Why I hate choosing a CCD

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Might just as well buy FLI gear from OPT or similar US vendor. More cost effective than Astro Optical and more knowledgeable about the products. FLI is very responsive to direct email enquiries too.

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Originally Posted by Rigel003

More cost effective than Astro Optical and more knowledgeable about the products. FLI is very responsive to direct email enquiries too.

Yeah, I am just a little unsure re: I know some people have had software issues with the FLI cams - requiring a bit of input from the distributor.
Also, would hate to spend a lot of money sending products back stateside for service/repair in the event that it needed it.

Do you have any images posted of you're FLI/TAK combo?

[Rosebud (Wally)]

Sam,
I'll toss in another one just to confuse you even more.
Have a look at the Moravian G2-8300 on Steve Massey's site. It has everything that you need plus it has an inbuilt 5 posn filter wheel.

Cheers

[bokglob (Darrell)]

Hi Sam. I've taken a different path, and after seriously considering the 8300 chip, decided to go with the 4022M in a SXVR-H16,in part because I already own a 1.25'' filterwheel and colour and narrowband filters, and also the better well depth and read noise of this chip compared to the 8300, this will allow me extra exposure time before anti-blooming cuts in and reduces sensitivity (good for the faint stuff) I figure. At 7.4um pix size, my general seeing, and the scopes f7.5, the numbers crunch o.k for me, so I'm envious in a way of the large field, but then again,size is'nt everything Also, between Claude in Aust, and Terry at Starlight Xpress in the U.K I know I'm well looked after in terms of aftersales service and costomer support Looking forward to seeing the results of whatever you decide upon!

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Thanks Wally and Darrell, I will check them out.

Got a huge car service/repair bill today, so it's gonna set the final decision back by a few weeks at least.
Good chance to read some more manuals/reviews in the interim tho.
Who knows I may even have a crack at cleaning my DSLR, couldn't make it any worse

Addit: yeah Darrell, Claude definitely knows his stuff, the only problem I have with ordering equipment from him is that my phone bill skyrockets as it takes at least an hour to get off the phone again - lol

[RobF (Rob)]

If you're getting serious about it Sam, why not do up a spreadsheet for all the models you're remotely considering - features/spec down left handside, CCDs along the top. Force yourself to fill in the blanks for things like sensor size, arcsec/pixel, QE, well size, download time, price, cooling capability, etc

Sure you can often find comparisons of a few cameras here and there, but doing this forces you to think about what's most important to you. Trouble is, by the time you're finished, you'll be itching to spend on something no doubt!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I wish you hadn't said that Rob Would you care to share yours to save me some time

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Thanks Rob,

Now that I have the spare time, that might not be a bad idea.

[RobF (Rob)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

I wish you hadn't said that Rob Would you care to share yours to save me some time

Happy to if you really want Paul - mine was pretty slap dash and over a year old now. Your FOV and image scale would be quite different to mine too wouldn't it? Started out as a learning exercise (I thought!), but within a few days I was suddenly obsessed with buying my QHY9/FW/filters package.

[blink138 (Pat)]

sam there is an atik dealer in perth i believe called shane i think,
his prices are the same as andrews and there have been very good reports on his service and professionalism
i would contact him and he may even be able to show you them working
pat

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Yep, I have met Shane, and he is definitely very helpful - I accidentally ran into him one observing night, he had loads of valuable info on imaging, and helped get my first decent polar alignment using the polar scope.
On the night he was using his 11000, a nice camera.
Web address = Www.theastroguy.com.au
Have spoken to him re: Atik 383, but haven't made a final decision yet.

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Jutscher

Yeah, I am just a little unsure re: I know some people have had software issues with the FLI cams - requiring a bit of input from the distributor.
Also, would hate to spend a lot of money sending products back stateside for service/repair in the event that it needed it.

Do you have any images posted of you're FLI/TAK combo?

There was a bit of difficulty in getting the driver for the filter wheel to work at one point. I think that has been sorted for some time now.

FLI are the Rolls Royce of imaging cameras. They also dropped their price for the ML8300 to match Apogee their main competitor.

But you will need a filter wheel and filters on top of it plus an autoguiding solution so the cost stacks up. But they are the best as far as the straight camera goes.

Greg.

[Jutscher (Sam)]

I think I am going to go with Rob's idea of putting all the pro's and cons on a sheet and trying to use that to eliminate various cameras.

The FLI is definately top of the list if my budget will allow it, particularly after seeing the IMOTW - wow (although different chip)

[BlueAstra (Graham)]

OK, couldn't resist. Here is my spreadsheet when I was looking into getting a SX-H16. You can plug your scope parameters into the yellow areas to get the FOV details. Its maybe a bit out of date, but feel free to modify. The prices are in UKP.

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Cool, will have a look when I get home, thanks

[M_Lewis (Mark)]

Like all things, I would see if you can try a camera before you buy it. I own the Atik 383, bought it from the astroguy in perth, as andrews couldn't match the price. I haven't looked back since, and am very happy with the Atik.

There is enough of the 8300 chip around now in the astro communities, that you should be able to get someone to pop over one night with camera in hand, and attach it to your scope. We're talking about an investment here in your astrophotography travels, so I would take a lot of time to make your decision, but ultimately do what you like, not what everyone else likes.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

There was a bit of difficulty in getting the driver for the filter wheel to work at one point. I think that has been sorted for some time now.

FLI are the Rolls Royce of imaging cameras. They also dropped their price for the ML8300 to match Apogee their main competitor.

But you will need a filter wheel and filters on top of it plus an autoguiding solution so the cost stacks up. But they are the best as far as the straight camera goes.

Greg.

I considered the ML8300 (wouldn't mind one as well) but went with the PL16803 instead and as far as loading software goes, I have Windows Vista on my lappie and today I downloaded the FLI setup kit from the FLI web site (one click) unzipped it all (one click), went upstairs and pluged everything in ie PL16803 with CFW-5-7 & Atlas focuser connected to the ProLine body and it all worked perfectly first time, everything talking to everything else in both FLIGrab, FLIFocus and Astroart4

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...57295/original

So I wouldn't worry about software issues and the like, and even if there were any FLI would come to the rescue for sure

Mike

[Jutscher (Sam)]

Sorry about the delayed reply - my internet router has blown up, waiting for a new one. I had to wait until at work to use their internet.

The ATIK is looking like it might be the go, have only heard good things from people who use it, hopefully, once Shane gets some more in stock, I will be able to test it on my scope for a final decision.

I really like the FLI, but it terms of availability (would likely have to get friom the states) and my current budget, I think it has been ruled out.

Cheers
Sam