Can't get BackyardEOS to work with ASCOM DSLR TestAPP or PHD2

[chorn1225@yahoo.com]

I can't get the ASCOM Camera Chooser to work in the ASCOM DSLR TestAPP. When I select BackyardEOS in the DSLR Setup Form and click 'OK' I get a Driver Setup method failed error box.  I am using the trial version of BackyardEOS and it seems to work fine with my Canon EOS Rebel 800D in a standalone configuration. But I want to use it with PHD2 which has an ASCOM  DSLR option with a BackyardEOS connection method. I am using the most current ASCOM drivers (as of today) and PHD2 Guiding 2.6.9.

[admin]

Not sure we can help you, your issue seems related to ASCOM DSLR and you should ask them the question.  Not sure what PHD has to do in all of this.  Sorry I can be much more help, I'm not the author of ASCOM DSLR.

[astroman133]

You need to pose your question to the author(s) of ASCOM.DSLR.

I am not sure why you would want to use your DSLR with PHD2. It would not seem to be the best choice as a guide camera. Are you worried about wear and tear due to the mirror and shutter being moved frequently during guiding?

[s3igell]

A DSLR makes a rather poor Guide Camera, for a number of reasons:

1. Mechanical Mirror-Box - needs to be Opened for Each Exposure (excessive wear - as Astroman133 references) or kept Open via Mirror-Lockup (also wears on Mirror-Box Solenoid AND heats Sensor if performed by BYE LiveView Option) - Sensor Heat causes extra Sensor Noise and Hot Pixels (which might trip-up PHD)
2. Image Size / Pixel Size - the Large Sensor of a modern DSLR is a poor fit for AutoGuiding - Too much data to download every 1-2 seconds; Pixel-size is also often wrong for Auto-Guider Focal Length - too big to provide a Pixel-resolution sufficient for accurate guiding; Larger DSLR Sensors also result in Severe Vignetting when mounted to a 1.25" Guide Scope
3. Weight / Size / Back-Focus - The Dimensions and Weight of a DSLR are a poor fit for most Guide Scope Mounting configurations - the Balance shifts too far backwards and may induce additional Flexture-Drift due to the lack of rigidity in Guide Scope 3-point Rings or 2-point Spring Mount or Finder Shoe Mount or even the Focuser/Eyepiece Compression Screw
4. Battery Power - AutoGuiding requires Always-On operation, which will Drain the Onboard DSLR Battery and likely cut short an Imaging Session
5. ASCOM DSLR Driver is 3rd-party unsupported by either Camera Manufacturer or BackyardEOS