Astronomy Specialist

GIOTTO 150 SMART FLAT FIELD GENERATOR

$529.00 AUD
SKU: PLLGIOTTO150

Prima Luce Lab

0.40 kg


 

The Prima Luce Lab GIOTTO 150 is an ASCOM and Wi-Fi controllable flat field generator designed to provide consistent and repeatable flat calibration frames. The GIOTTO 150 can be used with telescopes with an aperture up to 150mm and an external tube diameter between 112 - 174mm with the included plastic thumbscrews.

 

Prima Luce Lab GIOTTO 150 Smart Flat Field Generator

 

GIOTTO flat field generators feature an array of LED lights with a colour temperature similar to the Sun and a specially designed diffuser for homogenous illumination. The integrated electronics allow you to precisely adjust the brightness by 100 steps and can be controlled over ASCOM via USB-C or Wi-Fi from your smartphone or tablet. It can be powered from a 12V power source such as the Eagle control unit, so no external power brick is required. Note: In order to power the GIOTTO from the Eagle, you will need the PL1000044 3A 5.5 x 2.5 power cable.

 

 

Flat frame calibration is an essential part of creating professional astrophotos and requires a uniform and dimmable light source. This is because many modern CMOS sensors require longer exposures for usable flat frames. The GIOTTO flat field generators make this as straightforward as possible. The Virtual HandPad allows you to remotely control the brightness of the panel with your smartphone or tablet, and even allows you to save different values for each filter.

 

 

GIOTTO 150 Features:

  • Designed for telescopes with aperture up to 150mm
  • LED lights at colour temperature similar to sunlight, to provide a neutral colour tone
  • Special designed light diffuser for an even illumination
  • Adjustable light intensity by 100 steps (0 to 100%)
  • It natively runs off of a 12V power source to avoid the need for external power units
  • Included thumbscrews for an easy lock in front of telescopes with external tube diameter from 112mm to 174mm
  • USB-C port to let you easily connect it to your EAGLE or Windows computer
  • WiFi connectivity so you can wirelessly control it using your smartphone or tablet via the included Virtual HandPad
  • Control and capture flat frames with PLAY astrophotography software for EAGLE or Windows
  • ASCOM driver to let you control it through third party software
  • Optional ALTO telescope cover motor to convert GIOTTO in a remotely controlled motorized cap
  • Weight: 0.4 kg (0.9 lb)

 

Prima Luce Lab ALTO motorized telescope cover for GIOTTO

 

The GIOTTO can be completely automated by adding the ALTO telescope cover motor, allowing you to use the GIOTTO as a motorized cap. The ALTO can be easily connected to any Vixen or Losmandy dovetail bar with Prime Luce Lab's PLUS clamps. This makes it easy to adjust the precise position of the GIOTTO for optimal coverage.

 

Max internal diameter
174 mm
Max illuminated diameter
152 mm
Compatible telescope external diameter
112 - 174 mm
Weight
400 g
SKU
PLLGIOTTO150

 

 

  • GIOTTO 150 smart flat field generator
  • 3 x thumbscrews
  • USB-C to USB-A cable
  • 12V power cable with cigarette plug
  • GIOTTO quick start guide

 

In order to use GIOTTO, you first need to download and install Prime Luce Lab's PLAY software available here.

 

GIOTTO manual

 PLAY software

GIOTTO useful articles

Customer Reviews

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Paul Lloyd
A very convenient and accurate flat-field illuminator

I don't know about you, but I have found the do-it-yourself methods of getting an evenly illuminated flat field for those necessary flats you need to take after each session, rather clunky, and difficult to adjust the lighting to get exposures in the 3-10 sec range. Various postings on Web discussion groups talk about a number of different flat illuminated panels that can be adapted to this purpose, although I looked at a highly recommended model and found that a) it was >3x the diameter of my largest refractor, and b) was >$US500. It's important to choose one that allows you to use with an H-alpha filter (which, if you are not using one now, you very likely will be in the reasonably near future). Many standard panels of this type don't give much illumination at H-alpha's wavelength - this is particularly the case if using a tablet PC as your illumination source, at least it is for my Samsung Tab S2 & S7 models.

To my delight I found this suite of reasonably priced flat-field illuminators. I have been using one for some months now and have found it most convenient. I was advised to choose a size at least 10-15mm larger in diameter than my largest aperture 'scope, and I took this to mean the diameter of the dew shield. This is to minimize the possibility of irregularities in the brightness of the edge of the illuminator.

These illuminators work by connecting your PC/tablet/phone to the WiFi signal emitted - you will have no Internet once you do this. Once connected, a standard Web browser connected to the URL of the f-f.i. brings up a page that allows you to set the brightness of the panel so that you can get a decent exposure time. I have found that I am able to get ~5 sec exposures with an H-alpha filter in my f/14 refractor, with a reasonable amount of adjustment left. You are also able to save the setting for later use, and to name it. A total of 9 settings is available.

I find this unit especially convenient and easy to use, and reduces my time in generating my flats. It's well worth the expense, and I recommend it highly.

Paul.

Note: I've recently found another use for this tool. If you adjust the brightness so that the histogram peak lies ~1/3rd of the way along the bottom axis, the resulting image shows up dust motes in your light train very nicely. Using this method, I have been able to reduce the dust problem down considerably. And I had thought before finding this trick, that I was keeping things pretty clean!!! Remember, the sharper the shadows are, the closer the mote is to your sensor.