DSI or QHY5 for auto guiding

niko · #1 05-06-2009, 01:29 PM

In a somewhat related query to the LPI v DSI for imaging question mine is....

2 secondhand cameras for the same price - a DSI and a QHY5 which would be better for guiding. I have ED80 set up with a smaller guidescope. I had thought the DSI might be good for planetry imaging as well but am I trying to make something do 2 things when I should be focussing on one task. DSO photographs taken with Canon 350D. So, should I just concentrate on that and use a 2" barlow for planets with that if I want. Or, will both be okay for planets.

Am keen not to keep both sellers hanging on so any advice greatly appreciated.

cheers

niko

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #2 05-06-2009, 04:10 PM

Flip a coin... they are both worthy contenders. but like you said they arnt planetary imagers! like i have said before a 120y Datto will never beat a vz super car around a race track! so why try to make it.?

Bassnut (Fred) · #3 05-06-2009, 06:09 PM

The QHY5 (mono) is way better for guiding, its made for it, and has a guide port. Planetary with an ED80 even with a barlow ??, nup, forget it.

Karls48 (Karl) · #4 07-06-2009, 11:06 AM

QHY5 is better choice - it got wider FOV and is lighter and smaller then DSI. It also plugs in to HEQ5 and EQ6 mounts without any additional bits required.
DSI PRO is OK to use if you got Meade Autostar controlled mount.

bert (Brett) · #5 07-06-2009, 09:09 PM

Qhy5 without a doubt. Its a much larger chip, its very sensitive and you dont have to worry about gpusb and associated stuff. Its also a lot neater.

Brett

Chippy (Nick) · #6 07-06-2009, 09:42 PM

Yep, QHY5 is definitely the go. I have seen it used for planetary with some pretty reasonable results too, although you would of course need a scope with a much longer FL than your ED80, and it's not intended for that use.

The DSI pro is not really suited for planetary imaging anyway due to its interlaced scanning, although it can be done with some work.

niko · #7 08-06-2009, 02:53 PM

thanks everyone!!

Hagar (Doug) · #8 08-06-2009, 04:54 PM

Hi Niko.... The choice is yours. Having had both I can say a few things.
1. The DSI is a bit more sensitive and does show more stars in the field of view.
2. The DSI will require you to get an interface for guiding. (Shoe string GPUSB) or similar to interface with the ST4 guide port.
3. The QHY5 is made for guiding and does not require an interface. (frees up a USB port)

Neither of these cameras make a particularly good planetary camera.

Both will work faultlessly with most guiding applications.

As I said your decision.