Orion PARSEC 8300M User Manual download pdf (Page 5)

8 9

The camera’s pixel size and sensitivity make the Parsec suitable for most tele-

scopes. For telescopes with very long focal lengths (2000mm and greater), you

can optionally bin 2x2 (see section 2. Astronomical Imaging) to utilize greater

sensitivity and obtain sharper images at the expense of resolution. Note that the

Parsec 8300C (color) camera will lose its color information if binning in 2x2.

Because the Parsec uses a larger format CCD chip, a telescope with a 2"

focuser is recommended to for full ﬁeld illumination. You can still use the

camera with a 1.25" focuser if it has optional T-threads; however, some vignetting

(edge-darkening) may occur in the images.

Backfocus Requirement

The Parsec requires 29.24mm (1.151") of backfocus. This is the distance from the

front of the T-threads to the CCD sensor.

Mount

Deep sky imaging with the Parsec requires an equatorial mount with a right ascen-

sion (R.A.) motor drive. The goal for your mount is to seamlessly track the appar-

ent movement of the sky as the Earth rotates. The tracking must be very accurate,

or the object you want to image will drift and blur across the camera’s ﬁeld of view

while the exposure is taken. Even a small amount of drift will cause a star to look

oblong instead of a round point. We recommend using a high-quality equatorial

mount which utilizes periodic error correction (PEC) or has the ability to interface

with an autoguider.

Computer

The Parsec requires a PC to operate the camera. For astro-imaging in the ﬁeld at

night, a laptop computer is highly recommended. The included software is Maxim

DL which requires Windows XP, or Windows Vista operating systems.

The following hardware is also required:

• Processor – 700 MHz speed or higher, Pentium

™

III equivalent or higher

• Recommended minimum memory size is 512 MB.

• Disk Space – 380 MB for software installation, 1GB or more to store

images is recommended.

• Video Display – 1024 X 768 or higher, 16-bit color or higher.

• Mouse

• Internet Explorer 4 or higher required to display on-line help

• High-speed USB 2.0 port

Power

The Parsec requires 12 volts DC (12VDC) with approximately 2 amperes of cur-

rent. Power to the entire camera, including the thermo-electric cooler (TEC), and

fan is supplied by the included power cable when plugged into a 12VDC power

source.

Imaging in the ﬁeld usually requires the

use of a portable ﬁeld battery to sup-

ply power, or you can use a 110VAC

to 12VDC power converter if you have

access to an AC outlet. Make sure

the power supply provides at least 2

amperes of current. This allows the

Parsec TEC to use 100% of its potential

cooling power.

2.3. Software and Driver

Installation

Before the camera can be used, the

software and camera drivers must be

installed onto your computer. Turn on

your computer and allow the Windows operating system to load as normal. Insert

the included CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive, and the Launcher

will appear. This allows you to install the Maxim DL software. After the software is

installed, the drivers will install automatically once the Parsec is initially connected

to the computer. Do not connect the camera to your computer before you have

installed the software.

Software and

Driver Installation

To install Maxim DL:

1. Insert the CD-ROM into the drive. The Launcher will appear (Figure 6). (For

Windows 7 and Vista computers, the AutoPlay window will appear ﬁrst.

Select Run Launcher.exe, then the Launcher will appear.)

2. Click Install MaxIm DL

3. The Install Shield Wizard will start. Click Next.

4. Read the Maxim DL License Agreement. If you agree with the terms, then

select I accept the terms in this license agreement and click Next.

5. Click Install. The installation will proceed.

6. The installation is now complete. Click the Finish button. Do not open MaxIm

DL yet.

Camera Driver

Installation

Now that the software is installed, the camera driver must also be installed. You

must connect power to the camera and connect the USB cable from your camera

to the computer before starting MaxIm DL, or the software and computer will not

recognize the camera.

Figure 6. The Launcher provides an

easy menu for software installation.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 22 23

Comments to this Manuals

No comments

Orion PARSEC 8300M User Manual Page 5

Comments to this Manuals

Related products and manuals for Camcorders Orion PARSEC 8300M