Would anyone have any good tips on how I could achieve better guiding?
I seem to have a regular blue line dip in the graph. Periodic error I guess. Maybe a different algorithm (smart?) or changing pulse settings?
Or buying a better mount
1. Better Polar Alignment
2. Set binning to 2x2
3. Select different filter (e.g. High contrast) and see if that makes a difference to bring down the noise.
4. Smaller Square Size.
5. Play with DEC Proportional Gain or disable DEC control completely and see the difference.
6. Leave algorithm to default value (Smart)
Thanks Jasem, I think I need to work on point-1.... after recently installing a new pier, my alignment is not great. I'll try the other points as well. I never thought of binning 2x2. I thought the higher the resolution the better but I'll give it a go.
Spent about 2hours polar aligning. Its painful with the standard celestron CPC wedge. No fine adjusters...
Also the smaller square size.
Havent tried the other steps yet but much better now.
Thanks!!
I tried setting the binning to 2x2 on my guide camera and there was a huge improvement in the guiding quality.
According to the drift graphic, I was getting about 2" error most of the time. Probably twice as good as the 4" error from the previous screenshot.
But how is this possible, Surely binning 2x2 will reduce the resolution and make it harder to track the guide star? Is the drift graphic really accurate when I set binning to 2x2?