The first is a Wide Field-of-View (FoV) rig based upon a refractor with a 264mm focal length; the second is an Intermediate FoV rig based upon a refractor with a 444mm focal length; the third is a Narrower FoV rig based upon a telescope with a 1000mm focal length.

Mount: A Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount is used most often with this telescope. The AZ-EQ6 mount is more robust and a better engineered product compared to the more popular Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount. Note that a third counterweight is required to balance the weight of the Mak-Newt on the AZ-EQ6 mount. Though not ideal, the ZWO AM5 mount is capable of supporting the heavy Mak-Newt telescope and will produce excellent guiding results. However, moderate-to-strong winds will adversely impact the AM5 mount's ability to accurately guide and hence the image quality is also impacted.

Camera(s): Two different dedicated astro-cameras are used on this astrophotography rig. The ZWO ASI533MC Pro camera which is a One-Shot Color (OSC) camera, and the ZWO ASI533MM Pro which is a monochrome camera. Both cameras are fitted with an internal Peltier cooler to lower the temperature of the imaging sensor. Cooling has two benefits -- reducing thermal noise in the image, and enabling repeat imaging at the same temperature, say at −10°C.

Filters: A Baader UV/IR cut luminance filter is used with these dedicated astro-cameras to mitigate the effect of stars "blooming" due to the sensitivity of such cameras to IR light. An Optolong L-eXtreme dual band filter is sometimes used to image emission nebulae with the OSC camera. A Baader Bessel-V Photometric Filter is used to image stars and supernovae with the ASI533MM Pro camera where an accurate magnitude measurement is required. And a Baader H-alpha Narrowband CMOS Optimised 6.5nm Filter is occasionally used to image emission nebulae and other objects with the ASI533MM Pro camera. A ZWO Filter Drawer is used to easily install and remove filters.

Focuser: The ZWO Electronic Automatic Focuser (EAF) is fitted to the telescope to enable automatic high-precision focussing.

Guide Scope: A basic 60mm Guide Scope (60mm f/4.0) is a low-cost solution for this astrophotography rig. A ZWO ASI290MM Mini guide camera fitted into a Celestron 2X Barlow Lens completes the guiding sub-system.

Storage: Images captured during an imaging session are recorded onto a Samsung T5 512Gb Portable SSD connected to a USB-3 port on the ASIAIR. The SSD is easily removed and connected to a desktop computer to transfer, backup and enhance images.

Imaging Control System: A ZWO ASIAIR Plus (or Pro model) is used to control all aspects of an imaging session. The ASIAIR is a revolutionary product that has greatly simplified and automated astrophotography. This innovative device assists with polar alignment, focuses the telescope, slews the telescope to celestial objects in its massive database, plate solves the image to ensure the intended target is centered in the field of view, guides the telescope by sending corrective pulses from the guide scope to the mount, and either takes and displays images in real-time using live stacking, or automates planned imaging runs overnight. The ASIAIR is a great option whether used at home or at a remote site when a power-hungry laptop is either an undesirable option and/or too cumbersome. The ASIAIR is controlled over WiFi using the free ASIAIR app on either an IOS or Android device. An iPad or a tablet with a large screen is best, although smart phones also work just fine.

Cables: An EQMOD cable is used to connect the ASIAIR to the AZ-EQ-6 mount. An assortment of 12V power cables and USB cables are used to connect the various components. These cables are included with the ASIAIR and ZWO cameras. It's a good idea to purchase additional shorter cables if necessary as well as Velcro strips to facilitate cable management and to prevent equipment damage from cable snags.

Power Management: A Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Advance is used to manage the power cables and to distribute 12V or 5V power to all the components on the astrophotography rig.

Power Station: A Sunovo 504Wh portable power station is used to power the astrophotography rig. Power is provided to the Pegasus Powerbox Advance from either a single 12V cable connected to a 10A port on the power station or from a 12V/10A AC/DC Power Supply unit plugged into the power station. If required, power can also be provided to an external Samsung Smart Monitor to display images during Astronomy outreach events. The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500 (518Wh) is essentially identical to the Sunovo unit and more readily available.