Autoguiding software and cameras

[peter_4059]

I've recently been trying some autoguiding software and quite like the functionality of Guidemaster. My only problem is it doesn't seem to recognise the DSI as a guide camera. It can be configured to use video for windows and directX and the website says it's compatible with the meade LPI. My question is - why doesn't it recognise the DSI and what (reasonably priced) camera do people recommend for autoguiding that would be compatible with Guidemaster?

[leon]

Peter your best bet would be to get a Philips Toucam 840 pro and use PHD guiding which is free as a download.

I have been using this set up to control my G11, and it works a treat.

Leon

[[1ponders]]

The ToUcam will also work with Guidemaster from memory.

[peter_4059]

I had a look for a toucam on the weekend but MSY didn't have any in stock. Where else can you get them? Also do you find it easy to get a guide star with the toucam in a 4" or smaller refractor? The neximage struggled in the field around M20.

[[1ponders]]

If your guidescope has adjustable guiderings, I've rarely had a problem finding a guidestar to guide on.

[[1ponders]]

Here ya go, supported cameras and interfaces
http://www.guidemaster.de/guidemaster_en.asp


You will find the plugins for the various cameras here
http://www.guidemaster.de/guidemaster_demo_en.asp

even support dmk. :thumbsup:

[peter_4059]

That's where I was heading SPC900NC for $145 or DMK21AU04.AS for $445?

[[1ponders]]

Hmmm...tough choice. Price or versatility? The ability to go longer than the ToUcam 1/25 (actually 1/5) sec is very useful. If you have the Readies then DMK, but you'll need a filter wheel and filters if you want to do planetary.

[AlexN]

If you're only going to use it for guiding, get the ToUcam. If you will use it to do some planetary photography, then the DMK is going to give better results... Also, the DMK is more sensitive than the ToUcam, so in a situation (like M20,) where there are few bright stars to guide off, the DMK will have a better chance of finding something than the Toucam.

Half way between them in price is the Orion Star Shoot Auto Guider. This camera connects to the PC via USB, comes with PHD guiding software and also has a ST4 port + cable to plug directly to your mount. This eliminates the need for a GPUSB, as the commands are sent via USB to the camera, then passed through the camera to the mount....

[peter_4059]

Already have the GPUSB and filter wheel although now I'm wondering if the DBK might be the way to go. Who sells the Orion Star Shoot?

[AlexN]

Sirius optics have them... $365.. (http://sirius-optics.com.au/ccd_image.htm)

If you already have the GPUSB, may as well go with an imaging source camera.. (although around here its not hard to sell a GPUSB :D)

The DMK will yeild better planetary images than a DBK.. But I suppose it depends on if you are going to use it for planetary images... If you get a DMK with the UV filter (or if you already have a 1.25" UV/IR block), it will be easier to adjust focus on stars for guiding.

[peter_4059]

Hmmm, think I've just about talked myself into an Imaging Source camera. Is there likely to be any difference in terms of Guidemaster support for the USB vs Firewire version?

Also the OSC camera is very appealing for planetary - anyone seen a comparison of mono with filters vs OSC for Jup/Saturn imaging?

[AlexN]

Mono with filters will produce a better planetary/lunar images with out a doubt.

There are reviews on this in the articles section of the site.

Go for the USB one, Its powered by the USB port where as the Firewire one has external power supply... :)

[AlexN]

just to add however, The mono will require 3 times the capture time and 3 times the processing in order to get the full result... Take that into account.

From what I understand the mono is more sensitive, so for guiding it will pick up fainter stars than the color versions will....

Those two bits of information make the decision harder in my opinion..
(Im looking at a DMK/DBK in the not too distant future..)

[[1ponders]]

I think Bintel sell the Orion Starshoot as well. I've been mucking around with a DFK over the past week and they are a lovely little camera to use, unfortunately they have a built in IR filter so if you are considering a OSC TIS camera I'd suggest the DBK and then supply your own IR filter.

[peter_4059]

Paul,

Any chance of checking whether the DBK works with Guidemaster and whether the exposure time can be changed? :help:

Pete.

[[1ponders]]

Unfortunately I don't have access to a DBK Pete, only a DMK and a DFK (for the next couple of days. Dennis has a DBK and he may be happy to help out, but I'm not confident the DFK and the DBK would work using the DMK plugins.

[Tandum]

If you already have a DSI try the PHD software. Will be a lot cheaper than a new camera. I use PHD with a DSI and have no problems with them.

[ozstockman]

MSY has Philips 900NCs listed for $83 on their (http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf)price list (http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf)

[peter_4059]

Thanks for the input. I'm planning to use my DSI for imaging so I'm looking for a second guide camera. Although MSY has the 900NC's listed they don't appear to have any in stock.

[g__day]

PHD works well with the DSI, its free, has a huge following and support base, and via ASCOM can drive many mounts.

www.stark-labs.com

[Ian Robinson]

I got my Starshoot Autoguider from Bintel.

Another new gizmo to learn to drive , as well as the Starbook and my new Atlux and the 40D ....:help:.... when I get my rebuilt 10" newt together, ... sometime in August or September at this stage. Steap learning curves ahead I think.

[peter_4059]

OK here's a question for the DSI guiders - what happens if you want to use DSI for imaging with Envisage and a second DSI for guiding using PHD? My understanding is that Envisage supports multiple cameras so will Envisage let you access the second DSI using PHD?

[Tandum]

Probably not. I use Envisage to focus my DSI and I think it grabs the camera and noone else can get it. I have it setup out back now, I'll check it out in a bit.

[edit]
PHD and Envisage both showed the image from the same camera but Envisage poped up and unknown error dialog box after I upped it's exposure time. I guess the camera is like me, it doesn't like more than one person telling it to do different things at the same time :) But maybe if you had 2 DSI's you could tell the guide cam to expose for the same time as PHD tells it to expose. Dunno how to get them to tell the camera at the same time though.

These guys might have some toucams -> http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/ Ring them tomorrow.