Altar Astro GP Cam

[Taff]

Hi' I have been looking  for information on my Altar Astro GP Cam on the net but with no luck.What i like to know what the ST4 lead is used for and where does it go because the lead is quite short.Thanks for reading.Mark

[CraigT82]

the st4 lead is used when guiding. The st4 lead connects the st4 port on the camera to the st4 port on the mount, if it has one. Guiding is then achieved by the software on the laptop sending guide signals up the USB cable to camera and then the camera forwards them on to the mount via the st4 cable. 

Edited August 5, 2020 by CraigT82

[Taff]

Hi'So i need to get software for the webcam to guide?

[CraigT82]

Yes, most commonly used software is phd2.

There are standalone guiders which don't require a laptop, like the skywatcher synguider, but not sure how effective these are. 

[Taff]

Hi CraigT82' Thanks for your help and information.Great images in your page.Mark

[MarkAR]

You're better off apparently hooking up via the USB port to a hub and letting your computer control everything. That way you can use pulse guiding.

Edited August 5, 2020 by MarkAR

[ejp1684]

46 minutes ago, MarkAR said:

You're better off apparently hooking up via the USB port to a hub and letting your computer control everything. That way you can use pulse guiding.

Yes, this is the way I successfully used my GPCam.

[Taff]

With a GPCam is it only used with a guiding scope, or can you use the webcam through your scope to the laptop with GPCam software Thanks.Mark

[CraigT82]

4 minutes ago, Taff said:

With a GPCam is it only used with a guiding scope, or can you use the webcam through your scope to the laptop with GPCam software Thanks.Mark

You can use it in the main scope to capture images, of the moon and planets for example. You don't need to use the gpcam software, you can use sharpcap or firecapture which are much more functional capture programs

[Taff]

Hi CraigT82' Is it the same  with the webcam you got to do Dark and Bias Frames after you have finished with the light Frames.Mark

[CraigT82]

Yes if you're doing longer exposures then darks/bias/flats will help. Not so important to do those for very short exposures on the moon and planets though

[Taff]

ok Thanks CraigT82 for your help.Mark

[knobby]

If it's an older Altair GpCam you'll need an older version of Sharpcap for it to be recognised ...

[Taff]

Hi Knobby' I am not sure if the webcam is older one.Thanks for the information with Sharpcap.Mark