6 replies to this topic

[BigSkySLK]

Hello, I am new to Astro Imaging, though with my Old LX50 and a Used Web Cam I was able to start out and get some nice pictures of Jupiter and Saturn.  But mostly used it for Visual observation which always amazed my neighbors in Florida.  "That isn't M42 you must have a picture taped to the front."

I was given a new Vaonis Vespera II for Christmas, and am have allot of luck with it and takes great images.  I am still learning to post process, though the scope does a good job when it has time to finish, the clouds and snow have been my limiting factor to date.

But the LX50 is in brand new shape, I have looked all over the net to find a not too expensive way to move it to a go to mount.  The Dec motor and I am sure the experienced know just isn't up to tracking for very long.

Does anyone have a recommendation on how to improve its tracking or even make it a go to scope.  I'll cross the imager after I can track visually.  The scope is too nice to just sell, and the Vespera II lacks the ability to image much in the Solar System.

Any ideas would be greatly Appreciated.

 

Thanks

Rick

BigSkySLK

Edited by BigSkySLK, 03 February 2025 - 07:13 PM.

[CharLakeAstro]

Best path forward is to defork the Optical Tube, add a dovetail rail, and mount it on a German Equatorial GOTO mount.

Sell the fork mount and wedge, tripod.

[michael8554]

It doesn't have a decent Dec drive like a Classic LX200, so a Dudash Autostar GoTo conversion is tricky.

 

Defork to an EQ mount.

[sevenofnine]

Welcome to C/N! 

 

Before you buy any equipment for astrophotography, you should get a good guidebook. This one is highly recommended by our most experienced astro photographers and will walk you through the steps in that hobby. Best of luck to you! 

 

https://www.amazon.c...,aps,536&sr=8-1.

Edited by sevenofnine, 04 February 2025 - 01:04 PM.

[dnrmilspec]

I'm going to move this thread to Beginning Deep Sky Imaging for a better fit.

[oldphotonm]

I would tend to agree with CharLakeAstro's suggestion:

 

Get rid of that Meade mount (for a bunch of reasons, not the least of which is the lack of replacement parts).

Buy yourself a decent German Equatorial GOTO mount that has twice the load capacity of the weight of your naked LX50 optical tube.

GOTO town!!!

[Deimos20]

Another vote for CharLakeAstro

 

I had an LX50 that I used for many years. Originally Meade sold an option called Magellan that turned it into an assisted "push to" scope. I never went that path and it never really worked from what I understand.  But the scope was excellent optically and when I found myself wanting to move to a go-to scope, I deforked the OTA, bought a Vixen style dovetail and mounted it on a Celestron AVX. For visual works great. Something on this order would also suit your desire for planetary imaging.

Steve