Mount Guiding

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Hello to all

I am currently guiding my Ultima 9.25 scope using the following setup.

Orion ST80 - Scope
DBK21 - Camera
Shoestring GPUSB - Computer to mount ST4 adapter.
PHD Guiding

Would I get better guiding results with the following setup.

Orion ST80
Orion StarShoot Autoguider

As you can see only one computer control system compared to three in my currents system. The camera can plug straight into the mount where my GPUSB goes now.

So my only issue is would it better as the camera directly controls my mount or would it be a waste of money.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Carl

[5ash (Philip)]

Trying to work out the 3 connections , camera to computer , gpusb to computer and???????? to computer. with starshoot autoguider only camera to computer. Is it worth the expense , I have a starshoot only because my asi130mm stopped working properly. at least with the DMK you have more control on camera settings than the starshoot. I'd consider leaving things the way they are if your happy with the sensitivity of the dmk. I'd even consider an off axis guider instead.
regards philip

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

PHD Guiding is the third (the most important link with 100 settings which you have to play with and set differently every single night), which is in control of the other three items I listed without it you have nothing.
Also as I have read (I maybe wrong)the starshoot is its own computer as it directly guides the mount through the ST4 cable. So I don't have to travel from the DBK to PHD guiding to GPUSB to Mount. I think thats 3 two physical and one software but still 3.
Gone through all the measurements and with my Meade 6.3 reducer I can not get enough back focus to fit in an off axis guider I am already almost at the end of the mirrors travel.
Sensitivity of the DBK seems a main issue I set it up in its software then start PHD Guiding it all seems a lot of mucking around which is why I asked the question on the starshoot.

[5ash (Philip)]

Must have our "wires crossed" I thought you were referring to the number of connections from mount to computer. Dont forget the orion starshoot autoguider still plugs into your computer and uses Phd .As far as off axis guiding goes I use an Orion OG with an f6.3 reducer on my C9.25" and can still focus stars in my guide camera and DSLR. SCT 's are very adaptable .
Regards philip

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Philip,

Do you have a Celestron or Meade reducer? in my haste at getting a bargin I purchased a Meade reducer, which really mucks up the back focus expecially on the old model C9.25" due to the reducers own focal length (there are a few good posts showing the difference between the Meade, Celestron and Anteres I think is the third one and how they each have different focal lengths and act differenltly on each scope). I loose around 70mm of back focus by using a Meade reducer on mine, I could not even use the Celestron T adaptor it was too long and could not reach prime focus at all with my Canon. I then purchased the Bintel brand adpator which is only half as long. If I was to use the OA guider I will also have purchase a Celestron Reducer (this hobby sure chews through the money)
I had no idea the starshoot still used PHD I was under the impression it came with its own propriatry software, so like you said would not gain much really I would only be taking the GPUSB out of the link which probably would not make a whole lot of difference.

Thanks for your help Philip

Carl

[5ash (Philip)]

Hi Carl I'm using a Meade f6.3 reducer and a low profile SCT thread to T thread and with the oag get about the right distance from the FReducer to camera for F6.3 . The oag becomes the spacer.
Regards philip
Ps my c9.25 is about 3yrs old