Complete Portable Astrophotography Rig
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Listing of all equipment along with original costs
Note: The Sharpstar comes with an M54 to M48 2mm thick adapter but, since I add a filter drawer, I remove that and have a set of adapters that gives the exact back focus for the ASI294. Also, as you’ll see in the photos, it comes with a very solid, padded carrying case.
Caveats: You’ll need to supply your own 12V power source. And I want to point out that the ASI294 is a model prior to ZWO eliminating amp glow in their cameras. Many users complained about the amp glow and constantly many users replied that it’s not a problem because it calibrates out with dark frames. I have included a single raw 180” image that was dark calibrated in ASIAir with no hint of amp glow (but it is most definitely there in the 180” dark). This camera is a good fit for this system given its sensor size and pixel size.
This was supposed to be my portable system that I would take on the many camping trips my wife and I take, especially, once we retired. But, in the past two years, I’ve only set it up twice despite heading out for more than 50 days of camping. Other things just always seem to take priority. Then, we downsized from a 5th wheel to a campervan and my wife hated having equipment sitting on our beds because we no longer had enough storage space. So, despite greatly enjoying putting this system together and loving the ease of setting up and the ease of using the ASIAir, it’s looking for a new home. Since I have astrophotography equipment at a hosted remote site, this only got used on camping trips. For my use, this was more for being able to quickly get a handful of decent images using the ASIAir’s Live Stacking feature to share with friends/family sitting around the campfire. Packability (size & weight) were important factors and a primary reason I chose the Sharpstar hyperbolic newtonian scope with an f/2.8 focal ratio (over 6 times faster than a typical f/7 refractor and 3 times faster than those reduced to f/5). However, this has become a very popular system for many looking to do serious, long exposure astrophotography. This has been set up outside less than a dozen times including in my backyard testing everything out.
There isn’t space to describe all the equipment and how it is used but if you are pretty new to the hobby - this is a great system for getting started with! - don’t hesitate to ask questions. The total cost to me for all of this (if you include tax) was almost $7900. This system has seen very little use and it is all in like new condition, as it was only used on camping trips and even then not often. I hope someone sees this as a great deal and gives it a good home!
Shipping all of this will probably be expensive, so I will split those costs in hopes of making it an easier decision. I prefer cash and a local sale but if someone is okay with the shipping costs and using Paypal buyer covers their fees.
Thanks,
Terry
- ZWO AM5 mount with padded case and TC40 tripod (2022 $2600)
- Sharpstar 130 f2.8 HNT (new 2025 $1695)
- ZWO ASIAir Plus (pre-2023 upgrade $300)
- ZWO ASI294 MC Pro (2021 $999)
- TPO 180 UWA 40mm f/4.5 APO guidescope - fantastic mini scope (2023 $350)
- ZWO ASI290 mini guide camera (2022 $249)
- ZWO EAF electronic focuser (2025 $149)
- ZWO 2” filter drawer ($79)
- Hotech SCA laser collimator - needed with newtonians. It has a diagonal mirror that lets you see the laser dot from the rear of the scope, making collimation a breeze ($165)
- Primalucelabs Giotto led flat panel - gives great calibration flats with ease. Ports: 12V power and usb C and can be controlled via wifi from a smart phone (2025 $350)
- Pegasus Pocket Power Box Advance (Gen 2) - gives you usb, 12V, and dew heater ports at the scope ($365)
Note: The Sharpstar comes with an M54 to M48 2mm thick adapter but, since I add a filter drawer, I remove that and have a set of adapters that gives the exact back focus for the ASI294. Also, as you’ll see in the photos, it comes with a very solid, padded carrying case.
Caveats: You’ll need to supply your own 12V power source. And I want to point out that the ASI294 is a model prior to ZWO eliminating amp glow in their cameras. Many users complained about the amp glow and constantly many users replied that it’s not a problem because it calibrates out with dark frames. I have included a single raw 180” image that was dark calibrated in ASIAir with no hint of amp glow (but it is most definitely there in the 180” dark). This camera is a good fit for this system given its sensor size and pixel size.
This was supposed to be my portable system that I would take on the many camping trips my wife and I take, especially, once we retired. But, in the past two years, I’ve only set it up twice despite heading out for more than 50 days of camping. Other things just always seem to take priority. Then, we downsized from a 5th wheel to a campervan and my wife hated having equipment sitting on our beds because we no longer had enough storage space. So, despite greatly enjoying putting this system together and loving the ease of setting up and the ease of using the ASIAir, it’s looking for a new home. Since I have astrophotography equipment at a hosted remote site, this only got used on camping trips. For my use, this was more for being able to quickly get a handful of decent images using the ASIAir’s Live Stacking feature to share with friends/family sitting around the campfire. Packability (size & weight) were important factors and a primary reason I chose the Sharpstar hyperbolic newtonian scope with an f/2.8 focal ratio (over 6 times faster than a typical f/7 refractor and 3 times faster than those reduced to f/5). However, this has become a very popular system for many looking to do serious, long exposure astrophotography. This has been set up outside less than a dozen times including in my backyard testing everything out.
There isn’t space to describe all the equipment and how it is used but if you are pretty new to the hobby - this is a great system for getting started with! - don’t hesitate to ask questions. The total cost to me for all of this (if you include tax) was almost $7900. This system has seen very little use and it is all in like new condition, as it was only used on camping trips and even then not often. I hope someone sees this as a great deal and gives it a good home!
Shipping all of this will probably be expensive, so I will split those costs in hopes of making it an easier decision. I prefer cash and a local sale but if someone is okay with the shipping costs and using Paypal buyer covers their fees.
Thanks,
Terry
