General FAQs

These FAQs are general in nature:

General Info

• Where can I find an SBIG Dealer?

• Who do I contact regarding repairs or upgrades?

Cameras

• Given the choice, should I buy an ABG or Non-ABG CCD camera?

• Given the choice, should I buy a Color CCD or Monochrome CCD?

• How does water cooling work?

Telescopes

• Are your cameras compatible with all brands of telescopes?

• Do I need a wedge or can I image in Alt-Az mode?

• How do your cameras attach to the telescope?

• Is there an easier way to focus?

• Why do I get a white blob when I try to image planets?

Autoguiding

• Can I autoguide with any SBIG camera?

• Do I need a relay box to use an SBIG autoguider with my mount?

• How can I tell if the relays in my camera are working?

• Should I enable the backlash compensation in my mount?

• Which port on my LX200 do I use to connect an autoguider?

• Why won't my LX50 calibrate for autoguiding?

• Should I use binning when I autoguide?

Field Use

• Can I run my ST-7 series camera off a battery?

• Can I use your cameras with my SLR lenses?

• The window over my CCD looks frosted when it cools down.  What do I do?

• What size battery do I need to operate your cameras in the field?

• Will I damage my camera by turning off the cooling suddenly?

Hardware issues

• I need a longer power cable and/or head cable for my ST-7 type camera.  How do I make extensions?

• Can I use Ethernet to talk to my camera?

• Can I use USB-to-Parallel adapters to talk to your Parallel port based cameras?

• My new laptop doesn't have a parallel port.  What do I do?

• Why can't I extend the length of the head cable on my ST-5C, ST-237 or STV?  

Software Issues

• Can I develop custom software for the SBIG cameras?

• Can I use FITS files with SBIG's Software?

• Can SBIG cameras be used with Macintosh computers?  

• Can SBIG cameras be used with Linux computers?

• What software packages work with SBIG cameras?