4138 replies to this topic

[blackstar707]

I purchased mine several years ago.  It held my iOptron Az Mount Pro with a C6, then later a C9.5.  The C6 did not require any counterweight, but the C9.5 needed 2 weights.  I don’t remember what the weights were, just the original one that came with the Az Mount Pro, and another one just like it that I added.  All this to give you an idea of the weight the Wheeley Bar was carrying.

 

If I recall correctly, I purchased directly from Farpoint Astro.  I got the medium size, and I changed wheels to the 5 inch ones, right on their website site.  I believe it ended up costing $390.

 

Now that I’ve slimmed down the herd, it has my Origin, with its mount and tripod.  This load is a lot less than the C9.5 system.  I do not have a wedge for it.  
 

Any other questions, please ask.

 

smp

 

Edit:

My Wheeley Bar was delivered to me on November 30, 2021

I looked in my account and it appears that I got free shipping.

I may have taken advantage of a special offer at that time.

Ok, it looks like the medium size would carry Origin + wedge (total ~60lb) with no sweat. The old seller (JMI) transferred their products, including Wheeley Bar, to the new seller (Farpoint) in 2017. So your purchase price was not a special offer at the time. But the timing was good for you.   Thank you for all the info.
 

[jprideaux]

I did a quick 20 minute integration of M5 (globular cluster) with the wedge VERY roughly polar aligned (bortle 7, clear filter).  I was off in azimuth by a little over a whole degree.  Perhaps 1.1 degrees.  I was at the end of the azimuth adjustments and did not feel like picking the whole thing up and rotating it a bit more.

I just kept it at 10-second sub-exposures since I was not perfectly polar aligned and I did see a little whole integration field-rotation but the image turned out fine IMO.  I cropped the image anyway so the slight loss of signal in the corners did not matter in this case.

I post-processed the single saved TIFF file.

 

M5 - post processed.  click for larger version

[blackstar707]

I purchased mine several years ago.  It held my iOptron Az Mount Pro with a C6, then later a C9.5.  The C6 did not require any counterweight, but the C9.5 needed 2 weights.  I don’t remember what the weights were, just the original one that came with the Az Mount Pro, and another one just like it that I added.  All this to give you an idea of the weight the Wheeley Bar was carrying.

 

If I recall correctly, I purchased directly from Farpoint Astro.  I got the medium size, and I changed wheels to the 5 inch ones, right on their website site.  I believe it ended up costing $390.

 

Now that I’ve slimmed down the herd, it has my Origin, with its mount and tripod.  This load is a lot less than the C9.5 system.  I do not have a wedge for it.  
 

Any other questions, please ask.

 

smp

 

Edit:

My Wheeley Bar was delivered to me on November 30, 2021

I looked in my account and it appears that I got free shipping.

I may have taken advantage of a special offer at that time.

Okay, I did a little more research on the size/dimensions. Have you already put your Origin on your medium-size Wheeley Bar? Can you comfortably/properly insert the Origin tripod legs into the three holes of the WB? I measured the tip-to-tip of the Origin tripod, and it's 31" (not sure very accurate). But according to WB diagram (see attached 1), the tip-to-tip dimensions are required within 32.3" - 36.8". How does this fit your live setup? I also found WB has an HD "Shorty" model, which does provide shorter tip-to-tip space: 26.25 - 31.25" (see attached 2). Maybe I'm overlooking this, but would like to have someone verify the issue before ordering.

 

I like the 10" wheels, but the width of the rear side is larger than my doorway, so no.

 

How do you move your Origin with your WB? With a handle? Or just with your hands?

 

Thanks for the help.

Attached Files

•  JMI_Med_Universal_Wheeley_Bar_Casters_Customer_Drawing.pdf   97.33KB   16 downloads
•  HD_Shorty_Wheeley_Bar_Casters.pdf   107.83KB   7 downloads

[spereira]

I believe you are referring to the *collapsed* dimensions on the Wheeley Bar.

Each of the three legs can be expanded in length by something like six inches.

I’ll post back some pictures when I get a chance.

 

smp

[spereira]

Here are my pictures.  They will probably be a lot better than my explanations.

 

 

 

 

You can see that the complete original Origin setup can be easily mounted on the medium size Wheeley Bar.

 

The only things I added were the three bungie cords for stability and safety.  

I can move the entire setup around by grabbing one of the legs of the tripod, or the handle on the mount without fear of tipping.

 

I hope this helps!

 

smp

Edited by spereira, 21 June 2025 - 12:07 PM.

[DyDyMT]

The Tulip, SH2-101   6 stacked Tiffs approx. 1250frames PI, Topaz

 

click to view larger Tulip

 

 

Edited by DyDyMT, 22 June 2025 - 05:19 AM.

[Psion]

We finally know the specs of the RASA 6", and we know that there may be a camera with a significantly larger sensor.

 

Usable image field of 16 mm diameter, at 22 mm minimal power loss at the corners of the image field

[blackstar707]

Here are my pictures.  They will probably be a lot better than my explanations.

 

IMG_1945.jpeg

 

IMG_1946.jpeg

 

IMG_1947.jpeg

 

You can see that the complete original Origin setup can be easily mounted on the medium size Wheeley Bar.

 

The only things I added were the three bungie cords for stability and safety.  

I can move the entire setup around by grabbing one of the legs of the tripod, or the handle on the mount without fear of tipping.

 

I hope this helps!

 

smp

Thanks, Steven. So, your way (or all people's way) to fit Origin to Medium size WB is extending tripod legs. Unfortunately, as a short guy, I would stick with Shorty WB or Mini ScopeBuggy. By the way, extending tripod legs will raise the system's weight center even higher, increasing the risk of tipping over. WB only offers HD Shorty (no standard Shorty) with 5" wheels to meet my doorway requirement, and prices much higher than ScopeBuggy. SB Mini offers 10" wheels and meets my doorway requirement by placing two wheels behind the rear Bar (T-bar design). But WBs does look more solid than SBs. Hard time to decide!!

[Ulysses]

We finally know the specs of the RASA 6", and we know that there may be a camera with a significantly larger sensor.

 

Usable image field of 16 mm diameter, at 22 mm minimal power loss at the corners of the image field

Yes, they announced this info at NEAF in April 2025. It’s also been designed with the ability to install your camera of choice—whether Celestron’s next as-yet-unannounced camera or a camera from a different manufacturer. Lots of great things have come out of their development of the Origin system. 

[jprideaux]

I participated in a public outreach at a State Park on the evening after the summer solstice (so the night was short).

I showed the public the following with fairly short integrations with my Celeston Origin with using the wedge:

M101 (Pinwheel galaxy), M51 (Whirlpool galaxy), M13 (great globular cluster in Hercules), and NGC 7023 (Iris reflection nebula).

Then after the public left, I spent 3.5 hours just on the NGC 7023 (the Iris nebula) using just the clear filter and later post-processed the single resulting stacked by not processed TIFF file.

 

NGC 7023 - the Iris Nebula

click for a larger version

 

 

[Twah]

Wow. Nice shootin’


I haven’t been able to get out. It’s been cloudy nightly or it’s clear on a day I have to get up early. Ugh.

I participated in a public outreach at a State Park on the evening after the summer solstice (so the night was short).
I showed the public the following with fairly short integrations with my Celeston Origin with using the wedge:
M101 (Pinwheel galaxy), M51 (Whirlpool galaxy), M13 (great globular cluster in Hercules), and NGC 7023 (Iris reflection nebula).
Then after the public left, I spent 3.5 hours just on the NGC 7023 (the Iris nebula) using just the clear filter and later post-processed the single resulting stacked by not processed TIFF file.

NGC 7023 - the Iris Nebula
click for a larger version

[jprideaux]

Wow. Nice shootin’


I haven’t been able to get out. It’s been cloudy nightly or it’s clear on a day I have to get up early. Ugh.

There have been precious few clear nights (with new moon) where I live and I have to take advantage of them when they happen. I was at a “dark-site” state park and just slept in the back of my car while my scope was imaging. That was the agreement with the Stare park. We do the public out-reach and they let us stay afterwards and do our own astronomy.

I may go out again Monday night but this time to a Wildlife Management Area. Again set-up and sleep in the back of my car while my scope is imaging. I find those lower bortle areas worth the personal discomfort!

Edited by jprideaux, 22 June 2025 - 04:58 PM.

[jprideaux]

I braved the heat on June 23rd and went out to my "close by dark site" (bortle 3.5) and imaged while I dosed in the back of my car.

It was clear but hazy and it got more hazy as the night went on.

 

All taken with the Celestron Origin using the wedge and Celestron nebula filter.  I just stayed with the default 15 second subs.

All images post-processed from the single saved TIFF file.

 

I chose nebula targets as they started to rise out of the horizon thick air.

Click for larger versions

 

32 minutes on M97 - the Owl nebula

 

15 minutes on M57 - the Ring nebula

 

3.75 hours on NGC6888 - the Crescent nebula

[TreeTrunkRick]

I enjoy seeing all the large astrophotography targets people have posted that are pleasing to the eye. Does anyone like dark nebulae? I prefer imaging dark nebulae and smaller targets (NGC, etc.).

[Twah]

There have been precious few clear nights (with new moon) where I live and I have to take advantage of them when they happen. I was at a “dark-site” state park and just slept in the back of my car while my scope was imaging. That was the agreement with the Stare park. We do the public out-reach and they let us stay afterwards and do our own astronomy.

I may go out again Monday night but this time to a Wildlife Management Area. Again set-up and sleep in the back of my car while my scope is imaging. I find those lower bortle areas worth the personal discomfort!

yeah stupid summer heat here in Georgia just keeps making these clouds and then when it is clear and I'm like meh I'm tired.  lol.   but I do love this origin.   

[Twah]

I braved the heat on June 23rd and went out to my "close by dark site" (bortle 3.5) and imaged while I dosed in the back of my car.

It was clear but hazy and it got more hazy as the night went on.

 

All taken with the Celestron Origin using the wedge and Celestron nebula filter.  I just stayed with the default 15 second subs.

All images post-processed from the single saved TIFF file.

 

I chose nebula targets as they started to rise out of the horizon thick air.

Click for larger versions

 

32 minutes on M97 - the Owl nebula

 

 

15 minutes on M57 - the Ring nebula

 

 

3.75 hours on NGC6888 - the Crescent nebula

clearly the wedge is working out quite fine!   I can't wait to use mine but it's just been so cloudy since it became hot here. 

[jprideaux]

I enjoy seeing all the large astrophotography targets people have posted that are pleasing to the eye. Does anyone like dark nebulae? I prefer imaging dark nebulae and smaller targets (NGC, etc.).

The secret to dark nebulae is to get a lot of time on the target preferably from a dark site. Most new owners are impatient for results and spend their time on the larger brighter targets. It is after those are all done that people usually go looking for the dark nebula. It also usually takes some expertise in post-processing to bring out the dark brown or gray parts. I’m sure we will more postings of darker things as the night get a bit longer.

[frogbmth]

I just received my Giotto for Origin and thought I would let prospective buyers know that it only comes with a cigarette lighter cable (who has one of those in their cars anymore???) You will need to purchase a 12v 2A+ power supply to use it (the power supply for the Origin scope does not fit unfortunately).

I’m running mine from a Ugreen power bank that supports 12v output using a usb-c to dc PD cable 

[jprideaux]

I’m running mine from a Ugreen power bank that supports 12v output using a usb-c to dc PD cable

Yes an external power-bank is a VERY useful piece of kit especially if it supports the needed 12V output along with a collection of cable options for all your connectivity needs. I have one from a different brand and can power my origin, computer monitor (if doing out-reach), a tablet, and anything else I might need all night long.

[Twah]

I have the celestron power bank. Works great. I have the $100-125 one. Forget the model of it.

[frogbmth]

This is the one I am using for the Giotto at 12v - Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 12000mAh 100W

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by frogbmth, 29 June 2025 - 01:20 AM.

[Opi Bættlebeard]

I’ve been wondering… since we can access the Origin thru ftp, can we add multi-night captures of the same object to one file and have it process the whole stack? I’ve been meaning to try this but don't have copies of the same object and had only one night of clear skies in over a month.

Edited by Opi Bættlebeard, 30 June 2025 - 01:56 PM.

[rji2goleez]

I got my wedge for Origin a while ago.  However, weather has not been my friend with forest fire smoke, rain, clouds, tornados, etc.  I finally got to try EQ Mode last night although this image of M101 is only 20 minutes of 10s images due to more rain coming in.  Still, I was able to successfully polar align and get an image.  Processed the Origin TIFF Master with Pixinsight and LR.

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[StrangeAnomaly]

I have a basic question. Since Celestron has given us access via ftp to calibration frames, in their most recent beta, has anyone taken advantage of this possibility? If you have how? I've found that trying to take advantage of Origin calibration frames in pixinsight s WBPP mystifying.

[DyDyMT]

I’ve been wondering… since we can access the Origin thru ftp, can we add multi-night captures of the same object to one file and have it process the whole stack? I’ve been meaning to try this but don't have copies of the same object and had only one night of clear skies in over a month.

By "have it process the whole stack", do you mean the Origin doing that?  

 

If I have at least 3 master tiff files, you can take those and stack them in PI (as lights, with the calibration frames unchecked).  Not sure if that's your question, but that works well, better than taking all the light files and stacking those in Siril, although I've done both, depending on the quality of the master stacked tiff's.