Hi Bruce,

> 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.
>