Andy274

Interesting that we were discussing this on this thread 2020/2021 https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/news/oil-leak-issue-on-asi2600mc-pro-and-other-cameras.html Confirmed my mistrust of ZWO & im so glad i went for the Altair 26C & 26M. I want to state that this is in no way a dig at FLO as their support is not in question at all.

I did respond pre coffee 😬 I just can't be bothered with the partisan brand nonsense - that's my point. I'm not bothered if you're an Altarian, a ZWOmbie, or whatever the QHY lot call themselves. Just pick a camera that suits your needs. If you're worried about the potential of it leaking oil - don't get the zwo, if you're not bothered, pick what you like.

Not sure why my post from last yr was brought up, all I can say is that I've had my Altair astro 26C since release & it's operated flawlessly. It's so good I bought the 26M too. Not heard of a single instance of any of the Altair or QHY flavours having this issue which suggests its limited to ZWO. The partisan Altair, QHY or ZWO doesn't interest me really. I've found my preferred brand - not based on speculation, but based on fact & experience. Whichever camp you're in - cool & good luck, no hate here but happy to talk about my experiences if anyone is interested. Cheers Andy

No it doesn't come with dessicant tablets, sealed chamber & doesn't need them. I contacted the guys there to confirm

So I never expected to generate this kind of debate when I posted my musing - I can say after a patchy night of imaging due to fabulous North West England weather & a full moon that the camera is a game changer. There are lots of images taken using flooding in & in now convinced that it is not worth spending the extra £400+ on the QHY or ZWO offerings given they need dessicant tablets & leak oil in the case of the ZWO. In Steve's xbox tv analogy I kind of think it's established already that altair, qhy & zwo are the Samsung, LG & Sony equivalent so all are quality products. Your lucky to have received your series x too - still waitng on mine 😒

This is exactly the type of debate I was hoping to generate guys. I agree with Vlaiv, I don't think there will be much difference - hence the whole reason for the post. When my camera arrives & if we ever get a clear night I'll be out there & we'll see what's what

In what way have I criticised SGL members that have responded Martin? By partisan affiliation with regard to any astronomical brand, I liken it to supporting a football team - some people will only buy a particular brand etc, not in any way can that be construed as criticising anyone. No offence was meant to Steve, FLO or Ian, but I think I'm safe enough to describe my experience - im not in China or North Korea. I really don't want to get into the politics of brand bashing, not my thing, the post was started by asking an open & honest question - which still stands. The proof of the pudding will be in the images I guess, now all we really need to work on is a de-cloud machine. If we can all work on that we'd be onto a winner! Cheers Andy

That's my experience im afraid Steve, I did feel thoroughly fobbed off by Ian - asked 1 or 2 questions which I answered then bounced me to ZWO support. I understand that I may be an outlier with that experience. The end of my post stated that I'll buy what's right for me & not because its any particular brand but because its what I believe will work. The whole point of this post was to ask for details in the difference between the 3 brands of camera so I could make an informed choice & so far nobody had been able to give me one. Instead my post had been filled with partisan affiliation which frankly isn't helpful. Not the intention to rubbish any brand, but quite within my rights to share my experience on here - whether people agree or not. Cheers Andy

I have bought one Martin so will definitely be posting my images. I have only had 1 ZWO camera - a 533 bought from FLO. I had a cooling issue with it & when i emailed to discuss it - Ian King was dealing with it & the stock response from FLO was for me to call ZWO support - which was the most futile and mind numbing experience i can remember for a long time - their only interest was if it was powered properly. Over a number of weeks this became intolerable until after more correspondence with FLO it went in for testing. Not a great experience overall. I doubt i'll ever buy another ZWO camera again if im honest after my experience. Ive no allegiance to any brand or company, i want to buy whats best for me. Ultimately theyre painted components that are stickered up. So if the 26C stacks up, then win win all round & Ive saved £500 over the equivalent ZWO camera & i'll let the partisan branding debates keep going on & i'll continue to purchase based on experience

Yeah I personally believe its 90% brand loyalty & nothing to do with differences in the cameras themselves. I do know that zwo support were shocking - like properly poor. So I've gone for the Altair version. My friend is getting the qhy so we'll do a proper comparison & I'll post it on here - that's if anyone is left here from the exodus onto the new forum

So what's the difference between the 3 then? Nobody can explain it to me to justify the extra costs for either the zwo or qhy units. Either because they can't or they want to ignore the question

That's my point really Vlaiv, are they all the same though? Hasn't there been a side by side comparison between the zwo & qhy cameras? They're both out currently aren't they? I can't see the Altair version being any different from the other 2 brands. If that's the case then it shows how much mark up there is on the others without any justification & that it comes down to brand loyalty in choosing. I'm confused by it all Reading the Altair spec it looks like you can run it at 100 gain - which is CCD killer territory isn't it? Lower read noise, 16bit etc? https://www.altairastro.com/altair-hypercam-26c-aps-c-colour-camera-16bit-6451-p.asp

Hi guys, been looking to replace my ASI 533 with another camera, was looking at the ASI 2600, then I've noticed that QHY use the same chip at the same cost, now Altair Astro have released the 26C. All the same sensor yet the Altair is significantly cheaper. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between them & if they're the same, why is the Altair camera less expensive than the ZWO or QHY versions?

People will tell you horror stories of owning an RC - mainly due to collimation. Ive recently managed to collimate mine using David Davies's process & couldnt be happier with it. Its not as scary as people will let you believe. Your cameras would be a great match for that scope too - to be sure - check out CCD suitability on astronomy tools Good luck Cheers Andy

I know what you're saying Luke, They're a mare to collimate, but if & when you persevere &get it working - its a proper weapon

Thanks Basilio, Without a bahtinov mask I was getting as close as I can to focus I'm happy with. The next challenge is checking collimation...which as we know is the big test 😱 Cheers Andy

David You should start a collimation service - just a thought. I've recently bought a 2nd hand RC8 & rather than do what some people do - buy one - struggle - then sell on, I'm going to persevere with it & want to get it as good as it can be. Unfortunately I'm not as technically competent (or brave enough lol) as i need to be to follow your steps myself. Great post & great resource for reference Cheers Andy

Hey Basilio, Thanks for this - I've been outside as its been clear & I've managed to get the scope in focus. Unfortunately I've got no bahtinov mask yet so can't get it dialed as precisely as id like. The collimation looks a little bit out but that's just a cursory impression looking at a de-focused star. I had to add an extra spacer between the backplate & focuser and I'm approx 50mm between focuser (which sits in the focuser) and chip. Attached is an image of the moon using my smartphone whilst it was up on screen. Again thanks for your help on this Cheers Andy That is exactly what I'm looking for B4silio - absolute magic.

B4silio that is exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated. So if I wanted to have 0.75 I would reduce that to something like 50mm between the back of the focuser (by back of the focuser I mean the end closest to the camera) & the camera. That 160mm from the backplate to the camera end of the focuser is crucial im guessing - but as stated by Fellside not so much between the focuser & camera - depending upon how much focal reduction I want. The sweetspot for me would be between .75 & .63 cheers Andy

HI David yes, they confirmed 254mm which seems a very very long way from the back of the OTA

I'll give that a go Graham thanks Andy

Thanks but that doesn't really help. I've no idea how far away the focal point is from the rear of the scope with or without the reducer. I've seen different images of people's setup (all different) but no lengths i.e. 1"Spacer-tilt ring-focuser- reducer-spacer-camera vs similar with no tilt ring etc. Nobody can tell me what the distance to chip is from the backplate. We always seem to need to find the answers ourselves as it never ships with the scope from the manufacturer does it. The hunt continues

Hi guys, I've just acquired an Altair branded RC8 carbon tube. I'm trying to find the back fucus distance to chip from the backplate on the scope. I've got myself an astrophysics 0.67x telecompressor. I'm getting conflicting distances - I'm being told 254mm which is a mile long. If anyone has a pic of their configuration & or distances etc - that's be a massive help Cheers Andy

I had a 72mm WO doublet that I got some great shots on using that 383L. Its just being presented with new information that put me into a flat spin. Was ready to sell it & get a 183 instead... The FL of the Altair triplet is 432mm (I think) Thanks for all your input - it's saved me from a grave mistake as I love that camera Andy

Yes that scale & I know its fine on the 110mm - it's the 70mm I want to use a mono camera on