> Date: Mon, 21 May 2001 17:56:40 -0600
> Subject: [M]: Forgive My Dumb LX200 Questions
...
> 1. After reading the archives I still am undecided whether I want to
> purchase an f/10 or f/6.3 LX200.

If in any doubt at all, go for the f/10 and use the f/6.3 reducer for
photography. That gives you a flatter field than the f/6.3 telescope.

> Question: In general, using an average 10" LX200, how long of an exposure
> can be made without autoguiding before the need for an auto guider becomes
> apparent?

Photographing through the telescope, with a trained Smart Drive and good
polar alignment, something on the order of 30 seconds; maybe twice that.

> Secondly, How long of an exposure can be made before Smart Drive
programming
> becomes necessary?

Maybe 1 or 2 seconds, sometimes longer depending on whether you're on a
smooth part of the gear. Smart Drive exists because it's needed :)

> 3. I expect to use an equatorial mount. What is the setup and breakdown
> time for the unit? Actually, where I live could lend itself to putting
the
> scope in a closet and taking about 100 steps to the place it would be
setup.
> It's a very dark sky site with an unimpeded horizon from east to west.

You might want to build a permanent pier -- in that case the setup and
breakdown time is a couple of minutes. That's how I observe. With a
portable mount, I generally take 5 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to
refine the polar alignment.

Clear skies,

Michael Covington
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
(Now working on a book on computerized telescopes)
http://www.CovingtonInnovations.com/astro <><
[Astronomy correspondents: Please do not send pictures or
file attachments unless requested. They will not reach me. ]

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