DSI as an autoguider

[blueskies123_89 (George)]

Hi guys,

I'm considering buying a DSI II pro 2nd hand as an autoguider at the price range of $380ish, just asking around if anyone has had trouble with this setup before I commit.

I plan to use the Orion ED80 as an guidescope, DSI connected to vista laptop and PHD as the guiding software, and then onto an LXD75 mount with a SN8 (I know its pushing it for this mount but Im saving up for that later).

SO, is DSI a suitable autoguider, does it hav trouble with Vista, etc?

I can spend a bit more and get a new Orion Starshoot autoguider from bintel for $450, but is that worth it?

Thanks,
George

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

I use a DSI1 and PHD through an 80mm home built F5 refractor as an autoguider and it does the job very well. Not sure about Vista, I use XP, but I'm sure there will be a Vista driver for the DSI's and PHD by now.

Cheers
Bill

[White Rabbit]

ditto the above, I use one as my auto guider and it works very well. I'm using xp though so cant coment about vista.

sandy

[tbothy]

Hi George
Ive used a DSI I with a LXD55 connected to a vista laptop with PHD as the guiding software, One problem I had was with the installation of the DSI I drivers as the software was for XP and hadnt been tested for Vista (I think i had to manually install the drivers), But this may not be a problem for a DSI II, search the web for more info.
The Orion Starshoot autoguider would be nice but you would also need a st4 interface (Meade APM 909) for the LXD75 to use the ST4 compatible autoguide output jack on camera body.
Cheers
Bothy

[blueskies123_89 (George)]

Thanks guys for the reassurance.

tbothy, how did you connect the PC to the mount?

George

[tbothy]

Hi George
To connect to the LXD55 I used a 4 pin to RS232 serial cable that connects into the Autostar Hand Controller and a serial port on the laptop.
I bought the cable and USB serial port on ebay from a seller in the UK, it wasnt very expensive, you might even get one when you buy the DSI, ask the seller, because I think I did get one when I purchased a LPI.
Cheers
Bothy

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

I have the DSI and DSI 2 and they go though a 114mm DSE refractor piggy backed and it holds round stars for 20min plus weather dependant as i have a parachute hanging off the top of it! Otherwise 1 second iterations generally find me 3-5 stars which is ample sufficient!

[Bassnut (Fred)]

And why wouldnt you buy the far superior QHY5 (guide only, made for the job) cam new for $350 from gama ?

[Karls48 (Karl)]

QHY5 is by far superior to DSI and DSI2 for guiding. And it is about same price.

[blueskies123_89 (George)]

Hi... I guess I didnt do my research right. I've already bought the DSI II a week ago. It seemed to have worked fine until it encountered a lot of slack in the DEC. The problem was that when PHD was doing calibration in DEC, it slewed N, and then changed direction to slew S, but after 15 iterations the scope still didn't change direction, which confused PHD. I think I need to train the gears.

Also, I thought with a proper filters later on, I might be able to get into photometry with the DSI, but I guess youre right that the QHY5 wouldve been a better choice.