Atik and Starlight Xpress

[Avo]

I have just aquired an Atik 314L+ and will initially be playing with a web cam as a guide cam.

When funds allow I am thinking of a lodestar guider with OAG.

Does the camera dictate the choice of filter wheel as I like the compact nature and the reviews of the Starlight wheel and its OAG, will filter wheel control via USB be an issue ?

[Spikey]

I use an Atik 16HR with an SX filter wheel via USB Avo.

I suppose it depends on the software you intend to control things with.

The Artemis(Atik) software only controls Atik filter wheels. Something like Nebulosity or Maxim will allow a mixture of products.

[steppenwolf]

Pretty much any camera can be used with the SX filter wheel and an OAG - things get more difficult when you start to introduce a coma corrector, field flattener or focal reducer as you try to get the spacing correct but this is not really a likely issue with the 314L+. USB control is pretty seamless in Windows 7 but I had unresolveable issues with Windows XP and the SX wheel although I am assured by Terry Platt of SX that my experience was not typical. You may find the following reviews on FLO's website of interest:-

Starlight Xpress Filter wheel and OAG.

ATIK Filter wheel and OAG.

[Avo]

Thanks for that, I've read those articles and that made me think more of the SX wheel and OAG.

I'm thinking to future proof any purchases as a larger camera may be a future upgrade.

I'm also pondering on a manual wheel with separate guide scope however, the OAG does appear to be a lighter, compact and more accurate solution.

I guess i'm just going to have to take the plunge and suck it and see.

[dmahon]

USB control is pretty seamless in Windows 7 but I had unresolveable issues with Windows XP and the SX wheel although I am assured by Terry Platt of SX that my experience was not typical.

I'm happy to say it works absolutely fine on my XP netbook here.