Piggy back and guiding. - Forums

Topic starter

Dec 5, 2021 · Edited: Dec 5, 2021

I have just changed my setup so I have the ZS61 riding on the back of the Esprit 100. This all rides on a GEM45.
I did this so I can easily change my field of view without having to dismantle anything.
With the Esprit I have been using an OAG which I started using on the Edge 8HD and got so used to using it that I started using it on the Esprit. I am very happy with the guiding results and ease of use.
For the ZS61 I have the Williams Optics 200mm guide scope which is very solidly mounted to the ZS61 with a sturdy vixen style mounting. Again this provides excellent guiding and is easy to use.
So now I have 2 guiding setups which is a little overkill. I want to reduce the total weight of the optics as positioning on the mount (when it's on the pier) can feel a little precarious, and any weight reduction would make it easier. Also freeing up the OAG would let me keep it permanently attached to the Edge 8HD would also making switching a little easier.

Is there any reason not to use the the Williams Optics guide scope (connected to the ZS61 which is connected to the Esprit) for both the Esprit and the ZS61?

Is there any reason not to use the OAG (connected to the Esprit) for both the Esprit and ZS61?

David Nozadze

Dec 5, 2021

Hi Rishi!

That is an impressive rig!

I do not have much experience using OAG, but there are two main things that concern me about in in general: the guidance may be disrupted when changing focus on the main scope and, due to much stronger magnification, effect of adverse seeing is multiplied due to longer focal length. Therefore, I tend to prefer separate guidescope set-up as it runs on its own all the time.

Clear skies

D

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Rishi

Topic starter

Dec 5, 2021 · Edited: Dec 5, 2021

Thanks.

I have been using the OAG for quite a while and I must say I like it but I have similar concerns about using a much longer focal length scope for guiding.
I guess in end it's a matter of trying it all out. Pity about the clouds!

David Nozadze

Dec 5, 2021

Rishi:
Thanks.

I have been using the OAG for quite a while and I must say I like it but I have similar concerns about using a much longer focal length scope for guiding.
I guess in end it's a matter of trying it all out. Pity about the clouds!

Absolutely! There are so many variables in the actual equipment, location, conditins, until you try it yourlself, you will never know for sure. What does not work for me, could be a perfect option for you.

kuechlew

Dec 5, 2021

Impressive rig indeed, reminds me of the "Bremer Stadtmusikanten" (Bremen town musicians)

Linwood Ferguson

Dec 5, 2021

"It's Turtles all the way down"

Andy Wray

Dec 5, 2021

Disclaimer: I've only used a separate cheap orion SSAG guide camera and scope. That said; PHD2 can guide to within 0.1 pixels of the guide camera. So, as long as the guide scope focal length and guide camera pixel size are well matched to your main scope then a separate guider would be preferential. You would have more stars available for guiding due to a wider field of view and no issues with focus through the OAG. I'm speaking as someone who uses a bog standard newtonian, so may be very wrong for other set-ups.

Helpful Concise

David Redwine

Dec 6, 2021 · Edited: Dec 6, 2021

It would probably be better to attach the guidescope to the Esprit. If you stack them as planned the flexture will be cumulative, and at its worst for the Esprit.

Adel Kildeev

Dec 6, 2021 · Edited: Dec 6, 2021

I like pigy back guider and recently switched to my old Orion refractor guider scope instead mini guider, may be this is an overkill for APO but the guiding is better now
CS!

Rishi

Topic starter

Dec 6, 2021

Thanks everyone for your responses. Since I have been successfully guiding with the OAG on the Esprit for a while now I am also going to use it to guide the ZS61. Removing the guide scope will lighten the load a little and mean that I will only need to swap the imaging camera to move from the one to the other.

Well written Respectful

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