Orion StarShoot Autoguider

Anyone who has ever used the ST-4, a standalone autoguider manufactured by SBig, will have a great appreciation for Orion's new StarShoot Autoguider. Setting all the parameters on the ST-4 and running through the calibration process was next to impossible to figure out without help from someone who had learned it before you. I had help from an expert, so it only took me two weeks to figure it out.

When people ask me how difficult guiding is with the StarShoot Autoguider I burst out laughing. If you managed to tie your own shoe this morning, you can run this camera. Thanks to Orion's innovative new camera AND PHDguiding, the road to autoguiding is paved with glass and you'll slide your way into pinpoint stars in no time. This is especially true if you are using the Orion Atlas EQ-G mount!

Here's how easy it is to use:

 

 

 

If you are using the Atlas EQ-G mount:

1. Install the software onto your laptop. Restart your computer.

2. Place camera into the back of your guidescope, preferrably using the Eyepiece Extension Tube sold by Orion. If you don't have one you can use a diagonal.

3. Plug the USB cable into the back of the camera.

4. Plug the other end into your laptop.

5. Plug the RJ-12 wire into the back of the camera. Plug the other end into the autoguiding port on your mount.

6. Click on Autoguiding icon.

7. Choose the camera.

 

 

 

8. Go up to the top menu and choose "mount". Pull down and choose "On Camera".

 

 

 

9. Click the first button on the left to connect to the camera.

10. Click on the second button from the left to connect the mount.

 

 

11. Go over to the scroll window and choose a higher number than is listed there for exposure setting. I usually set mine on 2.0.

12. Click on the third button to start exposures. If you have a star in the field, make sure your camera is focused well.

 

 

 

13. When you get your star focused, click on the star, which draws a green box around the star. Then click on the "Stop" button to stop exposures.

14. Now Click the fourth button to start guiding. It will calibrate your mount automatically.

 

You'll notice that the star will start moving off of the crosshairs. This is normal. It means that the software is calibrating the mount to respond to the instructions of the camera.

Then it will start calibrating the mount in another direction. When it is finished calibrating it will begin guiding automatically. I don't believe it gets any easier than that.

One of the other features of the software include the ability to take dark frames. This will remove hot pixels from the mix to allow guiding with no interferance from such. You can also increase or decrease the gain plus use the noise reduction feature. The StarShoot Autoguider is destined to be one piece of astronomy equipment that will sell like hotcakes in 2008. Amazing technology at an amazing price.

Click here for current price and shipping details.

 

© Andy's ShotGlass 3/2008