gary1968

Hi Adam, thanks for the info. I since found out it's a qhy163c. I'll check out the atik Horizon now. Gary

Howdy, Its been a while since I lasted posted in here, just getting back into imaging. I am still using a 1000d and think the its time I up'd my game and got a dedicated astro camera. I have been looking around all the various online shops and have a few cameras on my short list, most I can find reviews online for but I cant find any reviews, bad or good, for the Explore Scientific 16MP Deep Sky Astro camera. Anyone on here using one, or know of someone using one? Is it a good camera? Is it ascom compatible and can be controlled via any of the usual complete imaging sequence programs such as APT, NINA, etc? Thanks, Gary

Howdy, Still on my mission buying my kit for my return to imaging. I want to use one of the new 'all in one' mount/camera control gadgets like the Stellarmate or ASIAir. I have done quite a bit of research on the ASIAir, which presently has limitations that are putting me off, mostly its inability to connect to a HEQ5 via eqmod to Skysafari, only through Synscan. This means I'd have to 3 star align the mount through the hand set before I could sync through plate solving to ASIAir. (maybe my understanding of this limitaion is flawed) Anyway, I have now found out about Stellarmate which looks similar to ASIAir but the software seems more 'complete' I am not bothered about the ASIAir only being compatible with ZWO cameras, I will start of with my trusty 1000d as it is supported and upgrade to a ASI294MC Pro at some point. So, questions, what are the pro's and con's of both ASIAir and Stellarmate? They are similarly priced but as I said the Sterllarmate seems more complete. Which is better, which would you buy? Cheers, Gaz

Thanks, that might settle an argument I'm having with a work mate who is a Sony aficionado, lol

They make their own sensors?

Quick question.... Who manufactures the sensors used in canon cameras, esp 1000d?

I had decided on this scope and dedicated flattener but this thread has put me off a bit. Was the problem ever resolved, and if so how? Gaz

Decision made, I'm going for the Skywatcher 72ED and the ASI183MC Pro. I have seen some images taken with that camera and a similar 420mmfl scope on the ZWO Facebook page and it seems to be a nice combination. Still to decide on the mount but it'll be a eq5 or heq5, that little imaging package wont strain a eq5 so I wont rule that out. Thanks for the help and advice. Gaz

As for what I will be using it for, widefield DSO stuff mainly, nebulae, some galaxies, star clusters etc.... I'd like to revisit most of the objects I've imaged before as its been a while. I will most likely be buying either a new eq5pro ar a 2nd hand heq5pro..... I know how good the heq5 is as I've had them in the past..... I haven't had much experience with the eq5, other than I had a cg5gt a while back and it was a nightmare to guide.... If I go for the eq5pro I hope its better than the cg5gt. Thanks, Gaz

Now that is a nice wee scope, and a good price.... definately a contender.... Going by what you guys were talking about up there it should go nicely with the ASI183MC Pro..... Thanks, Gaz

Thanks Louise, I nice short frac won't put too much strain on the mount either... Now if only I could pick up a nice wee zs66, lol..... Gaz

Thanks for the informaion guys..... But you have sent me off on a tangent now, lol.... What if I were to change my choice of scope to a SW80ed? Would that then make the 183mc worth considering. (or any of the other 80ed's that are available) That combo would cost a bit less than the 130pds/294mc combo? Gaz

I bought the 120mc S for planetary and guiding

Thanks Adam, looks like I'll have to budget a bit more and go for the 294mc pro.....

I could get a cooled 295, its just shy of a grand though........