DMK21AU04 VS QHY5L-II For Guiding

[Rob_Jn]

Hi,

I use the DMK for guiding at the moment but considering getting a QHY5L-II, from what I seem to be reading its more sensitive?

Does anyone have any direct experience comparing the two?

Thanks,

Rob

[ChrisLX200]

Not comparing the two I'm afraid but I can testify the senstivity of the QHY5L-II (the less sensitive colour version) is such that I can get a guidestar in any random FOV with my 70mm refractor guidescope. Works well with PHD. I'm converting my QHY5-II into an all-sky camera having just bought a fish-eye lens and dome for it.

ChrisH

[SnakeyJ]

Rob,

Like Chris I can't give a direct comparison against the DMK, but can say the QHY5L-IIM is an excellent guide cam - I've posted this link before, but there's an excellent comparison thread between the QHY and Lodestar guiders over on CN - http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5969048/page/2/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

[Rob_Jn]

Thanks Chris, Jake.

Chris what is the f-ratio and fl of the refractor? Im using a WO72FD @f12 and can only get bright stars (mag ~7) with a 1s guiding exposure and the DMK.

Rob

[ChrisLX200]

Thanks Chris, Jake.

Chris what is the f-ratio and fl of the refractor? Im using a WO72FD @f12 and can only get bright stars (mag ~7) with a 1s guiding exposure and the DMK.

Rob

Woa. f/12? That's long!  Mine is f/5.6 (IIRC).

ChrisH

[Rob_Jn]

Yeah! I use a 2x barlow but I think many of the guiding problems I used to have were due to other things, so I should give native f6 a try again - I think with what you have described I'll buy the QHY.

Rob