differences between PHD and PHD 2

[Kelowna_Dave]

Could someone please explain why when using PHD I may see 6-8 choices for a guide star, but with the same camera and PHD 2  only 1 or two choices isially appear on the screen. With PHD I normally use 1.0 sec camera exposure duration while with PHD 2 I've boosted to 2.5 with the result just noted.

I have been using PHD2.2.2a but just installed PHD2.2.2g but haven't had the skies to use it yet.

I plan to try 3.5 sec next time out, but I am at a loss to explain why there would be any difference at all.

I suspect I have missed something somewhere, but despite many hours of searching I haven't found the reason.

thanks

david

[Bret McKee]

David:

Without more data I can't say for sure, but there have been some changes made do the "stretch for display" function (i.e. brightness).  That is the slider next the the exposure time button.

Please let us know what equipment you are using, and maybe that will provide more information.

Bret

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[Andy Galasso]

David,

I agree with Bret: it would help to know your camera and how you are using it--guidescope? OAG? if OAG, what scope?

One other thing to check would be the gain setting on the camera tab in the brain. Is it set to the the same value in PHD1 and PHD2?

It would be great if you could do a controlled experiment, with the scope tracking and pointing to one position in the sky. Start PHD1, connect camera, loop, stop, save image (File => Save Image). Then repeat immediately with PHD2 (same exposure duration and gain setting). Then you can post the two FITS images for comparison.  Also, if you do this, please post the debug logs (PHD2_DebugLog_<date-time>.txt in the PHD2 folder in your Documents folder for PHD2; and the PHD debug log directly in the Documents folder.)  Also, when you do this experiment you could post screenshots showing us what you see and where the gamma slider is is phd1 and phd2.

Andy

[Kelowna_Dave]

Thanks for the replies Andy and Bret

I just checked my gain on PHD1 and it is 95. Interestingly enough, in PHD2.2.2g there is no option under the "Advanced setup - camera" for gain?? Perhaps this is because the camera isn't currently connected but is a default setting in PHD1?

My guiding is done with a KW KWIQ camera which is a 50mm finderscope with QHY5 camera. F.L. 175mm and pixel size set at 5.2

The weather is currently dreadful, but I'll experiment a bit once it clears up.

david

[Andy Galasso]

David,

The gain setting should appear once the camera is selected in the Connect equipment dialog, even if you do not connect it. Can you tell us what camera name you choose in the Connect Equipment dialog? It would be helpful if you could post your PHD2 debug log from a prior session where you had the problem with PHD2. The file is PHD2_DebugLog_<dat-time>.txt in your Documents folder.

Andy

[Kelowna_Dave]

[Kelowna_Dave]

Thanks Bret you've solved my problem. I normally use a quite dark background screen thinking the contrast brightens the stars. However, after reducing the background darkness the stars do now spring into view.

As is so often the case, the solution is simple but I was dancing around the obvious.

thanks again

david

On Saturday, 14 June 2014 08:12:02 UTC-7, Bret McKee wrote:

[Kelowna_Dave]

I am currently taking some images with PHD2. As per Bret's suggestion, the issue with few stars has been resolved.

However, although set up with "ASCOM Camera Chooser" then followed by the "QHY5.. " option, I still do no get a "gain" option under "Advanced - Camera". However, since everything else seems to be working and guiding is occuring .... ???

daviid

[Andy Galasso]

David,

Glad to hear it is working for you now.  Phd2 does not have a gain setting in the brain for ASCOM cameras (although we should probably add it there Issue 296). In most cases you can set the camera gain for ASCOM cameras by clicking the Camera Setup button in the Connect Equipment window.

Andy