It's Go Time and That Means Compromises

[@robertgrenader858]

Nice explanation. I did not think dew would be an issue in central Texas, but if it is, why not add a Celestron Dew heater Ring to your rig? Regarding cable management on your RedCat, isn't that part of Starfront's installation services?

[@AstroVagabond]

Yes, I have the Celestron corrector plate heater ring install. That may be all I need. And yes I expect the smart hands at Starfront will help get proper cable management through the install process. I'm about to find out if that is true as my CFo (wife) approved the purchase of the ASI2600MM Pro, new filter wheel and new filters!

[@calimark7448]

@@AstroVagabond I want to get the 2600MM for my EdgeHD 9.25. I'm very happy with the 294 on my Askar FRA400.

[@aleixandrus]

Oh! Compromises... I know how they are :) Can't comment in the other equipment but I have the Baader 6.5nm 31mm SHO narrowband filters and I'm quite happy with them. Maybe they are not as good as the premiums but, to me, they work far better than their price tag suggest. In fact, I plan adding the LRGB ones... but I need a larger filter wheel... so why not buying the 36mm and be future-proof? But I would need to buy again the SHO... You know, compromises :) Your setups look fine to me but I keep wondering if you would need not a flat panel but at least a 'dust' panel. Don't know how dirty is the desert but in my backyard obsy, spider webs are an issue...

[@AstroVagabond]

Thank you for the feedback on the Baader 6.5nm. Yes, those darn compromises! 😊 Great point on spiders. I purchased a Deep Sky Dad flap panel for my RedCat 51 which I can close after imaging to keep the bugs out. 😉 Not sure yet what I'm going to do for the EdgeHD 8.

[@aleixandrus]

@@AstroVagabond I'm considering the EdgeHD 8 in the mid term but it seems it need "many" accessories (large flat panel, dew shield, warmers, alignment tools, mechanical accessories and adapters...) which considerably increase the prize tag. A refractor is just more convenience but it's hard to get the same level of magnification. For a remote observatory, don't know which would be the best option. Compromises, you said :)

[@garyrear]

Would the deep sky dad flat panel work for your red cat? I have been looking at his flat panel for my SVX090T Stellarvue refractor.

[@AstroVagabond]

Yes I think it could. I know other imagers with refractors that use that panel and say it works for them. However I just took my first shot at capturing twilight sky flats and the results was positive. I have to fine tune it a bit but the sky flats I captured looked just like the ones I capture with my Giotto flat panel. So I think I'll just go with sky flats to start and see if I need to move to a flat panel. When I tried capturing sky flats a year or so ago I was doing it in the morning. Today I was working between sunset and twilght and got favorable results. I need to do the luminance last and the Ha first within that window it seems.

[@AstroVagabond]

Update: I just ordered the Deep Sky Dad flap panel for my RedCat 51. I decided since I have a rotator on the RedCat the price of the flap panel was reasonable and make things easier for me in the longer term. I have an email into Deep Sky Dad to confirm whether or not the flap panel (it has magnets) closes tight enough to allow me to take flat darks. ChatGpt says it does but I want his confirmation. 😊 If it does then I will not move up now to the ASI2600MM which would require a new filter wheel and filters. I'll update what I find once I have the flap panel and do my own testing. Clear skies!

[@garyrear]

@@AstroVagabond that makes alot more sense, and a less costly alternative. The added bonus at least for me is it works with the Asiair with his added cable. Good move!

[@AstroVagabond]

@@garyrear yeah I hope he confirms I should be good doing flat darks. Then the money I was going to apply towards the 2600MM and filter wheel with filters can go towards the purchase of a Primaluce Lab Eagle5 S for my RedCat and really clean up my cabling. We'll see. 👍

[@calimark7448]

@@AstroVagabond With your flat panel, you will have consistent exposure times for your flats so all you need to do is build a dark library for your flats. That's what I've done with my Giotto. Most flat panels don't block off all of the light... best of luck.