Building An Astro Rig

Learn what a complete astrophotography setup looks like with Mack Murdoc from OPT! This video will go over each piece and why they are the perfect tools for capturing images of the universe. If you want to learn more about each product, check out the list below!
To see photos taken with this setup, feel free to check out his Instagram.
/ mackmurdoc
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Product Links!
The Explore Scientific 127mm Refractor
bit.ly/3t3n1Vc
ZWO ASI2600mm Pro Camera
bit.ly/33joCuz
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro:
bit.ly/3gpC4mD
QHY Polemaster
bit.ly/3h239P4
Eagle 4S Telescope Control Unit
bit.ly/3b7ZkEb
ASI120mm mini Guide Camera
bit.ly/2R2g74L
Optec Focuser
bit.ly/33o56x3
Radian focuser
bit.ly/3f0yoHr
Explore Scientific Field Flatner
bit.ly/3h5YPhA
Primaluce Rings
bit.ly/2SobbaA
Optex Pyxis Rotator
bit.ly/3h6QnPf
ZWO off axis
bit.ly/3xRB0jF
Free Tools to find your Field of view with your camera and telescope:
stellarium.org/
astronomy.tools/calculators/f...
www.skyatnightmagazine.com/as...
Some other videos you might enjoy!
Top 5 Telescopes for Galaxy Season: • Top 5 Galaxy Season Te...
Top 15 spring targets! (Free Data): • Top 15 Spring Targets ...
How to stretch your astroimage (Free Data!): • 6 Easy Ways to Stretch...
Sky-Watcher EQ6R-Pro: bit.ly/32lkVUq
Check out our latest videos: optcorp.com/blogs/videos
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[@CathrinMachinArt]

Video idea - just do the same thing but with other peoples setups. I'd love to see more total strip downs and put back togethers with different products for sure. BTW awesome video, it was super informative and helps take away some of the overwhelm with dealing with a rig that looks complex.

[@Wiiji]

Man! The breakdown really helps because it looks so very intimidating! Can't wait for the next set of videos!

[@leotexas3485]

This is exactly what I needed! During my astrophotography research, I've seen content of these custom builds, but had very little knowledge of what the components were and why they were needed. Now, I have a better understanding! ☺️

[@quantumspace7937]

OPT makes astrophotography accessible to everyone, Thanks OPT

[@GhostOfAnubis09]

You forgot step 0: Sell a kidney so you can afford the about 15k$ of gear presented in this video. Don't get me wrong, This is close to my dream setup, but it will stay a dream for quite a while

[@gomanastro]

Mack, one of your best videos ever.well done, and needed by many....wish I had seen something this good a year ago...before a few purchases...but this great, and very helpful.

[@jamesdougan8789]

great video mack good info and it didn't feel rushed to fit a time constraint .. got me to click a few links to the products on your rig ... nice rig hand picked from what OPT can supply and your experience with these products... well done enjoy cheers james D

[@maximilian8956]

Awesome rig Mack!

[@ianlauerastro]

Awesome stuff, way to go Mack!

[@etjulien]

Very nicely done, Mack.

[@CosmosSafari]

Great job Mack! You guys are really starting to hit your stride with these videos. It's awesome to have a library of videos to point to. Keep up the good work. Clear skies.

[@CosmosSafari]

Ohh, and your hair is epic. It suits you.

[@TheRhike]

Your videos are great, keep on the good job

[@davepastern]

super video Mack!

[@Arcteek]

Extremely good video, thanks so much

[@ManishFrenchStudio]

Knowledgeable video 💖💖💖 thank you for sharing 🙏😀🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@evin494]

Mack looks amazing

[@dkloorozco9559]

Great video, thanks! Can you provide information on the components when you went to the field (the mount, battery...)

[@randywicker4530]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[@econgreg]

Nice work guys

[@duke227]

Well done!

[@TheTeaguecowley]

Will you do video comparing asi air plus vs the eagle ??

[@smmfdftbh]

Lol this is so beyond what I am even ready, or capable of. I just have a Celesteon Nexstar 4SE 🥴🥴🥴

[@frankskeen1310]

Nice video for sure. I have a ES102 triplet with a guide cam and ZWO ASI183MC camera on a HEQ5PRO mount using the ASI AIR Plus. The rig your using will cost about $10,000 plus the mount. If I get that sum of money to use with my hobby it looks interesting for sure!!! PS the filters cost a great deal by them selves.

[@markbergendahl2651]

Great 👍 tutorial !

[@82miken]

You guys need to do a review on the TPO 180

[@keivanhamidi]

Me with my eq3-2, no goto and a smartphone 🥺👁👄👁

[@alanhat26]

Nice job

[@joelsweatman1503]

This dude is like the Jedi of Astrophotography ..................................peace

[@astrocatinfo]

Thanks for sharing Mack! What about a video taking about a dual rig? Some interesting possibilities with this imaging setups. I am just thinking on a new dual rig with my FSQ85 and Sigma Art85, both with cooled ASI cameras 😃

[@astrocatinfo]

*talking

[@user-hd9zg6gh4o]

My problem has been getting the programs, and drivers to work on windows 11. I never had the problems I am having today with my old Mead cameras and my old windows 98, or was it 97, computer. All my old equipment got destroyed in a flood. I use ZWO cameras, and SVBony cameras now, vs Mead cameras before. I use SkyWatcher GEMs now, EQM-35PRO, AND EQ6 R PRO, vs Mead EQ 75. And a Windows 11 computer vs Windows 97. I sure would like to get the computers working before I get my observatory built.

[@tomwardrup5836]

Did not see a link to your filter wheel. Looks like you may be pushing your mount's capacity using a 1/2 capacity rule of thumb. Is this a concern? Great, informative video.

[@Hebert6615]

Good stuff right there. How long is that PrimaLuce Dovetail and Losmandy Plate?

[@martenyar8775]

What is the total cost of this astro rig?

[@sageastreaus7905]

I'm guessing you can take pictures of Galaxies too with this setup? Cause I want to focus on Nebulas and Galaxies and I would love one telescope setup that can do both.

[@johnbellisario4323]

It's beeaaautiful.

[@noreaction1]

Can you make a video on narrow band filters? I see ccd filters for hydrogen bands but aside from the filter diameter I don’t know what to look for when shopping, do some filters cause more lens flare or halo than others? How would I know

[@OPTTelescopes]

That's a good question! Some lower-end filters can cause halos on bright stars due to the coatings not being as good. If you want help picking out filters for a specific use, email our sales team at [e-mail] and we'd be happy to help you out!

[@Neanderthal75]

Now I wish I purchased the PrimaLuce Eagle. Long USB cables are a no-go with many rigs. Disconnection issues, frame rate issues with long USB cables. Also the mess of power plugs and cables coming from the cameras, mount and focuser , some with cigar ligther plugs, some others with regular 110V plugs and different lengths of power cables etc. Add the 4-5 USB cables from mount/cameras/filter wheel etc.. its' a giant mess.

[@3_Gold_Coins]

What laptop works best?

[@alanhat26]

Just 1 thing is I didn't get any links anyway on the screen

[@ateeqn1985]

Great video.. unfortunately I don't have the budget 😕

[@Brownnoise443]

The red dot though?

[@anujitmaity0722]

Here i m , waiting for a dealer to sell both my kidneys and lungs to buy all the products 😒 but still i m thinking i need couple bucks more

[@adrianhernandez7197]

Looks stunning... and pricy. How much was that lol.

[@Brik2246]

How cow is that big...and... Intimidating xP

[@skyemac8]

I can get great Hubble shots for free and I’m not bankrupt.

[@badquality4069]

Not the same buddy

[@okie9025]

pretty sure that buying a new car is a better investment than this...

[@sketch6995]

Almost none of these items are in stock......the cams and accessories are available but the mount and scope are out of stock and on extended backorder 4-6 months......ggggrrrrrr

[@MrMa1981]

All right first things first: 10k dollars paycheck.

[@filipmilic7966]

Just watch Astrobiscuit he made astro rig for 600$ that could compete with 6000$

[@kalon9999]

Your filter order is giving me OCD anxiety - not because it's wrong, as there isn't a "correct" order, but because it is different from mine!

[@tpk7065]

10,000 dollars later gets tired of setting it up every night and starts shooting with a dslr and tripod again

[@Astrogator1]

Nice video and setup, but is this seriously aimed at someone starting out?? Appears way more expense and points of failure than someone new to astronomy / astro imaging could need. Should be a positive experience this looks like stress city. Even after a few years experience I would not want to set up all this.from new. Kind of contradicts the good advice given to newbies

[@GalileoUAS]

You guys are mean.......

[@ricktaylor1645]

in 2022 your talking over $8,000.00 to $10,000in equipment wtf!

[@daemon1143]

What? No icarus filter? Amateur.

[@brucefritchey8055]

What happened to this channel?

[@ricktaylor1645]

come to think of it you should say the cost, took me years to get a good rig at 1/4 the cost for great Astrophotography sorry you got a dislike

[@robertr9689]

Focus on the products NOT your face. Don't be a narcissist.

[@redfernplace]

Filter wheel looks to be this one: optcorp.com/products/zwo-7-position-electronic-filter-wheel-ii-36mm-size