Re: [APML] Auto Guiders.

[RBissinger@aol.com]

As a folloup to my recent email, Meade has just announced a $299 CCD camera, the Meade Deep Sky Imager with Autostar Suite; see:

http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp?catalog_name=Astronomics&category_name=Home&product_id=ASDSI

It's not clear if this new $299 camera will provide autoguide capability, but Meade's LPI (Lunar Planetary Imager) apparently does, at least for any Autostar *or* LX200, using the Autostar software suite.  If it works for the LX200, I think that protocall can be used with many other mounts as well.  See Meade's blurb at:

http://www.meade.com/autostar/lpi.html

So, it begs the question, can the Deep Sky Imager/Autosuite combination for $299 do autoguiding?  Not clear to me, but perhaps.  And if it can, it may be a viable alternative to the old ST-4.



In a message dated 8/15/2004 11:33:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time, RBissinger@aol.com writes:

>I think it depends on whether one wants to use a PC/laptop or not.  I picked up a used ST-4 because I want a highly mobile, low power consumption emulsion imaging setup (G11, wide angle 35mm film lenses, 106mm FSQ, 90mm Sky 90) and don't want to carry my laptop into the field.  The ST-4, like the STV, can be used as a stand-alone autoguider.  That setup requires relatively modest battery power.  I've also used my ST-10XME with a laptop on the same setup and found the power requirements to be more than what I'd prefer.
>
>While many have been successful using the STV I'm keeping my eye on the recently announced SBIG ST-402ME, which as far as I know has not yet shipped.  I do think, however, the ST-402ME will require a laptop.  If one is going to do CCD work, the PC/laptop issue is moot as one will be needed regardless.
>
>In a message dated 8/15/2004 10:53:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Jason Ware <jtw@galaxyphoto.com> writes:
>>
>>All, what are people buying/using these days for
>>autoguiders? Its my understanding that the ST4
>>and the Meade's are no longer being produced.
>>Are people being forced into the STV?
>>
>> -Jason Ware
>_______________________________________________
>Astro-Photo mailing list
>Astro-Photo@seds.org
>http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo
>
_______________________________________________
Astro-Photo mailing list
Astro-Photo@seds.org
http://seds.org/mailman/listinfo/astro-photo