Autoguider recommendations

[wavydavy]

Hi im after an autoguider fairly soon as was hoping for reviews/advice on what one to go for. At the mo im manualy guiding. My mount is a losmandy G11, this is not the Gemini system, and its not ASCOM compliant. I have a guidescope and a main scope to image through. Any ideas whats best?? Stand alone autoguider?? GPUSB shoestring astronomy??? Any ideas would be great.........

[ollypenrice]

If you can run to it the new Lodestar is probably king of the pile. A good guide cam makes a big difference. I wouldn't use the standalones because when/if they don't work you have far less flexibility in terms of trying other software.

Olly

[iksose7]

I've had the Orion sharshoot autoguider with a 50mm guidescope for a couple of months now. Dont have anything bad to say about it at all! Ollys right about the loadstar though, if you can afford it then go for it. You might want to upgrade to it someday anyway. But like i said, there doesnt seem to be anything i dont like about the sharshoot. 

[wavydavy]

Thanks olly. Ps...love your work (images).

[wavydavy]

Yeah I was looking at those as well.........

[wavydavy]

The thing is I am manualy guiding at the mo with, my ASI120mm camera..........I was originaly looking to use maybe shoestring astronomys GPUSB box.......? Which I think means I wouldn't have to splash out to much.

[wavydavy]

But will def look at the lodestar and the starshooter..........

[laser_jock99]

Another vote for the Lodestar x2, the high CCD sensitivity makes it a good choice if you are considering OAG at any point.

Also they are a 'fun' camera to mess about with in their own right. I have been picking up mag 19 galaxies in sub 1 minute exposures.  

Example 5 second exposure of M51

[lensman57]

The thing is I am manualy guiding at the mo with, my ASI120mm camera..........I was originaly looking to use maybe shoestring astronomys GPUSB box.......? Which I think means I wouldn't have to splash out to much.

ASI 120 has an ST4 auto  guiding port onboard. It can be connected to your mounts auto guider port by just using the supplied cable. You have to do  to tell PHD guiding to use " onboard camera " which means PHD will connect to the auto guider port on the camera . LoedStars are fine cameras but you already have the ASI which is just as sensitive and with a larger chip. The situation changes some what if you decide to use an OAG and a filter wheel as the fat body of the ASI will at times interfere with the FW. Both the loedstar or the QHY 5 cameras are more suitable here from a physical point of view.

A.G

[wavydavy]

Thanks lensman...........in the end ive gone for the shoestring astronomy GPUSB box, which will make my camera, losmandy, and laptop interface without having to use a stand alone unit and more expense........

[lensman57]

Thanks lensman...........in the end ive gone for the shoestring astronomy GPUSB box, which will make my camera, losmandy, and laptop interface without having to use a stand alone unit and more expense........

That is what I use with my ASI 120, HEQ5 Pro and it works just fine, it does take up a USB slot though.

A.G

[wavydavy]

Perfect lensman...........much appreciated input.

[adamphillips]

the QHY5 ii and QHY5L ii are pretty close to price as the new starshoot autoguider.

I just bought the L model but haven't got it yet.

what did it for me was a post over on cloudy nights something like QHY5 vs lodestar the guy brought up all kinds of charts and information that was way over my head. at the end when he adjusted for the different pixel sizes, something about how many photons/electrons per square inch. the QHY actually was finally on top.

im sure many will disagree, but either way the QHY5 cameras are a bit cheaper than the lodestar and they must be pretty decent at least.

[iksobarg]

Okay, I am now looking at an autoguider and ideally looking at the best bang for the buck.

I find the lodestars very tempting and will likely look for a used one however, Adamphillips, how about a follow up?

[lensman57]

The thing is I am manualy guiding at the mo with, my ASI120mm camera..........I was originaly looking to use maybe shoestring astronomys GPUSB box.......? Which I think means I wouldn't have to splash out to much.

I use GPUSB and ASI120mm with either a 50mm or 60mm finder through PHD guiding, nothing to complain about at up to 1500mm of FL . I have been given a Celestron 9.25" XLT which is a lot more demanding to guide but have not tried it yet.

A.G

[libraryman]

A big difference between the Loadstar and the QHY5L-ii is the sensor size, I use the qhy5l-ii and its fine with an 80mm f4 guidescope, but I do wish for the larger sensor at times.

I read the same report on the qhy..its very sensitive with good resolution for guiding and other fun things.

Generally a particular piece of equipment is popular because its been well tested and works well, unfortunately its often the most expensive.

The Loadstar fits this description, the Qhy5l is good no doubt, but I think that the loadstar pips it..just!

Ray