Building My First Galaxy-Hunting Rig – Need Advice!

Hi K R,

this is (almost) the rig I run at Starfront, with the difference that I run the Mono camera with filter wheel, and I use a mini PC running NINA.
It is a great and very stable set-up! Hardly any maintenance needed! Perfect for galaxies, if you do not want to go for a big reflector (which is more hassle, especially using it remotely).

If you are new to the hobby, I think using the color camera with the ZWO is a good choice, but..., you will grow out of the ASIAIR set-up quite quickly, I think :-)?

Anyhow, some advice...

• You need  a decent guide scope. I use the Svbony 106, 60/240mm as Guide Scope, and it works like a charm!
If you really stay with the color camera, I would take the Duo (I am not up to date if you get this in combo with the Air, though), and run that as your guiding set-up.
I use the Duo at home, and with the color version it usually works better than a separate guiding scope (with Mono, I am not that enthusiastic, as I have encountered issues with finding a star, when using narrow band filters, especially when imaging galaxies, where you usually have less stars in the field of view).

• Make sure that you calculate the back focus right and get the right extensions (if you use the 2600 camera, the right extensions are delivered with the camera)
• You need a guide camera if you go for the guide scope. I use the ZWO ASI664MC as Guide Camera, with UV & IR Cut Filter. It works great!
• Don't use the 0.7 reducer for the APO120. Buy the 1x flattener instead. It gives an excellent image.
• You need the EAF.
• I would go for a flat box. I bought a DeepSkyDad FLAP150 flat box, with heater.
• You will need dew strips for the APO and guide scope. Dew is a challenge in Texas, I learnt the hard way. But now, I do have any issues anymore.
• Think about how you are going to power your rig, and how you plan to do power cycles, if you have to re-set things...
You should get a Kasa Smart Power Strip, KP303, and an APC UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector, BE650G1; or similar

• You do not need the tripod. At StarFront they put the mount on a pier (which is MUCH better than the tripod).

That is all that comes to mind. Go for it! It soooo fun!

/ ST

Hi - I'm not an expert at all but I use the ASKAR 103 APO, the ZWO ASI 2600 MC duo, the ZWO AM5 mostly for nebulae and some of the larger galaxies.  Everything runs on the ASI AIR Pro and this setting works perfect for me.

To get good pictures from all the beautiful but also smaller galaxies you will need a focal length of at least 1000mm. That is why I purchased a second hand Celestron EdgeHD 8¨with a native focal length of 2032mm on f/10. I'm now use it with the 0.7 reducer which gives me a focal length of around 1400mm and a focal ratio of f/7.0.

I have no experience with a remote setting but I have to admit that it took some time of trial and error until I was satisfied with the results of this scope. So it was much easier to do the necessary  troubleshooting in my backyard. Looking back I think I should have gone for the larger 9.25" version of the this scope but I was not sure if the ZWO AM5 could handle the weight of the bigger scope.

Clear skies - Beat

K R:
I'm considering purchasing the Askar 120APO telescope paired with the ZWO AM5 mount. My goal is to build a rig that’s both user-friendly and powerful, with a primary focus on imaging galaxies (and less so on nebulas).

If the focus is on galaxies, then only feedback is to consider for a larger scope. I am an amature galaxy hunter myself and recently moved to edgeHD8 and shoot it with my existing 533mc pro. with the FL (~1420mm with 0.7 reducer) and the 1in sensor, I get a good field of view to go after galaxies. reflectors maybe tricky to operate at a remote site but if the initial setup is done right, the collimation should hold few months.  For refractors check out the Explorer scientific ED152 carbon fiber scope with FCD1 glass. they are running offer so the pricing is great for the scope and the weight won't be any issue for the AM5.
good luck and clear skies

Hi KR,
 I have the Askar 120 APO|AM5|TC-40 and I love it!

[REVISED]
    1. You will need the pier extension - else the telescope will hit the tripod legs.
    2. I put a pair of 10 pound weights in the tripod bag.
    2. Dew heaters are a must - else your lens will fog up.
    

 At 840mm you may run out of galaxies large enough to sufficiently fill the frame though.
 For several closer galaxies like M101 and M51 the Askar 120 is great.
 There are online tools that let you enter your telescope, any reducer and camera specs, pick a target, like M104 (Sombrero galaxy), and it will show you the field of view you get with your rig. Check these out before you decide.


 I have an example (using Askar 120 APO with 0.8X reducer) with each camera on my page.
 Also - just posted my M101 image.
 Have a look at pictures I took with my Askar 120… 
https://www.astrobin.com/users/CoryAstro/

Fellow Inhabitants of this beautiful planet, I cannot thank you all enough for your support. I am really tempted to go with 2000mm+ Focal Length because it is better for galaxies, but I have to remind myself to take baby steps and then graduate to a Reflector like Edge HD8. 

Summarizing, a beginner yet a powerful Remote Rig Setup: 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Telescope: Askar 120APO
Mount: ZWO AM5
Flat Panel: DeepSkyDad FLAP150 automated flats + dew protection
Power: Kasa Smart Strip + APC UPS
Dew Strip: Dew Not 16" Dew Heater Strip. (must have)
Tripod: ZWO TC-40
Battery: APC UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector, BE650G1
1x flattener 
Focuser: ZWO EAF and Mounting bracket

When it comes to Camera there are two options: 

Option 1: ASIair
Color Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC-Air ASIAIR Integrated Wireless Camera & Guider
Computer: Not needed. ASIair is built-in the main camera 
Guide Scope: Not needed. Built-in the main camera. 
Guide Camera: Not needed. Built-in the main camera. 


Option 2: Nina
Color Camera:  ZWO ASI2600MC Pro USB 3.0 Cooled Astronomer Camera
Computer: Mini PC running NINA
Guide Scope: SVBONY SV165 30mm Mini Guide Scope
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI220MM Mini as Guide Camera


Questions Remaining: 
1) Can I program 2-3 targets in 1 night on a remote rig with Option 1? 
2) What can help me deal with light pollution? 
4) Will ZWO EAF work with NINA?
5) Can AM5 handle Edge HD8 in the future?
6) Do I need to worry about a homing feature on a mount for a remote rig?


Thank you all again.

ProTip for #6 if you use NINA is to add homing as an early step in your sequence.

Dunk:
I'd also add: before you ship to StarFront (or anywhere else remote) - if you have the ability to shoot from home (or at least shoot from somewhere you are physically with your gear) the knowledge and experience you will gain will make working with a remote rig so much easier.

*I think this is a must. Do not ship anything anywhere remote that you haven't tested to death nearby you. Think at least 1 month of remote operation, but from your living room and with the rig outside (balcony, front porch, terrace, backgarden). When you are staisfied that it can survive unattended then you pack and ship.

This is incredible feedback that I have been wanting for months… Thank you so much!

Looks like the new version is Eagle6 but why Eagle is pricier at $1450 Vs an ASIair $349?


For future readers:

Option 3: Nina with Duo Camera
Color Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC-DUO Astronomy Camera with Imaging & Guiding Sensors
Computer: PrimaLuceLab EAGLE6 Computer 
Guide Scope: Not needed. 
Guide Camera: Not needed. Built-in the main camera. 


Option 4: ASIAir with Duo Camera
Color Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC-DUO Astronomy Camera with Imaging & Guiding Sensors
Computer: ZWO ASIAIR Plus WiFi Controller - ASIAIR-PLUS for Astrophotography
Guide Scope: Not needed. 
Guide Camera: Not needed. Built-in the main camera.

Dunk:
I'd also add: before you ship to StarFront (or anywhere else remote) - if you have the ability to shoot from home (or at least shoot from somewhere you are physically with your gear) the knowledge and experience you will gain will make working with a remote rig so much easier.

I would go further buy turning it into a game. No matter what happens you are not allowed to be hands on with the gear at any time. Once to can do that for a few months, you'll be ready.

Thanks All!