Gregely

Thanks Mark

10 minutes ago, MarkAR said:

ENS Optical has a few from £700, hope you get the Ebay one cheap.

I hope that too...😀

Thank you for the replies.

Even though incorrect I still learned a lot from the resulting searches, plus you are the only one with input so far. 

I think I am going to go for it I just hope I don't overpay.

Hmm.

I looked up the atik 314L and I think it has a different sensor. Icx285al

The starlight Xpress sxv-h9 has the same sensor but the sxv-m9 according to the manual has the icx423al

I have been looking at the datasheets for both and the icx285al seems to have better sensitivity on different wavelengths than the icx423al.

That makes me want to ask the question: Is the sxv-m9 going to be much more sensitive than my Olympus e-pl7?

I want to think yes but I really don't know enough. I wonder if anyone can help with this?

Thank you

Greg

ICX423AL.pdf ICX285AL.pdf

Thanks Stuart

I'm off to Google it.

I don't suppose you would know what would be a sensible price for a camera like this.

What I left out of my essay is that I don't have a lot of money...

Shocking isn't it... 😀

Hello SGL

I am looking at a used old (2004 ish if I'm correct) starlight Xpress sxv-m9 and guide head.

I have been googling my bottom off but I cannot find any information/review of the camera apart from the manual and a few vague references.

What I know:

Small format big pixels. (752x582)

The sensor active area I'm not sure of as the manual states in 2 separate places 2 different values, 6.5mm X 4.8mm,  and 8.72mm X 6.5mm.

Pixel size: massive (11.6um X 11.2um)

Quantum efficiency: 60% at 520nm from the icx423al sensor whatever that means. I  mean I know the higher the efficiency the more sensitive but that is just a number for me at this point.

It has a lot of useful features such as star2000, but it comes with a guider head so it wouldn't be needed.

Now the questions:

What it is like to use?

Aa beginner I have only used a mirror less Olympus camera and haven't done guiding yet since I have no guide camera. So if it doesn't work out as an imaging camera I could use it as a guide cam.

How durable are these?

It is old 16 years give or take.

Would it work in Windows 10? I think it does but I would like confirmation.

What is it worth? I really not want to overpay on a possible gamble.

I am looking to use it on my sct for small and bright and I will buy a refractor or a 6" Newtonian for "wider" fov.

Is it cooled? 

In the manual the intro states cooled, could anyone confirm/expand on that please.

Lastly anything else I should know?

Bare in mind I like older unused unloved older equipment even though I could get much better and/or easier results with newer.

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks 

Greg

Hi SGL

I popped this topic on CN too but noone seems to know anything.

I came by an old Celestron Ultima 8 pre-PEC. I really like the scope and the mount it may be that I have read too much of Uncle Rod's and other's praise that I feel this scope has some intangible personality and charm.

Anyway...

Circuitry in the base seems to work fine even though the batteries don't hold charge but drive the Ra axis . I have 2 replacement on its way to me.

Now my issue: It didn't come with a hand controller. I know it is not needed for tracking, and I don't have a Dec motor but I find it would be useful for centering in RA and D.A.R.V. method drift alignment.

I was on the verge of making a crude controller out of veroboard and 4 momentary switches that I thought to be correct from the info on various sites, but then I came across an Ultima 8 project that clearly showed the hand controller for my scope.

The pic attached is the one.

I am looking for help on how the dial and buttons are wired in and/or photos of the innards of the hand controller or if anyone knows what else is inside the handbox.

The sources I was going on so far is a combination of the following 3 links:

https://www.cloudyni...ding/?p=8015749

https://onstep.group...in/message/6300

https://github.com/garlick/ultima8/blob/master/base/README.md

These of course don't include drive rate rotary switch in the middle and if I could I would really like to to restore the full ability of this mount without spending too much  on electronics. Plus I don't want to spend time and effort on wiring something that doesn't work.

Oh and lastly I have no background  or experience in electronics just own a soldering station and a whole lot of determination.

Thanks in advance

Greg

Hi

well I have just signed up to this forum with all intentions to ask about equipment and the like. I didn't think that my first post on the forum would be this but after reading this post (one of multiple) I just have to thank the poster.

So thank you.