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What is it for?
Polar alignment without a webcam. You do need a reticule eyepiece though.
Price
Free 30 day trial then EU14
Pros
Quick and easy polar alignment of GoTo mounts
Cons
Needs a mount with ASCOM control
What is it for?
Webcam video capture programme
Price
Free
Pros
Works OK but see Cons
Cons
Seems to be slow at frame capture and looses frames frequently.
Need to Name each new file otherwise it overwrites last file saved!
What is it for?
Imaging & Guiding, Filter Control, Processing including Astrometry & Photometry + Plug-ins, etc., at a more modest cost than the big boys. Supports numerous cameras CCD, CMOS & DSLR. Works with ASCOM or Proprietary based in CCD drivers installed.
Price
V5.0
EU129 + VAT
Pros
Good and reliable, used for years for some members
Cons
None save to say it’s not Sky X or PixInsight
What is it for?
Exposure planning and sequencing for most models of Canon and Nikon DSLRs.
Price
US$35-50 (Basic or Premium)
Pros
Frame and focus control, live view, compatible with PHD guiding to dither frames to avoid hot pixel stacking. Automatically calculates flat frame exposure and intelligent file names. Tested OK on Win XP, Win 7 and Win8.
Cons
Nikon version not tested
What is it for?
K3CCDTools is a Windows application dedicated for astro-imaging.
It includes video-capturing (supporting wide range of video capture devices), auto-guiding and frame aligning and stacking / summing.
It also provides simple image post-processing.
However, K3CCDTools is not limited to astro-imaging domain,
it offers to be used in various fields of video / image processing (digital photography, video pre-processing).
It also valuable software for processing of microscopical photos.
Price
$49.99
Pros
Flexible piece of software that just works
Cons
License is to individual hardware which is not very flexible. For instance we had a member with a license for a laptop which was rebuilt with a 64-bit version of windows and now they need to get a new license. Whilst this is still free it is extra hassle on the part of the owner
What is it for?
Capturing astronomical images.
Price
Free
Pros
Can be used this instead of K3CCD Tools which is used by many astronomers
Cons
Windows only
What is it for?
Imaging & Guiding, Filter Control, Processing including Astrometry & Photometry + Plug-ins, etc., at a more modest cost than the big boys. Supports numerous cameras CCD, CMOS & DSLR. Works with ASCOM or Proprietary based in CCD drivers installed.
Price
V5.0
EU129 + VAT
Pros
Good and reliable, used for years
Cons
None save to say it’s not Sky X or PixInsight
What is it for?
Guiding software via ST4 compatible guide port
Price
Free / donation
Pros
Self calibrating and simple set-up. Tested OK on Win XP, Win 7 and Win8. Also available on Mac!
Cons
None
What is it for?
Image Capture software
Price
Free 45 Day Trial
Pros
Allows you to plan and capture multiple targets in a single night. Allows you to warm up and cool down your CCD and disconnect it! Also allows you to mosaic images really easily.
Cons
Windows only
What is it for?
Webcam video capture programme
Price
Free
Pros
Faster frame rate than AMCap on same camera, no loss of frames and intelligent file names automatically created
Cons
Windows only
What is it for?
Uses a webcam input to monitor drift and then provides mount corrections for accurate polar alignment
Price
Free 30 day trial then EU31
Pros
Works very well and provided accurate polar alignment quickly for those with mobile kit
Cons
Windows only. Only works on basic webcams, not higher specification planetary cameras.
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