Re: [APML] Calibrating STV axes independently

[steve banbury <banburys@sonic.net>]

Joesph--I'd second what Don says.
I have had some excellent results with my STV (or -V as Jim calls it)!
It is very picky about round stars. "Seagull" shaped stars associated with a
Lumicon GEG and a pickoff point
on the camera side of the focal reducing lens in the GEG drove my STV crazy. Use
of a Lumicon 2.5x
focal reducer on the f10 pickoff point in front of the GEG reducing lens
completely eliminated that problem.

The eFinder mode of the STV is vastly easier to use than the ST4. And a 135 mm
f2.8 Nikon telephoto that can be
purchased used for about $40 or less will guide a 2000 mm scope with no problem.
Except of course if the scope
is an SCT with mirror shift. I had to learn this fact the hard way.

I switched to a refractor to allow me to catch some of the widefield objects,
and to benefit from the eFinder capability of the STV. I know the independent
calibration of the 2 axes is the reason for the version 1.04 download software
provided, and when I get this one last issue sorted out (and only then) I'll
probably sell my ST4!

Steve

westergren wrote:

> Joseph,
> My STV has so many features packed into it, in ROM (or PROM) that originally
> SBIG was running out of room to include the independant axis calibration.
> They figured out how to include it about a year after the STV became
> available.  The upgrade to the ROM program (downloadable via the internet)
> is also a feature that is not available to the ST-4.
>
> I have experience with both the ST-4 and STV.  They both guide to give great
> astrophotography (pin point stars), but the extra features of the STV make
> it a remarkable and much more useful camera/autoguider.  Is it worth the
> extra $?  It is if you have the extra $.
> Don


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