Star Shoot Autoguider Camera

leon · #1 02-05-2008, 09:28 AM

Hi Guys, as mentioned earlier in this tread I was considering getting a StarShoot Autoguider, instead of the Philips Toucam that I am presently using.

Just one question though, with the Toucam it runs through a ShoeString USB thingy, would I still need to use this with the StarShoot Guide Camera, or do I just connect straight to the Mount.

Leon

vash (Ashley) · #2 02-05-2008, 09:55 AM

no, you don't need the gpusb, It's built into the guide camera,

there is a tutorial on andy's shot glass, http://www.andysshotglass.com/autoguider.html

leon · #3 02-05-2008, 10:42 AM

Thanks Vash, exactly what I need to know, better put my order in for one of these cameras pronto.

I have use PHD with the Toucam, so that is no problem.

Thank you

Leon

Ian Robinson · #4 02-05-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

no, you don't need the gpusb, It's built into the guide camera,

there is a tutorial on andy's shot glass, http://www.andysshotglass.com/autoguider.html

I'm thinking of getting one of them , so that was particularly handy for me.

Question , can the starshoot autoguider be used as stand alone without connection to a computer ?

Terry B · #5 02-05-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

I'm thinking of getting one of them , so that was particularly handy for me.

Question , can the starshoot autoguider be used as stand alone without connection to a computer ?

No. It needs a guide programme to tell it what to do.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #6 02-05-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

Question , can the starshoot autoguider be used as stand alone without connection to a computer ?

I guess that the only real intrinsic difference between this camera and a standard webcam (apart from the 1/2" chip) is that it contains the ST4-compat logic hardware on board - instead of in the cable box as with the GPUSB. As far as reading and interpreting star movement and deciding which way to go, and in turn controlling the autoguider port, you still need the software to run on the lappy. You'd also want to maintain a choice of guide stars within any given FOV too I'd imagine, so you need the screen and a mouse to do so.

Leon - be aware that the version of PHD that comes with this camera is specific to that camera. You'll probably need to uninstall your current version first before installing the version that comes with the guider.

leon · #7 02-05-2008, 11:59 AM

Thanks Chris, wasn't aware of that, but that dose make sense, thank you.

Isn't great to have all your questioned answered, from such talented people on this forum.

Cheers Leon

vash (Ashley) · #8 02-05-2008, 12:16 PM

I thought about getting one myself, but I wanted as much sensitivity as I could get, which happened to be a dsi pro 2 which is awaiting first light.
From what I have read the chip is a monochrome version of the orion planetary imager 2, as they both have the same specs.
I'm sure I've gone for an over kill with the DSI 2 but I want to be sure I can get a guide star, the LPI isn't nearly as good as I hoped

Gama · #9 02-05-2008, 03:16 PM

Doesnt the DSI II have a Sony CCD sensor ?..
The Starshoot guider (AKA QHY-5, Qguider, MZ5 etc) uses a cmos sensor MT9M001. So for sensitivity, the DSI with the Sony sensor would be a better choice for imaging.
Rest assured, you should get a guide star in every point of the sky you move the guide scope to.
There is a shortage of these generic guiders world wide, so there will be a small wait.
Even I had to do some wheeling and dealing to get my stock of guiders in last month.

Theo

vash (Ashley) · #10 02-05-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gama

Rest assured, you should get a guide star in every point of the sky you move the guide scope to.

yep, But if you can't move your guide scope, I know I could have got new guide rings but thats another expense plus wait, even then I still need a better guide cam.

asterisk (Geoff) · #11 02-05-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Leon - be aware that the version of PHD that comes with this camera is specific to that camera. You'll probably need to uninstall your current version first before installing the version that comes with the guider.

Beat me to it, Chris - I have been repairing/painting today earning brownie points for Saturday night at The Forest.

Leon - The version of PHD that ships with the Orion is the one before the current version, but it does have an option for mount control from the camera which the previous version of PHD didn't - I don't know if the current one does have this option.

leon · #12 02-05-2008, 03:40 PM

Thanks Guys, I have ordered one, Orion StarShoot today, there is a week or two wait but that is OK, as I will still have the Toucan pluged in there to do the job for now.

I'm sure PHD program will be fine, either way, there is basically three versions floating around, I'm sure one will work fine.

Leon

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #13 08-05-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Leon - be aware that the version of PHD that comes with this camera is specific to that camera. You'll probably need to uninstall your current version first before installing the version that comes with the guider.

No, this is not correct. The latest downloadable version of PHD will accept the Starshoot. I prefer to use this rather than the version that comes with the camera, because, being a later version it has a few more features. There is no problem running the camera with the current version of PHD, which contains all and more of what comes with the camera version.
Geoff