Orion Thin Off-Axis Guider User manual

Orion Thin Off-Axis Guider
(TOAG)
#5531
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
IN 500 Rev. B 06/14
Customer Support:
www.OrionTelescopes.com/contactus
Corporate Offices:
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 - USA
Copyright © 2012-2014 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
All Rights Reserved. No part of this product instruction or any of its
contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the
prior written consent of Orion Telescopes & Binoculars.

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Parts List (Figure 1)
1. Thin Off-Axis Guider main body
2. 2" Nosepiece
3. Canon camera-compatible ring adapter (bayonet)
4. Camera T-thread ring adapter
5. Step-down ring (M48 male to T-threads female)
6. Coma corrector spacer
7. C-mount to T-threads (Male-Female) adapter
8. Spacer (18mm long)
9. Hex key (not shown)
Congratulations on your purchase of the Orion Thin Off-Axis Guider (Orion
TOAG). This useful imaging accessory enables you to image and guide through
the same telescope, thereby eliminating the need for a separate guide scope,
which reduces payload weight on your mount and helps eliminate guiding error
due to flexure. All telescopes are prone to some degree of flexure, but an Off-
Axis Guider detects the exact same movement as the main camera so you are
assured high-accuracy guiding.
The Orion Thin Off-Axis Guider (TOAG) is especially useful where space (back-
focus) is critical, such as with Newtonian telescopes where back-focus is limited,
and for Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, which can experience “mirror flop”.
Things You Should Know Before Using the Orion TOAG
What a Thin Off-Axis Guider (TOAG) Is Used For:
A TOAG is a device used for astrophotography. It uses a small pick-off prism that
redirects a tiny portion of the incoming light from the telescope to an auxiliary
guide camera (autoguider).
Thin Off-Axis Guiders and DSLR Cameras:
Modern imaging cameras include dedicated astronomy CCD cameras and DSLR
cameras that provide an easy and affordable method of image acquisition.
One of the drawbacks of using a DSLR camera is the long back-focus (around
±44 mm depending on model). This limits its application on some telescopes,
especially where back-focus is limited, such as Newtonian telescopes with or
without coma correctors.
Some Newtonian telescopes, such as fast Newtonian astrographs (below f/4.5)
require the use of coma correctors in order to obtain pinpoint stars across the
focal plane. Coma correctors are usually optimized for a specific distance to the
imaging chip; about 54-56mm long depending on the camera maker and the
telescope focal ratio and corresponds to the back-focus of the camera plus the
thickness of a DSLR T-threads adapter, or T-ring.
DSLR T-rings are usually 10 mm thick. Our TOAG is about 10.5 mm thick to
insure compatibility with coma correctors.
Thin Off-Axis Guider and Newtonian Telescopes
Newtonian telescopes offer the best combination of aperture and cost; they can
also be very fast (low f/ratio) making them especially interesting for astrophotog-
raphy as they provide a wide field of view (FOV) and allow short exposure times.
Newtonians are also constructed in such a way that back-focus is, by design,
very limited. Guiding with a standard off-axis guider is usually not possible, mak-
ing the TOAG an essential accessory item when attempting to use a Newtonian
for deep sky imaging (since it adds very little back focus - around 10.5 mm).
1. Getting Started With a DSLR
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the parts (Figure 1).
The Orion TOAG comes with a 2" nosepiece (#2) with a T-female to C-mount
adapter already attached (#7). Two camera ring adapters (#3 and #4) are sup-
plied in a separate plastic bag. You should remove the C-mount to T-threads
adapter (#7) from the main body as you may require it to guide with your particu-
lar autoguider.
The TOAG accommodates nearly any autoguider camera, but special attention
should be taken with the autoguider weight since the TOAG has a very nar-
Figure 1. Parts included with the TOAG
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with
a telescope – unless you have a proper solar filter installed over the
front of the telescope! Otherwise, permanent, irreversible eye damage
may result.

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row support base. We recommend using a compact autoguider, such as the
StarShoot AutoGuider or any guider the size of an eyepiece barrel. However
many other autoguider cameras with female T-threads or eyepiece male barrel
size are also appropriate.
Using the TOAG
1. Adjust the prism
2. Set the correct imaging camera and autoguider spacing
3. Determine what kind of setup you wish to use
1.1 Adjusting the Prism Position
It is important to set the pick-off prism to the proper position
Prism Tube Stabilization Setscrews
Since the initial release of the TOAG, we have added four prism tube stabiliza-
tion setscrews to eliminate any possible flexing of the guide camera relative to
the TOAG main body (Figure 2). No other thin off-axis guider on the market has
this unique stabilization feature. The four setscrews provide enhanced rigidity to
the prism tube and, thus, to the autoguider platform where the guide camera is
installed. These four setscrews are perpendicularly oriented relative to the other,
lateral setscrews that also serve to secure the prism tube to both the guider
platform and the TOAG main body. This cross-directional stabilization provides a
highly rigid, flexure-free unit to insure trouble-free guiding.
Center to Perimeter Adjustment
The pick-off prism should positioned be as close as possible toward the center
of the TOAG but without obstructing the light path to the main imaging camera.
If you can see the shadow of the prism on your images, you should move the
prism up and out of the light path.
To adjust the prism’s vertical position (Figure 3), first loosen the lower two prism
tube stabilization setscrews under the guider platform, facing the telescope side.
Use the included hex key to loosen each about half a turn. Then loosen the lat-
eral setscrew to the right of the lower two stabilization setscrews. Now the prism
tube should be able to be moved freely up or down. Set the correct position (see
Section 3) then re-tighten the three setscrews.
Note that you can move the prism tube relative to the guider platform a limited
amount by loosening the upper two prism tube stabilization setscrews and the
two lateral setscrews to the left and right of them. The top of the prism tube can
be sunk down slightly from the surface of the guider platform (see right-most
illustration of Figure 3), but care should be taken to avoid having the tube drop
down too far or slip out.
Optional Side-to-Side Adjustment (Transverse Adjustment)
The pick-off prism can be adjusted side-to-side a small distance, using the two
transverse adjustment thumbscrews (Figure 2). Turn both thumbscrews toward
or away from you to move the prism laterally (Figure 4). This is a great feature
when looking for a suitable guide star, as it allows having a virtual prism with
about twice the width of the original prism. This adjustment should only be done
Figure 3. Up-down, or center to perimeter adjustment.
Figure 2. Parts of the TOAG
Upper prism tube
stabilization setscrews Guider platform
T-threads
Setscrew Setscrew
Setscrew
Lower prism tube
stabilization setscrews
Transverse
adjustment
thumbscrews
Transverse adjustment
thumbscrew
Prism
tube
TOAG main body
Pickoff
prism
Figure 4. Side-to-side adjustment
To right (extreme position) To left (extreme position)

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Simple imaging trains are preferable to more complex ones. Simplicity means
fewer variables to control. Below you will find some examples that we consider
simple and that cover a diversity of use.
2.1.1. DSLR Camera and Autoguider
2.1.2. DSLR Camera with Coma Corrector
2.1.3. CCD Imaging Camera and Autoguider
2.1.1. DSLR Camera and Autoguider
This is probably the most common use of a TOAG as it allows it to be used with
a wide range of telescopes and DSLRs. Below we discuss mounting a Canon
DSLR body onto a telescope. Refer to the schematic in Figure 5.
Choose the Canon-camera compatible adapter (#3) from the supplied adapters.
Start by removing the DSLR objective lens, by pressing the objective release
button on the camera body to remove the lens.
Installing the Canon-camera compatible adapter is done the same way as install-
ing a lens. Rotate it until it clicks, just like the lens would do.
Now place the autoguider on the guide end of the TOAG. You can thread the
guide camera to the supplied C-mount to T-threads adapter (#7) if the autoguider
is compatible with C-mount threads, or alternatively you can thread the auto-
guider to the TOAG if it uses T-threads.
We have designed the TOAG so even autoguiders that are not compatible with
C-mount or T-threads can be used (if the autoguider has a 1.25" barrel). Simply
insert the camera barrel on the guide platform inside the ring of T-threads and
use the supplied hex key to secure it.
Insert the TOAG (the autoguider already installed) into the Canon-camera ring
so that the pick-off prism is centered between the Canon Ring “lips” (Figure 5).
This is important if you wish to use the side-to-side adjustment, as it requires
enough space to move the prism from one side to the other.
Spacers might be required to adjust the distance from the guide camera sensor
to the TOAG prism.
2.1.2. DSLR Camera with Coma Corrector
The TOAG is especially interesting when used in combination with a coma cor-
rector, which can improve star size and star shape on the edge of the image
frame.
As mentioned before, the correct distance between the coma corrector and the
camera sensor is important to achieve good results. Getting pinpoint star images
across the full frame depends on how well the correct distance is achieved.
This distance depends not only on the telescope f-ratio but also on the camera
make/model. In the example below, we use the MPCC III Coma Corrector (not
after setting the correct main camera and autoguider spacing and when looking
for a guide star.
1.2. Setting the Correct Main Camera and Autoguider Spacing
The main camera and autoguider must come to the same focus point to suc-
cessfully operate the TOAG. The imaging chip in your CCD or DSLR camera
and the detector in your autoguider must be equidistant to the focal plane of
your telescope. We suggest using the Orion T-thread Spacing Kit #05528 (not
included) to add spacing, if necessary, to achieve the required focus distance.
It may be necessary to add more than one spacer to the imaging end or to the
guide end.
Start by measuring the distance from the main camera sensor to the center of
the TOAG. The measured distance should then be applied to the same auto-
guider sensor as well.
2. Matching the Orion TOAG to Different
Imaging Trains
Once having successfully determined the required spacing between the main
camera and autoguider to the prism (both cameras are now equidistant), and
adjusted the pick-off prism depth, you are ready for the next step: preparing your
setup. Here are three examples to help you get started.
2.1. Basic Imaging Train Set-Up
An imaging train is usually composed of a main camera, the autoguider, the
TOAG and other useful accessories such as a filter wheel.
Figure 5. DSLR camera and eyepiece barrel-size autoguider
DSLR
camera
Canon ring
Stepdown ring
2" Nosepiece
adapter
C-Mount to
T-thread adapter
Eyepiece barrel
size guide camera

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included). This coma corrector is optimized for a working distance of 55mm for
an f-ratio of f/4.5.
Refer to Figures 1 and 6 as you do the following:
a. Start by removing the step-down ring (#5) from the TOAG and replace it
with the Coma Corrector Spacer (#6).
b. Prepare the MPCC III to be installed into the TOAG by removing the
T-ring and M48 flange from the MPCC as shown in Figure 7. The MPCC
now has M48-male threads exposed that can be threaded to the spacer.
c. Thread the MPCC to the TOAG body. The total distance from the
MPCC III to the camera sensor is now about 55.5mm (Figure 6b), within
the MPCC III specification.
d. The TOAG/Camera/Coma Corrector can now be installed in your
telescope’s focuser.
2.1.3. CCD Imaging Camera and Autoguider
(Using the StarShoot G3 and StarShoot AutoGuider as an example)
Dedicated CCD imaging cameras usually have fairly short back-focus require-
ments. This allows more flexibility when setting up the imaging train. Filter
wheels and other dedicated accessories are normally difficult to use with the
limited back-focus of Newtonian reflectors and normal off-axis guiders; an Orion
TOAG is thin enough to allow their use.
To adapt a CCD imaging camera to the TOAG:
a. The supplied Camera T-thread Adapter (#4) with its male T-threads
should be installed on the main camera (Figure 8).
b. The Camera T-thread Adapter lips should be parallel to the prism tube.
This allows the prism to freely move side-to-side if required. Place the
camera with the installed ring into the TOAG and tighten the two (lower)
lateral thumbscrews. It is important to keep the system as solid as
possible.
Figure 7. Removing the MPCC III T-threads adapter to expose the M48 threads.
Figure 6. a) DSLR Camera with TOAG and MPCC spacer, b) Coma-corrector at the
required distance to the camera sensor.
Figure 8. The camera adapter “lips” are shown parallel to the pick-off prism tube.
“Lips”
Prism
b.
a.

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c. Thread the StarShoot Autoguider onto the T-threads of the guider
platform and the TOAG body onto a filter wheel (if being used) or the
2" nosepiece adapter for attaching the unit to a telescope, as shown in
Figure 9.
3. Adjusting the Autoguider On the TOAG
When your main camera and autoguider are installed and the TOAG is con-
nected to your telescope, you are ready to adjust the distance between the auto-
guider and the TOAG.
How to Adjust the Autoguider Distance
Because the pick-up prism only intercepts a small portion of the light coming
from the telescope, finding a guide star without interfering with the main camera
view can sometimes be challenging. To familiarize yourself with an off-axis guider
we suggest that the initial distance adjustment should be set during daytime.
a. Start by focusing the main camera. Use the telescope’s focuser; we
suggest using a distant terrestrial object as target. This ensures that the
obtained focused image is at a focuser barrel position close to infinite
focus (star focus position).
b. Although the distance from the main camera to the TOAG is
approximately the same from the autoguider sensor to the center of the
TOAG you may need to refine this distance (using optional spacer rings).
c. Compare the obtained main camera image to the autoguider image.
The autoguider image might be out of focus. If so, loosen the upper
two prism tube stabilization setscrews and the two lateral setscrews
adjacent to them (refer to Figure 2). This allows you to move the guider
platform up or down a few millimeters – without moving the prism tube.
Move the guider platform up or
down until you reach focus (if
possible). Then re-tighten the
four setscrews.
d. If the focus is further in you
should add some spacing to
the main camera side. If it
is further out you will need
to add a spacer between
the guide platform and your
guide camera, as depicted in
Figure 10.
4. Debunking Off-
Axis Guider Myths
How Does Autoguider Focus Affect the Guiding Performance?
It is not required to get razor sharp focus with the autoguider camera. Most
autoguiders have a very small pixel size. The algorithm used for guiding takes
into account the centroid of the star. Some people even find that better results
are achieved when slightly defocused guide stars are used.
However one should try to get a fairly focused image so that the star flux is high
against the background. Autoguider sensitivity plays an important role in this
matter.
Off-Axis Guiders Are Less Sensitive than Guidescopes?
The answer is no and… yes. Yes, because you only get a tiny portion of the light
cone from the telescope. But then again you are getting the pick-off prism light
from a fairly larger aperture (telescope aperture) compared to what you would
get with a guidescope.
A 6" aperture telescope with an OAG will always show more guide stars than a
50mm guidescope.
Finding Suitable Stars with an Off-Axis Guider Is Difficult!
Autoguider sensitivity plays a major role in finding suitable guide stars, more
than the off-axis guider itself. There are more pros than cons with an OAG.
Telescope differential flexure is compensated only with an OAG. But there’s also
the camera, focuser, adapter flexure and any other variables between the OAG
and the telescope to consider. With the OAG all these variable are under control.
Figure 10. Adding a spacer to get
optimum distance
Figure 9. StarShoot G3 camera with StarShoot Autoguider

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One-Year Limited Warranty
This Orion product is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period
of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail
purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will repair or
replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defective, provided
it is returned postage paid. Proof of purchase (such as a copy of the original receipt) is
required. This warranty is only valid in the country of purchase.
This warranty does not apply if, in Orion’s judgment, the instrument has been abused,
mishandled, or modified, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights under
applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights governing
the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.
For further warranty information, please visit www.OrionTelescopes.com/warranty.
Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
Corporate Offices: 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 - USA
Customer Support: www.OrionTelescopes.com/contactus
Copyright © 2014 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
All Rights Reserved. No part of this product instruction or any of its contents may
be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of
Orion Telescopes & Binoculars.
5. Care and Storage
Be careful not to accidentally strike the delicate pick-off prism inside the guider.
If necessary, you may use a cotton swab with cleaning solution (approved for
multi-coated glass) to gently clean the surface of the prism.
The Orion TOAG, if treated with care, should last a lifetime. Store the TOAG in its
original packaging when not in use.