The New Rig Is Up & Running! Takahashi FSQ85ED & Ioptron CEM26EC

My new astrophotography rig is assembled and running. Featuring my new Takahashi FSQ85ED telescope and Ioptron CEM26EC mount. Exciting things ahead!

[@everetttremblay3003]

It's great to see you outside Dave. That toy looks so beautiful bud. Have fun with it and what a great image.

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Thanks Everett!

[@avt_astro206]

Nice Image Dave!! I was Convinced By seeing The First Picture You showed Before the Actual one, haha. Both Look great :)

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Haha! Thanks man 🙏

[@AstroCrescentDIY]

Nice new rig and beautiful capture of the nebula. Thanks for sharing the old image as well. Keep up the good work.

[@mlethbridge76]

Very jealous of that Tak Dave (and a little jealous of the mount too lol). I like the outdoor setting, may I suggest taking a chainsaw to all the neighbours trees and then installing an observatory lol?

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Haha! It's crossed my mind more than once Mike... 🤣

[@DSOImager]

Nice looking rig and final image. I love running two rigs at once. It took a little getting used to.. and it can be frustrating if both have issues.. but once its set up and going.. the amount of data you get helps bridge those extended cloudy periods. CS!

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Thanks! So true but yes I'm looking forward to double the data!

[@ronrotunno522]

Smashing set up you have there Dave!!!!

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Thanks Ron!

[@julianbarbieri8546]

What a rig!!

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Haha! Thanks Julian!

[@Zealor365]

Your neighbors said come over and cut down whatever trees are blocking your view. LOL!

[@lavers_1]

Can you put a 8" newtonian on it for visual and a bit of astrophotography with a dlsr?

[@keystothecosmos7527]

For visual, maybe. For astrophotography that would be too heavy

[@jimcollins1922]

So, how are you using the Asiair? Are you using it for plate solving, PA, etc?

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Yes! It does just about everything for me! PA, plate solve, runs the imaging session with my Astro dedicated camera, etc.

[@tosvus]

Do you think using a EdgeHD 8" is pushing it for this mount? Not thinking of getting that for a while, but wondering if it is future proof *enough* lol

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Thanks for your question. Yes, in my opinion that would be pushing it. The CEM40 would be better suited to a scope that size.

[@tosvus]

@@keystothecosmos7527 Thanks, that makes sense. Better save up. I do like the CEM design - seems slightly easier and faster to work with than GEM mounts.

[@tacomaastro7462]

Your 3rd axis (Z) is not a mount issue, it is the centerline balance of your OTA. If you have a EAF or guide scope on the west side of your OTA it is putting your centerline out of balance.

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Thanks for the input. I actually don't have anything on the scope except the ASIair and its mounted dead center on top. When you unlock the mount it immediately pulls to the one side and does so on both my Ioptron mounts 🤷🏻

[@tacomaastro7462]

@@keystothecosmos7527 Curious, is it just with this OTA, or a 'feature' of the Ioptron mounts. So, the only thing on the west side is the focus knob(s). Definitely a head scratcher :)

[@keystothecosmos7527]

@@tacomaastro7462 So with the CEM40 I assumed it was because of the Ipolar which is off to the side. However with this mount it's not mounted on the side. I have a feeling it has something to do with the counterweight bar not being centered. Some have said you can adjust it but I just can't be bothered

[@tacomaastro7462]

@@keystothecosmos7527 Not centered as in not in a zero position relative to the ground? or the RA shaft off center?

[@keystothecosmos7527]

@@tacomaastro7462 The RA shaft off center

[@massimo541]

👏👏👏

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Grazie Massimo!

[@dgdave2673]

Is this with the LiteRoc tripod?

[@keystothecosmos7527]

Yes it is 👍