Autoguiders: Stand Alone or Computer Aided

[Aeseir]

Hi guys,

Now that i have some experience with the whole astro photography thing i would love to extend my exposures past the 3.5 min mark without any streaks.

I've been told that autoguiders are the way to go mounted on a guidescope and thus have done a little research on various combinations.

Now i got a biggie that i need to overcome. Should i get stand alone or computer aided.

So far i have deducted following:

Stand Alone:

Pro - no need for computer, lightweight, used with DSLR means telescope setup is completely autonomous

Cons - small offering on market (not many variations), small LCD screens that can be difficult to make out, limited control, more expensive

Computer Aided:

Pros - Large variation of autoguiders on market from el cheapo $50 bucks to "we need your firstborn as downpayment", large variation of software that can be used to guide thus enabling even faintest stars to be guided on, can view on big screen

Cons - Makes mobile setups even less mobile as you need to lugg a laptop around, moisture is not your friend as it destroys laptops, you are stuck to a laptop, lot more cabiling can cause issues

Now that is my part of research.

Can you guys give me more information, im especially interested in quality of chipsets, personally i'm leaning towards stand alone as i use DSLR and would prefer a nible setup to bulky (mobile platform) but am worried if the quality to capture and track stars is same.

Thanks in advance.

P.S.

If you know of any autoguiders other than nexguide, synguider, baader lvl1 smartguider, please post link.

[ronin]

Cannot suggest anything, but will ask the following:

Could you use a notebook? They are small, somewhere around here (bit far for you) sells used ones at around £130-150.

Secondly, I would suspect that eventually you will require a laptop, the way forward in AP is to a dedicated ccd. Many of the images seen are often taken on a ccd not a DSLR.

I recall at an imaging talk the imager (very good) said that a DSLR was for holiday snaps. Somewhat harsh, it was in response to someone asking how they could improve on the images they were getting - the answer being aimed at a DSLR will allow you to get images, whereas a ccd imaging camera was designed for the job.

In effect will you be taking the next step and getting a ccd and so needing a laptop for that, immaterial of the guider ?

[rob0971]

I had a standalone when I first started. Worked really well but was a complete pain to set up. It took ages to get the focus right once you had found something to focus on. Believe me, a laptop & guide cam are the way forward.

[mftoet]

If you know of any autoguiders other than nexguide, synguider, baader lvl1 smartguider, please post link.

Having used an SBIG ST-4 stand-alone autoguider and the Lodestar/PHD computer aided combo, I'm back to a stand-alone autoguider for my mobile setup: a Lacerta MGEN. This autoguider can also be used as a 'remote timer' for your DSLR (Canon and Nikon only). Rather pricey, though highly recommended. (I am not aware if it is available through UK retailers.)

[Aeseir]

Thanks for response all.

I am not keen on having a tied up system at this stage as its a mobile platform, if one day i end up having a fixed system then game changes completely.

While in principle i agree with the Imaging specialist, in reality i don't. To get the same size & quality sensor in a CCD that you can get in a DSLR, is a difference is a thousands of pounds/dollars.

e.g. i'm imaging with EOS 40D and it has more clarity on 3 min exposures then a few people that have invested $2000 bucks in a CCD, mine cost me $250.

Currently my setup is mobile (CGEM mount, with 8" SCT), biggest issue i worry about for 3 min exposure is my drift alignment (just cannot crack that sucker).

Down the track when finances are good plans is to go into permanent setup, in which case i can do a lot of funky stuff (IT background with Elec exp), in which case i will look at getting 14" SCT (or around there) with a dedicated CCD and tablet running PHD for e.g. (or other funky software).

I guess the theme for now is mobility.

mftoet - thanks for that, i ran across that guider looks fantastic (very powerful) will look at how far they ship. P.S. love netherlands, great countryside and fantastic football team.

[dazza1639]

I used a synguider with great success for many years it made guiding very simple

Darren

@SalAstroSoc & @astronut1639

www.salfordastro.org.uk