gear and setups

Photos of my gear and setups. Past and present.

Askar 151PHQ V1.2 - Current setup. Bought a new ASI6200MM to allow me to put the old one on the WO SpaceCat51 wide-field setup. Also, purchased Chroma 3nm SHO and LRGB.

The Chroma filters have been great so far. However, the SII filter came with a chip on the side of the filter which based on some Googling isn’t abnormal for Chroma. I’ll be reaching out to Agena Astro to replace it as they’re expensive and the filters need to be perfect. Also, the stretched flats are definitely interesting… Lots of patterns which I will find out if it’ll cause any issues when I process my first images.

Rouz Astro upgrades are still working great and make the scope lighter. I’ve been having issues with the DeepSkyDad Flap Panel v2 and I’ve been communicating with them to get it sorted out. I hope it works out.

This isn’t the first issue that I’ve ran into with equipment, so the plan is to start writing reviews about the products I buy in the future. I’ll highlight the issues I’ve encountered and hopefully the solutions I was able to implement.

Optics: Askar 151PHQ.

Mount: Losmandy G11G.

Accessories: ZWO ASI2600MC (2025 version), ASI174MM Mini, OAG-L, 2” EFW, and EAF. PegasusAstro Ultimate Powerbox v3. Kendrick Astro Premier Heaters. Rouz Astro universal dovetail clamp, Ultimate Powerbox bracket, and carry handle. DeepSkyDad motorized flap panel. Heavy Duty Medium Wheeley Bars. Powerwerx power supply with Powerpole distribution.

Filters: Chroma SHO 3nm 2” Unmounted and Chroma LRGB 2” Unmounted.

William Optics SpaceCat51 WIFD v1.1 - Current Setup. Replaced the OSC with the ASI6200MM and Antlia LRGBSHO filters to get back to mono. Plus, Only issue is some pretty significant vignetting, but nothing that flats can’t sort out.

I pulled the trigger on a Sky-Watcher Wave 150i strainwave mount after researching mounts. So far, so good! It’s very light and I picked up the Apertura Anchor Pier. I can move the entire setup with the SpaceCat 51 on it easily.

The OAG-L with SpaceCat51 is tight near the dovetail plate, so I switched to the matching UniGuide 32mm that came with the scope. So far no impact on guiding either good or bad.

Also, I bought a Pegaus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2 that I will eventually use with Rouz Astro brackets and dovetail, and mount the ASIAir Plus on top.

Lastly, I’m using the ZWO M48 tilt plate adapter as the SpaceCat 51 rotator is M48. I bought adapters to use the M54 tilt plate to ideally reduce or eliminate the vignetting.

Optics: William Optics SpaceCat51 WIFD.

Mount: Sky-Watcher Wave 150i.

Accessories: ZWO ASI6200MM (old), ASI174MM Mini, 2” EFW, and EAF. Dew Not strip. UniGuide 32mm. Rouz Astro universal bracket and dovetail. Powerwerx power supply with Powerpole distribution.

Filters: Antlia LRGB Pro 2” Unmounted and Antlia SHO 3nm 2” Unmounted.

William Optics SpaceCat51 WIFD v1.0 - I repurposed the SW Esprit 100ED setup for the SpaceCat to get it going. The OSC has been a great tool to build my skills on, but the plan was to always go back to mono. I was still able to get some great data with the L-Ultimate and Altair Astro SII/OIII filters.

Optics: William Optics SpaceCat51 WIFD.

Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro w/ ADM saddle.

Accessories: ZWO ASI2600MC, ASI174MM Mini, OAG-L, 2” EFW, and EAF. DewMaster 2. Dew Not strip. Rouz Astro universal brackets. EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro power station and RoyPow AC/DC converters.

Filters: Optolong 2” mounted L-Ultimate, L-Quad Enhance, and UV/IR Cut. Altair Astro 2” mounted DualBand SII/OIII.

Askar 151PHQ V1.1 - Added a DeepSkyDad motorized flap panel and multiple Rouz Astro items.

Rouz Astro upgrades include custom rings, 14” Losmandy aluminum dovetails, and a lightweight carry handle. Rouz’s products are great quality and I’ve previously used his brackets and clamps. Plus, Rouz even sent me one of his new brackets that incorporates the standard lightweight carbon fiber composite with an aluminum inset! It’ll fit the Mele Quiter 4C that I’m planning to switch over to in the next several weeks and I’ll post some pictures once V1.2 is live. Highly recommend supporting Rouz and his products!

Lastly, I’ve purchased a Williams Optics SpaceCat 51 which is using the OSC gear from my previous setups. The SpaceCat 51 is currently on the EQ6-R and I’m looking to replace it with a strain wave mount for a portable imaging rig. Currently leaning towards either a ZWO AM5N, WarpAstron WD-20P, or Rainbow Astro RST-300. Pics will be posted once the rig is finalized.

Optics: Askar 151PHQ.

Mount: Losmandy G11G.

Accessories: ZWO ASI6200MM (old), ASI174MM Mini, OAG-L, 2” EFW, and EAF. PegasusAstro Ultimate Powerbox v3. Kendrick Astro Premier Heaters. Rouz Astro universal dovetail clamp, Ultimate Powerbox bracket, and carry handle. DeepSkyDad motorized flap panel. Heavy Duty Medium Wheeley Bars. Powerwerx power supply with Powerpole distribution.

Filters: Antlia LRGB Pro 2” Unmounted and Antlia SHO 3nm 2” Unmounted.

Askar 151PHQ V 1.0 - Upgraded to an Askar 151PHQ. I have aperture fever! Also, I jumped back into mono with a full frame ASI6200MM and 3nm Antlia LRGBSHO filters. I may need to switch out the pier to the 8” or 12”.

Optics: Askar 151PHQ.

Mount: Losmandy G11G.

Accessories: ZWO ASI2600MC, ASI174MM Mini, OAG-L, 2” EFW, and EAF. PegasusAstro Ultimate Powerbox v3. Kendrick Astro Premier Heaters. Rouz Astro universal dovetail clamp and Ultimate Powerbox bracket. Losmandy mounting plates (D-style bottom and V-style top). Heavy Duty Medium Wheeley Bars. Powerwerx power supply with Powerpole distribution.

Filters: Antlia LRGB Pro 2” Unmounted and Antlia SHO 3nm 2” Unmounted.

Esprit 100ED V 3.0 - New mount update! Upgraded to Losmandy G11G. Wheeley Bars. Powerpole upgrades. Kendrick Astro Premier Heaters. 12” pier is overkill, but I wanted to see what it would look like.

Optics: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED with flattner or Starizona Apex-L.

Mount: Losmandy G11G.

Accessories: ZWO ASI2600MC, ASI174MM Mini, OAG-L, 2” EFW, and EAF. PegasusAstro Ultimate Powerbox v3. Kendrick Astro Premier Heaters. Rouz Astro universal dovetail clamp and Ultimate Powerbox bracket. ADM D/V Series side counterweight w/ 1.75lb counterweight. Losmandy mounting plates (D-style bottom and V-style top). Heavy Duty Medium Wheeley Bars. Powerwerx power supply with Powerpole distribution.

Filters: Optolong 2” mounted L-Ultimate, L-Quad Enhance, and UV/IR Cut. Altair Astro 2” mounted DualBand SII/OIII.

Esprit 100ED V 2.1 - Third round of upgrades. Added a PegasusAstro Ultimate Powerbox v3, more Rouz Astro brackets and clamps, ADM side mounted counterweight, and Stellarvue carrying handle. A bit more cable management.

The side mounted counterweight helps with third axis balancing. The Ultimate Powerbox v3 was needed for the current setup and to reduce wires running up the mount.

Optics: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED with flattner or Starizona Apex-L.

Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro w/ ADM saddle.

Accessories: ZWO ASI2600MC, ASI174MM Mini, OAG-L, 2” EFW, and EAF. Ultimate Powerbox v3. Dew Not strip. Rouz Astro universal dovetail clamp and Ultimate Powerbox bracket. ADM D/V Series side counterweight w/ 1.75lb counterweight. Losmandy mounting plates (D-style bottom and V-style top). EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro power station and RoyPow AC/DC converters.

Filters: Optolong 2” mounted L-Ultimate, L-Quad Enhance, and UV/IR Cut. Altair Astro 2” mounted DualBand SII/OIII.

Esprit 100ED V 2.0 - Second round of upgrades. Replaced the Mono with an OSC. Several other minor rig upgrades including Rouz Astro brackets and clamps. Better “cable management” with sleeves.

Optics: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED with flattner or Starizona Apex-L.

Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro w/ ADM saddle.

Accessories: ZWO ASI2600MC, ASI174MM Mini, OAG-L, 2” EFW, and EAF. DewMaster 2. Dew Not strip. Rouz Astro universal dovetail clamp and Dew Master 2 bracket. Losmandy mounting plates (D-style bottom and V-style top). EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro power station and RoyPow AC/DC converters.

Filters: Optolong 2” mounted L-Ultimate, L-Quad Enhance, and UV/IR Cut. Altair Astro 2” mounted DualBand SII/OIII.

Esprit 100ED V 1.1 - First round of upgrades on the AP setup (and a glamour shot of the pup) post purchase. First attempt at “cable management” with 3D printed cable holders for the ASIAIR and ASI1600MM.

Optics: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED with flattener. Stellarvue 50mm guide scope.

Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro w/ ADM saddle.

Accessories: ZWO ASI1600MM, ASI120MM Mini, 1.25” EFW, and EAF. DewMaster 2. Dew Not strips. EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro power station and RoyPow AC/DC converters. PrimaLuceLabs mounting plates (D-style bottom and V-style top) and rings.

Filters: ZWO 1.25” unmounted R, G, B, L, S, H, O.

Esprit 100ED Version 1.0. First AP setup and first light action shot! Picked it up from an old salt that was getting out of the hobby.

Optics: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED with flattener. Sky-Watcher finder scope. PrimaLuceLab 60mm guide scope.

Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro.

Accessories: ZWO ASI1600MM, ASI120MM Mini, 1.25” EFW, and EAF. QHY PolerMaster. RoyPow AC/DC converter.

Filters: ZWO 1.25” unmounted R, G, B, L, S, H, O.

First telescope!

Optics:Apertura AD12. Apertura 8x50 finder scope. Telrad.

Accessories: Astro Devices Nexus II and Encoders for ‘push-to’ functionality.

Eyepieces and related accessories: Astro-Tech 28mm UWA. Baader Morpheus 17mm, 12mm, 9mm, 6mm. Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 and Powermate 2x.

Filters: Tele Vue 2” Bandmate Type II Nebustar and UHC. Astromania 2” Variable Polarizer.

Gaming PC - the powerhouse of the aspiring AP cell.

Setup: Intel i9-13900K. 128GB DDR5 Ram. 8TB NVME (dedicated for AP). RTX 4090. Lots and lots of fans (because you can’t have too many).

AP Programs: PixInsight. Siril. DeepSkyStacker. GraXpert. ASIStudio. Affinity. Adobe Photoshop. GIMP.