HI Everyone,

  I'm thinking about getting Orions StarShoot AutoGuider and was wordering if anyone has any experience, good or bad, with it? I was also wondering if an auto guider will compensate for a less than perfect polar alignment?  

I haven't tried this particular autoguider.

Autoguiders correct tracking errors, up to a point. The longer your focal length, the more the autoguider will "fight" against tracking and alignment errors.

There comes a point where either the autoguider can't compensate rapidly enough, or is compensating so much, that you get star trailing (or, worse, movements in up to four directions due to guiding errors).

So, the better your polar alignment, the better the results from your autoguider.

Haven't tried that guide cam (I use the Starlight guide cam), but you will want to keep your NCP alignment close or you can see rotation about the guide star. The amount of rotation depends on how far off NCP alignment, and what direction. If you're guide star is off toward one corner of your imaging camera frame, and the direction of NCP misalignment is in the least preferred direction, you'll see maximum motion in stars at the opposite corner of the imaging frame.

In general, if you keep the NCP misalignment less than 3 or 4 minutes, you'll be good for several minutes for moderate subject dec.

Robert

I recently purchased the Orion auto guider and find it works quite well. It is actually made by QHY and repackaged for Orion.http://www.qhyccd.com/QHY5.html. Orion did a better job of making a complete package of it with cables included and the guide software from PHD Guiding. I used it to guide this image. This was also only my second attempt at AP with a DSLR.

  Thanks everyone for the great info!. The autoguider fighting against a less than perfect polar alignment, possibly resulting in the opposite affect of its purpose, makes total sense.

  The reason for the autoguider is I got an Atlas EQ-G mount with an 8 inch reflector in February and started trying CCD imaging around April. I've gotten decent results on short exposure stuff like the moon, Saturn and Jupiter. I've also surprised myself with slightly longer exposures and have gotten pretty good images of M-57, NGC 6543 (The Cats Eye Nebula) and a somewhat mediocre image of M-13 (as soon as i get my neice to help me i'll try to post them here). I'd like to try some longer exposures, mainly galaxies, but i'm still not the best at polar aligning the mount. My mount isn't in a fixed position...yet...so i have to align it each time i take it out, sometimes my alignments are pretty good, sometimes their not. I also think my polar alignment scope needs a little adjustment.

   That's a great image johnjohnson!!. Based on your picture I think the autoguider will definitely be a big help for me.

   ChipdatajeffB a few months back i asked a question about double stacking a PST which you answered. I just want to let you know that I've decided to wait a little while to see what Lunt has to offer. 

Yes, the Lunt stuff looks pretty good based on the specs. I haven't seen any outstanding images from their stuff yet, but it's still early in the delivery cycle. You should also check out Solar Spectrum.

The good news is there are many more options for h-alpha solar observing/imaging now than ever before, and the cost is moderate.

Thanks for the link cfuehrer, I always check out andyshotglass.com but somehow missed that article.

personally i didnt like the limited support on orion cameras- by that i mean future software upgrades and capability to it, i also didnt like the 2nd cable and wanted a single USB- i chose this model instead, http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/Astro-Imagers-Opticstar.asp?s=9a892c46-ea8-47df-8926-6a4427d55e1&p=0_10_0_50_80

 Are you using it to take photos or autoguiding? How do you like it?

if you mean me, so far for just autoguiding- it wasnt meant originally for imaging, i believe most these cameras are pretty much using the same CMOS chip with different software intergration- i got 2 updates from opticstar so far- 1 included craterlet and nebulosity, other was an upgrade for longer exposure time- 10 seconds i think- i dont know being not to tech minded if this is itergrated or not- PHD was included in the original purchase along with another guiding software- but my point was these guys stay on top the cameras and stay in contact with you, i got mine for $225 shipped- im not sure what the cost is now. at the time i wanted the Q8 from starks at the intro price-but Email was almost non-exsistant and the waiting list seemed to take forever- so i gave up on that idea, theres another upgraded model available now too, the model i got was available as a single USB camera- or came as a complete autoguider kit- either way, they both used just 1 cable- BTW (edit) they created a special site for USD prices

http://www.opticstar-ccd.com/Run/Root/Root-Home.asp

Hi tasco-60mm,

  I'm a little new to astrophotography/autoguiding so here are some things i don't quite understand....
   What's the difference between the pl-130m and ag-130m?.
   When you say it uses just one cable (USB i believe) how does it autoguide if i don't plug anything into the autoguider port of my mount?.
   And i can't remember what my other question was..... 
   
  

the pl is just the camera with the 1.25 adaptor, the ag is the kit with the interface included- you have an ASGT so it isnt needed, your other question-- i dont use the auto guider port, it isnt neccessary, i just plug the camera (USB) into the comp and PHD takes care of the rest- what i plug into is the bottom of the handcontroller using a $5 phone cord from the comp (PHD communication) if you have issues with this, you can also manual guide since PHD has an on screen recticle now- however i have a better program if you decided to try this, id have to email you the download since it isnt on the web

  Thanks tasco-60mm, although my mind isn't completely made up yet, i'm still leaning toward the Orion auto guider (costumer loyalty). Plus it's about $50 cheaper than the pl-130. That's $50 i could use toward a guidescope.

  I do remember my third question though. Does Opicstar have a U.S. dealer?    

Earthbound:

  Thanks tasco-60mm, although my mind isn't completely made up yet, i'm still leaning toward the Orion auto guider (costumer loyalty). Plus it's about $50 cheaper than the pl-130. That's $50 i could use toward a guidescope.

  I do remember my third question though. Does Opicstar have a U.S. dealer?    

If it's money you're trying to save, have you thought about just getting a web cam like the popular Philips SPC900NC(ToUcam Pro III) ?

I am using one with PHD on my CG5 mount now and it works great.  

Have A Nice ___________  

i agree with tim- it most cases a webcam is sufficient enough to guide with

cfuehrer:

How do you adapt a webcam to use in the telescope focuser?

You need to buy and adapter that cost about $20.00. Most people call them a Mogg adapter, however there are other companies that make them.   Then you remove the lens of the web cam and screw in the adapter in its place.

This web page shows exactly how to do that.
http://www.robertreeves.com/900NC.htm

Have A Nice _________

  Thanks Tim, I didn't think of using a webcam. Your advice is exactly why i'm here!!. If i can get functionality and reliability at a cheaper cost...why not?.