New to Astro, looking for starter advice

The only big place you went wrong is the video card, you need an Nvidia card to take advantage of the advanced tools like BlurX without waiting for 10 minutes.

Beyond that, I might have chosen a different main camera like a IMX533 or IMX571. The 071 will do for starters, but it's about the only thing out of place given the caliber of the rest of your gear.

I think you're on the right track either way. It’ll be a steep learning curve, but you’ll get there.

I vouch for just getting pixinsight and learning the right way. You’ve already gone this far. You’re committed now 😆 Siril if you’re in a pinch, but nothing compares to Pixinsight. My take on the seti suite and similar tools are they’re a crutch for those who haven’t spent the time to learn the tools pixinsight has to offer. I know I’ll probably anger a few people saying that, but it’s done. lol Pix is the gold standard and the only addons worth getting is RCAstro BlurX (deconvolution) and maybe NoiseX (denoise), but DeepSNR is free and honestly a teeny bit more powerful in that category.

Brian Puhl · Jan 31, 2026, 06:45 PM

My take on the seti suite and similar tools are they’re a crutch for those who haven’t spent the time to learn the tools pixinsight has to offer. I know I’ll probably anger a few people saying that, but it’s done

A low murmur and a great uncomfortable shuffling of feet has filled the room………

Brian Puhl · Jan 31, 2026 at 06:45 PM

I vouch for just getting pixinsight and learning the right way. You’ve already gone this far. You’re committed now 😆 Siril if you’re in a pinch, but nothing compares to Pixinsight. My take on the seti suite and similar tools are they’re a crutch for those who haven’t spent the time to learn the tools pixinsight has to offer. I know I’ll probably anger a few people saying that, but it’s done. lol Pix is the gold standard and the only addons worth getting is RCAstro BlurX (deconvolution) and maybe NoiseX (denoise), but DeepSNR is free and honestly a teeny bit more powerful in that category.

Well the only reason I’m not dropping money on pixinsight at the moment is…we still haven’t figured out if we like it or not. If we decide this actually isn’t for us I’m not locked into a program I will never use again. Honestly I don’t think that will be the cas, we are kinda lucky regionally. Once we are under the sky I’m sure pix will be shortly behind that

Adam Block Studios…haven’t heard of them. I’ll be checking that out right now

🤣 I think that “dad” is going to be very happy with that purchase, which is a great bargain, and you are on the right tracks. Astrophotography is a pretty challenging hobby for grown ups! For your son, I suggest two things. 1. Keep that telescope and mount “dual purpose” capable of operating visually. This isnt so obvious but AM5 without an asiar and a camera attached is not easy to polar align and the goto in the mounts phone app is not very tight on target. You’ll need a finder (or a crosswire eyepiece in place of guide camera if thats possible). Get some eyepieces. Cheap Plossl will do. The Moon, planets, Messier catalog objects, and coloured double stars are amazing for kids (and big grown up kids alike). 2. Asiair has a livestack mode that gradually builds up a great image that you can watch developing on your phone screen in real time. Get familiar with that, the youngster will love it on targets like M51 etc. You are able to save the subs while this is running and process them on the comupter later. Personally I think kids get too much screen time. It’ll be a lot easier to master live mode, because you wont have to learn to use setup and the rig without the electronics, but the eyepiece route gives far more “direct contact” with the wonders of the universe, and the lad could learn to use “his” telescope and find stuff in the sky himself, if he is still interested in four or five years time.

Wow guys that’s some great help. My son is 5 at the moment. So I was thinking he would help me set up the scope when we use it, plug in wires hand me components things like that. I do have eye pieces for the scope. I got the whole package finder scope eye pieces the entire 9 with the case. I was thinking for now using the live feed through the air. Would prevent some oops moments if he wants to keep fiddling with the scope itself. Once he gets some age and a little more calm I will introduce more hands on responsibilities. As far as ZWO eco system is concerned…it was just the system that presented itself. I have been toying with the idea of Nina and a small roll off. My mom has some nice land near the top of the mountain with clear southern skies. We also live about 10-15min from PARI in NC. It’s only a few miles but those mountain roads can be short and long at the same time. I guess no amount of theory at this point will help more than actual imaging. As long as the boxes are checked for now, no trouble shooting is needed. For some reason I just think I’m missing something

Well that right there is something I will keep an eye on. What should I look for in a more solid mount? What features or specs would I benefit from? I’m assuming that as with what seems like everything with Astro there are many classifications of the same item.

Paul Larkin · Feb 2, 2026, 12:23 AM

he one thing not mentioned so far is that I’d likely spend money on a stronger tripod. I have a TC40 and it’s great for short exposure stuff (e.g. lunar, solar, planetary), but is not solid enough for long exposures on nebulae and galaxies (vibration, wind etc.)

Paul Larkin · Feb 2, 2026, 10:26 AM

I’m not well enough versed in the range of options to provide any worthy suggestions - others will no doubt have some.

I’m sorry, but this sounds very conflicting and is not very sound advice at all.

The TC40 is more than capable enough for this setup. My reasoning; I use the same setup myself (Except I use IMX571 cameras) and have done so for a few years already. The TC40 is perfect for a portable setup like this or this. I would however recommend using a the counterweight rod and a 4.5kg counterweight (which hits the limit of 5kg).

Now, if you do get something bigger and require something more sturdy at some point you could always mount that AM5 on a EQ5 steel tripod which I also do when I use my bigger SCT.

BlueRidge85 · Feb 2, 2026 at 02:21 PM

Ok so if I’m understanding the tc40 should be ok. If I do have stability issues I should look for a steel tripod. I will def keep that in mind. Def not looking to change the tripod right now, knowing what I should look for or be ware of is great help.

Side note I did get it up and connected (I think) what do yall think?

📷 IMG_4452.jpeg

Looks clean, well done. I’m trying to keep my nervous eyelid twitch under control with the TC40. 😂

Rainer Ehlert · Feb 2, 2026 at 03:30 PM

IMHO keep the leg length as short as possible.

So only use as much leg as you need for stability or to keep it level? Fist time I’ve heard to keep legs short. I’ll have to look into the theory behind that one. Kinda interesting.

Thinking of setting it up to look at the moon tonight with the boy