Resolved STXL 16200 and STXL FW8G

I can't at the moment because, as mentioned above, my imaging camera has gone back to Bill Lynch for unrelated repairs. Prior to that, though, my problem was just as Martin Pugh described above. I realize that with a long focal length scope (16" f8 R-C), getting a star in the off axis guider (I have an FW8G-STXL) can be problematic until the guider is properly aligned with a good FOVi in The Sky X or similar program that lets you rotate your camera to put what should be a good star on the guider. I had my FOV PA calibrated using ACP, but still had major issues getting a star to be visualized in the guide imager. The camera seemed very insensitive. In dealing with this, I came upon this thread and used CCDOPS to check the offset setting on my guide imager. I used the technique Martin outlined above. My guide imager offset was set at "255." The default setting in CCDOPS was "0." There was not way that I could see to set anything other than the default, and so I did. Initial checking with my flat screen suggested that this HAD improved sensitivity, but before I could try it on a star field, the shutter issue developed, so I'm "on hold" until I get my 16200 back.

So my questions are:

1. Was "255" the wrong setting for my guide imager offset? ie. did the off axis imager come with the wrong setting?
2. Is "o" the proper default setting?
3. Is there any way in CCDOPS to change the setting to something other than the default?
4. Does/should changing the offset from 255 to 0 improve sensitivity?


Thanks,

Stacey

 

OK, please keep me posted. Seems like there should be a way to set a value between default "0" and "255."
The default offset on the main imaging camera was "100."

Thanks!

 

Thanks, Bill. The main imager may need resetting as well. I think I "defaulted" it when I was tweaking the guide imager.

 

Hi Doug,
I'm fine with that, BUT I would suggest if that's the case then CCDOPS should not have that option, instructions on how to make the change should not be posted on the forum, AND the camera should come with the proper offset initially.

 

Got it. Thanks. Prior posts suggest that this may have happened to others as well.
I'm just glad to have a solution. I know getting an off-axis guider calibrated on a long focal length scope can be difficult, but I was beginning to pull my hair out, what's left of it.

 

I have a problem very similar to what is described in this post.

Upon taking an image with the Guider, I receive a file with all values =100 with the exception of a few hot pixels. No noise, just a flat signal. Using the instructions to view the guider offset in CCDOPS, I also have the settings of Offset=255 with Gain=0.45. Since the offset should be around 138 and not 0 or 155, is this something that could easily be changed to test whether this would fix this issue?

 

Here is the file.

 

I think we have the issue solved. I have been in direct contact will Bill and he was able to remote into my computer and change the Guider Offset and Gain. Now I am getting what appears to be a good image. See new file.

 

Agreed!