I own an 8 inch Meade LX90 GPS with a wedge for polar alignment.

I have decided to buy the Orion 80-ED Guidescope for $399.

However, I am wondering if I need to buy anything other than these Losmandy Rings ( http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=4172 ), or if there are any cheaper ones out their that would work for my LX90 GPS?

I know I need some type of balance kit, but where to find one and how will I know it fits my scope?

Do I need to buy anything else other than the rings to mount the Orion 80-ED guidescope on my Meade LX90 GPS?

Such as, how exactly do these rings mount on the LX90 GPS telescope tube?

Do I need to buy an additional piece that these rings slide into on the LX90 GPS tube?


Now for filters,

I see a lot of hydrogen alpha, OII and another type combined to make the Hubble Pallet.

Where is a good website to find these? I have been looking at optics planet and such and cannot find any that are for CCD cameras, just observation.


Thank you,
Fritz

Hi, Fritz

Losmandy makes a dovetail bar which you will need to mount the rings on. I recommend the 125mm rings for the ED-80. Losmandy also makes a 3-D weight set. You will need about 12 pounds of weight.

ADM also makes a similar line of products that will save you some $. Don't go too cheap though, you really do need the stability of Losmandy or ADM.

HTH,

Chuck

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Chuck Reese
CDIP Certified: Nebula, Galaxy, Solar System, Stars & Clusters Imager
CDIP Mentor: Nebulae & Solar System Categories
For information on the Certified DSI Imager Program, see:
http://autostarsuite.net/forums/1427/ShowForum.aspx

Thank you Chuck,

Sorry for all the questions, but there are no dealers where I live and no way to get any information from other astrophotographers.

My bill for astrophotography never ceases to increase, however, lol.

Could you point me in the right direction of where to buy CCD hydrogen-alpha, OII, and other filters to create the hubble pallet?

Fritz

Lot's of choices...Baader is a good value (Alpine Astro). Astronomiks are popular (OPT, Astronomics, Anacrotes) and Astrodon is highly regarded (sames sources as Astronomics). Custom Scientific makes good filters, but usually pretty pricey. I would steer clear of Orion.

You can often find these filters used at a substantial discount on Astromart (be sure to check the user feedback ratings before you buy).

Chuck

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Chuck Reese
CDIP Certified: Nebula, Galaxy, Solar System, Stars & Clusters Imager
CDIP Mentor: Nebulae & Solar System Categories
For information on the Certified DSI Imager Program, see:
http://autostarsuite.net/forums/1427/ShowForum.aspx