Guide-camera optimized for 8x8mm OAG-prism and high f-number

olav

Hi,

I'm considering a new dedicated guide-camera. Will be used mostly with C11HD and off-axis guider at f/7 and f/10. That's 1960 and 2800mm focal lengths.

From these requirements I understand that relatively big pixels and high QE is essential. And mono.

I'd also like to take advantage of an entire 8x8mm prism for having more available guide-stars.

Looks like the obvious one in the ASI line is the 174MM, with a 11,3 x 7,1mm sensor with 5,86µm pixels.

There's sort of consensus in a CN-thread (http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/536146-best-guide-camera-for-off-axis-guiding/) about this choice. But that was 7 months ago and things seems to happen fast in the CMOS world!

Did I miss any contenders? Would be nice with a cam that was a bit less expensive, but I guess there's none nearly as good.

Thanks :)

Sam@ZWO

yes, currently 174 is suitable

but maybe 1600 is ok big?

olav

Thanks Sam,

The 1600 (that I have and want to image with) also has quite small pixels, and from reports it looks like an IMX174 chip is one of the very few paths to "guarantee" not having to rotate to find guidestars.

Tried to order 174MM cooled or not, but will be out of stock for quite some time.

Sam@ZWO

you can bin with one mono camera