Lacerta M-Gen autoguider

The Lacert M-Gen Standalone autoguider is a world class product providing not only autoguiding capabilities but many additional features, like programmable DSLR controller and a function to more the field of view a couple of pixels between frames to ensure smooth background. All of this is provided without any additional computer and with minimum power consumption and very small physical size.

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More about the product

This guider provides solution to all of the problems an amateur might face during taking astrophotos. Compact sized, easy to use and can be used in extreme weather conditions as well, has minimum power consumption (12V, 120mA) and provides a simple and easy to use interface. Made in Hungary!

Details: 

Camera: Highly sensitive monochrome sensor (752 x 582 pixels, 3,6 x 2,7 mm, Sony ICX279AL-E, pixel size 4,7 microns) which can be connected to the guidescope or off-axis adaptor with T2 thread or 1.25" focuser. Due to its high sensitivity even faint stars can be used as guidestars and works perfectly with off-axis guiders as well (2x2, 4x4 and 6x6 binning is available).

Control device: The small hand unit provides a big, 128 x 64 pixel display and 6 buttons (4 buttons for directions and 2 function buttons). LCD backlight and contrast is adjustable. The menu is simple and logical.

Guiding: The guidestar can be found and selected, and perfectly focused on the live view. Calibration can be performed both manually and automatically. Wide range of guiding parameters is available, RA and DEC movement units can be fine tuned. The guider can be matched to the guidescope, so can be finetuned to both guidescopes with long focal lengths or 9x50 finderscopes. Finder scopes can be used to guide a main telescope up to 1500mm or even more focal length. Weather conditions might also have effect how to set the parameters.

Subpixel precision is 0,03 pixel RMS or better (optimal conditions: precisely focused and not too faint star), typical maximal error offset is 0.1 pixels. On the guidecam: Guide your 12"RC using a 9x50 finder - it works!

Exposure control: supports Canon EOS and NIkon DSLRs (appropriate cables can be purchased separately). Length and number of exposures and delays between them can be set, meaning that the whole series of raw images can be taken unattended. Handles mirror lockup as well.

Dithering: It is advised to move the sensor between the exposures by a couple of pixels, meaning that possible hot or stuck pixels on the sensors or dusts can be completely removed. The guider can perform this automatically.

CCD control: for MaximDL via MGEN2Maxim or use cost-saving Astrophotography Tool (APT) to sync dithering - special mode to record tracking error of the mount

The software provided includes many more functions (for example, periodic error statistics, seeing measurement, mount backlash checking, and so on).

Firmware upgrade is via USB, it is free.

The guidercamera provides T2 thread and filter thread to be connected to the guidescope. Recommended accessories are the T2 to 31,7 adaptor or the 1z25 extender tube.

Hint: the guider can be used with extremely short focal length finderscopes as well, thanks to the software-enhanced resolution. Using of Sky-Watcher's 30mm or 50mm finderscopes are recommended, which is capable to guide the main telescope up to 1500-2500mm focal length. To connect the guider to the finderscope only one special adaptor is required.

The Lacerta MGEN was the 2010 Interstellarum's Product of the Year in Germany. Congratulations to the developers. More information

Quick Start Guide - English
Instruction manual-v2.50 - English
Instruction manual - PC application - English
Latest Firmware: 2.60

db007's opinion

After a few weeks, months of usage

Optical quality

Mechanical quality

Price/Value ratio

Lacerta MGEN-II Superguider (Autoguider Camera with remote and stand alone functions)
Lacerta MGEN-II Superguider (Autoguider Camera with remote and stand alone functions)
Pros

Gyorsan elsajátítható kezelés. Mindehol talál vezetőcsillagot, ott is, ahol szerintem már nincsen :) Kalibráció után rendkívüli pontossággal végzi a dolgát. Új dimenzióba helyezte a hosszú expozíciós képek készítésének lehetőségét.

Cons

A nyomógombok mikrokapcsolóitól egy kicsit tartok, de az idő majd megmutatja, hogy mennyire strapabíróak.

Summary

Eddig vezetés nélkül vagy kézi vezetéssel készültek a képeim. Sok bonyodalmat okozott a vezető távcső kezelése (70/500 lencsés). Megdöbbentő, hogy a Lacerta M-Gen autoguider jelenleg egy 6*30-as keresőtávcsövön keresztül vezet! Hibátlanul teszi ezt 10 perces expoziciók felett is. Lekerült egy komoly terhelés a mechanikáról azáltal, hogy nincsen szükség a nagyobb vezetőtávcsőre és gyűrűpárra.

VargaJános's opinion

Have been using it for years

Price/Value ratio

Pros

Kis fogyasztás, kis méret, egyszerű kezelhetőség, gyors beüzemelhetőség

Cons

Csak az ára, de az is relatív.

Summary

Minden amire szüksége lehet a vezetéshez egy asztrofotósnak, az ebben a kis készülékben benne van, és mindezt a legkorrektebb módon végzi. A kitelepülő asztrofotósok számára szinte nélkülözhetetlen eszközzé vált, én mérföldkőnek tartom az asztrofotózás történetében a megjelenését, méltán lehetünk büszkék erre a magyar fejlesztésre.

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The product comes with 2 years warranty (excluding electric parts)

The product (Lacerta MGEN-II Superguider (Autoguider Camera with remote and stand alone functions)) comes with 2 years consumer warranty.

Recommended accessories

Power cable for small batteries. 5.1 mm plug compatible with SkyWatcher EQ1, EQ2, EQ3, EQM-35, EQ5, HEQ5, EQ6 mounts, 1m
Stock avalability
Delivery:
Available for delivery
Budapest shop:
In stock
Delivery:Available for delivery
Bp. shop:In stock
Add to basket7.25 €
EOS-1 Cable for MGEN or UrsaMinor Intarface (f.e. for EOS450)
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Delivery:
Available for delivery
Budapest shop:
In stock
Delivery:Available for delivery
Bp. shop:In stock
Add to basket13.50 €
Cold resistant cable RJ45-RJ45 for MGEN-I/II (between handbox and MGEN-Camera) or SynScan Handcontrol (between handbox and mount)
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Available for delivery
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In stock
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Add to basket18.00 €
T2 adapter for Skywatcher 9x50 and Takahashi 7x50 finderscopes (MGEN, ZWO ASI)
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Available for delivery
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Minimal stock
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Add to basket19.00 €
Extension cable for MGEN (3,5mm) for camera release cabels, length 200cm
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Please contact our colleagues before ordering: +36-1-202-5651
Budapest shop:
Under procurement
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Bp. shop:Under procurement
Add to basket19.75 €
EOS-2 Cable for MGEN or UrsaMinor Intarface (f.e. for EOS-5D) Cablelength: 120cm
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Available for delivery
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Stock refill in progress
Delivery:Available for delivery
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Add to basket22.00 €

You are eligible for accessory discount only when purchased tugether with a main product.

Astronomical telescopes up to 100 Euros
Astronomical telescopes between 100 and 200 Euros
Microscope offer up to 200 Euros



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