Orion 13022 Focusing with the Deluxe Mini Guide Scope, Attaching Your Autoguiding Camera

a. b.

Figure 3. a) Installing the DMGS on an optional dovetail bar. b) Ready for mounting on telescope tube rings or side-by-side saddle.

focuser. Figure 4b shows the Orion StarShoot AutoGuider being threaded onto the T-threads of the helical focuser, and then fully installed (Figure 4c). Using the T-threads is the most secure mode of camera attachment.

Focusing with the Deluxe Mini Guide Scope

The DMGS features a precision helical focuser that makes it easy to focus your guide stars quickly and precisely (Figure 5). The focuser, made of

Focus adjustment ring

Focus lock thumbscrew

Figure 5. Rotate the focus adjustment ring until guide stars come into focus.

Autoguider nosepiece

Thumbscrews

a.

Figure 4. a) An autoguider with a 1.25" nosepiece can be inserted into the focuser and secured with the two thumbscrews.

T-threads

b.

machined, anodized aluminum, is the “non-rotating” variety, meaning the guide camera does not rotate when focus is adjusted, but rather moves in or out in fixed orientation, which is important for hassle-free focusing. You don’t want stars rotating in the field of view when you’re trying to focus! Drawtube travel is 12mm and the motion is extremely smooth and fine

–less than 1mm of travel per one full rotation of the helical focusing ring.

Illuminated Plössl eyepiece

b)Threading an autoguider directly onto the T-threads is the most secure mode of attachment. c) The StarShoot AutoGuider makes a perfect match for the DMGS.

Make sure your autoguider camera	Figure 6. With the addition of an optional
is powered on and connected to your	Orion 12.5mm Illuminated Pössl Eyepiece,
laptop computer, and that the software	the DMGS doubles as a crosshair
you will use for autoguiding is up and	finder scope.
running. Also, make sure the focus lock

c.

plate onto a dovetail mounting plate (Figure 2b) by inserting one of the supplied 1/4"-20 socket head screws up through an unthreaded hole or slot in the dovetail plate and into the ¼"-20 hole in the center of the adapter plate. Tighten with a 3/16" Allen wrench (user supplied). We have provided two different socket head screws for your convenience, one is ½" long, the other 1" long. Choose the one that best fits your mounting plate. Figure 3 shows the DMGS being mounted on an optional Orion narrow dovetail plate.

Attaching Your Autoguiding Camera

A guide camera can be coupled to the focuser either by a) inserting the camera’s 1.25" nosepiece into the focuser as far as it will go and securing it with the two thumbscrews (Figure 4a), or b) if your camera is equipped with female T-threads, by threading the camera directly onto the male T-thread flange of the

thumbscrew (see Figure 5) is not tightened down. With the imaging software set to take continuous exposures, rotate the grooved focusing adjustment ring clockwise or counterclockwise while you watch the stars or reference numbers (e.g., FWHM) on your laptop screen. When the stars are reasonably sharp, or you’ve reached approximately the lowest FWHM, you’re done!

Once focus is achieved, the focus lock thumbscrew can be lightly tightened to ensure the drawtube remains set at that position, although this may not even be necessary. There’s no need to tighten this thumbscrew firmly since most guide cameras are relatively lightweight, and doing so could put sideways pressure on the drawtube that might knock your carefully set focus off a bit.

For best results we recommend focusing the guide camera at the beginning of your imaging session, following the focusing procedures in the imaging software you use for astrophotography, such as MaxIm DL, PHD Guiding, or Images Plus.

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