Lodestar X2 and binning

[Darryl M]

I am setting up my camera (Lodestar X2) in PHD2 and I have some questions/issues with binning.  In the ASCOM driver for the Lodestar X2 (Starlight Xpress Lodestar Guider) I setup the parameter "Fixed Binning" with a check mark and the value as "Fixed Bin = 2".  I set it up this way as I always plan to use 2x2 binning for this camera.  In PHD2, in the brain setting for the camera tab,  I notice that "Pixel size" gets set to 17.20 when I do it this way. The real pixel size for this camera is 8.60. It does not let me edit this field to change it to 8.60.  Am I doing something wrong in my setup?

   

[Darryl M]

I am using PHD2 Version 2.6.3dev3

[Andy Galasso]

Darryl,

When you select "Fixed Binning" in the  ASCOM driver, the driver is essentially reporting to PHD2 that the camera does not bin and that it has large (2x) pixels.  This will work fine.  However, using the fixed binning option in the ASCOM driver is not necessary for PHD2.  I think a better way would be to de-select the fixed binning option in the ASCOM driver and use the binning selection on the camera tab in the brain in PHD2 to select the binning value. The binning option on the camera tab will not be present until you connect the camera in PHD2 since phd2 needs to be connected to the camera to check the available bin modes.

PHD2 can control the binning for the SX camera when you connect using the ASCOM driver or when you connect using the built-in driver, Starlight Xpress SXV.

Andy

[Brian Valente]

Darryl just curious why you need binning at all?

 

I’m under urban skies and my (original) lodestar performs great with no binning via PHD2. Just a thought

 

Thanks

 

Brian

 

 

Brian Valente

Brianvalentephotography.com

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[Darryl M]

I am using an Innovations Foresight ONAG and they recommend using 2x2 binning.  I was wondering what other users of the ONAG use for guide exposure time in good seeing conditions?

[Brian Valente]

Hi Darryl

 

I use the Innovations Foresight ONAG as well, and yes, binning is definitely needed

 

In fact, I ended up upgrading my lodestar to an ASI1600mm (non cooled) and bin it 4x. works great

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Brian

 

 

Brian Valente

Brianvalentephotography.com

 

[Darryl M]

Hi Brian,

What exposure times do you usually use when guiding with the ONAG (under good seeing conditions) ?

Darryl

[Darryl M]

Last night I was able to get out and test the binning 2x2 on the Lodestar using the ONAG.  It worked great.  I used 3s exposures and my guiding was very good. I do have some questions on several of the ASCOM driver settings for this camera.

What "Gaussian Blur" setting should I use and what does it do?  I used is as "checked" last night.

What is "Equalize Frames" and "Square Lodestar pixels"? and should I be using those.  I did not "check" them during last night's session.

Thanks for any help on this ...

[Brian Valente]

With my setup and 4x binning, I can use it with most typical PHD exposures. For me it’s between 2.5-4 seconds

 

I could guide with 1 sec exposures if needed

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Brian

 

 

Brian Valente

Brianvalentephotography.com

 

From: open-phd...@googlegroups.com [mailto:open-phd...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Darryl M
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 2:28 PM
To: Open PHD Guiding <open-phd...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: ajiji...@gmail.com; andy.g...@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [open-phd-guiding] Lodestar X2 and binning

 

Hi Brian,

 

What exposure times do you usually use when guiding with the ONAG (under good seeing conditions) ?

 

Darryl

 

 

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[Andy Galasso]

Hi Darryl,

There is a dedicated forum for the SX ASCOM driver: sx-ascom -- you'll get definitive answers there. You may also want to look at this discussion thread in the stark-labs forum that includes a response from Bret, the SX ASCOM driver developer that I believe answers your question.

If you want to use a bad-pixel map in phd2 then you should either disable the Gaussian blur and square pixels options in the ASCOM driver, or else use the built-in SX camera driver ("Starlight Xpress SXV".)

Andy