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Old 03-12-2007, 10:41 AM
jase (Jason)
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 3,916
Matt,
Its hard to beat the capabilities of MaximDL when it comes to guiding and guiding analysis. The flexibility and features offered is impressive. Items such auto-darks, automatic star selection, calibration timers, min and max move settings etc, make it a very complete package. Most of the advanced features I leave alone.

However for the ultimate, I recommend using MaximDL in combination with ACP. ACP sits on top of MaximDL and exploits MaximDL's guider scripting features. It builds upon MaximDL's features and provides "Adaptive Autoguiding" - http://acp.dc3.com/autoguiding.html

I haven't had a guiding problem when using 20 or 30min subs, but with the fast FSQ at F/5, I typically image filtered luminance using 15min subs. Ha is the only time I'll go deeper to boost S/N ratios.

I should note that there are no automated tools to solve all your auto guiding woes. You'll still need to take the time to analyse guider graphs and correlate worm cycle position etc. Once you've got general settings under control, only then will additional software enhance your auto guiding method.

At 2300mm focal length, you're probably on the boarder line for on axis guiding. Are you doing this? This was the only way I could successfully guide my previous C11 @ 2800mm. Mirror flop etc was simply too hard to counteract when using a separate guide scope. As I used the STL11k with integrated guide chip, it wasn't too difficult to guide on axis. You may need to look at an off axis solution with a "pick off" prism. I suspect only then will reach your desired goal. Keep in mind that guide star selection for on axis solutions at such long focal lengths can be frustrating - field of view is small and stars a typically dim. You'll probably want a camera that can be binned to boost sensitivity.

Last edited by jase; 03-12-2007 at 10:52 AM. Reason: EDIT - on axis guiding.
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