Up until this point, I was happy to do all of my deep sky imaging using Mac Based software.  However, there are number of capabilities enabled by various software packages that I was not able find for the Mac such as APCC, stacking software, etc.  Eventually, I want to get into Solar and Planetary Imaging.  I considered windows emulators for the Mac and quite honestly, I did not want to spend a lot of time trying to solve unique integration issues with such a set up.   So, I finally  made the leap back into the world of Windows based computers  and purchased a Laptop.  I also purchased of Guide camera for the first time and installed it on my Baader 10 x 60 Vario-Finder Scope.  I mounted the guide camera and Finder Scope to my 130GTX using the Quick Release Guider Bracket Kit.  I polar aligned the Mach2 with only the RAPAS.  I’m happy to report that I was able to successfully establish autoguiding capability on the first try thanks  to the Astro-Physics video tutorial.  It undoubtably saved me an enormous amount of time by greatly reducing the learning curve.  

Thanks for taking the time to make the video “Setting up and Using your Astro-Physics encoder mount with PHD2 Guiding software”!

Attached is my first result… really just a test of the autoguiding system:  The Helix Nebula with 130GTX, Field Flattener, EOS Ra and Optolong L-Enhance Filter (light polluted location).  Three 10 minute frames stacked with darks.  I was very pleased with how round the stars came out.

Shawn