Autoguiders???
Apr 13, 2015 17:27:43 #
Does anybody have any comments about Autoguiders.
1. The Skywatcher SynGuider
Image Sensor
Type: SONY ICX404AL CCD Sensor
Chip Size: 5.59mm(X) * 4.68mm(Y)
Number of Effective Pixels: 510(X) * 492(Y)
Unit Cell Size: 9.6um(X) * 7.5um(Y)
2. The Celestron NEXGUIDE AUTOGUIDER
IMAGE SENSOR
Type: APTINA MT9V034C12STM CMOS Sensor
Chip size: 4.51mm(X) *2.88mm(Y)
Number of effective pixels: 752(X) *480(Y)
Unit cell size: 6.0µm(X) * 6.0µm(Y)
I like the fact they are both self contained, no laptop needed.
I spend way to much time setting up and moving to different locations.
Craig
1. The Skywatcher SynGuider
Image Sensor
Type: SONY ICX404AL CCD Sensor
Chip Size: 5.59mm(X) * 4.68mm(Y)
Number of Effective Pixels: 510(X) * 492(Y)
Unit Cell Size: 9.6um(X) * 7.5um(Y)
2. The Celestron NEXGUIDE AUTOGUIDER
IMAGE SENSOR
Type: APTINA MT9V034C12STM CMOS Sensor
Chip size: 4.51mm(X) *2.88mm(Y)
Number of effective pixels: 752(X) *480(Y)
Unit cell size: 6.0µm(X) * 6.0µm(Y)
I like the fact they are both self contained, no laptop needed.
I spend way to much time setting up and moving to different locations.
Craig
Apr 13, 2015 18:49:56 #
CraigFair wrote:
Does anybody have any comments about Autoguiders. ... (show quote)
What's the price break on these?
CCD used to be prefered over CMOS but I don't know if that is still true.
Apr 13, 2015 19:26:45 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
What's the price break on these?
CCD used to be prefered over CMOS but I don't know if that is still true.
CCD used to be prefered over CMOS but I don't know if that is still true.
$275 for the Sony CCD Sensor and $235 for the APTINA CMOS Sensor.
Apr 13, 2015 20:48:50 #
CraigFair wrote:
$275 for the Sony CCD Sensor and $235 for the APTINA CMOS Sensor.
The sony just went up to $315.00
Apr 13, 2015 21:59:03 #
Apr 14, 2015 10:00:17 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
Ebay?
The Sky Watcher Synguider I was looking at sold within 2 hours of being listed on eBay. And the next one is listed at EUR 295.00 in Germany. It's sad no one else what's to chime in on this subject.
Craig
Apr 14, 2015 11:00:42 #
CraigFair wrote:
The Sky Watcher Synguider I was looking at sold within 2 hours of being listed on eBay. And the next one is listed at EUR 295.00 in Germany. It's sad no one else what's to chime in on this subject.
Craig
Craig
I liked the looks and reviews on the CCD version. It's a pricey little fellow though.
Apr 14, 2015 11:06:47 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
I liked the looks and reviews on the CCD version. It's a pricey little fellow though.
I'm hoping I can dial in the AVX and see just how long of exposures I can get before I commit to the Auto Guider.
Do you have one???
Question to all visitors, what auto guiders do you use???
Craig
Apr 14, 2015 12:21:23 #
My answer would be none.... yet.
But it is something firmly on my wish list. (Autoguider)
My biggest hold-back is me. Orion? Or Celestron?
Either way, I plan on the accessories made for the mount I get.
That way, if any compatibility, or anomalies, crop up, nobody can say "Well, bla, bla, bla..."
That said, I'd be looking at Celestron's guiders for the AVX mount. ;)
StarSense is right in your neighborhood price wise at $319 from B&H. (No sales tax. ;) ) (It matters to ME.)
From what I have read, and I found a bitter pill, these basically set up things, then the scope uses the data base programed in, to zingo the item. Not the autoguider.
Read through this Celestron page, the FAQ's. 3rd from the bottom peaked my interest. :hunf: Confusing.
Orion specifically states their autoguiders do not work with other mounts. :?:
Hence, why I think I will go with the gear that is undeniably compatible.
I've found in the past that sometimes making "Fruit Salad" with electronics can bring in other compatibility issues. And a lot of frustrations.
I will say this much, and it is a personal choice, granted....
But I, me, myself, will go with a dealer I can leverage if needed. That means no flEaBay for me.
Warranties, though I admit I very rarely need or use them, bring a peace of mind. And Celestron give 2 years.
Yet, Orion sounds like it is a Johnny on the spot with support and repair/replacement, too.
But be aware these come from two different farms.
Now I have a question:
"Can StarSense be used as a guidescope for imaging?
Not currently. StarSenses onboard digital camera does not have enough focal length to accurately guide longer focal length telescopes."
Other guide-scopes seem to be compatible with sticking them in an eyepiece holder if I read them right. So wouldn't that magnification enhance them with a narrowed and magnified field of view?
I be thinking I like the off-axis guider option. Kinda makes sense to have your guider looking at the same picture you are.
But of course, I don't know.
But it is something firmly on my wish list. (Autoguider)
My biggest hold-back is me. Orion? Or Celestron?
Either way, I plan on the accessories made for the mount I get.
That way, if any compatibility, or anomalies, crop up, nobody can say "Well, bla, bla, bla..."
That said, I'd be looking at Celestron's guiders for the AVX mount. ;)
StarSense is right in your neighborhood price wise at $319 from B&H. (No sales tax. ;) ) (It matters to ME.)
From what I have read, and I found a bitter pill, these basically set up things, then the scope uses the data base programed in, to zingo the item. Not the autoguider.
Read through this Celestron page, the FAQ's. 3rd from the bottom peaked my interest. :hunf: Confusing.
Orion specifically states their autoguiders do not work with other mounts. :?:
Hence, why I think I will go with the gear that is undeniably compatible.
I've found in the past that sometimes making "Fruit Salad" with electronics can bring in other compatibility issues. And a lot of frustrations.
I will say this much, and it is a personal choice, granted....
But I, me, myself, will go with a dealer I can leverage if needed. That means no flEaBay for me.
Warranties, though I admit I very rarely need or use them, bring a peace of mind. And Celestron give 2 years.
Yet, Orion sounds like it is a Johnny on the spot with support and repair/replacement, too.
But be aware these come from two different farms.
Now I have a question:
"Can StarSense be used as a guidescope for imaging?
Not currently. StarSenses onboard digital camera does not have enough focal length to accurately guide longer focal length telescopes."
Other guide-scopes seem to be compatible with sticking them in an eyepiece holder if I read them right. So wouldn't that magnification enhance them with a narrowed and magnified field of view?
I be thinking I like the off-axis guider option. Kinda makes sense to have your guider looking at the same picture you are.
But of course, I don't know.
Apr 14, 2015 14:59:06 #
SonnyE wrote:
My answer would be none.... yet. br But it is some... (show quote)
I'm in a quandary over this, all the ones I find I can afford are for 1500mm scopes or less. The off-axis guiders will interfere with the view the DSLR sensor sees. They are designed for CCD cameras with very small sensor size were the prism does not interfere with the light path. And I believe they guide an a star on the outside of the FOV. It's also one more thing hanging off the back of the OTA.
I know I'll get hacked to death over this but I need all the Info I can get.
Craig
Apr 14, 2015 15:17:33 #
CraigFair wrote:
I'm hoping I can dial in the AVX and see just how long of exposures I can get before I commit to the Auto Guider.
Do you have one???
Question to all visitors, what auto guiders do you use???
Craig
Do you have one???
Question to all visitors, what auto guiders do you use???
Craig
Not yet. It's on my list though.
Apr 14, 2015 15:23:00 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
Not yet. It's on my list though.
I got it, the Celestron 93713 NexGuide Autoguider Stand-Alone autoguider eliminates need for laptop. It was up for $100.00 off so I did it.
If I don't like it I can turn around and sell it for a nifty profit. For the near future it should suite my needs.
Craig
Apr 14, 2015 15:35:17 #
CraigFair wrote:
The Sky Watcher Synguider I was looking at sold within 2 hours of being listed on eBay. And the next one is listed at EUR 295.00 in Germany. It's sad no one else what's to chime in on this subject.
Craig
Craig
Only image in back yard. light pollution would greatly restrict autoguiding before overexposure.
Apr 14, 2015 15:42:01 #
astroturf wrote:
Only image in back yard. light pollution would greatly restrict autoguiding before overexposure.
Thank you Astro, sorry I don't know you name. Fortunately I get out to a dark mountain sight once a month on the new Moon Sat. I'm hoping I'll have good luck on longer exposures there.
Craig
Apr 14, 2015 16:20:05 #
Check out a Mallincam Micro-Ex. About $99.00 It is primarily for video astronomy, but has been quite successfully adapted as a guider. There was a rather long thread on this recently on the Mallincam Yahoo group. I have a Micro-Ex, but have not used it for astroguiding. Also, I have no financial interest in Mallincam products.
Clear Skies,
Tom Richardson
Memphis Astronomical Society
www.memphisastro.org
Clear Skies,
Tom Richardson
Memphis Astronomical Society
www.memphisastro.org
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