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Re: [APML] Auto Guiders. [Meade camera]
I would guess that it does not guide, based on the image on the website.
There's a USB connection from the camera for the PC, but I don't see a
socket in the image for plugging from the camera to the mount's CCD port,
unless it's on the other side. I think they would show it if it was there.
Another possiblility is that the PC could control the mount through the
parallel port to CCD connection on the mount, but I sort of doubt it.
That, coupled with the lack of autoguide mention in the description, leads
me to believe that it will not guide (the LPI literature stresses that it
can autoguide, so I suspect that if this camera would, they would emphasize
it.)
With about 8 micron pixcels, and no mention of binning capability, LX200
owners (especially 10 or 12" F10's), will have a fun time trying to get
good images without an autoguider--or even with one -- and I don't believe
a human could off-axis guide at the precision necessary for the arc secs /
pixcel this camera features for the typical Meade owner. It's about the
size of a SBIG ST-9 with half the pixcel size; not a good match for a ong
focal length scope. Perhaps the 8" with a reducer could be usable with a
little work.
Steve Holak
Senior Software Architect
Brokerage Concepts IS Dept.
610-491-4879
email: steve.holak@bcitpa.com
RBissinger@aol.com
Sent by: To: astro-photo@seds.org (Discussion of Film Astrophotography)
astro-photo-bounce cc:
s@seds.org Subject: Re: [APML] Auto Guiders.
08/15/2004 12:20
PM
Please respond to
Discussion of Film
Astrophotography
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
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