Meade DSI III color

[Skywatcher]

Does anyone know the reason Meade discontinued the DSI III Color Imager? I need to find out if it was a piece of junk before I buy a used one, that is, if I can find one.

Any help appreciated
James C
Arkansas

[glennb]

Hi James
I dont know why. I have one and get some reasonable results with it. The price sure dropped after I bought it.
GlennB

[Skywatcher]

Hello Glenn
Yes, I noticed that you had one from your equipment list. I was wondering which camera gives you the best images, the Canon 350D or the Dsi3C? I have a DSI 1C and a Dsi 1 pro but the fov is so small I seldom use them.

thanks for the info
James C

[glennb]

Hi James
The FOV difference makes comparison hard. I can get longer exposures with the DSI so expect SNR to be lower.  I havent pushed the DSI much yet but now that I have better autoguiding I will be able to do so - errors show up more with the DSI. I had been guiding using PHD with a setting of 5pixels but now changed to 0.15 pixels making a huge difference.  The 350d is one of the acclaimed better cameras - bit old now- and I have better pics with it.
DSI IIIc  

[glennb]

DSLR - pic for comparison doesnt seem to want to attach...

[img][http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4848522367_c96ae854b8.jpg/img]

[Skywatcher]

Edit and insert the image URL after the second square bracket in your last post.  Was the DSI3C image two images combined? Yes the canon is a better image. Which telescope do you use for imaging and do you use a guide scope or OAG for guiding?

I have not begun to guide but I have the equipment to do it. I have a 70mm refractor that I plan to use for a guide scope and one of the dsi's for a guide camera. I will also be using PHD.

Thanks for the info
James C
Arkansas USA

[glennb]

Hi James
Yes the DSI3c pic was combined from 2 images. Pretty small FOV.
If you use Drizzle you can get a larger FOV, and improved resolution. I think thats was envisigaged (!) when the cameras were devised. I did use drizzle once or twice - but I was then using Guidestar/virtual serial port rather than PHD. It wasnt so easy to use.  I have used a focal reducer but got coma.
Both images were with a lumicon off axis guider, with the 18in Newtonian and PHD. This avoided any flexure issues

I expect to be using the 100mm refractor as guidescope soon.

You should be fine with guiding. Just need a good polar alignment.

Have you seen much of the yahoo group DSI advanced? I have some other pics there that are better.  http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Meade-DSI-Advanced/?yguid=420319154

Glenn

[glennb]

Drizzle pic - with DSI pro and 18in - done in 2006 so tracking etc would be better now. Just for the example of resolution and FOV - I cant remember the factors used or even if it was enlarged but it may give you an idea of Drizzle and other settings capabilities.
[img][http://www.flickr.com/photos/glennb-rockeye/2795503935/sizes/o//img]