Delta Rho Owners - Is it worth it? - Forums

Topic starter

Nov 19, 2024

Hello,

I'm considering purchasing a DR350 for remote observatory installation. There's a few questions I have about this OTA:

First, PW claims a 60mm image circle. Is this actually usable for a medium format camera like the ASI 461MM or is it only actually usable for full-frame? I'm a bit nit picky with my corner stars!

Next, I'm considering the Series 5 focuser and rotator combo. Any issues with this equipment? I'm concerned about changes in tilt during rotation.

Speaking of tilt: What, if anything are you using for tilt correction? There is insufficient backfocus for the Series 5 focuser/rotator combo with an OAG and EFW to use a Gerd Neumann CTU or similar. I assume a Photon Cage would be sufficient if tilt correction is necessary. With something like an Optec Gemini focuser there would be enough space for a CTU, but those are back ordered.

Fourth and almost last, what are you using for flats? The only remote capable flat panel I could find of appropriate size is from PrimaLuce Lab.

Finally, are you happy with the scope? Do you wish you had gone with something else?

Thanks and CS,

Jon

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Jon Woodhead

Nov 20, 2024

Hi Jon,

I'm not sure how many DR350 owners are using medium format - I would think that most are using ASI6200 or equivalent (as am I). So I can't comment on such a set up but stars are fine of course with full-frame. You would need big filters though - I see minor vignetting with 50mm unmounted filters but rather more intrusive vignetting with 2 inch mounted. So you would be up for 50 x 50 and the special ZWO filter wheel designed for the ASI 461.

I don't use the PW focuser/rotator either and went with the Prima Luce lab equivalents - which are very well made - but I do definitely see changes in tilt with rotation. I started out with a simple Baader tilt corrector but this was not really up to the task of the delicate adjustments required so then I went to a Photon cage. I am now using the electronic version of the Photon cage which makes life so very much easier.

For flats I use a UniFi LED panel as originally proposed on CN: flat panel . If you read to the bottom of that thread you will see that someone wrote an ASCOM driver for it which is fantastic. I can control it (on/off/brightness) a part of my NINA sequence and it only cost $100 or so

You can see it behind the scope in this photo:

I'm very happy with my DR350 but did put in an order very soon after it was announced and so it was considerably cheaper than current pricing...

Jon (yes...another one)

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Jon Main

Topic starter

Nov 21, 2024

Hi Jon,

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. Very much appreciated!

CS,

Jon

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