I am once again re-thinking if it makes sense to attempt unguided imaging on my C11" EdgeHD where I have now locked down my primary mirror and upgraded to the Optec FastFocus system where focusing is done solely using the secondary mirror. This should eliminate the major mirror flop/shift issues due to moving the primary mirror. My scope is on an AP1100 in a permanent observatory but I do not have encoders. I use a ZWO ASI2600MM Pro camera (APS-C sensor) and usually use the 0.7x focal reducer. The question is: Is it even worth the effort to try building a model to go unguided imaging or is a refractor still the way to go? Guiding works ok but it can be finicky at times.
It depends on how well the mirror is locked down. If you are unsure, you can ask A-P for a trial APCC Pro key to see how it works with your setup. It doesn't take very much time to create a model, and you can even do this type of testing on a moonlit night.
-Ray
-----Original Message----- From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Bruce Donzanti Sent: Friday, April 2, 2021 3:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
I am once again re-thinking if it makes sense to attempt unguided imaging on my C11" EdgeHD where I have now locked down my primary mirror and upgraded to the Optec FastFocus system where focusing is done solely using the secondary mirror. This should eliminate the major mirror flop/shift issues due to moving the primary mirror. My scope is on an AP1100 in a permanent observatory but I do not have encoders. I use a ZWO ASI2600MM Pro camera (APS-C sensor) and usually use the 0.7x focal reducer. The question is: Is it even worth the effort to try building a model to go unguided imaging or is a refractor still the way to go? Guiding works ok but it can be finicky at times.
