10 replies to this topic

[Skywatcher76]

Overall, this first light session exceeded all expectations. The system performed flawlessly, and while there are areas to tweak—like Dec balancing, guiding refinement, and learning how to autofocus without rage-quitting—the foundation is rock solid. Spending extra time on polar alignment proved to be the best decision of the night, ensuring a productive session with minimal frustration.

Click here to view the article

[PortablePc]

"this rig is poised to deliver some jaw-dropping results in deep-sky astrophotography" Definitely thinking the same thing, nice rig man! Have fun.

[kgb]

Hey Skywatcher. Thanks for sharing. Good article. I have a very similar setup that I use for medium-short focal length imaging ( Ioptron Gem45, Sharpstar 94,Pegasus Power/USB/Focuscube, Touptek 2600, Sharpcap, PHD2). Works like a charm. The iOptron mechanics really make the difference. The system works reliably. The only qualm I have is that the Unity platform from Pegasus requires a universal (rather large) update for changes more often than I like. It would be nice if it recognized the actual components that you have so that it didn’t recommend updates so often.

Edited by kgb, 04 June 2025 - 09:04 PM.

[ewstone]

Excellent details. Well Done!

[Cygnus_v_Cygnus]

Well written and informative. Thank you. I am actually in the market for a new mount and the CEM70 is on my radar. I was using sharpcap and PHD2 for polar alignment with and without an OAG for a while. Then I started using the "Three Point Polar Alignment" (TPPA) plugin in NINA and it makes polar alignment 10X faster and probably about 20-30% more accurate. I would highly recommend it. 

[Skywatcher76]

Hi, sorry thank you all for your kind words

I havent  been on the forum for a while it doesnt get dark here over summer in the far North so havent been thinking about astro but soon enough just two months left to dark skies

I have spent a load of time with it now its a great mount really really good.

Just a tip as soon as I park it I put the RA spur (Allen key) into the RA lock and disengage the RA clutch this was I never ever force the gears in the gear box and I disengage the dec clutch.

I never lift move or transport it with clutches engaged 

I use Sharpcap for PA and its perfect in under 5 mins

Ive added a mini touch screen to go with the mini pc its a life saver I remote into the mini pc from my laptop with direct wifi connection. SOmetimes the connection drops out the little screen cost next to nothing its a life saver

This is a link to my astro bin https://app.astrobin.../Skywatcher1976 if you want to see some pics from the rig 

Clear Skies !!

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Skywatcher76]

Mini touch screen also good for PA

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Skywatcher76]

Well written and informative. Thank you. I am actually in the market for a new mount and the CEM70 is on my radar. I was using sharpcap and PHD2 for polar alignment with and without an OAG for a while. Then I started using the "Three Point Polar Alignment" (TPPA) plugin in NINA and it makes polar alignment 10X faster and probably about 20-30% more accurate. I would highly recommend it. 

I felt NINA was less accurate that's very interesting indeed I use PHD2 for drift align sometimes but dont feel its required at 550mm
Maybe my NINA settings are off ? I am new to NINA 

definitely recommend the mount I am buying another on a 120 for my bigger scope 

[Skywatcher76]

Hey Skywatcher. Thanks for sharing. Good article. I have a very similar setup that I use for medium-short focal length imaging ( Ioptron Gem45, Sharpstar 94,Pegasus Power/USB/Focuscube, Touptek 2600, Sharpcap, PHD2). Works like a charm. The iOptron mechanics really make the difference. The system works reliably. The only qualm I have is that the Unity platform from Pegasus requires a universal (rather large) update for changes more often than I like. It would be nice if it recognized the actual components that you have so that it didn’t recommend updates so often.

I was am amazed at the small scale details that can be caught with these scopes

[Skywatcher76]

"this rig is poised to deliver some jaw-dropping results in deep-sky astrophotography" Definitely thinking the same thing, nice rig man! Have fun.

Thank you !
Its working good but unfortunately the optics are pinched on the SharpStar dealer refuses to help me and Sharpstar passed the buck even though I have a warranty card in the box lol oh well 

[Tom62e]

You have excellent taste in hardware!  All your equipment is top-of-the-line for entry-level (even moderate level) amateur AP.  Very solid choices.

 

First, do not give up on NINA, it’s awesome!  

 

Second, when I have issues auto-focusing it’s usually one of four things . . . 
 

1). My exposure length for AF is not long enough.

2). I’m too out of focus to begin with (you need to get close manually first). 
3). My step size combined with my initial steps takes me too out of focus to start the run even if I was close to begin with.  Stick with 4 or 5 initial steps at the most. Step size, however, is dependent on your auto focuser and scope.  SCTs for instance, require much larger steps than typical Newtonians or refractors.  

4)  The settings in Hocus Focus are set for widefield and I’m long focal length (or the vice-versa). Check these settings. 
 

Good luck on your next session and clear skies!