eq8-r first try

 

The ideal portable setup. 80kg of steel plate.

Halloween 2005: I broke a toe when the 5kg counterweight fell from the then new eq6.

The eq8 uses 10kg counterweights.

Calibration and drift via PHD2. Can't work out how to balance the thing; the nt150s seems front heavy. Added weight at the rear of the tube.

Not all gloom and doom though. The guiding was quite good but still a way to go.

calibration @ 0.9 x guide
followed by drift align

EKOS's analyze with PHD2 showing giant HFR guide stars
must get the thing focused

You can take photos too.

galaxies m81 and m82 in ursa major
450d on nt150s    40x5min @ ISO800