Greetings all,
Have been evaluating extensively for some time now, ASA's DDM60 and 85 series mounts for potential purchase to mount 'scopes I'd like to use in the field, however am very interested in any suggestions from members, or changes by ASA so the mounts will work with the 'scope and accessories I'd like to use. No capacity on these mounts for "through the mount" cabling for USB cables required by CCD cameras, filter wheels, focusers, bar the 1-48v DC and 12v DC options, or for other power supply options. You only have the option of those two supplies, through internal cabling.
Some more details on the specific kit:
an Officina Stellare RH 250 Veloce, equipped with the Technical Innovations' "Robo-Focus" focus driver requires 12v DC for focuser stepper motor, and R-232 data comms with the Robo-Focus controller - I'd prefer not to have the Robo-Focus controller on the mount itself);
[probably] a Finger Lakes Instrumentation (FLI) Microline 4710 with their CFW-5-7 (both require 12v DC power from AC adaptor supply 'bricks' and separate USB data comms.
If I used a FLI "Atlas" digital focuser in lieu of the Robo- Focus I'd still need a power supply (yet another AC power adaptor' brick, and connection required) and lose the feature of temperature-compensated focusing.
The PC running ASA's Autoslew and Sequence will need to be remote from the mount, so was looking at an Icron Ranger 2304 for extra comms ability, via their local and remote extenders, connected via Cat 5e cabling. But I need AC power to run the Ranger, then there's the complication of 'Type A' and 'Type B' USB connexions.
And whilst not 'necessary', autoguider input would be a "nice-to-have", so there's another USB port required
My goal is narrowband-UV wide-field astrophotography, with a field-portable set-up - the OS RH 250 will be too heavy for the DDM60.
Some points that will hopefully 'shape' your responses:
Some CCD cameras and telescope accessories need to connect on the mount to ports that are compatible with USB 'Type B' connexions - are those on the DDM60 or 85 compatible, especially if you require a 'downstream' USB extender? If there are not sufficient number of the correct type (A or or otherwise compatible USB mount-port outlets available, i.e. more than 3, how can you establish communications and/or power supply?
As the ASA DDM series are clearly the best-performing telescope mounts available to the amateur astronomy community, very innovative technically, it strikes me as unusual that there appear to be too few choices for potential users. Most of the high-quality, high-performing mount manufacturers offer "through-the-mount" cabling for power and USB communications, however this innovation is not available for ASA DDM60 and 85 mounts. I appear to be left with limited options as regards equipment choices, or be burdened with cabling 'sphaghetti', with all the safety and system-connectivity issues likely, or inevitable.
I'd really appreciate some advice from the ASA community, or from ASA itself that will give me the equipment options desired - I clearly wish to have ASA performance, but from what I can figure out currently I will sacrifice choice and options.
Thanks for reading my e-mail!
Manukau
New Zealand
