Askar FRA400 version 1.1: Streamlining the Guidescope mount
Dates: June 24, 2021 - Aug 27, 2022
Left Side of the FRA400 Platform showing the new Guide scope mount rings
Here is the other side showing the new scope guide mount rings
Table of Contents Show (Click on lines to navigate)
Making the Portable Rig a Bit More Portable!
The whole point behind the Askar FRA400 platform is portability. So I started thinking about how in fact I would transport this thing. I found an inexpensive padded tripod case from Amazon - that would handle one part. I got eh 14”x14” hard case for the IOptron CEM26 - so that was covered. What about the optical tube assembly? Hmm - I found a lot of $350 cases that might work for that - but I am just going to put it in the car and travel with it - I am not flying with it.
So up getting a heavy-duty locking tool case for it that was waterproof and dustproof. I plan on lining it with custom closed-cell foam, and I should be good to go.
But measuring up the sizes got me to thinking (I know - scary - right?). Why am I mounting the guide scope with a finder bracket? A finder bracket needs fine adjustments that allow the finder scope to be pointed precisely where the main scope is pointed. I don’t need that. I need a rigid compact mounting that will hold the guide scope rigid and point in generally the right direction. As long as I can see and lock onto a guide star and not worry about flexure I should be good.
So I started looking around, and I found this set of guide scope mounting rings from Williams Optics:
Click on image to go the AgenaAstro product and take a look if interested.
Small - compact - rigid! It also makes the scope slightly smaller for packing.
Now some people have suggested that if I go Off-Axis Guiding I can get even smaller - and they are absolutely right. My wallet would get smaller too - and I have already put more into it than I anticipated so I’m going to compromise for now.
The resulting package is much more robust and smaller - both in use and for packing and travel.
The Final Configuration:
Scope: Askar FRA40072mm f/5. 6 Quintuplet Air-Spaced Astrograph
Focus Motor: ZWO EAF 5V
Guide Scope: William Optics 50mm guide scope
Guide Scope Rings: Wiliam Optics 50mm slide-base Clamping Ring Set - new
Mount: IOptron CEM 26
Tripod: Ioptron 1.5” Tripod
Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-Pro
Filter Wheel: ZWO EFW 1.25x8
Filters: ZWO 1.25” LRGB Gen II, Astronomiks 6nm Ha, OIII,SII
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI290MM-Mini
Dew Strips: Dew-Not Heater strips for Main and Guide Scopes
Power Dist: Pegasus Astro Powerbox Advanced
USB Dist: Pegasus Astro Powerbox Advanced
Polar Alignment Cam Iplolar
