Hello all

I have an FSQ106 atop of an RC and I am now ready to purchase a 16803 based ccd camera e.g FLI Proline, APOGEE U16M or maybe an STX (when SBIG release them).

Of course, of the 3, only the SBIG will be dual sensaor, so I have a guiding requirement I need to solve. I have not successfully got the RC to guide while imaging with the FSQ i.e there must be a differential flexure problem that I cannot figure out...so I thought I would guide/image through the FSQ or off-axis in some way.

I will go for NB filters later on, but for now, I will stick with LRGB imaging, as the NB filters will also require an off-axis guiding solution most probably.

Looking at the image circle of the FSQ106, I see that it is still larger than the diagonal of these huge CCD chips, so I assume that a flat field can still be expected.

So I guess I am looking for ideas, opinions on these cameras, as well as advice from anyone who is successfully imaging with one of these camera/scope combinations.

thanks in advance

Martin

Hi Martin,

Why not get a MOAG to work with the FSQ? Don has been doing this successfully on his FSQ and I am currently building two rigs for clients with the same setup. If you wait for the STX, I'm sure they'll have a remote guide head. Otherwise, you can use an external guider like the ST-402ME with a large format camera. I use this arrangement with my U16M/ST402 on my 14RC.

Thanks John...I will ask Don if a MOAG or his new Monster MOAG is more appropriate to the FSQ and these large cameras...assuming you can still get to focus. The other aspect of course is probably the inclusion of a Takometer in order to reacquire a guidestar after meridian flip.

cheers
Martin