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Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:14 pm
by FZ1
Hi All,

Newbie alert! I'm new to solar, so have joined the forum to do some reading-up. Inevitably, there will be some newbie questions if I can't find the info, so apologies in advance.

First question - I'm looking at getting a second hand Altair Hypercam 174 but can't find any reviews on it. There's lots of info on the ZWO version using this chip, but not the Altair one, so wondering if anyone has any experience?

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Jon

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:51 am
by Carbon60
Welcome to the Forum, Jon.

Sorry I can’t help with your specific question, but just to say I use a Basler acA1920-155um with the IMX174 sensor. Works superbly well. It isn’t just about the sensor, it’s also about how the camera processes data to maximise frame rate and sensitivity. Basler claims some advantages over others in this regard.

Stu.

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:18 am
by FZ1
Thanks for the advice Stu.

In doing a bit of research, I read that the IMX174 sensor works best with long f/l scopes and over 100mm aperture. I have the same setup as you (Lunt60/B1200) so just wondering how your camera preforms with the this combination?

Jon

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:34 am
by marktownley
Large pixel cameras like the 174 are going to work best when the focal ratio is way up about f25. Running below this under samples the image. If you want to be doing full disks with the 60 you'll be better with a camera with smaller pixels.

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:39 am
by Montana
I recently just bought a ZWO 174, I needed it for high resolution imaging so needed a fast frame rate. I noticed that a second hand version of the Altair 174 chip the frame rate was half the speed at 60fps for 8bit and 30fps for 12bit (information from the web). I have no idea why. So I rejected it. The chips maybe the same but the hardware performances are different. I think the Basler hardware and FLIR Grasshopper 174 are the best for performance, ZWO is a good intermediate.
Just double check the frame rate of the version you are looking at, maybe the newer versions have a better frame rate compared to older versions?

Alexandra

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 8:31 pm
by FZ1
Mark & Alexandra,

Thanks very much for the info and advice; much appreciated

Jon

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:19 pm
by Carbon60
Hi Jon,

FYI I use mine on the Lunt 60 with a 2.5x Barlow to better match scope resolution and pixel size.

Stu.

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:25 pm
by FZ1
Thanks Stu.

I missed the 2nd hand 174, so now considering if a camera based on the 178 chip might suit me better.

Decisions, decisions!

Jon

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 9:53 pm
by marktownley
What do you want to do with it? A 178 chip is suited to focal lengths about f10.

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 9:44 am
by FZ1
As a newbie to imaging, I’d like to do a bit of everything!

Realistically, full disk with some close up stuff, and also for night work as well, but don’t want to spend a fortune until I get the hang of it.

I’ll be using it at F8.3, F10 and F12

Cheers

Jon

Re: Altair Hypercam 174?

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 1:20 pm
by marktownley
I'd go for the ZWO 290M then.