Meade LPI vs Celestron Neximage

bluescope · #1 03-04-2007, 03:05 AM

Does anyone have experience with these cameras for guiding ? It looks like Autostar Suite with Meade has specific guiding features .... what about the Neximage ( software ) ? I know there are various free guiding programs i.e. Guidedog and the like ( I have downloaded a few ) but I have not used any at this stage so I'm curious for some opinions. I don't want to mess around with modifying webcams and I know that LPI is cosmos vs Neximage is CCD etc. Just some hands on knowledge please !

iceman (Mike) · #2 03-04-2007, 05:58 AM

For guiding, I think the LPI is probably the better choice due to its ability to do longer exposures than the NexImage.

CoombellKid · #3 03-04-2007, 07:11 AM

LPI although may have a longer exposure. The chip isn't really sensitive on
faint stars, if that is all you have to guide with in the field. Have you thought
about a DSI?

However I only have experience with imaging with the LPI and not guiding so
someone else may have a better answer.

regards,CS

Wombat_In_Space (Darren) · #4 03-04-2007, 10:11 AM

A stock ToUcam is good choice for a guide camera and cheaper than both your options you have asked about. Check out Ballaratdragons setup het uses for DSo imaging.

JohnG (John) · #5 03-04-2007, 10:19 AM

Hi

I use an LPI as a guide camera in my field setup, it uses PHD as the guiding software, I just loaded the LPI drivers, not the complete Autostar setup.

As has already been mentioned, it is not that sensitive and really needs a fairly bright star to guide on. That said, using PHD and the LPI, I have no trouble guiding a Losmandy GM-8 vide a Shoestring Astronomy GPUSB with my Laptop. My field setup is confined to a short 600 mm telescope though, I doubt it would be good enough for anything much longer in focal length, I think then a Toucam would come into it's own then.

Cheers

JohnG

bluescope · #6 04-04-2007, 03:45 AM

Thanks for your opinions guys !

bluescope · #7 06-04-2007, 03:04 PM

I notice you have a ToUcam Mike, do you just use it for your planetary imaging or do you use it for guiding too ?
Sorry for such a slow reply to this !

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

For guiding, I think the LPI is probably the better choice due to its ability to do longer exposures than the NexImage.