Interesting (new?) Guidecam

JohnH · #1 26-02-2007, 03:20 PM

Anyone know this outfit?

http://ccd-labs.com

Their QGuide

http://www.ccd-labs.com/Qseries/qguide.htm

sounds very interesting - direct ST4 output low cost, high sensitivity...hmmm....seems to need PHD for setup, not clear how it would guide without but interesting....

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #2 26-02-2007, 03:53 PM

WOW! At US$1900 introductory price for the Q8-HR you would expect better then square stars!

I looked in the gallery and the majority of stars are square.

Striker (Tony) · #3 26-02-2007, 03:54 PM

Cmos chip with tiny pixels.....I wouldn't bother with it but it is cheap.

netwolf · #4 26-02-2007, 05:38 PM

This company is the US Distributor for the QHY cameras. Gama has posted some decent images he has taken with the QHY8. The US Distributors adjust the camera's to include external power supply etc for local distribution.

There have been decent images taken with this setup posted on CN and IIS. 1900$ is cheap compared to an SBIG with similar chip. The qhy forums have a good collection of user images to check out. Qhy is also investigating a 11MP camera.

The CMOS guide camera uses the same chip as used in the SAC4-2 camera. The difference is that it has built in guiding.

Note I have no affiliation with the vendors. I am happy to see some competition to an otherwise overpriced market. I am saving up to get myself a QHy6 or better QHy2 which is similar to the DSI II PRo.

Regards
Fahim

JohnH · #5 26-02-2007, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

WOW! At US$1900 introductory price for the Q8-HR you would expect better then square stars!

I looked in the gallery and the majority of stars are square.

Err, I was only referring to the QGuide....any views on that....

netwolf · #6 26-02-2007, 07:20 PM

John,

Here is the official thread on the QHY forums discussing the CMOS guide camera.
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=20.0

One of the members has posted some of his pictures taken with the camera here.
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=50.0

Also check out the SAC4-2 and the Orion Starshoot for similar chip camera's. You can then see what images have been taken with them to compare with.

As a Gudie camera I think its quiet good as it has built in ST4 guider. I assume this means that you can plug this direct into your autogudier ports that support st4, with no need for an external software like guidedog etc.

Regards

rogerg (Roger) · #7 26-02-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnH

Err, I was only referring to the QGuide....any views on that....

Yes... I think that looks like a great guider. The small pixel size would suit both of my guide scopes very well. As it is I use a webcam which has a 5.6x5.6 pixel size. Such small pixel sizes suit the small guide scopes nicely, means you don't need such a long focal length.

Very affordable price too.

I'm tempted but with the webcam that's doing the job ok for me now I won't seriously consider one until I get anoyed at the webcam.

My 2c worth.

JohnH · #8 26-02-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netwolf

...As a Gudie camera I think its quiet good as it has built in ST4 guider. I assume this means that you can plug this direct into your autogudier ports that support st4, with no need for an external software like guidedog etc.

That is what has piqued my interest for sure - I'll check the forums for more info...thanks for the links...

netwolf · #9 26-02-2007, 09:44 PM

Johm,

I notice in your signature you mention the Orion Starshoot, if I am not mistaken this has the same chip in it.

Regards
Fahim

Ambermile · #10 27-02-2007, 01:38 AM

... but the starshoot (and indeed other SAC cameras) are no more ?

Arthur

PS Atik 16IC?

netwolf · #11 27-02-2007, 01:49 AM

The Orion DSO Starshoot is no more, as it was being made for them by SAC.
They have released a new ORion Starshoot Solar/Lunar cam, which uses the CMOS chip used on this guide camera.
There is also a camera called the Starfish in the US that uses the same chip.

Regards
Fahim

Ambermile · #12 27-02-2007, 03:41 AM

Right. So what about the Atik16IC then?

netwolf · #13 27-02-2007, 05:48 AM

Ambermile, the ATIK16 cameras are the next evolution of the camera originally started by Steve Chambers and co as a kit camera. The QHY cameras user the same sensors, you can chose which particular one you want. Withing each series there is a range you can select from. The QHY are much more affordable than the ATIK's which are still well priced compard to the Sbig and Stellacam.

From a bang for buck the QHY is the clear winner. And from the images I have seen from the latest QHY camera's is awesome. The ATIK's have a great reputation, the name Steve Chambers is etched in history for the long exposure mods. Either camera is still far more affordable than the SBIG's, and its good to have options and competition in the market.

Regards

Ambermile · #14 27-02-2007, 05:55 AM

Umm, no. The Atik16 and 16HR cameras *are* the kit cameras. The 16IC is a camera designed to compete with the DSI II and thereabouts, which is why they are ccd-based still rather than cmos. The 16IC is decidedly *not* an "evolution" of the kit cameras but a new design completely.

As you say though, the price is not too bad for a cmos camera.

Arthur

netwolf · #15 27-02-2007, 05:55 AM

The ATIK 16IC resolution less than QHY6. QHY6 is half the price of the ATIK 16IC.

Regards

Ambermile · #16 27-02-2007, 06:00 AM

Lets not get into mudslinging eh? Only the 8 shows on the website and is $1900. What is the 6 spec?

http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=50.0 shows Boothee's pics, not with a Q anything?

netwolf · #17 27-02-2007, 06:01 AM

Arthur you are correct abou the IC, is a new design. The price is the same as a QHY2 which offer almost double the resolution. The DSI II PRo and the QHY6 are similar resolution but qhy is half the price.

Regards

Ambermile · #18 27-02-2007, 06:10 AM

But the 2 is cmos, surely? Which was my point. If it is ccd-based then I apologise but I cannot find any spec for other than the 8 and the Guide?

Arthur

netwolf · #19 27-02-2007, 06:10 AM

Arthur, I dont sell these camera's so i have no resson to sling mud

. I am just pointing out the specifications and price differences. And I leave it to the people who own them to show what has been done with them. I dont own any so I can only report what I have read.
I do have a personal interest in wanting to see more affordable camera.

The QHY6 uses a sony CCD with resolution equivalent to the DSI II camera's.
http://qhyccd.com/ccdbbs/index.php?topic=41.0

I made an error before the QHY2 is higher resolution than the DSI II Pro and is slightly less expensive.

Regards

Ambermile · #20 27-02-2007, 06:18 AM

OK. So the 6 uses the 259, but the 16IC uses the 429 which is the same 752x582 but which uses 25% larger pixels...