Yeah, us "2 minute experts" can be really annoying... Especially the ones who actually do have a fair idea what they are talking about. The ones who research the net for weeks before making decisions based on the marketing of a product etc etc.
Like I said previously Doug, Im not saying the QHY9 is not a good
camera. I also never said the QHY filter wheel was not good. And to be fair, One of the best imagers I know uses a QHY9 to produce amazing, award winning images.
That said, there are a lot of problems with them, whether or not these problems get sorted out in a timely fashion is not at question. its whether the problem was there in the first place..
Now, all I did, was make a comparison based on my personal experience.
I'm wondering, because I've not been on the forums since 2006, and have only been into astronomy for a relatively short amount of time, does that make my personal experience less worthy of consideration in your opinion?
In my, unvalued and probably insignificant, personal experience, the QHY camera that I have owned was not as well built, fully featured or reliable as the SBIG camera's I've owned.. I'm sorry you disagree Doug, but I really don't like the whole "2 minute expert" comment... Its rather condescending and completely unnecessary.
A couple of threads for your consideration.
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=1247.0
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=1262.0
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=1589.0
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=1264.0
And my favorite, the DIY electronics repair..
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=1729.0
No user should have to open a camera up to clean up the factory soldering mishaps.. It just shouldn't ever be necessary..
Granted, Theo does a lot more thorough testing of the cameras he sells, and your chances of getting something like that here are low, however how did that camera make it out of the factory??
Theo's support and service is fantastic, and its unlikely that you will have a problem with a camera you buy from him...
Kind regards.
Ps. All current SBIG CFW's will work with the ST8300, The CFW9 and CFW10 may cause vignetting depending on the optical system used.. The FW8-STL CFW will work, but it will require a custom adapter... Precise parts could easily make up the adapter...