PHD2 not showing many stars or locking on

[phil3]

I am just starting in autoguiding.  I am using my GPcam3 178M as a guide camera.  I have checked good focus on the guide camera in sharpcap (camera fully operational), then close sharpcap and opened PHD2.

When I start it looping, it shows almost no stars in the sky from the guide camera.  Maybe 2 faint ones.  When I try to get it to lock on it says low SNR.  I slew to different targets but there is either zero or a couple of guide stars.

Is there a reason why I can't use a gpcam3 as a guide camera?  I see the starlight xpress ones use a ccd rather than cmos.

I have tried all exposure lengths and the gamma adjuster slider in phd2, it makes no difference.  I even tried centring arcturus but it said low star mass.

Thanks

Phil

[michael8554]

Which camera driver are you using with PHD2 ?

Drivers & AltairCapture software download (Windows only): www.altaircameras.com (opens new window). 

Michael

Edited April 20, 2020 by michael8554