Q1: What type of telescopes will this imager attach to? I am currently using a Schmidt-Neutonian with a 1 1/4" or 2" helical focuser. Are there different adapters available or does it have just one standard mount? Thanks.

A: This new item will attach to any telescope that uses 1-1/4 inch format eyepieces. The imager attaches to your telescope in place of the eyepiece - then simply connects to your computer.

Q2: Is the DSI suitable for use on a Meade ETX 125? It seems as though all the pictures that they show in there promotional items are on 8" scopes or larger. Will I be wasteing time and money on this purchase for use on the ETX 125?

A: This item would work well on the ETX 125. Actually, very well. Granted, all of the demo images shown here and on the Meade.com website are generally taken on 8 inch and larger scopes, its completely capable of taking great images on the ETX 125. I will say that the ETX 70 or 90 may be a bit small for this item, and they still would take great images, but the ETX125 will really take great images.

Q3: I am not clear what the telescope requirements are for this accessory? I have a Meade ETX90.

A: The new Meade Deep Sky Imager (DSI) will work with any telescope that uses standard 1.25 inch format eyepieces. This item will work perfectly with the ETX 90. Actually, it will work very well on just about any GOTO telescope. I would suggest that the telescope you use have some sort of tracking - a GOTO telescope or some sort of motor drive to keep the image in the telescopes view.

Q4: Looking at Deep Sky Imager- is Auto Star Suite compatable with a Mac system? Thanks Greg

A: I am sorry, the software for the Deep Sky Imager is only PC compatible. The Deep Sky Imager requires the use of the included AutoStar Suite software that will only run on a PC. Sorry MAC users.

Q5: Does the deep sky imager come with software and cables to aim the scope using your pc? in other words does it replace the astrofinder software and rs232 cable or is that software also needed to control the scope?

A: Yes, the Meade DSI comes complete with the AutoStar Suite software and all of the cables needed to connect your telescope. It does not replace the AutoStar hand conroller. The Meade DSI and Software can be used with any telescope that usese 1-1/4 format eyepieces.

Q6: Is this compatable with the ETX-125 Astro Telescope?

A: Yes, this would be a fantastic accessory for the ETX 125 Telescope. Actually the Meade Deep Sky Imager is a fantastic accessory for just about any GOTO telescope out there.

Q7: Can I use this if my telescope does not have a thing that makes it follows the oblect in the sky?

A: Yes you can use it, but the images will not be as good because you will not be able to get prolonged exposure to the object you are imaging.

Q8: Can I use the DSI for taking daytime terrestrial images?

A: You could use it but it is designed more for distance I would recommend the LPI Imager.

Q9: Providing both kind of mounts are motor driven, is an equatorial mount necessary to take long exposures, or does the DSI compensate for alt-az mounts?

A: As long as the telescope mount has tracking abilities then it really won't matter if it is Alt-Az or equatorial.

Q10: Clearly, this product is going to work better with a go-to than a manual dob. But what tricks can you play? Can you point the dob, let the object wander out, then point it again and stack multiple "sessions"?

A: that would be an excellent way to use this with a Dob. Being able to set the resolution of the image you want will make that much easier.

Q11: Hi Can I use the deep sky Imager for solar system photography, or would you recommend the Celestron NexImage, CCD Solar System Imager for solar system photography. regards Hoss

A: Actually i would suggest Meade's LPI imager (Lunar and Planetary) but the neximage will work just fine as well.

Q12: What are the minimum notebook specifications and operating system necessary to operate the DSI and process images in Autostar Suite without being limited by the computer? Thanks.

A: Minimum System Requirements Pentium-II 400MHz computer (Pentium-4 2GHz computer recommended), 98 Mega-Bytes of RAM (512 Mega-Bytes recommended), 200 Mega Bytes of available hard-drive space (>1GB recommended), CD ROM drive, Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP (Windows XP recommended), USB 1.1 (2.0 recommended) available full-powered port.

Q13: Is this compatible with a sphinx SXW mount?

A: Yes

Q14: do you have adptor for nikon D70 SLR camera so i can mount it on my#493 autostar Telescope, i also need a cable to run from my scope to my computer 100ft or so, i am interested in the imager you have in stock but would like to try useing my nikon too. Thank you Randall,

A: You will need the Nikon T-mount and (Nikon)T-ring that Meade make. Currently there is not a cable that long the longest one meade makes is 15'

Q15: Is the Deep Space Imager compatable with the Meade DS-2130ATS? How well does it work with this telescope, what sort of views would I get?

A: Yes it is compatible, and it works very well the images will be defined by the resolution you set and the amount you allow to stack in your computer

Q16: I have a etx-105 uhtc will this work good with the new deep sky imager?

A: Absolutely. The 105 aperture makes that scope ideal for using the DSI.

Q17: I read that the DSI requires the Autostar suite......the DSI is nothing more than a CCD chip--the hardware puts out an electronic signature that corresponds to the photons striking its surface. The output analog signal should EASILY be interperatable by any computer system (regardless of operating system) with any software package capable of decoding Meades DSI signal. Anyone have anything written to accept a CCD signal?

A: The reason that Meade ships the Autostar Suite software with the DSI is that the Autostar suite software is designed to let you control the telescope directly through your laptop or PC which makes the DSI that much easier to use. To find programs written for the Meade scopes and DSI's the best thing i can suggest would be to check out some Meade forums on the internet.

Q18: At 510 x 492 pixel frame of the DSI, which is only .25 mega pixels . What is the size limits for DSI in a printed picture format that will yield a clear picture? 4x6 5x7 8x10

A: there really isn't a specific answer for that question as it will depend on what you are imaging. The farther away it is the harder it will be to blow it up to the largest size and still remain clear.

Q19: Because the DSI has reasonable sensitivity has anyone tried to use it as an auto tracker? Does the software exist that would allow me to connect the DSI to the auto tracking port of my goto scope so that it would control the scope and keep a star centered in the field?

A: The DSI comes with the Auto star suite software which allows you to control the telescope including tracking right from your computer while imaging with the DSI

Q20: Is this deep sky imager compatible with the LX2000 14"? If not what is the best model?

A: Absolutely, it is compatable with any telescope that has tracking abilities and accepts 1.25' eyepieces.

Q21: Is the LPI going to give better pictures than the DSI for objects within the solar system?

A: Yes The LPI is designed to image our solar system where as the DSI is designed for outside our solar system.

Q22: I recently purchased a MEADE-2080AT 80mm refracting telescope from "Telescopes.com. I have never owned a telescope before, but have started taking college astronomy. Anyway what kind of results can I expect with the "Deep Sky Imager"?

A: I would suggest more the LPI as your telescope is a refractor it is better designed for our solar system as is the LPI Imager. Overall though you will get good results with either the DSI or the LPI.

Q23: My telescope has an equatorial mount but it lacks of a motor to track the movement of the sky. What would be the maximum exposure that I could get in this case? Is the AutoStar software capable to stack frames in which the stars are in different positions?

A: You will need to manually track if possible but the images it takes are 15th of a second apart and with the software you are definitely able to manipulate the images.

Q24: I was wondering if the DSI gives you a projected image on your laptop that its hooked up to. It would make it much easier if you could see what your telescope sees on your laptop while you have the DSI attached to your telescope.

A: Yes it does actually using the USB and the autostar suite it comes with it is almost like looking through a webcam.

Q25: Does this imager have threads for filters?!?

A: The DSI has threads so that you are able to use 1.25" format filters.

Q26: I see one of the questions asked about using the DSI with a Mac and the

A: answer was negative. I am interested in getting a GoTo telescope with the AutoStar system. I have a Mac laptop. Will I still be able to use a Meade GoTo telescope or do I have to have a Windows computer. Also, there is software called Virtual PC which allows you to run Windows on a Mac. Would that work with the AutoStar software? My Mac has USB and Firewire ports. Thanks. You can do it but it is expensive. You would to get the Starry Night Pro+ software and some cables. Total tab about $300. Otherwise you need a PC.

Q27: I read an article in Sky and Telescope Magazine about the Meade DSI having "Drizzle" technoligy that can compensate for un-guided imaging. Can I use this to take pictures with my 12 inch Dobsonian? If not is it possible to manually guide the telescope?

A: The DSI will image with any scope and can compensate somewhat for lack of guiding. However, you'll be extremely limited in terms of exposure time, because of the Earth's rotation. In addition, you'll have a hard time fitting the imager to the telescope while keeping the scope anywhere near on target. Imaging with a Dobsonian just isn't recommended.

Q28: Can I run the DSI in mac with other compatible software i

A: Unfortunately, the DSI just isn't Mac-compatible.

Q29: Hi, Bushnell North Star GoTo 1550x127mm Telescope: The DSI or the LPI imager and software package, How does it hook up to the Bushnell NS scope? Where would I plug it into on the scope for me to track it from my computer? Do I need to buy a seperate c

A: The Meade DSI Color with AutoStar Suite is a great imaging system and will do a better job of both deep-space objects and the planets than will the LPI. You'll be able to image nicely with your Bushnell North Star telescope. However, you will NOT be able to control your scope with the imager and software.

Q30: Hi, in the pictures i see a blue DSI and a black DSI, is there a difference between the two? Or does it come in two colors? Also, do you carry the DSI II (not the dsi II monochrome) . Thanks

A: The original Meade Deep Space Imager is blue, and the DSI Pro, its monochrome successor, is black. The DSI II in both color and monochrome also is black. Here's the URL for the color version; just paste it into your browser's address window: http://telescopes.com/products/meade-dsi-ii-deep-sky-imager-color-wautostar-suite-43545.html.

Q31: I want to make a video image of the night sky though my Telescope with out having to go out an buy a camcorder for my research. So my question is? Will the Meade DSI (Deep Sky Imager) Color w/AutoStar Suite work on the Celestron NexStar 102 SLT Telesc

A: The Meade Deep Space Imager (DSI) will image just fine on the Celestron NexStar 102 SLT telescope. It will NOT, however, control the telescope. To have the DSI guide the scope, you'd need a second DSI and a second scope mounted atop the NexStar 102.