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View Full Version here: : DSI autoguiding software

Rigel003
04-10-2006, 12:07 PM
After reading Eric's "how to" article on using the DSI with Meade's Envisage and LX200 emulator software, decided there must be an easier way and looked around for another solution for non-Meade mounts.

Discovered PHD Guiding has a new (stable) pre-release version with DSI support.

http://www.stark-labs.com/phdguiding.html

Tried it for the 1st time last night. Selected the DSI and Shoestring adapter (GPUSB) from dropdown lists and pushed the Guide button. A short automatic calibration routine and then everything worked perfectly straight up. Highly recommended.
h0ughy
04-10-2006, 12:10 PM
would that work with a toucam and a eq6 mount?
Rigel003
04-10-2006, 12:18 PM
I would think so - says it supports long and short exposure webcams. If you have a toucam without the long exposure mod, the problem would be a limitation to bright guide stars.
EzyStyles
04-10-2006, 02:26 PM
very interesting graeme thanks for the info. so it wouldnt need guidestar and hw virtual serial port?
Rigel003
04-10-2006, 03:53 PM
Nope. Just PHD Guiding which works directly with the DSI and Shoestring GPUSB.

I did have to install Microsoft .NET 2.0. After that it was plain sailing - which is just as well. I'm not too computer literate. It's freeware, by the way.
allan gould
04-10-2006, 10:12 PM
Just downloaded and activated it. Works excellently with DSI and Toucam.
JohnH
04-10-2006, 10:14 PM
Drives my Sphinx via ASCOM and using the Orion Star Shoot, it is simple to use and works well...plus Craig Stark is very happy to help users out if you have issues. Check out the AUTOGUIDING group on Yahoo...
allan gould
05-10-2006, 09:40 AM
In relation to guiding, if you have a webcam both Guidemaster and PHD guiding work excellently. I was surprised by the both of these programs to be able to register with faint stars as they appear to stack the number of images taken during the guidetime to give better amplification of the guide star. Guidemaster is now very stable with a new version (1.8.100) at http://www.guidemaster.de/guidemaster_demo_en.asp
Regards, Allan
JohnH
05-10-2006, 10:46 AM
In the rush of advice about simpler autoguiding solutions one of the key advantages of the LX200 emulation solution has been missed. If you are using a DSI this means you can use Envisage - that is you can stack/accumulate/track/drizzle etc using the Meade software - with only a single camera in place and without having to use a Meade scope...