GM8 or GP2?

kimo · Post by **kimo** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 6:53 pm

Hi,

Suggestions needed on preowned GM8 and GP2. The mount will be using for visual and simple Astrophotography purpose? Strictly I am not fancy with GOTO. I need durable, accurate tracking, flexible, solid, lightweight, peack2peak 10 to 20 and mid weight capacity.

1: GM8 comes with controller, PEC, Autoguider and dual stepper motor drives.

2: GP2 comes with Starbook (StarBook may not last longer, looks like toy).

Which is worth?

Rgds
Kimo

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:43 pm

GPDX / GPD2 > GM8 > GP/GP2

kimo · Post by **kimo** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:14 pm

I bought GP2.

Anyone can suggest the controller i can access PEC and autoguider other then Starbook?

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:42 pm

Hi kimo

You must mean the GP2 with the Orion dual-axis drive right?

Buy a GPUSB from Shoestring astronomy, and the DIY kit also from Shoestring (the "Guide Port Conversion Kit for EQ-style mounts" which is $8.00)

Then read this guide
http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/eq_mod.pdf

Total cost.. a little bit over $100 USD, plus some soldering required. If you want, I'm sure some folks here on the list could help you with the soldering (I don't know my travel schedule so I can't commit.. yet..)

Altogether that will give you autoguiding.

This is what I did with my GP + DD1/MT1, and I can autoguide fine.

kimo · Post by **kimo** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:15 pm

Thanks for advice. I will check all the option then will decide. I was searching for complete device that perfectly done.

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:09 pm

The mod for the Orion drive is quite trivial and not an unreliable mod.

However if you want complete and perfect, the Starbook-S is your best bet. Excessively expensive though if you ask me..

Post by **weixing** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:22 am

Hi,
Hmm... I thought the mount will be use for visual and simple Astrophotography purpose?? You might not need an autoguider if your imaging scope focal length is shorter than 1000mm... just shoot multiple of 1min exposure and stack lor.

Have a nice day.

Post by **rcj** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:01 am

does the starbook S really work -> have not seen anyone using it successfully for autoguiding....

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:00 am

not sure about the starbook-S... but somebody wrote an ASCOM driver that talks to the (regular) Starbook via its built-in Ethernet port.

so you can actually connect a wifi access point to the Starbook, then you can control your Sphinx from an iPad or laptop wirelessly. Same thing holds for autoguiding.

not sure if the -S model has ethernet though.

Like I said, the cheapest solution would be a GPUSB and then mod the Orion controller. That is what I'd do in the situation...

but as weixing points out... with a good polar alignment and around 400mm focal length, you can get 1 minute subs easily with no trailing.

kimo · Post by **kimo** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:49 pm

Thanks weixing.