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Old 29-09-2007, 07:16 AM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Autoguiding Requirements - What Do I Need!!??

Hi All,
I'm looking to get into the autoguiding thing with my EQ5 SynScan(V3.10) GoTo mount.

I hope to be using a Lumicon Easy Guider, Toucam ProII 840k, PHD on a recent model Toshiba laptop (USB 2.0 and 1 Parallel port).

Will I need anything else (apart from cables) to get started?

I have 1 cable that came with the mount which fits the autoguider port - it has a parallel port connection at the other end. Any good?
I think it is used to update firmware on the hand controller.
Is a GPUSB guide port interface adapter necessary?
Cheers
Doug
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Old 29-09-2007, 10:28 AM
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h0ughy (David)
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Is a GPUSB guide port interface adapter necessary?
yes
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Old 29-09-2007, 12:07 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Thanks Houghy - another item added to the list!!
Cheers
Doug
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Old 29-09-2007, 12:18 PM
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Quote:
Autoguiding Requirements - What Do I Need!!??
A lot of patience.


What are you going to be imaging through?
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Old 29-09-2007, 12:36 PM
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acropolite (Phil)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dugnsuz http://www.iceinspace.com.au/vbiis/i...s/viewpost.gif
Is a GPUSB guide port interface adapter necessary?
yes
The GPintPT is a parallel port guide adapter and should work as well.
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Old 29-09-2007, 01:27 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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A lot of patience.


What are you going to be imaging through?
ED80 Paul
Cheers
Doug
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Old 29-09-2007, 07:44 PM
Alchemy (Clive)
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will the 840k be modified? would question what mag star u could use, perhaps others could advise.

i use mine on a 1-2 sec time loop (modded) have yet to have problem with a guidestar, i find the brighter the star the better the guiding, though i guess all systems will guide if you can see it,
ive downloaded phd because it has ability to use dmk for guiding but havent used it yet, up til now have used guidedog + 840kwith shoestring usb adapter which works brilliantly(exept no dmk unless theyve released new edition)

i trawled through previous posts with regard to easy guider for my own use, comments were made about stars being prone to coma etc,or harder to find...again others can advise.


dont take my comments as negative, just better to consider all the requirements before you spend.

cheers AL
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Old 29-09-2007, 07:56 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Thanks Al, I'll do as much research as I can before laying down the cash!
So far I've ordered the Toucam 840k (wont be modded - only needed for guiding) and a Mogg adapter. The shoestring usb box will be next.
That way I've got a "system" to try out - I'll get the ED80 to autoguide my piggybacked 40D!!!! Sledgehammer to crack a walnut - but it should start me off on the learning curve. I'll hit the forums re off axis guiding/autoguiding.
Cheers
Doug
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Old 30-09-2007, 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by acropolite View Post
The GPintPT is a parallel port guide adapter and should work as well.
And I have a spare unit available if you want to go this route, plus the associated cable.
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Old 30-09-2007, 08:34 AM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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And I have a spare unit available if you want to go this route, plus the associated cable.
Thanks for the offer John, but I've already sourced a 2nd hand USB unit
Cheers
Doug
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Old 04-10-2007, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by dugnsuz View Post
So far I've ordered the Toucam 840k (wont be modded - only needed for guiding) and a Mogg adapter. ....
Hi Doug,

I used to autoguide with an unmodded Toucam 840k but ended up buying a modded version of it. Unmodded camera is not capable for a long exposure shoots as it has a maximum of 1/50 sec shutter speed. It means that you'll be able to take pictures of only those DSOs that have a very bright star. For me it's the only one and it's Lagoon nebula.

With a modded one there are a lot of others it can track in autoguiding software.

cheers,

Michael
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Old 04-10-2007, 04:18 PM
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Hi Doug,

I used to autoguide with an unmodded Toucam 840k but ended up buying a modded version of it. Unmodded camera is not capable for a long exposure shoots as it has a maximum of 1/50 sec shutter speed. It means that you'll be able to take pictures of only those DSOs that have a very bright star. For me it's the only one and it's Lagoon nebula.

With a modded one there are a lot of others it can track in autoguiding software.

cheers,

Michael
What magnitude stars will an unmodded webcam be able to work with?
Cheers
Doug
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Old 04-10-2007, 06:19 PM
ozstockman (Mike)
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What magnitude stars will an unmodded webcam be able to work with?
Cheers
Doug
I have never cheked a magintude value of the brightest star for the DSOs I took picture of but here it says:

Quote:
Many webcams have a limited exposure time that sets the lower limit on how dim a guide star can be
used. With an unmodified Toucam, I can easily guide on a magnitude 7 star using an 80mm refractor as

a guide scope or on a magnitude 9 star with a 203mm Schmidt-Cassegrain guide scope.
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Old 04-10-2007, 06:26 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Quote:
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I have never cheked a magintude value of the brightest star for the DSOs I took picture of but here it says:
Thanks Michael,
I'm breathing again!! Mag 7 is not too bad - I'll be guiding through a 80mm AOE refractor.
Cheers
Doug
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