black cable hanging down the right side. You can see the connector in the bottom right corner. The controller also needs a 12v DC power supply. An AC/DC power cord is included, but I plan to get a Celestron PowerTank and a 12V DC cigarette connection cable.

 

And yes, it supports connecting to the controller via wifi with a smart phone to control it, but I use the manual controls on the hand unit. That is because I am already using my phone to control my camera. There is also an option to connect via a provided USB cable to a PC/laptop and use software that you can download for free. Someday maybe I'll get sophisticated enough to use a laptop to run everything, but at the moment I am just getting my feet wet.

[Rick-T137]

Sounds awesome! I too have just started to dabble in astrophotography by hooking up my DSLR to my telescope. I use my laptop to capture the image (using Backyard EOS) and for the stuff I'm doing, manual focus seems to work fine.

 

I used to have a set up with a GoTo mount, and I could control the entire telescope from a laptop - but that's just too many wires and fussing for me. OH! Good idea on the Celestron PowerTank! I've had one for about 10 years and it's still going strong. It's a great addition. One thing I did do was build a little bag for it out of Reflectix - I find that helps it go a lot longer on cold evenings (I'm in Canada). I also wrap the telescope itself in Reflectix to help mitigate tube currents and give me the sharpest views possible.

 

Let us know how you make out! I suspect it will wind up being a fun ride.

 

Rick

[hobs1466]

Sounds awesome! I too have just started to dabble in astrophotography by hooking up my DSLR to my telescope. I use my laptop to capture the image (using Backyard EOS) and for the stuff I'm doing, manual focus seems to work fine.

 

I used to have a set up with a GoTo mount, and I could control the entire telescope from a laptop - but that's just too many wires and fussing for me. OH! Good idea on the Celestron PowerTank! I've had one for about 10 years and it's still going strong. It's a great addition. One thing I did do was build a little bag for it out of Reflectix - I find that helps it go a lot longer on cold evenings (I'm in Canada). I also wrap the telescope itself in Reflectix to help mitigate tube currents and give me the sharpest views possible.

 

Let us know how you make out! I suspect it will wind up being a fun ride.

 

Rick

Some great ideas there! I just saw Backyard EOS mentioned somewhere. Looks interesting. I guess I need to get a laptop.

 

Right now the thing I'm trying to figure out is if there is some way to add a barlow to the mix. All my connections at the moment are screwed and all of the barlows I'm finding are 1.25" barrel connections.

[Rick-T137]

Some great ideas there! I just saw Backyard EOS mentioned somewhere. Looks interesting. I guess I need to get a laptop.

 

Right now the thing I'm trying to figure out is if there is some way to add a barlow to the mix. All my connections at the moment are screwed and all of the barlows I'm finding are 1.25" barrel connections.

Yeah, if everything screws into the back of the telescope, then you've got no place to drop in a Barlow.

 

You could get a 2" "nose piece" for your DSLR, which would allow you to slip it into the back of a telescope like an eyepiece. Then you could use a Barlow as well. Something like this:

 

https://agenaastro.c...-eos-p-11a.html

 

I was just going through all my adapters and accessories last night looking to see if I had something similar. I think I have a 1.25" nose piece, but I'm not sure I have the adapter for my Canon camera.

 

Good luck!

 

Rick