Celestar 8 Dlx and Autoguiding

I have a C8 Dlx and I was wondering how to use the scope with a CCD camera (ie: sbig, etc). Since the drive system only has a jack for the hand controller and not an Aux port like some of the more expensive scopes out there, how does one use a ccd camera that performs autoguiding? Is there someone who makes an adapter that converts the autoguiders signals into something the C8 Dlx can use?

Thanks in advance,
Lee Polikoff

I have this scope and have autoguided with success (occasionally!) with a Starlight Express M5C and more recently with an SBIG ST7.

The key thing here is that the guiding inputs require relays to actuate the drive motors. The Starlight uses the S.T.A.R. 2000. It's an external relay box with LED's that show which direction is being activated (nice feature). The SBIG camera has relays IN the camera and so I just plug straight in from the camera to the HCU input on the C8.

I'm wrestling with this now because, the RA response is half as slow as the DEC, and I can only get 1 speed out of it. So the control of the motors is ONLY for guideing and subtle position adjustments, it will NOT make it a GOTO scope.

A BIG piece of successful autoguiding is balancing the scope. My set up does get there, but only with the additional weight of a dew shield! Nevertheless, I have done it, but my success is eratic, which I chalk up to my lack of experience (<2 yrs>. I think I'd like to examine my drives and see if there is anyway I can maintain /improve/tweak them.

If anyone else reading this can help with suggestions, I'd love to see them.