New stand alone autoguider

[amoeba]

http://www.lvi-cameras.com/cameras.asp

Probably wont be able to find any other users or reviews for a little while though as it is only just released. Could be promising.

[bojan]

Definitely looks promising, however a bit too expensive for my taste...
It goes into 1.25" eyepiece barrel it seems....
Important thing is to get rid of too much equipment when out in the field.... and if it can work hours on one battery charge, even better...

[AlexN]

I'd want to see one working before spending 370 euro's...

I've just put my name on the waiting list for a TV Guider, whilst its more expensive than the LVI stand alone auto guider, I've seen one in person, seen it work, and seen images produced by it... its awesome.

[AlexN]

I just read the info PDF, its limiting magnitude with the longest exposure time (only 2sec) in an 80mm scope was mag 8... its pretty good, but not fantastic.... Again, I'd like to see one in the flesh...

[rogerg]

There's a (relatively) huge market for these kind of things I think. Autoguiding with the normal configuration of camera and laptop can be such a pain. I just hope the extra competition improves the offerings rather than reducing the offerings!

Mag 8 doesn't sound bright enough for me, considering if that's the limiting mag it's reasonable to assume it only works "well" with brighter stars.

I think I would buy one of these or a TV Guider if I could see one working in the flesh and they were more commonly available.

Roger.

[allan gould]

A far better value is the TVGuider which offers far more for less money and has a proven track record.

[Gama]

The reason why its limited to 8th Mag is for a reason.
You should be able to get 8th mag easily by pointing it at near any location. Due to CMOS sensor design, any more exposure starts to introduce noise levels etc. It is only limited by software to 2 seconds, and tests showed that 2 seconds or less is fine.
In fact the Starshoot or QHY-5 is the same, as no more than 2 secs are needed.

I have all the specs and images it produces, and its pretty good so far.
Wait for its release for more info.
By the way, the price was only a pre order intro. The price is back to around 440 euro.
Its much easier to use and setting up takes seconds.

Theo

[TrevorW]

Fundamentally a QHY5 or Orion Autoguider camera modified for stand alone use but is it worth double the price, I don't think so.

[Ian Robinson]

That's a good idea .... I've emailed them - lumping a laptop around will be pain in butt.

I'd be interested in the uprocessor (handpaddle) only if it is compatible with a Orion Autoguider ... which BTW I have yet to get out of the box and use.

Even better if I can use it to autoguide my old CG5 (non-GOTO version) too,

[AlexN]

Trevor, Stand alone setups are worth more to some people, like myself, who have 1001 usb devices hanging off their laptop as it is.. I'm on the waiting list for a TV guider, and once I get that, it frees up 2 usb ports, lessening the load on my computer making it all run a bit nicer....

For people using a dslr with a timed shutter release cable, a stand alone guider completely removes the need for a computer at all.. which is something very hand when you're out somewhere that does not have 240v power..

[gregbradley]

What's a TV guider? Is that by Televue? I just checked their site and I couldn't see it mentioned.

Greg.

[Bassnut]

It gets down to a trip-to-dark-skies or permanent Obs application. A stand alone guider is a god send for a mobile rig, but only if you use a DSLR. If there is any need for a lappie (for astro CCDs say) or a PC in an Obs, then its a pricy luxury. The guiding graph in Maxum DL and tweakable settings is hard to beat on a PC.

[AlexN]

Greg, The TV Guider is not by televue, its a stand alone guide system, not too dissimilar to this unit being discussed. They are however hard to get, with only 4 - 5 of them being produced a year... There is no official web site for them, but there is an email address to contact the maker.


Fred - too true. If I had a permanent setup, with a desktop in the observatory, then a stand alone guider would be OVERKILL to the max, and rather expensive. however my laptop only has 3 usb ports... hanging off the usb ports I have
Imaging CCD
Guiding camera
GPUSB
FCUSB - for imaging scope
FCUSB2 - for guide scope (coming soon)
USB-Serial adapter
USB mouse (touch pads are useless once it gets really cold and a little damp)

Thats a hell of a lot of usb signals for the little lappy to have to control, and if it costs me $800odd to get rid of two of them, and make the system more useable whilst imaging, then its a fair enough price (in my opinion..) not everyones cup of tea I suppose.

[Ian Robinson]

My old Dell Inspirion has only 2 USB ports , I've added a Logitect 4 port hub and do not want to have a stack of stuff running of the laptop's battery (6600mAH) and don't want to have to lump a laptop about as well as the Jumpstart battery pack.

And I definitely do not want to run an extension cord 20 - 30 m across damp dew covered grass when I restart using my back yard. That's just plain suicide.

[TrevorW]

Alex I wasn't denying the usefulness of stand alone items but just couldn't justify the cost. Albeit wireless control of the mount and camera would be even more useful saves tripping over cords!!!

Cheers

[AlexN]

mmmmm 100% wireless astronomy.... Tis only a dream!

[Bassnut]

Alex, well, wireless data is a no brainer, wireless power is a problem tho, youd be far to rich and busy for astrophotograhy if you could dream up a solution to that little problem (batteries dont count). Assuming you mean a local rig. Internet imaging via a wireless lappie is also cheating :).

[AlexN]

Wireless data, not a problem, wireless power... well... umm.... I considered setting up a 12v DC regulated supply inside my house, with LONG leads, put them in a conduit underground, and just have my mount/dew setup powered from sockets in the ground... so it would always have power... however, you still have to physically flick the switch on the mount... I suppose you could set up a RF relay to do that.. its not exactly "WIRELESS" but its neatly wired to appear wireless. :)

Yeah.. I've looked into a lot of options.. My best yet is for planetary imaging, I set up outside laptop -> mount via ASCOM, put the laptop in a dewproof box under the mount. went inside.. jumped on my desktop, used RDP to log in to the lappie through my wireless LAN, opened K3CCDtools, opened the sky and connected it to the mount, started recording AVI's, when jupiter started to drift off the screen, used ASCOM controls to bring it back... at the end of the night, parked the mount via ASCOM, disconnected the RDP session and went back outside to pack it all up (Damn not having an observatory...)

Wow.. I just realised how completly off topic this post is, and yet, I'll still post it anyway :)

Nevermind.

[allan gould]

For the discussion of the TVGuider look at this thread
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=19788
allan

[ozstockman]

as I mentioned before there is no point to pay so much for any standalone auto guiders. If you have already got a QHY5 it's only a matter of buying a 4" UMPC and you will get much better setup because you can use this UMPC for anything including running your planetary software.

If you check ebay (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=UMPC&_sacat=See-All-Categories) you will find a lot of them for sale there


4"-5" are quite small devices so you can hold it with one hand. They usually run Windows XP OS which means you can install and run on it a lot of astronomy software. You can find a used or even a new one for US$500-600. You can even try and build it in your mount. At least my UMPC has has the same dimensions as a control panel side of EQ6 mount has.

I bought mine 4" SONY U750P (http://cgi.ebay.com/Ultra-rare-original-UMPC-Sony-Vaio-VGN-U750p-with-bonus_W0QQitemZ270292259436QQcmdZVi ewItem?hash=item270292259436&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3 A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14) for $450 in excellent condition for the same reason. But when I moved from DSLR imaging to CCD I had to stop using it as I needed a laptop for a CCD camera anyway.
You can still run CCD camera control software from an UMPC but usually they come with a single USB port and it will be harder to inspect your images on 4" screen.

cheers,

Mike

[Ian Robinson]

I asked them some questions :

I have an Orion Autoguider , is your autoguider handpaddle uprocessor unit compatible with this ? - would be handy to not need to lump a notebook about or use a PC .

I also have two GEMs , an older CELESTRON CG5 (not the goto version) and a VIXEN New Atlux (the one that uses a Starbook controller
Is your uprocessor (handpaddle) compatible with my old CG5 (or do you have a convertor to make this work) ?
Is it compatible with my New Altux ?

Cost of the uprocessor and cabling adapters needed for the CG5 ?

Their answers :
Hello Ian,

Thank you for your interest with LVI Smartguider camera!

No, the Smartguider handpaddle cannot be used at all with any of the autoguiding camera out there!
You must consider the whole Smartguider system to autoguide your shots through the Starbook controller. This mount is fully compatible with the Smartguider camera.

The old CG5 mount can be used as well, but you strictly need a dual axis drive featuring a ST4 port at least.
The cheapest solution I know is the Astromeccanica DA1 drive, find attached some doc. Just ignore the autoguiding section enclosed in the manual, this is referred to an old webcam based procedure!! The Smartguider will simply plug into the DA1's ST4 port to succesfully work. Nothing less, nothing more.
The Astromeccanica AM-V motor replacement is fully compatible with your own CG5 mount, just consider black housing motors instead of green ones.

As an additional bonus, there at least 2 free softwares capable of allowing a PC based goto through the DA1 system!

http://www.bloomingstars.com/vega/software/Astronomy/MicroGiga_DA1_GoTo_Software_-JDA1/english/
http://eqalign.sourceforge.net/eqalign/index.php/Main_Page/EQAlign_Project

It's anything available at stock, the whole DA1 system (drive unit + cables + motors) is priced 325 euro + shipping.

If you're interested in a bundle autoguiding kit (Smartguider + DA1) for your CG5, I can quote you a nice offer.
Just let me know.

..... well , looks like I'll be using my notebook to interface with the autoguider .... bummer !!!

and no my old CG5 has no ST4 port on the handpaddle.

[Gama]

Hi Guys,
Theres a lot of questions out there about this method versus the costs.
As said earlier, theres pro's and con's to each method of guiding.
Yes its expensive, but not because of the current pricing, but thanks to the freakin dollar. This was supposed to be available for around the $700 mark, but thanks to the 30% dollar drop, we are paying for the @#@% up's of the U.S.A.
For DSLR users, theres nothing better than just setting up your scope and DSLR, then just plug in the guider, press a couple of buttons, and your guiding. Like it was said, no cables, no laptop, no software !. No messing around with settings and frustrations on why it didnt work the other night, etc.
There is also some use when used along side a computer/Laptop as well.
You dont need to run multiple software applications, which slow up the computer, and also take up extra bandwidth or CPU time. Not to mention crashes, reboots, thanks to Microsoft for this..
This guider setup is stand alone and is designed as one item, and so is not compatible with other cameras.
I believe that "MyAstroshop" in QLD and possibly other dealers will be getting an evaluation unit soon, so many of your questions will be answered.

Theo

[Omaroo]

Here's the site. a good unit, but VERY limited manufacturing run. He builds them when he feels like it - so for me as useless as.

I like the sound of this standalone guider very much, but might wait to see what happens with the dollar for a little while.

The site (in Czech): http://foto.astronomy.cz/TVGuider.htm