The Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2 and the Orion 60mm guidescope with helical focuser

[Decimus]

Does anyone have experience of this combination of camera and guidescope? I have the Orion 60mm guidescope and like it very much, but when I use it with the ZWO ASI 290MM mini guide camera, the results (in terms of finding stars for Polar Alignment with SharpCap) are fickle. I can spend 15 - 20 minutes just trying to find stars (and focus them). Even binning 2x2 doesn't help. Yet on some nights, the stars magically appear in the field without too much of a problem, almost straight away.

Which brings me to the Lodestar X2. Is the Orion/Lodestar X2 a better combo? I understand that the Lodestar is impressively sensitive, but its backfocus is about 12.5 mm. The ZWO ASi290mm has a backfocus of 8.5mm. Is this likely to create a focus problem? The ZWO is already well back in the optical train with this guidescope; won't the extra 4mm push it back (out) even further? Perhaps beyond focus range?

Does anyone have any advice?

Cheers,
Richard

[PKay]

Hi Richard

What driver are you using? ASCOM is the way to go for ZWO these days.

Also, when the stars don't show up on the screen, have a look outside :-)

[LewisM]

Does the Orion 60mm guidescope helical focuser not permit full-length 1.25" movement? I have a Lodestar in my Tak 50mm finder converted to guidescope with a helical focuser, and I can slide the Lodestar through full length - so much so I have to use a parfocal ring on the connection end to stop it fallingINTO the tube if I am careless :)


My Tak conversion comes to focus with plenty of room to spare.

If I recall, the orion helical rotates, but also has a sliding drawtube? Can you insert the Lodestar deep into the helical?

[Decimus]

Hi Peter,
I do use ASCOM with this camera,and SharpCap usually poses no real problems- but I find it immensely difficult achieving focus with this configuration, even though I love the Orion guidescope. I abandoned my WO Guidescope (an F4 50mm) as the ASI290MM would almost be out of the tube before it focused....I love your comment about having a look outside.I do that all the time when I am imaging.

[Decimus]

Hi Lewis,
Yes the Orion has a good helical focuser but is still causes me problems with the ASI290mm mini. One night I spent 20 minutes trying to find any stars (the guidescope was properly aligned with the telescope) around the SCP (I realise they're mag. 5 but still!). That is why I feel like getting the Lodestar X2 which, by the way, has just been released in an updated version with a blue cylinder casing). Tempting!

I am not surprised your Tak works well - everything they make is made to work and oozes quality plus!

Cheers,
Richard