Guide Scope Focal Length Experiences?

Hello! This is not an SGPro questions per se, but I thought folks here would have experience to provide me guidance with their use of SGPro and PHD2.

I am wondering if I should update my guiding camera.

I’ve started to use an Ioptron HEM44 for my 8” LX200 optical tube at f6.3 after getting tired of the recurrent issues with the LX200 mount. I had been using PHD2 with STI guider with 7.4 micron pixels and 100mm f4 guide scope. My imaging camera is SBIG ST402 with 9 micron pixels.

The pixel FOV image scale is 1:10.

I’d like to set this up robotically. Would it be helpful to get another guide scope with smaller pixels? Or does the ST-i work well at 1:10 with PHD2? Thank you and best regards.

Mike

I have never noticed any major differences when switching guide cameras, other than higher sensitivity and lower noise. Spending $300 for a QHY5 guide camera over the prior ST-i was probably a waste.

Your mileage may vary…

Eric C