11 replies to this topic

[waydownsouth]

Hi,

 

Early beginner here looking for first guide camera using Player One camera.

 

I have narrowed the choices down to:

 

 

Sedna-M (IMX 178 Mono)

Neptune-M (IMX 178 Mono)

Neptune-C II (IMX 464 colour)

 

 

(Not sure if there is any performance difference between Senda-M and Neptune-M as they are using the same sensors other than its size and fitting to guide scopes.)

 

The main question is that can/should the Neptune-C II be used as Guide camera? I read that a filter like IR 850 can be used to 'convert' the camera to mono. The reason is that I would like to use the camera for other purpose sometimes, like taking planetary images etc. Just to see if this can dual used to extends its return of investment.

 

Currently using the Uranus-C and very pleased with it.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Regards,

Rod

[alphatripleplus]

Hi,

 

Early beginner here looking for first guide camera using Player One camera.

 

 

Are you looking to do EAA, i.e. near real time viewing, or are you looking to do traditional astrophotography, such as deep sky imaging? I'm guessing you intend to do AP as you are asking about guiding, and guiding is less common with EAAers (although a few do guide). Please clarify. 

[waydownsouth]

Hi,

 

Definitely EAA as the primary use for now. I have been playing with live stacking (is this conside AP?) and sometimes I can see slight star drift and would like to guide to minimize this further.

 

 

Regards,

Rod

[alphatripleplus]

Hi,

 

Definitely EAA as the primary use for now. I have been playing with live stacking (is this conside AP?) and sometimes I can see slight star drift and would like to guide to minimize this further.

 

 

Regards,

Rod

If you are doing live stacking, you are definitely in the realm of EAA. The reason I asked, is that mostly EAAers, certainly to begin with, do not guide, whereas in AP guiding is much more typical.

[bmcclana]

I guide with a Mars-C which uses the 462 chip. It certainly works fine and I have never had trouble finding a guidestar at 1s exposures.

Using it unfiltered on an achromatic guide scope does lead to bloated stars due to the extended frequency response of the chip, but it has never hindered my guiding.

You could filter to limit the frequency range (up/ir or ir-pass), but any filtering will reduce the amount of light to the sensor. I don’t know if it will help the guiding. The centroiding algorithms seem pretty robust to bloated or even out of focus stars.

The response becomes mono in the IR in the sense that all the pixels have the same response due to the design of the bayer filter.

[YoYoYoMikey]

I guide with a Mars-C which uses the 462 chip. It certainly works fine and I have never had trouble finding a guidestar at 1s exposures.

Using it unfiltered on an achromatic guide scope does lead to bloated stars due to the extended frequency response of the chip, but it has never hindered my guiding.

You could filter to limit the frequency range (up/ir or ir-pass), but any filtering will reduce the amount of light to the sensor. I don’t know if it will help the guiding. The centroiding algorithms seem pretty robust to bloated or even out of focus stars.

The response becomes mono in the IR in the sense that all the pixels have the same response due to the design of the bayer filter.

Are you using all Player One cameras for capture and guiding?  I can't seem to get my 2 P1 cameras to play nice together with PHD2 and Sharpcap.

[azcubs76]

Can't speak to the Player One cameras but I use a cheap color camera (Svbony SV305) for guiding and it works great. I use it on a small 30mm f/4 guide scope.

 

You definitely do NOT want to use filters as that will just decrease the amount of light the camera sees. If you are using an OAG and long focal length with a tiny field of view is when sensitive mono cameras may be necessary.

[bmcclana]

Are you using all Player One cameras for capture and guiding? I can't seem to get my 2 P1 cameras to play nice together with PHD2 and Sharpcap.

Yes, both PlayerOne cameras at the same time.

Either both connected in sharpcap using the native drivers. Or disconnect one there and connect it using the ASCOM driver in phd2.

Just have to make sure the ASCOM driver is configured to the correct camera.

[wargrafix]

I think I should sell a kidney for a poseidon camera. Player One cameras are excellent

[waydownsouth]

Looks like I will bite the bullet and get the Sedna-M. Kind of surprise the CEO himself answered my question to them on this.

[Traffalger1698]

Ran across this post by chance. I received an email from the CEO as well when I asked about which scope might be better for my scope the Uranus-c or the Saturn-c.  I did not realize it was him until I read this post.  That makes me want to get one of their cameras even more.  I think I will wait to see what their Artemis line is before I make a decision tho.  

 

Still pretty neat to hear from someone that high up when asking questions.  Even if it is a smaller company.  

 

Joe

 

 

 

Looks like I will bite the bullet and get the Sedna-M. Kind of surprise the CEO himself answered my question to them on this.

[OregonSky]

I have found Player One Customer Service Excellent. 

 

I made an inquiry about the fixed lens attachments for wide sky view  and within 12 hours they replied with information and images they captured of their office ceiling showing the difference between the two offerings. 

 

Refreshing ! 

 

PS  -  also impressed by Sharpcap when Robin replies directly to questions and issues.