8 replies to this topic

[michelebergo]

Hi all,

could you please suggest me a good turn-key rig setup for a lite pier at starfront observatories in Texas? is there someone from this forum?

thank you in advance

BR,

Michele

[Joe G]

I have the following setup at Starfront on the lite pier:

 

Tak FSQ 106

ZWO AM5 mount

ZWO ASI 094 full frame OSC camera

ZWO filter wheel

Pegasus AF

Pegasus Falcon Rotator

Pegasus Power Box Advance

Dew strips

QHY guide camera

60mm guide scope

Beelink mini PC

 

I think on the "lite" pier you need to keep to the 500mm focal length or less.

 

With a shorter focal length scope like the Redcat 71mm you likely could trim a lot of costs by going to the mini pier at $149/mo.

 

Likely would be fine with a ZWO AM3 mount and all the ZWO goodies including their new rotator.  For instance:

 

Redcat 71  $1700

ZWO AM5 $1500

ZWO ASI 2600 MC $2000

ZWO ASI 120 mini guide camera $149

Small guidescope ~$100

ZWO rotator $299

ZWO EAF $149

ZWO filter wheel ~$300

Misc approximately $500

 

That totals about $6700.  If you go mono more $$$.  Not cheap but Starfront is a great place.

[The0s]

I believe High Point Scientific has a few imaging bundles that you can ship directly to Starfront. I don't personally know much about them, but they might be worth taking a look at. 

Edited by The0s, 10 February 2025 - 08:55 PM.

[Joe G]

But you do need to state your budget.

 

A new Tak FSQ 106 is $7000 plus.  So that Redcat setup is below the cost of just a Tak FSQ new.

 

I have two of the older Tak FSQs (fluorite).  If I was looking for an AP setup now at the equivalent focal length, I would think about these scopes:

 

https://agenaastro.c...-telescope.html

 

https://agenaastro.c...-telescope.html

 

https://agenaastro.c...cope-black.html

 

It seems they are all about the same 500mm focal length but half the price of the Tak FSQs.  These all support full frame cameras.  If you go to the 300-400mm focal length telescopes with an APS-C sized sensor it will save a lot of money.   If you do mosaics you can get a wider FOV for a cheaper price.

 

So really depends upon your budget.

 

If you want to do APS-C sized sensors, you can budget around $7000 (pre sales tax).

 

If you want full frame likely another $3000.  If you want to go mono another $1000-$2000 for filters.

[Voyager_sr2]

I also have a rig there with SW Quattro 150 and ASI676MC on top of WarpAstron WD-20.

 

As The0s mentioned, High Point has predefined packages with some discount for Starfront https://www.highpoin...t-observatories.

 

Also you can join Starfront discord for more information https://discord.gg/starfront

 

And one more thing to know: Starfront supports not only windows pcs with N.I.N.A. / SGP/ whatever, but also ASI Air setups.

Edited by Voyager_sr2, 11 February 2025 - 11:18 PM.

[Voyager_sr2]

By the way, if you join discord - there is a marketplace channel where occasionally you can see full rigs on sale.

[gwlee]

Never heard of StarFront Observatories. What are they?

[Joe G]

https://starfront.space

Edited by Joe G, 12 February 2025 - 01:27 PM.

[gwlee]

https://starfront.space

Thanks