Philips Toucam for guiding

leon · #1 30-08-2007, 10:08 PM

Hi Guys, this is just a quick question for anyone who can help.

If i were to use a Philips Toucam 840 pro for auto guiding, would it have to be the long exposure one, or would the standard one do the job, also would i need to use a IR/UV filter as well.

Thank you in advance.

leon

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #2 30-08-2007, 10:22 PM

Leon, both versions work fine. I use the Standard Toucam for guiding and don't have any problems finding a guide star.
The modded version will give you more stars to pick from, but either will be fine.

Alternatively, Bintel are selling the Meade DSI for the same price as a standard Toucam, and the DSI has long exposure.

No, you don't have to use an IR/UV filter as a Guiding program uses the centroid to guide on. Which means a star can even be slightly out of focus and will guide perfectly. The program centres on the source of light, not how sharp it is.

I tried it with an IR/UV filter and the brighter stars slightly faded and I completely lost the fainter stars. The exposure time isn't long enough to catch lots of light, so it is slightly affected.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 30-08-2007, 10:26 PM

Ken's got it right there Leon. Unless you want to do some planetary work then get the DSI for $189 (I'm still trying to talk myself out of one, but they are such a bargain, and I already have a colour one

) and K3CCDTools V3 and you will be laughing.

leon · #4 30-08-2007, 10:26 PM

Thanks Ken, I knew i could count on you, the Toucam King..

, see, should have just rang you from the start.

Leon

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #5 30-08-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon

Thanks Ken, I knew i could count on you, the Toucam King..

, see, should have just rang you from the start.

Leon

leon · #6 30-08-2007, 10:46 PM

Ok Paul if i decided to go for the DSI, which certainly is a good price, would i need to use the USB thingy i got from Shoestring astronomy and the RJ12 cable as well, and put that straight into the auto guide port on the G11 and use the software you suggested.

leon

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 30-08-2007, 10:48 PM

I'd suggest, DSI to laptop (using USB cable) to guide program to USB thingy to G11 with whatever cable they recommend. I dont use the USB thingy, I use a Starmate which is RS232 to RS232 and then an additional RJ11 to RJ11 from the Starmate to Losmandy Digital Drive.

h0ughy (David) · #8 30-08-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon

Ok Paul if i decided to go for the DSI, which certainly is a good price, would i need to use the USB thingy i got from Shoestring astronomy and the RJ12 cable as well, and put that straight into the auto guide port on the G11 and use the software you suggested.

leon

yep that s it - Paul applied the electrodes and brainwashed me into buying two of these things (well he didn't but dont tell him that). works a treat. All I have to do now is learn how to use it to polar align?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #9 30-08-2007, 10:51 PM

Ahh grasshopper, this is still a deep and meaningful thing you wish for.

leon · #10 31-08-2007, 08:16 AM

Thank You Paul, it is sounding like i might just be able to get this auto guiding happening soon.

Leon

allan gould · #11 31-08-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

yep that s it - Paul applied the electrodes and brainwashed me into buying two of these things (well he didn't but dont tell him that). works a treat. All I have to do now is learn how to use it to polar align?

Have a look at Guidemaster with a webcam for autoguiding as it also has a polar alignment routine

[1ponders] (Paul) · #12 31-08-2007, 10:40 AM

Will do Allan. I haven't tried the other programs apart from an initial open and play as K3 does everything I need, but maybe there is an easier way