I'm considering an Orion G10, probably a "rebrand" Touptek 294c

[Craigar]

Did you get native support for the Touptek 294c? Sure looks like a rebrand? Do you know if this will be good with SK 4.1pro for DSO, including sequence dithering?

https://www.astroshop.eu/astronomical-c ... ifications

Looks just like this with "Orion" labeling
https://www.touptek-astro.com/ATR294C/

Thanks again
Craig

[admin]

Hi Craig,

there is now full ToupTek support in the most recent versions of SharpCap, both for own brand ToupTek cameras and a number of the sub-brands. In some cases the sub-brand cameras will just appear as ToupTek, in other cases there is specific support (Ogma, Mallincam, etc). There is no specific Orion code, so I suspect it would just show up and work as a ToupTek camera.

But... I can't quite see my way clear to recommend an IMX294 camera in 2025 - the 294 sensor has been around since 2018 and there are better alternatives available nowadays. The justification to buy a 294 today would only be to get a large sensor area for a low price. The link you included shows the camera at £1150, which is much too much - and it shows it as product not available anymore.

Current UK pricing for the normal ToupTek cooled IMX294 colour is £699 (https://www.specialistcameras.co.uk/tou ... our-camera). But, if you were really considering the £1150 price shown in the Orion camera link, stretch a tiny bit further and get the ToupTek IMX571 camera for £1259 (https://www.specialistcameras.co.uk/tou ... our-camera) - it's a much better sensor and a bigger area too.

cheers,

Robin

[Craigar]

Well it "got away" it was relatively cheap $250 and very low used mileage AND cooled - and I already have a Mallincam DS10c (passive cooled) and got good results - In Los Angeles - but didn't work with SC back in 2023 best as I remember, and after reading your post it looks like it will now. I wanted this TEC cooled for when I'm in Florida usually being 78F at night or higher.


Thanks
Craig