SGP v3 vs v4

[Saturn488]

I have been a long time SGP user and wanted to ask anyone who is on v4 and what are the main differences with v3 (other than it being 64-bit).

Personally the program does everything I need it to do which is the reason I am not upgrading to v4 and also want to avoid the subscription as well unless there is a major change in the software that is worth the upgrade.

Please don't start suggesting to go to NINA, this thread is about SGP. I am still learning to use NINA but I will be sticking with SGP for a while longer.

[jwoody]

I will be interested with your replies Chrys. I use SGP v2 and it does most things very well. I would be interested in the updated focus routines in v4 and also be able to use ASTAP, but like you the subscription model puts me off a little.

[The_bluester]

The subscription model is really the nub of it, at least for existing users who bought a license before the new model was announced. I used SGP a while back but abandoned it in favour of Voyager. Voyager costs more initially but costs less to renew and at least with Voyager I knew I was getting in to a subscription model from the outset.

I moved because SGP would not focus my SCT well and reliably, something that a user configurable settle time between focuser moves and focus images would have fixed but the response from the devs to requests from a few SCT users amounted to "Make your telescope work properly" as though you can actually "Fix" the time it takes an SCT mirror stop moving after a focuser move. I had already jumped ship but the move to a subscription model would have pushed me out the door. The trick to "Software as a service" is that your users have to feel they are getting a good service and "Make your telescope work properly" got my nose out of joint even as a pay once user.

Funny enough Voyager does not have a configurable settle time either, but it must delay the focus image after each mirror move by just enough that the mirror had time to stop moving and it's focus performance ran rings around SGP. I don't use the SCT any more and use a different focus routine in Voyager now which is even better, around 2 minutes for either a broadband or narrowband focus run including slews to and from a focus star.