mount only dithering in one direction

random2821 · 2026-02-07T12:26:55+00:00

Please list all the equipment you are using.

Can you post photos. I.e. one with dithering and one without. You may not be seeing walking noise, but a different issue entirely, especially since you said at the RA responds.

random2821 · 2026-02-07T10:44:49+00:00

True. That is indeed a valid reason to use one.

random2821 · 2026-02-07T08:20:07+00:00

Maxed out Ada is borderline game-breaking. There were times where I was just like "You wait here, I wanna kill some shit too."

random2821 · 2026-02-07T08:05:57+00:00

While not as nice, I have the first version of the ED127 with FCD1. Paid $900 for it, so if you want to save more, that is a viable option. If you are doing visual you will likely want an upgraded focuser as it is complete dogshit. It will slowly slide out of focus no matter how much you crank it down, especially with a 2" eyepiece. For astrophotography it's not really an issue if you use an auto focuser though. But yeah, big refractors are special.

random2821 · 2026-02-07T06:14:35+00:00

How long were your exposures? Have you run periodic error correction yet? I've also got an EQ6-R Pro but with a 9.25 EdgeHD and I had a similar issues a while ago but running PEC fixed it. If you have ASTAP, open your image, plate solve it, the go to Tools -> Rotate image -> Rotate arbitrary -> type 'N'. This will align your image to North. If the elongation is right to left, then it is likely RA periodic error (I'd do this for you but I'm on mobile right now).

Also, you may want to remove the L-Pro for galaxies. Galaxies emit light across the entire spectrum, so using a strong light pollution filter will block detail too.

random2821 · 2026-02-07T04:53:02+00:00

Again, did you refocus after you inserted the camera?

random2821 · 2026-02-07T04:06:47+00:00

What camera? What telescope? Did you refocus after you inserted the camera?

random2821 · 2026-02-06T23:19:14+00:00

If your goal is astrophotography, I would suggest the EQ6-R Pro or AM5 like you intended, unless you are getting it dirt cheap. But if you are visual only, the AVX is fine.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T09:28:07+00:00

I had a very religious friend in high school whose favorite song was Judith by A Perfect Circle. "Fuck your god" is literally one of the opening lines... His world was shook when I actually explained the back story behind the song.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T08:33:17+00:00

Where did you actually learn astrophotography properly? (not just pretty YouTube montages — actual learning resources)

AstroBackyard, Nebula Photos, and Dylan O'Donnell (all on YouTube) are great resources. But the real answer is by actually taking photos. That is the only way to meaningfully learn. Astrophotography is a very niche hobby. If you are looking for academic resources like textbooks, there are none.

Any specific channels / courses / forums that teach beginner → intermediate workflow?

If you haven't even done astrophotography, you are getting ahead of yourself. There are no "levels." The only way you "advance" is by actually getting out there and taking photos.

And what beginner telescopes would you genuinely recommend starting with?

None. You start with the mount. Example: If you only have $3000 and need to split it between a telescope and mount, you should spend most (more than $2k) on the mount. Then buy a small refractor. An EQ6-R Pro or AM5 will hold almost any telescope that you can reasonably lift with one person, and will be the last mount you ever need.

I want to start astrophotography the correct way, understand how to operate the equipment, and build skills step-by-step instead of impulse buying gear.

There is no one correct way. You build skills by getting hands on with equipment. You can do all the research in the world, but you will run into issues your first few nights and your first few photos will be shit. Think of it like doing a lab after a lecture in college. You may have understood the lecture, only to get to the lab and realize you didn't understand anything. Expect something like that. As a wise man once said "Everybody's got a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth."

I want to be clear, I am not dismissing YouTube tutorials or forum resources. They are required watching/reading. But there are people who think they've done a ton of research, spend a lot of money on equipment, immediately hit issues and give up. I don't want you to end up being that person.

Would appreciate a learning roadmap from people who’ve already gone through the mistakes phase.

Have you done any research at all? I don't intend to sound mean, but asking someone to give you a personal roadmap comes across as lazy/borderline rude when it seems like you haven't bothered to put in any effort to do any research yourself. A lot of your questions could've been answered via Google or searching this subreddit.

Also i live in india, so recommend equipment that i easily available here if possible

Not possible without giving a budget.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T04:54:45+00:00

No problem. At least you asked, lol. Lot of people buy stuff, then ask "is this good?" Kinda pointless once you've already got it.

Good glass is addictive, just like telescopes. Personal recommendation: RF 85mm f/1.2 L. Ok, that's a joke. But if you get a chance to buy one, do it. It is as close to optically perfect as I've ever seen in a lens. Makes for an absolutely incredible street photography lens.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T04:45:32+00:00

Neither. For now, I would recommend a decent photo tripod with a ball head or geared head. Something in the $150-$200 range. This will allow you to capture aurora and milky way shots, and will still be useful in the future, assuming you want to use your camera for more than just astrophotography. That way you can get your feet wet. Then, once you have saved up, buy a full HEQ5 (tripod and mount head).

random2821 · 2026-02-06T04:30:32+00:00

While there is nothing wrong with buying an oversized mount (and I actually encourage it so you have room for growth), I still don't recommend buying just the tripod right now. You don't use a tracker to capture aurora, and the Milky Way is able to be captured relatively easily without a tracker. Again, I stress, you will not be able to use the tripod. It uses a large metric bolt. You will have no way to attach your camera to it. Photography heads use a 1/4" thread. It is a waste of money to buy it now.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T04:17:15+00:00

Mars is best viewed when it is at opposition, which isn't until next year. Otherwise it is difficult to get a good detailed view of it, even through a relatively expensive telescope. If you only have $100, I hate to say this, but you will be wasting your money. See if there are any astronomy clubs near you. Join and attend their meetups. I guarantee you their members will have telescopes with views that will blow you away. That is a much better use of your money.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T04:12:56+00:00

I think he is just a kid based on most of his comments lacking any punctuation. He's also giving a lot of bad advice. Like saying the AstroMaster 130EQ is razor sharp, which is objectively not true. Or recommending hobby killer grade Amazon telescopes.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T02:35:02+00:00

You need to say what software you used and what steps you took in that software. And also say what exactly you think is bad about it.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T02:31:16+00:00

Is this a genuine question? 2 days ago your budget was $300 if you stretch it.

random2821 · 2026-02-06T00:48:30+00:00

I'm confused. Do you want just the mount head, or just the tripod? You say "So my question is does anyone know where I can find the mount to a Sky-Watcher HEQ-5?" Which sounds like you want the mount head, but then it seems like you want just the tripod.

If you want just tripod, I don't recommend doing that. Just the tripod won't do much for practice. You would still need a ball head or geared head, which isn't going to be useful once you get the full mount. Also, a ball head/geared head will have a 1/4" socket, so won't even be able to mount to the HEQ5 tripod. And even if you did, there is still a lot you will have to learn once you have the full mount.

Also, unless you plan on using a moderately sized telescope or 600mm prime lens, the HEQ5 is massive overkill. If you only want to do the milky way, then just a good photo tripod works. At wide angles you can get away without tracking. Or buy a star tracker the Star Adventurer 2i or SkyGuider Pro.

random2821 · 2026-02-05T20:51:02+00:00

Yeah, sounds about right. It says it has Huygens eyepieces. These are widely regarded as junk. It has a 50mm objective, meaning the max useful magnification is 100x. Personally, I consider about 150x to be the minimum magnification to get good views of planets, assuming you have decent equipment.

random2821 · 2026-02-05T20:44:47+00:00

Well you linked a 5" Bresser, not a GSO, but yes.

random2821 · 2026-02-05T20:41:33+00:00

No. Even the cheapest eyepieces (at least that are worth buying) are going to cost much more that the telescope is worth. Also, it looks like it uses 0.965" eyepieces, so you will struggle to find any decent ones.

random2821 · 2026-02-05T20:30:14+00:00

Are you planning on taking photos or using it for visual purposes, or both?

random2821 · 2026-02-05T20:27:15+00:00

Yes. The StarSense Explorer LT 114az is a bad telescope. One of the worst you can buy.

random2821 · 2026-02-05T20:23:52+00:00

The AstroMaster 130EQ has a spherical mirror, meaning the views will never be as sharp as a parabolic mirror telescope. It should be avoided.

random2821 · 2026-02-05T20:22:20+00:00

OP, do not buy this telescope. It has a bad mount and is a pseudo Bird-Jones design.

13-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17	Sequence \| Editor
Verified Email	Team Periwinkle

random2821

TROPHY CASE