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AP setup opinions - EdgeHD 8

Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2 Celestron Advanced VX Celestron EdgeHD 8" Equipment Beginner
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_astrotim avatar
_astrotim avatar
Hello everyone,

I've finally decided to embark on a cerebral voyage into the AP realm. That being said, I'm fairly new to AP in general. I'd be very grateful to receive feedback from AP subject-matter experts in regards to converting my current equipment into an ideal AP setup. Long story short, do you see any problems with this setup:

Celestron EdgeHD 8"
Celestron AVX Mount
Starizona Hyperstar 3 C8
Starlight Express Lodestar x2
OAG w/ Mini Filter Wheel
Starlight Xpress Trius SX-694 Mono
Astronomik Filters

Once again, I'm all ears and open to all/any feedback dished my way. I hope to hear from all of you soon and look forward to coalescing in the future smile
AstroGG avatar
AstroGG avatar
Hello!

I have a very similar set-up. The only problem I see is the Hyperstar. You can't use your Lodestar and filter wheel in front of your 8" EdgeHD. The obstruction will be too big so you will need a separate guiding scope. But, your set-up is great if you put everything in the back. I would add a Celestron 0.7x focal reducer for a bigger FOV.
Stephan
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_astrotim avatar
_astrotim avatar
Hello! I have a very similar set-up. The only problem I see is the Hyperstar. You can't use your Lodestar and filter wheel in front of your 8" EdgeHD. The obstruction will be too big so you will need a separate guiding scope. But, your set-up is great if you put everything in the back. I would add a Celestron 0.7x focal reducer for a bigger FOV.
Stephan

Hello Stephan!

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I'm truly grateful for the positive feedback and tips that you've provided. Also, I'm somewhat confident that you just saved me $899 (Hyperstar) if I'm interpreting this correctly Do you have any recommendations on guide scopes that you've personally used? I apologize in advance for the plethora of questions. Thanks again and I hope to hear from you soon.

BTW, the images linked to your profile are absolutely AMAZING!

Best regards,
Tim
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AstroGG avatar
AstroGG avatar
Hyperstar is a great lens (I own one) but you can only use one filter at a time with the 8" EdegHD (no filter wheel because of the obstruction) AND a guiding scope. I use my Stellarvue 80mm for guiding but you can buy a much cheaper refractor like the Orion 80mm if you don't intend to image with it.

If you put the camera on the back, I recommend an OAG with the EdgeHD because of mirror flop. I used to guide with a guiding scope but I had a lot of trouble. With an OAG and a Lodestar, the guiding is much easier.

Stephan
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_astrotim avatar
_astrotim avatar
Hyperstar is a great lens (I own one) but you can only use one filter at a time with the 8" EdegHD (no filter wheel because of the obstruction) AND a guiding scope. I use my Stellarvue 80mm for guiding but you can buy a much cheaper refractor like the Orion 80mm if you don't intend to image with it.If you put the camera on the back, I recommend an OAG with the EdgeHD because of mirror flop. I used to guide with a guiding scope but I had a lot of trouble. With an OAG and a Lodestar, the guiding is much easier.

Stephan

Stephan,

Great to hear from you again! Thanks again for further guiding me with another valuable and genuine tip. From what you've stated, I've decided that I'm going to rear-load everything in the back (OAG w/ lodestar). Have you ever needed to use a 0.33x or 0.5x reducer to capture certain images with this set-up?

Best,
Tim
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AstroGG avatar
AstroGG avatar
Tim,

When I want a bigger FOV, I use my Stellarvue 80mm refractor. I'm not sure there are 0.33x or 0.5x reducers that work well with the EdgHD. The 0.7x reducer was specially made for the EdgeHD corrected optics.

Stephan
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Rod771 avatar
Rod771 avatar
Hi Tim

You can still use the 694 mono with the Hyperstar. Starizona sell a filter slider that enables you to swap the filters in and out without removing the hyperstar lens and camera. You could image LRGB or narrow band for that matter (Baader sell special high speed filters that compensate for the bandwidth shift that occurs when imaging at F2) without any obstruction.

I use the Orion mini guide scope when using the Hyperstar and an OAG when imaging with .x7 focal reducer.

The Edge HD is a very versatile scope, all the best.

Rod

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carl0s avatar
carl0s avatar
Hi Tim

one year ago I've started with the Edge800 and I'm still happy with it. No change in a near future is planned.
Those SCTs are pretty versatile beasts and work in many focal ranges. And the Edge800 is the most portable version.

I've struggled with the Hyperstar a little bit. Then got a hint from another Hyperstar user to get one of those Starizona camera adapter. Now the
distance is perfect and the Hyperstar imaging works well. Because of f2, you can do it even unguided on a AVX.
Because of the obstruction issues I'm using an Atik and a Starizona filterslider in front of the Hyperstar.

The AVX is another story. It's a good mount but don't expect any miracles. It will be the weakest link in your setup.
But the good thing is, you will find lot of information about the AVX on the forums.

have fun and welcome to AP :-)
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