one more update on this
i've still been working on unguided imaging @844mm focal length (about 1 arcsec/pix resolution)
this is 80x300sec Ha filter of M81, totally unguided on my G11
processing is just calibration and registration of images, no cropping, a bit of stretching and a little HDRMT for the core (wanted to confirm i could see the dust lanes)
visually an unremarkable image, but technically i think it reinforces how good the stock G11 can perform