Meade DSI Pro CCD

I've read abit more about this camera and it sems like Meade have come up with a pretty good camera!
If anyone gets one, it would be great if they could post their experiances with it.

Well if anyone needs convincing of just whats possible with this camera, check this.

jemar.ldmi.net/astro/NGC3628.htm

Awesome.

excellent image,
has anyone here used the LPI as an autoguider ?

Dave L - some of the DSI'ers seem to have gotten the LPI to work as an autoguider and the DSI as an imger. I know that there are software issues but these can obviously be worked around.

The DSI/LPI combination would be a nice cheap setup for sure. Especially anyone who got the LPI thrown in with their Meade 'scope.

Are you watching Bill? Would be worth giving this a go if you feel up to it...

Cheers

Dave McD

If these software issues were easily surmountable, then this could be a great autoguiding deep sky imager setup at a not so crazy price.

Have you come across these problems Dave?

Dave L - personally I don't have the LPI - just the DSI. I know Bill H has both. But I don't think he's tried guiding just yet.. !

Anyhow, I do know that some folks have achieved this. I guess the issues that had to be resolved were around the various connections to the mount and also did two software processes need to be opened on the PC at the same time or was the Autostar software able to cope with two (or even three) inputs and a subsequent guide correction output. (eg LPI, Autostar handset and DSI)

The yahoo DSI group has a wealth of info on this and the folks that have achieved it I'm sure posted up the solution(s). I'm sure if you asked on the group you'd get the appropriate directions.

Also, I do know of folks using the LPI as a guider for other imagers (such as DSLR, other brand CCD's etc). Its certainly do-able. I may give it a go after I've done the research on software/hardware required. I guess the Celestron imager would also be an option - that's nice and cheap from most suppliers.

I'll be exploring this over the coming months - if you are considering doing this, I'd appreciate a sharing of info....

Cheers

Dave McD