Jim,
That is a thoughtful idea. Thanks. I will have to try and catch her next time she is outside. It is an unfortunate situation, as her husband was pretty young (49) and it was quite sudden and unexpected. He was a stand up, responsible individual who would give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. It was a shock to us.

Kirk

--- In Gemini-II@..., "Jim McKay" <astroguy67@...> wrote:

Kirk

Just a thought, but any way she'd be amenable to having you help her shield the light? She could still have the perceived security of having a light without it intruding on your imaging. I think there's several types of shields available or you could make one from some flashing material.

-Jim

?

Polar Axis Correction works very well. Usually a regular alignment with the Polar scope and then one iteration of PAC brings the Polar Alignment to a degree of accuracy that I do not see drift. Two iterations will make it even more perfect.
Floyd

Polar Axis Correction works very well. Usually a regular alignment with the Polar scope and then one iteration of PAC brings the Polar Alignment to a degree of accuracy that I do not see drift. Two iterations will make it even more perfect.
Floyd

Kirk

Just a thought, but any way she'd be amenable to having you help her shield the light? She could still have the perceived security of having a light without it intruding on your imaging. I think there's several types of shields available or you could make one from some flashing material.

-Jim

--- In Gemini-II@..., "gray_k99" <nemo129@> wrote:

Morgan,
Once again, thanks for the info. I am really looking forward to getting this mount! My concern about the utility is based upon how I can image at home. I can use my house to "shade" myself from my neighbor's floodlight, but that puts NCP out of view. On the nights when the floodlight is off I setup in the middle of my backyard and I get a much nicer slice of the sky including Ursa Minor and Polaris. I tried talking to her (my neighbor), but she recently lost her husband and she is a bit nervous, so I think the floodlight makes her feel more secure. Stinks for imaging...but what am I going to do?

Regards,
Kirk

--- In Gemini-II@..., "chaztro1215" <morgan_crew1@> wrote:

Kirk,
I'll give you my impression and maybe Tom can add color. I was not viewing this feature as a replacement for a Polarscope so much as I was planning on using it as a mechanism for fine tuning the less than perfect alignment one would be bound to get if the relied only on the polarscope. So, I think you would have to start with rough polar alignment in order for the feature to be useful. Or else, I suppose you could perform the function mutltiple times to get the job done as well.

I suppose it could also be used as you suggest. I've just heard of some others getting incredibly accurate alignments (IMHO) using the Polar align assist.

Regards,
Morgan

--- In Gemini-II@..., "gray_k99" <nemo129@> wrote:

Tom and Morgan,
So you have tweaked my interest here. Is the Polar Align Assist something like the Celstron "All Star Polar Alignment" utility, i.e. a built in utilty to help you point the RA axis at NCP without having direct sight of Polaris? (or there in abouts) If it is, that would be great, I had resigned myself to buying the polar scope and doing drift aligns....not that that is a bad thing, but it is nice to have alternatives.
Thanks for any info and I apologize for my ignorance on Gemini I, I have been pretty busy with a flooded basement and have not had time to review the level 4 manual.

Kirk

Actually, I just went and looked it up. It looks intersting, but not what I thought it would be. Could anyone comment on the usefulness of "Polar Align Assist" and "Polar Axis Correction" utilities for getting ready for long exposure astrophotgraphy?

Thanks,
Kirk

--- In Gemini-II@..., "gray_k99" <nemo129@> wrote:

Tom and Morgan,
So you have tweaked my interest here. Is the Polar Align Assist something like the Celstron "All Star Polar Alignment" utility, i.e. a built in utilty to help you point the RA axis at NCP without having direct sight of Polaris? (or there in abouts) If it is, that would be great, I had resigned myself to buying the polar scope and doing drift aligns....not that that is a bad thing, but it is nice to have alternatives.
Thanks for any info and I apologize for my ignorance on Gemini I, I have been pretty busy with a flooded basement and have not had time to review the level 4 manual.

Kirk

--- In Gemini-II@..., "tom@" <tom@> wrote:

Morgan

On a similar note, I'm assuming that the Polar Align Assist option
made its way into the Gemini 2, correct. From the online menu's and
the Quick Start guide, its a little unclear; but that was a key
feature I was interested in using.

Not yet. René is planning on incorporating every feature of the Gemini
1, but he is working on the Star Alignments at this time. Hopefully
after that PEC, etc.

Tom

Morgan,
Once again, thanks for the info. I am really looking forward to getting this mount! My concern about the utility is based upon how I can image at home. I can use my house to "shade" myself from my neighbor's floodlight, but that puts NCP out of view. On the nights when the floodlight is off I setup in the middle of my backyard and I get a much nicer slice of the sky including Ursa Minor and Polaris. I tried talking to her (my neighbor), but she recently lost her husband and she is a bit nervous, so I think the floodlight makes her feel more secure. Stinks for imaging...but what am I going to do?

Regards,
Kirk

--- In Gemini-II@..., "chaztro1215" <morgan_crew1@> wrote:

Kirk,
I'll give you my impression and maybe Tom can add color. I was not viewing this feature as a replacement for a Polarscope so much as I was planning on using it as a mechanism for fine tuning the less than perfect alignment one would be bound to get if the relied only on the polarscope. So, I think you would have to start with rough polar alignment in order for the feature to be useful. Or else, I suppose you could perform the function mutltiple times to get the job done as well.

I suppose it could also be used as you suggest. I've just heard of some others getting incredibly accurate alignments (IMHO) using the Polar align assist.

Regards,
Morgan

--- In Gemini-II@..., "gray_k99" <nemo129@> wrote:

Tom and Morgan,
So you have tweaked my interest here. Is the Polar Align Assist something like the Celstron "All Star Polar Alignment" utility, i.e. a built in utilty to help you point the RA axis at NCP without having direct sight of Polaris? (or there in abouts) If it is, that would be great, I had resigned myself to buying the polar scope and doing drift aligns....not that that is a bad thing, but it is nice to have alternatives.
Thanks for any info and I apologize for my ignorance on Gemini I, I have been pretty busy with a flooded basement and have not had time to review the level 4 manual.

Kirk

Jerry,

Just out of curiosity, you didn't by any change use Paypal did you? I ask because I ordered & have since received a piece of equipment from a different vendor using Paypal. I was immediately charged for the full cost of the item despite it being backordered. The reason as I was told was that was the way that Paypal did business. I thought it was weird but I had never run into a backordered situation before.

FYI I ordered mine on 3/10/2011. I received an order confirmation 03/11/2011. we'll see how long it takes.

Thanx

John.
39.143345, -77.174802


--- In Gemini-II@..., "Jerry" <jerrylg2@> wrote:

Thanks, Tom...and I hope your brother gets out of the hospital soon! (re an earlier post)

I still feel like Losmandy should communicate much, much better. The info you have provided, for example, should be posted on their Web site (however, you were unfortunately forced to use words like "think," "maybe," and "possibility"). There should be no secrets or guesswork when you purchase something. And people in this newsgroup shouldn't have to do the PR work for Losmandy. We are the paying customers.

Jerry

--- In Gemini-II@..., "tom@" <tom@> wrote:

Jerry
One problem is that the Firmware is still not finished. I think the
units that Losmandy is actually shipping is direct from Losmandy to
customers, where they are contacting each customer and letting them know
the product update status, and making sure the customer understands
before shipping. Now I am not sure of this, but it was what I was led
to be-leave. It this is so, then maybe that is why retailers are not
getting product, unless the retailer agrees to do the firmware upgrades
also, that will be needed in the future, if the customer does not want
to do the firmware upgrades themselfs. Just a possibility.

Tom

On 3/12/2011 6:10 PM, Jerry wrote:

Hello Don:

I fully agree with what you have stated...you should only pay for
something when it actually ships. But, do you recall how confusing
things have been since last April or so? For the longest time, I
didn't know when I should expect shipment and no one seemed to know
anything of substance at the time (and I'm not sure they do now!). As
I recall, my order was processed at a time *before* it was publically
announced a new unit was being produced. And do you remember how
secret that was? You would think a new military missile was being
developed and not a piece of amateur, telescope equipment!

One should not have to troll through newsgroup messages to figure out
when something is going to be produced/shipped. Frankly, I don't have
the time to do that. One should simply go to a Website and see when to
expect shipment (specific dates). I can do that with Amazon.com, for
example. Further, they keep me fully posted during the entire
purchase/shipment process -- via private e-mail. It's not that
difficult with modern software! Plus, I can rate their service --
publically -- once everything is done. It's called excellent customer
service. Some companies know how to do it very well.

This has been the most incredible shopping experience I have ever had
and people continually make excuses for an obvious absence of
effective, caring communication.

No offense to anyone though...everyone is certainly entitled to their
own opinion.

Jerry

--- In Gemini-II@... <mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>,
"Don" <don@> wrote:

Jerry,

I ordered the Gemini II upgrade for my MI-250 through Karen. She

said Losmandy would not charge my VISA card until they shipped the
unit. She "hopefully" expected a shipping date sometime in April.
This, IMHO, is fair treatment by Losmandy. If your retailer took your
money "up front" almost a year ago, then perhaps you have a problem
with them and not Losmandy.

Best of luck.

Don Waid


----- Original Message -----
From: Jerry
To: Gemini-II@... <mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 4:53 PM
Subject: [Gemini-II] Re: Updates re: Delivery Times



Hello everyone: Here's a good one for you...I ordered my Gemini II

last April (2010) - and paid the retailer in full then! - no word on
when to expect actual shipment and it's like pulling teeth to get a
firm answer from anyone involved (and I have tried). Horrible business
practice I'm very sorry to say. All they (Losmandy/retailer) have to
do is communicate - via their Web page - it is not that difficult! I
will remember this when I need to purchase something else in the
future. I just hope it is worth the wait...at least I have
contributed, financially, to an apparent work in progress. Jerry

--- In Gemini-II@...

<mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>, "lroehrdanz" <res09wpc@> wrote:

I suspect you will get the polarscope and OPW quickly unless you

requested them to be installed on the mount. I ordered my G11 last
May, but I don't think my experience is an accurate measure of the
wait. Once Feb rolled around, it took a couple weeks after the
official roll out before I got mine (I ordered mine through OPT), so
those dates are probably pretty close.

Lee

--- In Gemini-II@...

<mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>, "chaztro1215" <morgan_crew1@> wrote:

While some of us are waiting for our Gemini II's wondering if

anyone can help us with expected delivery dates based on their
experience. I've been on order since early January (3rd or 4th) and
just getting curious; was initially told end of March at the latest.
Also, I ordered the one-piece worm and polarscope from Losmandy about
one month ago and have yet to hear anything back from them, despite
leaving a couple follow-up messages. I know they're probably busy, but
sheesh!! Keep the updates coming, its great to read the experiences of
others to help us new owners when our delivery day arrives (and this
will be my first Losmandy mount)!!

Kirk,
I'll give you my impression and maybe Tom can add color. I was not viewing this feature as a replacement for a Polarscope so much as I was planning on using it as a mechanism for fine tuning the less than perfect alignment one would be bound to get if the relied only on the polarscope. So, I think you would have to start with rough polar alignment in order for the feature to be useful. Or else, I suppose you could perform the function mutltiple times to get the job done as well.

I suppose it could also be used as you suggest. I've just heard of some others getting incredibly accurate alignments (IMHO) using the Polar align assist.

Regards,
Morgan

--- In Gemini-II@..., "gray_k99" <nemo129@> wrote:

Tom and Morgan,
So you have tweaked my interest here. Is the Polar Align Assist something like the Celstron "All Star Polar Alignment" utility, i.e. a built in utilty to help you point the RA axis at NCP without having direct sight of Polaris? (or there in abouts) If it is, that would be great, I had resigned myself to buying the polar scope and doing drift aligns....not that that is a bad thing, but it is nice to have alternatives.
Thanks for any info and I apologize for my ignorance on Gemini I, I have been pretty busy with a flooded basement and have not had time to review the level 4 manual.

Kirk

Tom and Morgan,
So you have tweaked my interest here. Is the Polar Align Assist something like the Celstron "All Star Polar Alignment" utility, i.e. a built in utilty to help you point the RA axis at NCP without having direct sight of Polaris? (or there in abouts) If it is, that would be great, I had resigned myself to buying the polar scope and doing drift aligns....not that that is a bad thing, but it is nice to have alternatives.
Thanks for any info and I apologize for my ignorance on Gemini I, I have been pretty busy with a flooded basement and have not had time to review the level 4 manual.

Kirk

Tom and Morgan,
So you have tweaked my interest here. Is the Polar Align Assist something like the Celstron "All Star Polar Alignment" utility, i.e. a built in utilty to help you point the RA axis at NCP without having direct sight of Polaris? (or there in abouts) If it is, that would be great, I had resigned myself to buying the polar scope and doing drift aligns....not that that is a bad thing, but it is nice to have alternatives.
Thanks for any info and I apologize for my ignorance on Gemini I, I have been pretty busy with a flooded basement and have not had time to review the level 4 manual.

Kirk

--- In Gemini-II@..., "tom@" <tom@> wrote:

Morgan

On a similar note, I'm assuming that the Polar Align Assist option
made its way into the Gemini 2, correct. From the online menu's and
the Quick Start guide, its a little unclear; but that was a key
feature I was interested in using.

Not yet. René is planning on incorporating every feature of the Gemini
1, but he is working on the Star Alignments at this time. Hopefully
after that PEC, etc.

Tom

Morgan

On a similar note, I'm assuming that the Polar Align Assist option
made its way into the Gemini 2, correct. From the online menu's and
the Quick Start guide, its a little unclear; but that was a key
feature I was interested in using.

Not yet. René is planning on incorporating every feature of the Gemini
1, but he is working on the Star Alignments at this time. Hopefully
after that PEC, etc.

Tom

Kirk,
If you bought it from Skies Unlimited - then we have something in common!! I've found them to be great to work with and good communication as well. Keep us posted.
Regards,
Morgan

Jerry
One problem is that the Firmware is still not finished. I think the
units that Losmandy is actually shipping is direct from Losmandy to
customers, where they are contacting each customer and letting them know
the product update status, and making sure the customer understands
before shipping.

Thanks, Tom...and I hope your brother gets out of the hospital soon! (re an earlier post)

I still feel like Losmandy should communicate much, much better. The info you have provided, for example, should be posted on their Web site (however, you were unfortunately forced to use words like "think," "maybe," and "possibility"). There should be no secrets or guesswork when you purchase something. And people in this newsgroup shouldn't have to do the PR work for Losmandy. We are the paying customers.

Jerry

--- In Gemini-II@..., "tom@" <tom@> wrote:

Jerry
One problem is that the Firmware is still not finished. I think the
units that Losmandy is actually shipping is direct from Losmandy to
customers, where they are contacting each customer and letting them know
the product update status, and making sure the customer understands
before shipping. Now I am not sure of this, but it was what I was led
to be-leave. It this is so, then maybe that is why retailers are not
getting product, unless the retailer agrees to do the firmware upgrades
also, that will be needed in the future, if the customer does not want
to do the firmware upgrades themselfs. Just a possibility.

Tom

On 3/12/2011 6:10 PM, Jerry wrote:

Hello Don:

I fully agree with what you have stated...you should only pay for
something when it actually ships. But, do you recall how confusing
things have been since last April or so? For the longest time, I
didn't know when I should expect shipment and no one seemed to know
anything of substance at the time (and I'm not sure they do now!). As
I recall, my order was processed at a time *before* it was publically
announced a new unit was being produced. And do you remember how
secret that was? You would think a new military missile was being
developed and not a piece of amateur, telescope equipment!

One should not have to troll through newsgroup messages to figure out
when something is going to be produced/shipped. Frankly, I don't have
the time to do that. One should simply go to a Website and see when to
expect shipment (specific dates). I can do that with Amazon.com, for
example. Further, they keep me fully posted during the entire
purchase/shipment process -- via private e-mail. It's not that
difficult with modern software! Plus, I can rate their service --
publically -- once everything is done. It's called excellent customer
service. Some companies know how to do it very well.

This has been the most incredible shopping experience I have ever had
and people continually make excuses for an obvious absence of
effective, caring communication.

No offense to anyone though...everyone is certainly entitled to their
own opinion.

Jerry

--- In Gemini-II@... <mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>,
"Don" <don@> wrote:

Jerry,

I ordered the Gemini II upgrade for my MI-250 through Karen. She

said Losmandy would not charge my VISA card until they shipped the
unit. She "hopefully" expected a shipping date sometime in April.
This, IMHO, is fair treatment by Losmandy. If your retailer took your
money "up front" almost a year ago, then perhaps you have a problem
with them and not Losmandy.

Best of luck.

Don Waid


----- Original Message -----
From: Jerry
To: Gemini-II@... <mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 4:53 PM
Subject: [Gemini-II] Re: Updates re: Delivery Times



Hello everyone: Here's a good one for you...I ordered my Gemini II

last April (2010) - and paid the retailer in full then! - no word on
when to expect actual shipment and it's like pulling teeth to get a
firm answer from anyone involved (and I have tried). Horrible business
practice I'm very sorry to say. All they (Losmandy/retailer) have to
do is communicate - via their Web page - it is not that difficult! I
will remember this when I need to purchase something else in the
future. I just hope it is worth the wait...at least I have
contributed, financially, to an apparent work in progress. Jerry

--- In Gemini-II@...

<mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>, "lroehrdanz" <res09wpc@> wrote:

I suspect you will get the polarscope and OPW quickly unless you

requested them to be installed on the mount. I ordered my G11 last
May, but I don't think my experience is an accurate measure of the
wait. Once Feb rolled around, it took a couple weeks after the
official roll out before I got mine (I ordered mine through OPT), so
those dates are probably pretty close.

Lee

--- In Gemini-II@...

<mailto:Gemini-II%40yahoogroups.com>, "chaztro1215" <morgan_crew1@> wrote:

While some of us are waiting for our Gemini II's wondering if

anyone can help us with expected delivery dates based on their
experience. I've been on order since early January (3rd or 4th) and
just getting curious; was initially told end of March at the latest.
Also, I ordered the one-piece worm and polarscope from Losmandy about
one month ago and have yet to hear anything back from them, despite
leaving a couple follow-up messages. I know they're probably busy, but
sheesh!! Keep the updates coming, its great to read the experiences of
others to help us new owners when our delivery day arrives (and this
will be my first Losmandy mount)!!

Tom,
Thanks for the assurances. It is good to have that information about the state of the firmware. I probably will not have my mount until sometime in April(I hope!) and it sounds like things will be more stable then.
Kirk

Kirk
I would not let that bother you too much. Terry has a pre-release of
the final firmware. There has been many bugs fixed since the Feb 9
version that he is running.
René has made many significant changes in the hand controller firm ware,
and is now working on the Main Units Firmware. Once he release this
major change, and it is thoroughly tested by the beta group, then it
should be release for the general Gemini 2 users. Probably around the
middle of April, it not sooner.
Of course Scott Losmandy has the final say on when it will be released.
He has to make sure that all the distributors have it, and can support
anyone
that may have problems installing it. There will also be complete
instruction and pictures posted on this users group on how to do it,
when the time comes.

Tom