Equipment research question - Forums

Topic starter

May 19, 2025

I am researching equipment for deep sky imaging and just found your site the other day.

I have dabbled in some light milky way and deep space imagining with my DSLR, a 16mm 1.8 and a 200-600 mm lens and the bug has really bitten me to dive deeper into deep space imaging.
My goal is to sift through everying and build a system that is failry portable as I have some pretty good dark sky areas nearby and spend 2 or three days at a time out in the desert/mountains enjoying nature and off road photography. So, now I want to figure out a fairly lightweight system that I can set up at a "base camp" and image over a couple of nights.

So, if anyone is doing something similar, I am interested in what you are using. "portability" and a fairly "fast" refractor in the 70-80 mm range is what I am thinking.
Any ideas of a good scope and mount that doesnt break the bank. I will not be using anything heavier on this mount but want to have enough extra room for accessories and not overload the mount.

Engaging

Alex Nicholas

May 19, 2025

Budget is a HUGE factor in what to do… but…

ZWO AM3 or something of similar size and weight. (JunWei make something similar considerably cheaper)
Askar SQA55 / SQA85 / FRA400 / 71F or the WO Redcat 51 / 61
AF motor of choice
ZWO/ToupTek/QHY IMX533 or IMX571 colour camera.
Run the whole thing with a ZWO ASIAIR or ToupTek StellaVita.

Would probably be 6~7kg in total, take up next to no room when disassembled and would last you a LONG time before your image acquisition and processing skills required you to upgrade the rig at all.

You could run that rig off a 100AH LiFePo4 for 4 or 5 nights without recharge…

Thats what I'd do.

Helpful

NeilM

May 19, 2025

Alex nailed it I think!

I have a heavy rig at home but my ‘travel rig’ consists of a Redcat 71, and EQM-35 (cheap on the used market) and a ZWO 2600MC with ASÍ AIR mini.

Scott Horton

May 19, 2025

Allen Cross:
I am researching equipment for deep sky imaging and just found your site the other day.

I have dabbled in some light milky way and deep space imagining with my DSLR, a 16mm 1.8 and a 200-600 mm lens and the bug has really bitten me to dive deeper into deep space imaging.
My goal is to sift through everying and build a system that is failry portable as I have some pretty good dark sky areas nearby and spend 2 or three days at a time out in the desert/mountains enjoying nature and off road photography. So, now I want to figure out a fairly lightweight system that I can set up at a "base camp" and image over a couple of nights.

So, if anyone is doing something similar, I am interested in what you are using. "portability" and a fairly "fast" refractor in the 70-80 mm range is what I am thinking.
Any ideas of a good scope and mount that doesnt break the bank. I will not be using anything heavier on this mount but want to have enough extra room for accessories and not overload the mount.

What is your budget? Affordable and easy to transport could look like a used AZ-GTI or EQM-35 paired with a cheap used Rokinon/Samyang 135 f2 on your current DSLR body and an intervalometer. See if you like the hobby. You can source used equipment on cloudy nights, Astromart and lenses on MBP - you'd likely recoup all the costs if you hate it. If you already know you wanna go all in, let us know your budget and we could suggest a build.

Helpful Concise Supportive

Aloke Palsikar

May 19, 2025

Agree with Alex. This is an expensive hobby and budget will be always an issue

However would like to stress on having a good Mount and should not be compromised. Going in for better Optics is always possible as compared to changing Mounts. ZWO AM5 is a good bet for Deep Sky objects and long exposures. Depending on budget one can go for a small Refractor to start with and upgrade the same going in future. I have a Askar SQA55 which is low priced but has good Optics for DSO objects and competes with William Optics RedCat 51 at 30% less price.

As regards camera DSLR should be fine for some time but going in for a OSC ZWO ASI 533 MC Pro could be another option to begin with.

A controller like ZWO ASI Air or from ToupTek is another recommended buy.

All the best !

Helpful

Patrick Graham

May 19, 2025

My travel set up is:
ZWO AM5 with carbon fiber tripod
Williams Optics Redcat 71
ZWO EAF focuser
ZWO CAA (Camera rotator)
ZWO ASI Air
ZWO ASI 183MC-pro
ZWO Filter Drawer
ZWO ASI 183MC (Guide camera)
ZWO 30F4 Guide scope

I power it with a Jackery portable Lithium Battery and i use a 22 pound weight to lower the center of gravity and provide stability for the mount and scope. These are the heaviest items of my setup. I'm up and running within 20 to 30 minutes of arriving at my dark sky site.

I also use a Samsung Android tablet with the ASI Air control app. A cellphone works, but I like the larger image as it helps in assessing the quality of the subframes as they download.

Clear skies and enjoy,

Pat

Helpful

Oscar

May 19, 2025

wont break the bank you say? hmmmm… Got it!

Tak FSQ-85ED, and the Hobym Crux T4000, total price, not including shipping and taxes, is just $28,713.

joking aside, I think maybe an AM5N + something from the SQA line would be a good combo, like the 85, or one of the newer Cat models from William Optics, like the 91.

Tim Ray

May 20, 2025

I like the AM5 that everyone is suggesting. I don't have one, but know several people who do use it for a portable mounting. They all seem to like it and it appears to be a capable mounting…

I also like the suggestion on a using an AF motor for focus. Very important. You will have a difficult time achieving good, repeatable results without one… An ASI Air or NUC or Laptop will all work.

Refractors are typically easier to travel with because of collimation as compared to traveling with a reflector… However, mirrors are the best price per inch in aperture. A nice 6" or 8" F/4 newt could be a noteworthy substitute for a travel rig and F4 datasets are quicker as compared to most F6-8 refractors… something to consider if you want to go "deep" on an object with a 2 or 3 night outing to the desert for B1 skies…

CS Tim

Helpful