Guiding Software

[mick pinner]

what guiding software are you guys using? good points, bad points if any and are there any limitations on types of cameras or auto guiders with certain software?

[JohnG]

I suppose I will get this thread underway. First off, what are you looking to do, have you any specific thoughts in mind ie OAG or guidescope, LPI< DSI< Nexstar, proper CCD etc.

I use an SBIG ST-4, it is a completely stand alone setup although I do run a cable to a computer and have CCDSoft installed, I only use it to focus occassionally. Availability, you may be able to pick one up second hand, no longer produced. Good points, it is the complete stand alone package, excellent guiding and probably one of the best autoguiders produced, the only downer is that it draws about 2 amps of power so could be a problem in the field, bit of a learning curve. Once the ST-4 is locked on and tracking you can leave go all night and it will not lose the guidestar (weather permitting ofcourse).

I have used an LPI but have always gone back to the ST-4. The LPI will use GuideDog (free), GuideMaster (free) although to use long exposure mode you do need to load .Net 2 and DirectX 9.0 and above and there is also K3CCDTools (not free). I am led to believe that there are a couple of other programs now available to use the Meade DSI as an autoguider.

Hope that helps a little.

Cheers

JohnG

EDIT: this shot http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=13660&d=1150680200 is 5 x 400 seconds guided with the ST-4, shows what I consider to be excellent tracking of that period of time, just over 33 minutes total.

[Striker]

I am using the Sbig ST-402XME for a guide camera as recommended by Eddie Trimarchi...very expensive but needed in my light poluted skies....guide software is CCDSOFT.

I too think its the best guide camera available with a much larger fov then the ST-4 with more sensativity.....all the better to find guide stars....it is not stand alone like the ST-4 so is perfect for me with a permanant set up...I also hate all the cables with the stand alone units....but saying this the ST-4 would probably be the most popular guide camera ever made for dedicated astronomers.....it is also getting a bit out dated now.

Good points on the 402XME...very sensative with the large chip.
Bad point......Very expensive for just a guide camera

I have tried the Sac-mintron, LPI, Toucam, Sac 4.2 and all are below par to guide with compared to the St402XME unless your at a dark site or have a bright star to guide on.

I dont want to push this camera as I feal it is way to much money to pay for just a guide camera but I will never bother with a cheap modded toy web cam again.

Guidemaster is a great free program for guiding..worth a try.

Here is a comparison shot I did of the same area with a toucam and the ST-402XME....the ST is 1sec exposure..the toucam is at it's longest exposure 1/25th second.

I also tried the LPI at 15 second exposures...could hardly see anything through all the noise...even at 15 second exposures it showed as much as the ST402XME could do in a 1/4 of a second exposure.

Ok I am finished bragging about the Sbig.....maybe the Meade DSI could be a good guide camera..????

[Dennis]

I use CCDSoft with my ST7E and it is a very nice program. It is "imaging centric" which means that it is natural to use and has the necessary features and functions and can run all night long. I believe it can only be used on SBIG ccd cameras?

Cheers

Dennis

[alandee]

It all comes down to budget. I'd love a Yankee Robotics self guiding beast @ USD 10K :) or an SBIG at USD 4k, but can't justify the expense until we move and build our observatory. In the meantime I use a DSI and find it gives me good enough results, the LPI I used previously was pretty naff.

So many choices ...

[gbeal]

Hi Mick,
I am scrooge personafied, and use the ToUcam (same one as I use for planetary), and K3 CCD Tools.
I tried IRIS, and couldn't get the darn thing to go properly, so bit the bullet and bought K3. It works well.
With the ToUcam, you need decent guidescope rings. I tried with some homebrew ones, but they didn't allow enough movement when looking for a suitable guidestar, so sprung for some Losmandy ones. Perfect.
I believe the SBIG stuff is far superior, but on a budget, the ToUcam works.
Gary

[mick pinner]

l am going to try and use my Mintron camera, similar to the Stellacam, l was wondering if all software will accept this camera.
The camera is very sensitive and will guide through the ZS 80.

[gbeal]

If it gives an image in K3, or maybe IRIS, then I can't see why not. Try it.