ICEINSPACE
Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waning Gibbous 90.8%
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23-03-2014, 01:45 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 316
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Lodestar or Qhy5l-ii or ...??
Hi All,
I've recently added a TS oag9 into my image train and as expected my trusty old Qhy5 just isn't sensitive enough.
Now I know it's been done to death, but is the Lodestar (or STi, but too expeno) really the be-all and end-all when it comes to autoguiders?
I've read a few good things about the Qhy5l-ii on here and at CN. At half the price of a Lodestar it's very tempting, I'm just not sure if it's worth the risk. And would it even suit my current set up?
I know the Lodestar will work, but it would be good to hear from people who use or have used the Qhy5l-ii, or any other guider for that matter with a similar set up to mine, and how they found it's performance. At the moment I'm running a GSO Rc 6" reduced down to about F6/900mm.
Thanks guys,
Chris
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23-03-2014, 02:25 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW Australia
Posts: 33,160
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you can add the ASI120mM to that list as well. I have all of them. the asi is more friendly and can be used for planetary work later, then the loadstar then the QHY52
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23-03-2014, 02:43 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 316
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Thanks, Houghy. I did consider the Asi, but like my Qhy5 it's quite bulk compared to the Lodestar and qhy5l-ii, and as my oag is attached to my wheel space is already pretty tight!
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23-03-2014, 02:45 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 4,485
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h0ughy
you can add the ASI120mM to that list as well. I have all of them. the asi is more friendly and can be used for planetary work later, then the loadstar then the QHY52
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+1 for what H0ughy said.
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23-03-2014, 05:38 PM
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Brett P
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Dayboro
Posts: 567
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My QH5L-II mono has been fine. picks up guidestars reliably and that's all I wanted it for. Didn't see the need to spend double on the lodestar which I am sure are very good but pricey.
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23-03-2014, 07:47 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 316
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How long do you have to expose for Brett? With my Qhy5 I have to push it out to 5 seconds..
And doesn't the ASI and Qhy5l-ii use the same sensor? If so should I assume they perform pretty much the same?
Cheers
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23-03-2014, 10:17 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Posts: 88
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I am using my QHY5L-ii with Metaguide with a 125ms exposure (8 frames per seconds) and able to use it in my OAG at prime focus of my C9.25HD.
It fits nicely into the 1.25" barrel on the OAG.
cheers,
Bram
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24-03-2014, 08:06 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1,638
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Is the ST-i really that more expensive compared to Lodestar? When I was in the market, they were about the same price?
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24-03-2014, 08:38 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 316
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Cheers, Bram. That's the sort of info I was after
And Logan, the Sti through the Aussie dealer is about $70 more than the lodestar, which itself was reeeeally pushing the budget. A UK seller can do the lodestar for $200 delivered to my door.. Decisions decisions
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24-03-2014, 09:19 PM
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Country living & viewing
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Armidale
Posts: 2,789
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris85
Cheers, Bram. That's the sort of info I was after
And Logan, the Sti through the Aussie dealer is about $70 more than the lodestar, which itself was reeeeally pushing the budget. A UK seller can do the lodestar for $200 delivered to my door.. Decisions decisions
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Are you sure that you can get a new lodestar for $200 from the UK? This sounds like a "scam only" price.
Be very carefull.
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24-03-2014, 09:44 PM
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Really just a beginner
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 3,033
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On the basis of after-sales service, I'd recommend a lodestar. I sent mine back after email discussions with Starlight xpress about 3 weeks. I emailed them today to ask if it had arrived and how long repairs might take - they said they'd mailed it back already 10 days ago! Might be back in time for this new moon - unfortunately I don't think the weather will oblige...
DT
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24-03-2014, 09:45 PM
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Old Man Yells at Cloud
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Rockingham WA
Posts: 3,435
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Yes be careful, all the reputable UK dealers I've bought from list Lodestars for 385 pounds, approx 700 Aussie. Minus the VAT would bring it down to about 560.
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24-03-2014, 10:04 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 316
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Sorry, $200 less.. Stupid phone
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24-03-2014, 10:08 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 316
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Exactly Simon, I was quoted £332 derived which is around the $600 mark which is $200 less than the local dealer without delivery.
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25-03-2014, 05:45 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ellesmere, Qld
Posts: 208
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Lodestars for sure! Got 5 of them all from AEC in SA ~$700 incl freight. Even bought a Takky 180 ED Epsilon from him too. SX have proved themselves for many decades and the Yahoo user group is great for help and suggestions.
Jim
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25-03-2014, 05:54 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1,638
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I see new, SBIG ST-is listed in Asia for around $652 Australian... just saying. There are other alternatives out there
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26-03-2014, 04:55 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 316
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Jim, AEC quoted me $798+ postage, so not that cheap atm unfortunately. The lodestar is looking pretty good so far, however I just don't think I'll be buying in Aus. Not the best thing to do, but we're counting pennies these days!
Logan, apart from the SBIG, what other alternatives are there? As I said I'm after the compactness of the Lodestar /Qhy5l-ii. Have you heard much about the Moravian g0-0300? Also are you able to pm me where you seen that Sti listed?
Chris
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26-03-2014, 05:11 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Posts: 88
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Hi Chris, you could buy a QHY5L-ii ($370 incl post at gamma electronics or ~$250 ex. post from http://www.tan14.com/gears.htm) and put it in your setup.
Run with it for a couple of weeks and see if it does the trick.
You can easily sell it for ~$50 less than the new price and get one of the others.
cheers,
Bram
PS. I have no financial links to either company
Last edited by torsion; 26-03-2014 at 05:13 PM.
Reason: added PS.
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26-03-2014, 05:27 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 1,307
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You've got the option for Lodestar from Peter Tan or OptCorp also.
http://www.tan14.com/Others.htm
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31-03-2014, 06:59 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Box Hill North, Vic
Posts: 1,837
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Hi
Ive used the qhy5l2 mono on the ts9 oag and had no issues with guide stars, but this was on a 10inch f4.
Since yours is a 6inch rc, you'll need a sensitive cam.
I changed to the lodestar as the fov is slightly bigger with the slightly bigger chip compared to the qhy and pixels are almost twice the size .
I bought the qhy5L2 brand new and did have some teething usb/ driver issues. it did work fine after that.
The lodestar on the other hand has worked flawlessly from day1. I dont have a direct comparison but as someone mentioned, try it, if its not sensitive or wide enough for your rc, sell it and get a lodestar. I got mine from teleskop express cause I was buying otherstuff.
You cant do video or planetary with the lodestar which is one downside
And get the 1.25" to c mount adaptor for the lodestar if youre getting it. Ensures a flex free fit.
Other downside to the lodestar is the st4 connector. Easily fixed by strapping the cable to the body.
If I were to choose again, it'll be the lodestar without hesitation.
Cheers
Alistair
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