omgitsaliv55
journeyman
Reged: 07/27/08
Posts: 7
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Hi. I'm new to the forum, but have been into astronomy for a while. Lately my big focus has been astrophotography. I have the essentials: an Advance Series C6-S GT, a DSLR, a remote shutter, T-ring + mount, a NexImage (for auto guiding), GuideMaster (only guiding program I could find that works with NexImage), and a Macbook which has windows installed. I've seen tons of different cables out there to connect the telescope to the computer, but I'm not sure about which kind I need to get.
I have a star party coming up, so being rushed for time I ordered a NexStar computer control cable. I saw on another thread on here that with ASCOM drivers you can auto guide via the hand control vs the auto guide port on the CG-5 mount. I have a usb -> serial adapter, but it hasn't been that reliable in the past so I may buy a new one. I know that I need a radial guider, which I'm going to get from eBay tomorrow.
As I am new to this, I'm going to need some guidance. If there is anybody else out there who has the same telescope as me or a telescope with a CG-5 mount, please let me know what your using to auto guide and if I'm headed in the right direction. Thanks!
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Patrick
Postmaster
Reged: 05/16/03
Posts: 6776
Loc: Franklin, Ohio
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I have essentially the same setup except for the guide camera...I have a Meade DSI-C. Here's what I use:
PHD Guiding on a Mac Book. The Mac is hooked up to the mount via a Shoe String Astronomy GPUSB cable. The problem you'll have is the Neximage (as you know). I don't see NexImage listed in PHD Guiding's camera list. You might want to PM Craig Stark, the author of PHD Guiding to see if it will support NexImage cameras. Operating on the Mac Book can also cause some constraints because not all programs will run on the Mac. All of Craigs programs will run on the Macbook. You might find it easier to replace you camera with one of the PHD Guiding compatible cameras rather than looking for compatible software. PHD Guiding is really one of the best guiding programs out there.
Patrick
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Discovery 10" f/6 Split Tube Dob
Celestron C6 SCT
Denk Binoviewers
AT66ED Refractor
Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Binocular
475B Geared Tripod & 501HDV Head
Oberwerk 9x60 Binocular
Celestron Regal 8x42 Binocular
Canon 30D DSLR
Mini EQ1
My Astronomy Pages
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omgitsaliv55
journeyman
Reged: 07/27/08
Posts: 7
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Thanks! That's a relief. At least now I know I'm headed in the right direction.
Is it only possible to auto guide with the GP USB interface, or will the cable that I ordered work as well. I can still cancel it so it's not too late. I have downloaded the celestron ascom drivers. If I connect the cable to the hand controller, will it allow me to auto guide that way?
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Buhlig
member
Reged: 12/03/07
Posts: 58
Loc: Derby, KS
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I guide through the hand controller with the cable you've ordered, no issues. I seem to recall discussions that guiding through GP USB was slightly faster, but haven't seen any compelling evidence that the handset doesn't work equivalently. You will need ASCOM (as you've indicated) and I use PHD guide, but it talks just fine to the mount through the handset. Also if you're usb-to-serial is flakey, that could cause you some headaches.
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Celestron 80mm ED Apochromatic Refractor
Orion 8" Newt
Celestron 80ST achro (guider)
PHD via handcontroller interface
CG-5 Advanced GT Mount
Canon 350D
Philips SPC900NC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derbysluggers/sets/72157605255114566/
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omgitsaliv55
journeyman
Reged: 07/27/08
Posts: 7
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Awesome. This is good to know because it turns out that I can't cancel my order  . Thanks for all the help everyone!
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Patrick
Postmaster
Reged: 05/16/03
Posts: 6776
Loc: Franklin, Ohio
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Quote:
Also if you're usb-to-serial is flakey, that could cause you some headaches.
The Keyspan usb/serial connector seems to be the most recommended convertor cable.
Patrick
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Discovery 10" f/6 Split Tube Dob
Celestron C6 SCT
Denk Binoviewers
AT66ED Refractor
Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Binocular
475B Geared Tripod & 501HDV Head
Oberwerk 9x60 Binocular
Celestron Regal 8x42 Binocular
Canon 30D DSLR
Mini EQ1
My Astronomy Pages
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yg1968
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 1709
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Quote:
GuideMaster (only guiding program I could find that works with NexImage),
PHD works with the Neximage. You just have to choose a standard webcam as your camera (Neximage is essentially a Philipps Toucam webcam).
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DaemonGPF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/08
Posts: 1439
Loc: New Mexico
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I have been running the usb/serial converter that comes with the NexRemote kit and it never skips a beat. It does exactly what it's supposed to (that's on XP Pro SP2 with an Intel board).
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-Josh
*Orion Starblast Imaging 150mm OTA
*Orion Starblast Imaging 114mm OTA
*Meade 50mm AR short tube OTA
*Meade DSI Pro IIc
*Orion Starshoot DSCI
*CG5 mount
http://cleardarksky.com/c/AlbuqNMkey.html
My Messier Project Gallery
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omgitsaliv55
journeyman
Reged: 07/27/08
Posts: 7
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I tried using the neximage with phd and I wasn't able to get a signal. do you know what settings i'm supposed to use? when i choose webcam it comes up with this window asking for the kind of signal. i tried almost every one and none of them worked.
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yg1968
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/26/04
Posts: 1709
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Apparently you have to choose the following camera:
'Windows VFW-style webcam camera (older &
SAC8)'
See this link:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/stark-labs-astronomy-software/message/3438
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Nils_Lars
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 912
Loc: Santa Cruz Mountains , CA
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I think you have most of the stuff you need to get started but I ran into trouble with the NexImage as a guider since it doesnt pick up many stars.
Since I got a cheap guide scope and a Orion Autoguider I have a much easier time finding a star and getting guiding.
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Erik
Orion ED 80
Orion Atlas GOTO mount
Williams Optics reducer
Various eyepieces and other gear
Baytronix 80mm guidescope
Orion Starshoot Autoguider
PHD guide
Canon 400D (unmodded)
Stilleto Focuser
Tamron 75-300mm&28-80mm lenses
NexImage webcam
http://home.comcast.net/~eriknlarsen/site/?/photos/
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Buhlig
member
Reged: 12/03/07
Posts: 58
Loc: Derby, KS
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second the Orion autoguider comment, sensitivity in a monochrome guider cam will make guiding (as in finding a guidestar) much less painful. You can guide with less capable cams, but prepare for pain and frustration in certain situations.
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Celestron 80mm ED Apochromatic Refractor
Orion 8" Newt
Celestron 80ST achro (guider)
PHD via handcontroller interface
CG-5 Advanced GT Mount
Canon 350D
Philips SPC900NC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derbysluggers/sets/72157605255114566/
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