Mono vs Colour..QHY5v

[Gunnar]

Hi!

I am now going to buy my first guidecamera and I am chosing between the QHY5v MONO Guidecam or the COLOUR model. I also like the benefit of using this camera for planetary imaging, so I think it would be great chosing the colour cam. However the guiding Is the most important thing.

My guidescope is a Skywatcher ST-80 refractor.

For what I understand when reading forum threads there is a higer sensitivity on the mono cameras and that`s recomended for guiding.

How big is this difference?

Will the QHY5v "Colour" Guidecamera be a good working choice as a guidecam thru my ST-80 guidescope, or must I go the "mono-way"

Gunnar

Oh! and again, sorry for my spelling.

[Odd Dob]

I asked this very question that Bernard at Modern Astronomy, and this is what he said

With regard to imaging:

Mono is more complicated & expensive but has more resolution, sensitivity and flexibility.

So are you a perfectionist or do you want convenience?

With regard to guiding mono is the clear winner.

Hope that helps

[Gunnar]

Mr Dob!

That was a very fast reply! So it turns towards the mono-way for me. Hey, Modern Astronomy sells them on free global delivery!! I like that.

Thanks!

[Rossco72]

Mono will always be more flexible, however if you intend to use it as a planetary Cam fairly frequently then you might consider the colour option as capturing RGB and possibly even L or IR to form a colour image on planets can be quite tricky as you need to be very quick to change the colours over.

[riklaunim]

For more "dedicated" planetary imaging mono cams + filter wheels win For econo solution - color cams may win.

[Gunnar]

Okay.

But I also need the guiding to work, will it do that if I chose the colour cam? I dont want the guiding to failure.

[Stephen]

Okay.

But I also need the guiding to work, will it do that if I chose the colour cam? I dont want the guiding to failure.

To be fair, you have to accept a slight compromise one way or the other by trying to justify one thing for two jobs

The colour will guide fine, it just won't be quite as good/sensitive as the mono.

The mono will image fine, it just won't be quite as easy as the colour if you want colour images.

[Gunnar]

To be fair, you get in this position by trying to justify one thing for two jobs

Yes I now

I am a newbie so I dont understand if I need the high sensitivity either

Maybe I do, I think!

[Willly]

Low budget means multi purposing hardware, how about a webcam? 50 GBP for a Microsoft Lifecam HD Studio, perhaps cheaper on Amazon coming up to Christmas.

[Gunnar]

Hi

QHY5v Mono Guide Camera ordered!

Thanks everybody for the help!