8 replies to this topic

[hendric]

Hello!

I am looking at upgrading my sensor from my old Canon SL1 to a real cooled astrocam, and was wondering if I could skip the usual 533 step and go straight to the ASI2600MC Duo. I'd like to save the time and effort of bothering with a separate guide cam.

 

My current HW is

HAE43EC

AT90CFT with .8 FR at 432mm

AT125EDL with .8 FR at 780mm

LS60THa solar scope

 

ASI290MC for planetary

ASI274MM for H-alpha

Canon SL1 (unmodded) for deep sky

 

I don't have any plans to go with larger scopes at this time, but I did just purchase an AT72EDII for travel. I don't have a permanent observatory or great skies, so I am either dealing with Bortle 7 skies or setting up/tearing down during club star parties are our dark sky site. I haven't used a guide scope since the HAE43EC plus my smeary large pixels on the SL1 don't really need one.

 

Is skipping over the 533 + guide scope going to cause problems with me learning how to use the ASI2600MC Duo effectively? Has anyone else jumped straight to the dual sensor camera? Thanks!

[sharkmelley]

There is no need for the 533 as an "intermediate" step.  It's a much smaller sensor than the Canon SL1.  Definitely go for a similar sized sensor to the SL1.

[bobzeq25]

No reason to get a 5.333 as an intermediate step. The 2600 is about as easy to use.

Autoguiding will definitely improve your images. That is something you definitely should be concerned about.

Edited by bobzeq25, 03 December 2024 - 11:59 PM.

[PhilHoyle]

I have a duo that I use with a AT90CFT.  Love the combo.  You will need to use the 48mm to 54mm adapter that comes with the camera.

[Cliff Hipsher]

Personally I don't care for the Duo.  In my mind the idea of putting the guide camera sensor behind the filter wheel or drawer is just plain wrong.  If I was in your shoes I'd hop over to Astronomy Tools and use the FOV calculator to help you choose a suitable camera.

[Ru4scuba]

I started with the 533MC (GREAT camera!) and upgraded to the 2600MC.  Its the same sensor just a wider FOV on the 2600.

 

These cameras have a pretty forgiving learning curve with the ASIAIR.

 

I dont have experience with the duo...but I would have some pause about guiding through filters...especially if you plan on narrowband imaging.   I image outside of Washington DC in Bortle 7/6.  I looked hard at the duo but opted for a traditional guide scope/cam combined with the 2600MC mainly for two reasons.

 

1) Concern outlined above...guiding through an Optolong Extreme (or similar) filter and worried about getting sufficient guide stars throughout the duration of the session

2) Concern about an all in one design...one thing craps out and you're toast.

 

Hope this helps and best of luck!

[markalot63]

If you are planning to go one shot color I'd say go for it.  I own 2 of them, lol, which does NOT make my opinion worth twice as much but at least I own one and have actual experience.    

 

Now if you decide you want to use the mono version and do some fine (very narrow, very targeted) filter work then maybe save some money and get the non duo version instead, but I have not had any issues guiding using Triband, quadband, and the Askar narrowband filters C1 and C2. 

 

These aren't too narrow, and is the only experience I have with it. I could theorize that it might not work with some filter combinations but I would rather leave that up to someone who has tested it.

 

The narrowband channel on youtube has tested both I think, might want to see what he says about them.

 

Summary, I love the duo, but it's the 2600 sensor size you want, duo is just darn convenient.

Edited by markalot63, 06 December 2024 - 07:50 AM.

[Ranger Tim]

I love my ASI2600MC Duo. Glad I got it. It works for almost all my combinations of scopes and filters. If it ever becomes a problem I’ll simply switch to another guide cam. I have the technology. Shooting through an IDAS NBZ in a filter drawer is easy under 1500mm focal length. And I don’t shoot NB with the C11. I don’t image with really tight NB filters or mono. If that is your track better go non-duo I guess. Or simply use an OAG or guide scope with another guide cam — you can choose not to use the built-in 220mm chip. I like having the flexibility, but it’s been a long while since I used anything else other than the Duo. And 0.4-0.7 arc second guiding with the Duo and my dinosaur CGEM DX is enough to make me happy. It was worth the extra money to me.

 

Going from an old DSLR (and yours is OLD!) is a hobby changing event. Welcome to the 21st century! You are going to squeal with delight when you see the first sub of M42 pop up on the monitor. Go get ‘em!

[hendric]

Thanks everyone for the opinions! I will plan on getting the asi2600mc duo once the hobby funds account reaches that level. Dark skies!