Posts Made By: Gordon Irwin

Was trying to get the new CCD imager focused on my 10" LX200 classic and heard something fall inside the OTA. I peered into the end and see this metal ring sitting on the bottom center of the tube. See attached picture.
Luckily it was almost horizontal so it didn't touch the optical surfaces.
Was able to tape a magnet to the outside of the OTA to keep it from shifting about when I moved it indoors. It appears to go on the outside of the small tube in the center of the assembly as I see a groove on the end of it. Is it a mirror focusing stop or something?
I assume the corrector plate will have to be removed. Any guidance or directions on removal and cleaning of the optics, as you can see there is quite a bit of dust on them.

If this is a task best left to professionals, anyone in the Seattle area that works on these?

Thanks in advance.

Gordon

I have been trying to get my first reasonable image with my Meade DSI II Pro on a 10" LX200 Classic using AutoStar Suite softwre, but I am not sure what I am doing wrong after 3 attempts I still don't have much to show. Any advice would be helpful.
Below is my attempt at M31 40 combined exposures

Envisage settings:
15 sec exposures
Dark frame subtract
Deep Sky Image process combined 40% quality
File save options - JPEG Normal operation

Is this typical of 40 combined 15 second exposures? I intended to keep the exposure times low as I am still sorting out minor autoguiding issues.

Thank you,

Gordon

I purchased a Orion autoguider with PHD software and would like to know the proper method to connect to the LX200 classic.
So far neither one seems to work by using the manual guide buttons in the PHD software.

Do I connect to the CCD RJ type connector on the panel and click the "on camera" button in PHD?
OR
Does it control the mount by RS232 with ASCOM drivers?

I would prefer it work through the CCD port. But no one can even tell me for sure it the LX200 classsic is ST-4 compatable.

Any help or sugestions would be helpful as I perfer to verify things work in the daylight first. Orion's response was "take it outside and see if it works"

Thanks,

Gordon

Anyone care to comment on what to use for CCD imaging and processing software? The pros and cons of various programs out there?
I am currently using the following equipment:
10" LX-200 clasic with super wedge controlled by TheSky 6 software
Losmandy mounted ED80ST Vixen guide scope
Orion SSAG autoguider with PHD control
Meade DSI II with filters for the imager, (until I get good enough to move up)

I am using Meade's Envisage for the moment since it came with the imager.

Thinking about Maxim DL or CCDSoft as it probably work well with The Sky 6.
I just downloaded the 30 day trial of Maxim DL to evaluate but it doesn't look like CCDSoft has that evaluation option.
I may be interested in buying a copy of CCDSoft that someone received with their SBIG camera and is not using. If you have such a thing, send me an private email at [email protected]

Thanks in advance, this forum has been a great help so far.

Gordon

Anyone have an idea where this ring goes? I'll hold off taking it apart until I know what it is.

Gordon

I was fortunate enough to get a email response back from Dr Clay and was informed that it is a mirror stop that belongs near the end of the baffle tube.
I reinstalled it, but it popped off again the first time I ran the focus from end to end.
Note: I did install a EZ-Focus upgrade a couple weeks ago. Maybe I'll revisit that and see if I can make it stop before hitting the end.
Unless someone has any ideas out there...