Sequence Generator Pro and CCD Commander

[Octane (Humayun)]

Fans of this software,

Are you able to confirm for me whether the software supports the STL-11000M with an SBIG Remote Guide Head? Specifically: will PHD recognise and support the RGH while it's plugged into the main unit? Or, am I going to have to use my QHY5 or ST-4 for guiding?

Now that I've got a makeshift observatory in the backyard, I would like to engage in unattended imaging.

While ACP and CCDAP and CCDC do all the things I require, they cost an absolute fortune. ACP costs $700 US for the basic license, alone. I know it's a pittance compared to what I've spent on hardware, but, I can't justify it at the moment.

For $99, you can't go too far wrong, with all the things SGP offers. I know the other three bits of software are all-inclusive, feature-rich, automation behemoths, and, I probably can't really compare a $100 bit of software to them, but, from all I've read, it looks like it will do what I need, for now.

Anyone?

Thanks.

H

[Octane (Humayun)]

Got in touch with the authors directly. One of the authors has exactly this configuration. He described how to get it working.

Will buy.

H

[allan gould]

Well done H. You will find them very quick to respond to problems and suggestions with new abilities and details being added all the time.
Enjoy it as I'm a confessed convert and can't see myself ever switching to any other control software.
Allan

[stanlite (Grady)]

Yeah SGP is pretty madhouse and i just noticed that it now caches mosaics so you can organize those for offline sites now... i have some plans for astrofest i do.

i really haven't been able to fault the program in the 3years since i got it, makes astro photo capture almost like cheating.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by stanlite

Yeah SGP is pretty madhouse and i just noticed that it now caches mosaics so you can organize those for offline sites now... i have some plans for astrofest i do.

i really haven't been able to fault the program in the 3years since i got it, makes astro photo capture almost like cheating.

i expect some lessons then Grady

[stanlite (Grady)]

dear god david ... is any software really designed for your level of ... technology

i shall prepare some light reading material for your and i to go over

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by stanlite

dear god david ... is any software really designed for your level of ... technology

i shall prepare some light reading material for your and i to go over

well maybe - just wish to drive two cameras and a mount i bought mine ages ago but haven't loaded it yet

[stanlite (Grady)]

We'll in that case make sure you load and register it before you come up

[Octane (Humayun)]

I'm also looking at CCD Commander. It's $99 and will control all the stuff I need to.

I'm torn!

The thing that seals the deal for me, though, is not having to use PHD for guiding. I used it for years, but, since I've gone CCD and have been spoilt by self-guiding and using MaxIm DL, I'd prefer not to switch.

Stan and Allan, does SGP happily work with PinPoint LE, or does it require the full version?

H

[alistairsam]

Originally Posted by Octane

I'm also looking at CCD Commander. It's $99 and will control all the stuff I need to.

I'm torn!

The thing that seals the deal for me, though, is not having to use PHD for guiding. I used it for years, but, since I've gone CCD and have been spoilt by self-guiding and using MaxIm DL, I'd prefer not to switch.

Stan and Allan, does SGP happily work with PinPoint LE, or does it require the full version?

H

Thats my issue as well, after guiding with Maxim, its a bit hard going to phd, for me atleast.

I think SGP works with Elbrus and pinpoint full version.
The new version of Maxim has some nice features.

Alistair

[Octane (Humayun)]

I feel your pain!

I might just have to trial them all out and see what I'm comfortable with.

I suspect I will be at home with MaxIm DL...

H

[alistairsam]

Whilst you contemplate, have you tried MaxPilote?
It does everything under the sun and its free.
The author keeps adding features on request from users.
Does the entire lot for automation.
http://www.felopaul.com/software.htm
Its more homebrew but gets the job done.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Alistair,

I read a few people mention it in threads across the web, but, I didn't actually go the site.p Having a look now! Thanks.

H

[stanlite (Grady)]

H

SGP doesn't work (at the moment) with PinPoint LE as far as i know only full version of Pinpoint (which i use). SGP comes with a built in elbrus installer to install elbrus a free plate solver (which i know Allan uses without issue).

One of the benefits of SPG i like (but have yet to use extensively) is the mosaic generator it is as simple as drag and draw your intended field over a downloaded image (from astronomy.net) this image is then stored in cache and can be brought up again in the field. Once you determine your mosaic SGP will auto generate all the imaging sequences for you. (this is an addon feature cost an extra $15 from memory.

I also like that SPG allows you change settings on the fly whilst imaging without interruption. As for Guiding PHD is normal but it also accepts metaguide and one other i can't remember atm. They are currently working on a in house guiding solution (so the rumor mill goes) to replace PHD and make the entire package SGP.

Originally Posted by Octane

I'm also looking at CCD Commander. It's $99 and will control all the stuff I need to.

I'm torn!

The thing that seals the deal for me, though, is not having to use PHD for guiding. I used it for years, but, since I've gone CCD and have been spoilt by self-guiding and using MaxIm DL, I'd prefer not to switch.

Stan and Allan, does SGP happily work with PinPoint LE, or does it require the full version?

H

[alistairsam]

Originally Posted by Octane

Alistair, I read a few people mention it in threads across the web, but, I didn't actually go the site. Having a look now! Thanks. H

Maxpilote uses Phd as well,

so I guess CCAP5 or ccdcommander are the options if you want to use Maxim.
The new features in Maxim 6 are pretty cool. I like the integrated multistar guiding, multithreaded design, sky bookmarks, Narrowband image blending ..

hmm, its a hard choice!!

Alistair

[Octane (Humayun)]

Stan,

Yes, I was going to purchase the mosaic building module, too.

I have TheSky6 which spits out mosaic coordinates. It's not as nice as what SGP does, but, I think my money will be better spent on automating what I already have, and, CCD Commander fits the bill.

I looked at CCDAutoPilot, which is great, but, $75 yearly registration renewal... hrm.

H

[Octane (Humayun)]

The other thing to note is that I don't go to star parties. I used to, but, I honestly don't have it in me to tear down, reassemble, drift align, etc., anymore. So the cached mosaic stuff is a moot point.

If I do go to a dark sky night or star party, I think it will just be the Polarie, DSLR, wide angle lens and tripod.

H

[White Rabbit]

H.

Not sure how deeply you've looked at CCDAP. the pro version is $300 but the entry level version is only $100. If you upgrade later to the pro you only pay the additional $200.
With regards to the $75 annual subscription, that is only for new features you still get bug releases, new features are grayed out but the application is still fully functional.
You have TS6 so you would probably only need entry level version.
Feature set here
http://www.ccdware.com/products/ccdap5/compare.cfm

I think it has a 90 day evaulation as well.
I'd highly recommend it.

Cheers Sandy

[Octane (Humayun)]

Sandy,

Yes, now I'm torn between CCD Commander and CCDAutoPilot!

I need to compare them side-by-side.

This is so frustrating!

I finally got my Robofocus to work for the first time in four years (after two trips to the US).

I had just started Focusmax, and clicked the first light wizard, and it started to rain out of nowhere!

Looking forward to this weekend to try it all out.

For now, it's back to Google to compare!

Cheers, mate.

H

[Octane (Humayun)]

Oh, the other thing: CCDAutoPilot requires a full version of Pinpoint to work. CCD Commander will happily use the MaxIm DL-bundled Pinpoint LE.

$US150 saving right there.

H