Guide Scope -> ST4?

[t0ny]

Hi, thanks to the clouds I have had nothing else to do other than buy stuff I have no idea how to use. You could argue that's everything.

I have purchased an ST80 to use as a guide scope. I have a Phillips Toucam (webcam) that I want to try using as the guide camera. 
I understand that the USB from the webcam goes to my laptop, but how does the software (unsure what to use yet) instruct the HEQ5Pro that it needs to adjust a little?
I have one of those ST4 cables, but I am starting to think I need to buy another adapter to go from USB to ST4?

Thanks

[carastro]

Yes to make the webcam speak to the mount you'll need something like a GPUSB or the Hitechastro USB guider & cable.  The GPUSB or USB guider plugs into your laptop and joins up to the ST4 which plugs into the mount.

However I am not sure whether a toucam is really man enough for the job, I could be wrong, see what other's think.

Carole 

[Tinker1947]

You need to use Ascom, EQMod and a EQDir adapter, this will replace the Handset, you can use the Handset in place of a EQDir, somebody else will need to explain how, so the ST4 socket is used by a Guiding CCD to go direct from the CCD to the ST4 port, your webcam won't have the connection. check out the EQMod help files....

http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

[t0ny]

It's a pcvc840k Toucam which I used a few years ago for planetary imaging. Will it just not be able to see enough to guide?

Is this: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/hitecastro-usb-guider.html what you mean?

I don't imagine I can buy a camera for guiding for anywhere near this cheap, but if it won't work then I guess it's back to the saving up. Again.

 

[t0ny]

By the way, I already have the Hitech EQDir adapter, but this is for EQMod to slew etc, not the ST4 stuff?

[Joseki]

I've not done it myself yet but I think with the EQDir cable & EQMOD you don't need a ST4 cable and can guide using "pulse guiding". - so webcam to laptop (usb), laptop to mount (EQDir)

This looks like the right sort of documentation

http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/docs/EQASCOM_Guiding.pdf

[Tinker1947]

It's a pcvc840k Toucam which I used a few years ago for planetary imaging. Will it just not be able to see enough to guide?

Is this: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/hitecastro-usb-guider.html what you mean?

I don't imagine I can buy a camera for guiding for anywhere near this cheap, but if it won't work then I guess it's back to the saving up. Again.

One of these......

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/hitecastro-eqdir-adapter.html

[Joseki]

oh and as well as EQMOD you'll need PHD (the software not the qualification ) to do the actual guiding bit http://www.stark-labs.com/phdguiding.html

[t0ny]

I have the older version of that, with the big HITECH box in the middle.

[Tinker1947]

Guide Cameras come in different type properly the best is this one

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/starlight-xpress-lodestar-x2-autoguider.html

There is the older version still on sale...i have one and its never failed to find a guide star and many times is shows the DSO in the PHD screen.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/starlight-xpress-lodestar-autoguider.html

There are other types/Brands but i can't say what as i have only used the Lodestar....

[t0ny]

Ouch, so guide cameras are expensive.

[gnomus]

Ouch, so guide cameras are expensive.

They don't need to be that expensive.  I use a ZWO -  http://www.zwoptical.com/eng/Cameras/ASI120/index.asp or http://www.365astronomy.com/ZWO-ASI120MM-Monochrome-1-3-CMOS-USB2.0-Camera-with-Autoguider-Port.html

And this doubles, of course, a great camera for planetary and lunar imaging.

[t0ny]

oh and as well as EQMOD you'll need PHD (the software not the qualification ) to do the actual guiding bit http://www.stark-labs.com/phdguiding.html

Thanks John,

Looks like pulse guiding will save me a little money (if I can get a webcam to guide).

[t0ny]

They don't need to be that expensive.  I use a ZWO -  http://www.zwoptical.com/eng/Cameras/ASI120/index.asp or http://www.365astronomy.com/ZWO-ASI120MM-Monochrome-1-3-CMOS-USB2.0-Camera-with-Autoguider-Port.html

And this doubles, of course, a great camera for planetary and lunar imaging.

Thanks gnomus, i'll have a look at these.

I'm sure I read people have webcams working, but perhaps they don't do very well or for a beginner like me it will only make things more difficult.

[Carina Lass]

Yes they do appear overpriced.

Seems a situation where small markets produce high value.

[lensman57]

It's a pcvc840k Toucam which I used a few years ago for planetary imaging. Will it just not be able to see enough to guide?

Is this: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/guide-cameras/hitecastro-usb-guider.html what you mean?

I don't imagine I can buy a camera for guiding for anywhere near this cheap, but if it won't work then I guess it's back to the saving up. Again.

Hi Tony,

I think the issue is getting a little over complicated here. A webcam can be used as a guide camera with or without ST4. If the webcam has ST4 then this will be wired to the ST4 or guiding port of the mount. In Phd Guiding you go Mount- On Camera and then take it from here on. If the webcam does not have an ST4 port then you need a guiding interface like GPUSB which connects to the ST4 port of the mount and the USB of the laptop or PC, the webcam is connected to another USB port on the laptop. In this case you go Mount- GPUSB in Phd guiding. I also prefer the handset to the EQDIR and Ascom for my set up. You need to make your own choice.

A.G