CCDsoft questions.

[AlexN]

I was wondering... I have a copy of CCDSoft that I was given when I bought my QHY8, the previous owner stated he liked CCDSoft, however didnt require it any more, so he passed his copy to me.

I've been reading the manual, and BOY does it have some nice features. But what the manual does not cover, is if it would support my QHY8 for imaging, DBK31 or a QHY5 for auto guiding..

Another important thing is the @focus feature. Will auto-focus work, using my moonlite motorized focusers with a shoestring USB focuser controller.

I would definitely like to be using CCDsoft given its extensive feature set..


Any info greatly appreciated.

oh - I use The Sky 6 pro for telescope control, I am working on getting T-point as well for increased pointing accuracy. (although I dont know if that will work with EQ6+EQMOD)

Cheers.
Alex.

[Dennis]

Hi Alex

I suspect that CCDSoft will not work out-of-the-box with CCD cameras other than from SBIG. However, I understand that there are some 3rd party Drivers for certain non-SBIG camera models and these can be “plugged in” to CCDSoft to allow the non-SBIG hardware to work.

So, the big question is, “is there a 3rd Party CCDSoft Driver for those cameras you have listed”?

CCDSoft is a superb piece of software. I can’t answer your question about @focus as I’ve never used this function.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Alex

As an example, here is a link to QSI for a QSI plug-in (http://www.qsimaging.com/software.html)for CCDSoft.

You’re in luck for the QHY8 – here is a link (until Dec 15th only) for a CCDSoft Driver for the QHY8 (http://www.astrosoft.be/release.asp)and it appears that one is under development for the QHY5 too.

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

thanks dennis! I've been perusing the 400 odd page manual for ccdsoft and think overall it looks brilliant. I.ll search around on the net to see if the focuser will work or if i.ll have to do it the old fashioned way.. Cheers. Alex

[gbeal]

Alex,
as Dennis has pointed out there is a "Tom" driver for the QHY8/CCDSoft. Ditto for the QHY5.
They won't be there much longer though as Tom is shutting up shop.
I use mine with maxim, same way, Tom's drivers. Not sure about @focus, but in my (Maxim/Feather Touch/Ascom) case, FocusMax works a treat. Can't beat auto-focus.
Gary