Steve's Astro Equipment
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Skywatcher 10" Newtonian on EQ6 Mount. The yellow object on the floor is my portable 12v 17.5Ah power source which feeds my Interface Box for power distribution. |
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Skywatcher 80T in flight case. This telescope was bought primarily for guiding use but has proved to be an excellent performer as a rich field 'scope in it's own right. It also makes an excellent 'grab and go' device for excursions away from home. |
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Skywatcher Lenses - bottom left. Toucam II Pro Webcam - top left. EQ6 hand controller and Sony Clie - middle top left. Red LED torch - middle top right. Garmin GPS45 - top right.
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The Skywatcher 80T mounted in collimating rings on the Skywatcher 10". This refractor will be used as the guide scope for the 10" but also as a rich field device in its own right. |
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The Skywatcher 80T mounted on my Synta (Skywatcher) EQ3-2 Mount. |
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The Skywatcher 80 ED APO mounted on my Synta (Skywatcher) EQ6 Mount. |
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The Skywatcher 80 ED APO mounted on my Synta (Skywatcher) EQ6 Mount. |
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Closeup of the Skywatcher 80 ED APO 2" Crayford Focusser |
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The Skywatcher 80 ED APO mounted on my Synta (Skywatcher) EQ3-2 Mount. This is now my 'grab and go' system replacing the Skywatcher 80T which is now fulfilling it's original roll as guide scope. |
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Synta (Skywatcher) EQ3-2 Mount. This mount was purchased as my 'Grab & Go' mount to go with my 80mm Refractor for those occasions when there just isn't enough time to justify setting up the EQ6 mount and is ideal for taking away in the caravan for long weekends. Not shown is the RA drive that I bought at the same time. |
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The EQ3-2 Mount is more than stable enough for the 80mm Refractor and is a far better choice than the EQ1 mount that is supplied with the refractor if bought as a kit. Luckily, I bought my refractor as an OTA only and then later decided that a 'Grab& Go' mount would be a good idea! |
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Home built Interface Box. This has inputs for Sony Clie, PC and GPS and outputs to modified Telescope Handset for auto guiding using an LX200 Emulator. There are also three 12v outlets on the rear panel. |
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Inside the Interface box. The orange object is a 1.5v battery that is used to hold the DTR line on the RS232 interface to the Sony Clie 'high' to allow it to communicate with the GPS system as this has no 'handshake' capability. |
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LX200 Emulator board. Home built from a kit of parts and installed in my
Interface Box. This is driven by some auto-guiding software and is interfaced to my
modified handset, thus autoguiding is accomplished without modification to the mount
itself. This emulator now controls the Autoguiding port of my SkyScan Upgraded system. |
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Modified Handset installed in a slightly larger than normal plastic box
but retaining the original top plate. Note the 15 way 'D' connector that is used to
interface with the LX200 Emulator in the Interface Box for auto-guiding. I have now superceded this modification by installing the SkyScan Upgrade |
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Several owners have complained at the lack of illumination for the
Polarscope on the EQ6 mount. Synta have obviously been listening as mine came with an
adjustable intensity illuminator built in which works very nicely! This item is now superceded by installing the SkyScan Upgrade |
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Several owners have also complained at the lack of a spirit level for the mount on the EQ6 tripod. Synta have obviously been listening to this too as mine came with a bubble level built in! |
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The date circle on my Polarscope. |
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Home built Baader Solar Filter |
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Home built PC controlled shutter release for Canon EOS 300d Digital camera. By means of another home built adapter, the camera can be controlled by either the serial or parallel port of the computer. |