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Review of QGuider/Q-Guider
This is a review of the budget priced auto-guider camera: Q-Guider. This is one of the "new bread" of autoguider camera's suitable for astronomy, making the practice of autoguiding more available to "the masses". I purchased a QGuider in February 2008 for autoguiding my portable Losmandy GM-8 setup. Read about it here. |
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Review of Orion Accufocus
In September of 2006 I set about making my portable astronomy setup (Losmandy GM-8 with William Optics Megrez 80 and SkyWatcher guide scope) more successful. One of the things to do this was to improve focusing capabilities when using digital cameras. Focusing even a simple camera like the Canon EOS 350D can be quite a challenge out in the field with less than ideal conditions and a medium focal length telescope.
The Orion Accufocus was the path I took. |
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Review of Losmandy GM-8
In June 2005 I received my Losmandy GM-8. I had ordered it a few months prior for a cost very close to AU$4000 including shipping. In the time since then (now February 2006) I have had the chance to get to know the mount, and feel it's worth me noting down a few thoughts for those owners and prospective buyers of the Losmandy GM-8. |
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Review of Portable Telescope Mounts
In late 2004 my old portable astrophotography mount died. It was an equatorial mount from my old 4.5" Newtonian. That mount was one of the better mounts in it's range but not ideal for astrophotography (no DEC motor, bad backlash, bad periodic error, etc). So given the chance to upgrade I jumped at it, and in doing so spent several months investigating the available options in some detail.
My intended use of the mount would be 70% astrophotography and 30% casual viewing/other.
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Review of William Optics Megrez 80
I purchased this telescope for this purpose of wide field astronomy photography both portable and in my observatory with my Meade LX200. I also hoped to use the Megrez as a guide scope for other astrophotography. Click here to read my review of the Megrez 80. |
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Review of JMI NGF-C (NGFC) and RoboFocus
It wasn't long (probably about 1 hour) after I started using my CCD camera (ST7-ME) that I found I needed a motorised focusser for my LX200. I needed something better than the Meade course focusser on my classic LX200. The JMI NGFC and RoboFocus was my solution. |
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Review of SkyWatcher 70x700 AZ
At the same time as I purchased a new portable astrophotography mount I decided to add a guide scope to it. This would allow prime focus photography through the Megrez 80 when out in the field. The guide scope would also double for use on the LX200 as a longer focal length alternative to the Megrez 80 for guiding.
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