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About 18 months ago David Partridge upgraded my Gemini-2 to the L6 standard. It was working really well with sub pixel values of 0.5-0.6 for RA and 0.25 for Dec. I noticed in April there were a couple of upgrades I'd not attempted and as the season is effectively now over for me in Scotland (only astronomical twilight until late August) I thought it time to upgrade the firmware. I followed the instructions downloading and installing the Ascom driver following the link on Gemini.Net ascom page. Then download and installed the latest GFU (v1.1.28) followed by the latest firmware (again from the link) Installation appeared to have gone well and I cross checked the various settings in the Gemini,Net from previous firmware. HC showing HC firmware V1.64 mainboard Firmware Level 6.12 Servo Drive Firmware RA & Dec V3.0. Scope set up Skywatcher Quattro Fl800mm MI 8300 camera OAG and Lodestar X2 guider. All being controlled by TSX Camera addon On first attempt at guiding I found that guiding was lucky to last more than 1min 20 seconds Guidestar would the drift about 8-10 pixels then rapidly move out of field of view (This was always on RA). The RA motor is a high torque model . Dec is the older model. Though battery was showing sufficient voltage (2.90v) I decided after reading some posts to fit a new battery to ensure that was not the issue. Same issue, lasted about 1min 20 seconds then quickly moved out of field of view. Last night I did notice at that point TSX was showing scope slewing rather than guiding and indeed when looking at the lodestar X2 image view was moving at way more than guiding speed. In addition to that I had noticed that the Advanced settings was showing PEC on even though Profile did not feature PEC on. I have tried deleting profile in case it was corrupted and reloading a new one with PEC off. But to no avail. As I've now found where Log Folder is I will attempt to run either tonight or tomorrow and post the log. Any thoughts on whats going on. I'd been doing a lot of imaging runs late March up until 9th April without issue. Equipment other than laptop is observatory housed and often operated remotely via an iPad
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Serial Port Timed Out/Communications Error Messages on GM8
Hi, I have had my GM8 for a few years now and it has generally run perfectly. I communicate with the GM8 via USB cable, using a USB 2.0 Type A to Type B cable. The cable is short, about 1.5 Metres. I have recently started using NINA instead of Sequence Generator Pro. (SGP), which I have used for years. I want to stick with NINA because it offers several big advantages. I have been using the GM8 with NINA intensively this week, and have come across an error. It is always at the same point, the Plate Solving time within NINA. Plate solving is set up to use ASTAP first, and then Astrometry.Net as a blind solver. During the Plate Solve, several times over the last few night, I have got the message "Serial Port Timed Out" against the Gemini. I also sometimes get "Communications Error". This did used to happen very occasionally with the SGP setup, for which the Plate Solve Options are set up the same. But now it's much more prevalent. I know that I can potentially use Ethernet, but it's a simpler setup if I can maintain the USB connection. I am imagining that the NINA interface is in some way more intense with it's data usage in the Plate Solve than the SGP process. I have tried connecting my short cable into both USB 2 and USB 3 ports on the laptop. I have not as yet tried a powered hub. I have Ascom Platform 6.6 SP2 and Ascom Gemini Telescope Driver 1.1.23.0 installed. Do yu have any advice please, I'd like to stick with Serial if I can
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GM8 Language Switching Continually
4
Hi, I've had my GM8 for quite a few years with no issues. Tonight, on a (typically) very clear night, I went outside, the mount was already polar aligned so I was ready to go. Connected the power, got to the opening menu.. Quick Start Cold Start Warm Start Warm Reset Unfortunately when I press any of the keys, the only thing that happens is that I get the same four buttons in the next language. Press any again and it goes to the next language.. English/German/French/Spanish. I can get no further into the menu system at any point. I understand there is no reset button. I have disconnected the rest of the mount, brought the controller inside. I have tried the following:- 1)Powered off , wait, powered on several times 2)Replaced the CR 2450 battery, although both old and new batteries measured as 3 Volts. First time after the battery wass changed got to the main screen with arrow buttons, but again, every button just changed the language, but went no further into the menu system. 3)Slid the removable SD card back and forward in it's holder (with power off) to try and clean the contacts. 4)Cleaned the front of the touch screen with a mosit spectacles cloth. 5)Removed the cover of the hand controller (with power off) and cleaned the extreme sides of the display carefully. Powered on with the front of the HC still removed, in case there was something jammed between screen and case All to no avail, same issue persists. Has anyone any advice please Dave
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Gemini-2 L6.12 locked-up
15
Hi all, I've recently updated my two Gemini-2s, one is for CG-11_modded and the other for G-11, to the latest L6.12 together with HC. During my PHD2 test run last night, Gemini-2 for G-11 was locked-up, resulting in disconnect error. I could not slew the mount by HC until I powered off and on. Exactly the same phenomenon happened for Gemini-2 for CG-11_mod (L6.1) in March (#28225). I put the ASCOM log file in Yamada-4 folder in User_Logs_error_files_and_suggestions. In the log, I see a few errors, 20:54:57.369 Exception 01:19:20.235 Exception 01:19:21.747 Unexpected exception Any idea about the possible cause? masami P.S. CR2450 is quite new 3v+
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Hello all, where can I find the G2 logs? I am troubleshooting a "disconnect" problem (per ASCOM logs). Not sure if it actually is an ethernet problem or the mount just simply "checking out". I feel like I need more info before posting for help. Thanks!
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Connecting limit switches to port E.
I plan to do remote observing from my home office to my backyard observatory and for safety reasons I would like to install limit switches on my mount. I have a gemini 2 mini, level 6. I have read that port E can be used for this, but I can't find any info on how to wire this cable. I assume this cable would plug into port E on one end and the limit switches on the other end. Any help on wiring schematics and implementation would be greatly appreciated.
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Retrofit kit spur gears
4
Hi group, Recently I received a Gemini 2 retrofit kit for my HGM200 mount. On examining the contents I find that I am missing two crucial spur gears, one for the RA gearbox and one for the Dec. gearbox. I am waiting to hear back from Losmandy in regards to this, but in the meantime I was wondering how other Titan mount owners or HGM owners fared. Were those spur gears included in your kit, and if not, is it the norm to remove the spur gear from the Gemini 1 gearbox and install it onto the gearbox of the Gemini 2. I don't really want to start pulling the Gemini 1 apart as it's been a stellar performer, and still is ( parden the pun ). I couldn't see these spur gears listed on the Losmandy Accessories page either. Any thoughts please. Thanking you George.
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Abell Clusters catalogue
10
Does Gemini have in its database the Abell Clusters catalogue? Or do i have to punch in the RA and Dec for the target.
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Hi Folks, Ren¨¦, as usual, has been busy with Gemini improvements. The new Bootloader is an update to the original one that was created when 2GB SD cards were all that was available :) The new bootloader isn't required if your Gemini is working fine. You can skip it if you don't care about the benefits listed below, or if you feel uncomfortable performing the update. The update process itself is about as complicated as the L6 upgrade to the new servo firmware, and requires: A 20 pin ULINK2 emulator/programmer -- about $30 from Amazon Keil ULink-2 software (runs on Windows) MB_BL_2024.uvproj bootloader project file Detailed Instructions can be found here: /g/Gemini-II/files/Latest%20Firmware%20Files/Bootloader%20Update%20Instructions%20-%20April%202025/Gemini%20Bootloader%20Installation%20Instructions%20-%20Apr%202025.pdf The new bootloader is based on a modern version of Keil middleware and helps with the following: Faster boot-up time for Gemini Better compatibility with different types and larger size SD cards Resolves the issue with the dreaded M:Curr_Gem.bin file for those who have experienced it Be careful if you decide to update your Gemini. Follow instructions! Regards, -Paul
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Maintenance and Losing Settings
5
I plan on doing maintenance to my G-11. Replace clutch pads, remove DSCH, and regrease. My question is will Gemini lose my settings for Model, Limits, and custom home position? When I put the mount back together, I can easily put the mount in CWD position. Thanks ,Kevin
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When this new Bootloader was announced, I immediately followed the link to Amazon and placed my order. That was April 8. As of this morning, it still has not shipped. I am wondering if this item is somehow caught up in the "tariff wars". I know this is not a critical Gemini update but I am one of the "M:" drive people and would like to not be one of those people. I sure would like to be able to use the GFU for updates. I did go to eBay and found this one. Looks to be identical with the exception of the "RealView Tools by ARM" logo. I compared the specs of both and they are identical so I did order one. At least this one has already shipped and should be here by the weekend. Has anyone else had this issue with availability? Hopefully the unit that is en route from eBay will work. That one was only $22 (their price went up after I placed my order). Just curious. Chris
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I have been operating my Losmandy G11 using the original Level 6 release in since about mid-2023 without any issues that I'm aware. But after upgrading to telescope to a longer focal length, I determine that it may be beneficial to upgrade to a version that supported the latest PEC enhancements. So, I jumped all in upgrading the firmware to Level 6.12. I also generated a PEC curve using PEMPro Version 3.10.14. Since the telescope was already Polar Aligned and the PHD2 was already calibrated, I tried running Guiding Assistant but observed that the DEC axis would shift like it was not getting any guiding pulses. I checked for cables snag but found none. I then thought that maybe the firmware update had enabled TVC but found that is was still set to Zero on the HC and Gemini Telescope. I was also unable to re-run the PHD2 calibration. So I reinstalled Level 6.0 and was able to perform my Guiding Assistance and imaging for the remainder of the night. So I than tried to just upgrade to the Level 6.02 but had the same issue that I observed with Level 6.12, so I once again downgraded to Level 6 and was able to do guiding assistance and imaging for the remainder of the night. After reviewing most of the feedback about the firmware upgrades to Level 6.02 and 6.1; I was unable to determine anybody having similar issue, so I'm at a lost to the solution. Does anybody have any ideas as to what could be causing this issue? Thanks, Michael
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I have a new G11/Gemini-2 that I bought last summer. I've set up a Home park location of due west, and park it when I'm done each evening. I've noticed that if I leave it unpowered for more than a couple of days, when I turn it back on and do a warm restart, Gemini reports that it is pointing East, not West. I thought this might be that the battery in Gemini was low (although I had just bought it), so I bought and installed a fresh one recently. However the problem is still happening. After power up and warm restart, with scope physically pointing west, it reports that it is pointing east: If I then tell it to a Park CWD (when it is parked at the Home position pointing west), it actually moves to the correct location at the pole, but as the mount is physically slewing from West to North, it reports that it is slewing from East to North: Even if I tell it to park at my Home location (which I defined as west), the mount will physically move to point west, but reporting that it is moving east. However, if I tell it to slew to some target that is up in the sky from the Home location, it starts to slew the telescope down into the ground. So although it knows where CWD and Home are physically, its coordinates are treated differently. From the CWD position, I turn off the power to Gemini and then do a cold boot, and everything is fine for a few days. The position it reports matches the way the telescope is pointing. If I tell it to slew to a target, the target is usually in my guide scope even before I build an alignment model. Scope again parked at Home position (west) (after cold boot at CWD fixed the problem): FYI, this is my second Gemini unit. I have a G11/Gemini-1 that is 20 years old so I'm familiar with settings like date/time, mount type, etc. This is just my first experience with a Gemini-2. I know that Gemini-1 can act strangely when its battery gets low, so I wasn't especially worried about my new Gemini-2 until I replaced its battery and see it continuing to have the same problem intermittently. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks, -Joe
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Gemini 2 handset will not connect to Gemini 2
13
In January I retrofitted my old G-11 to Gemini 2. The Gemini 2 worked the first two times I had it out but tonight it failed during startup. It made it past recognizing the (Losmandy's) GPS unit but hung when I pushed "Next". On turning the power switch off and back on, it made it past initializing the hand controller, but after a few seconds of trying to connect to the gemini, the controller screen went black, and then the colored start-up screen appeared, just as if I had cycled power. This behavior repeats indefinitely no matter what I do -- initialize, fail to connect to Gemini, back to start-up screen, repeat ... I have turned the Gemini power switch off and on many times and also disconnected and reconnected the battery many times. I have tried three different batteries and two different power cords. I also disconnected and reconnected all cables many times, and tried it without the GPS unit connected. No luck. I have not yet opened either case for any purpose: The unit has the same internal battery, the same SD cards (thus far un-reseated by me) and the same software as when Losmandy delivered it. I thought I should ask advice before I proceeded further. Any suggestions? -- Jay Reynolds Freeman--------------------- Jay_Reynolds_Freeman@... http://JayReynoldsFreeman.com (personal web site)
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What Coordinate System is Gemini Using?
5
While using Sky Safari to track down SAO Numbers to add to my Double Star list, so I can use Gemini HC SAO catalog, I found that Sky Safari uses RA(2025.3)/Dec(2025.3). Searching for Beta Mon, I learned that it is SAO 133317, but it is also STF 919, which is in the Gemini HC Struve catalog. The RA/DEC coordinates in Sky Safari and Gem Struve don't match. What coordinate system is Gemini using? Gem Struve Catalog RA 06:28:48, Dec -07:02:00 Sky Safari 2025.3 RA 06:30:03, Dec -07:03:00 Kevin
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Losmandy Hand Controller problem
7
My hand controller is displaying a solid white screen, with no text or images. I am running Gemini-2 with version 6.12. These are the steps completed. Cycled power. Checked for night mode, but nothing is displayed, even when its dark. I went through the online documentation on troubleshooting. I took the HC apart to reseat the memory card. No issues identified. Re-flashed the HC to version 6.02, with no change in behavior. The reflash did not have any errors, i'm thinking taht it may be an issue with the display. Does anyone have an idea on how to troubleshoot this. I am willing to purchase a new HC, but would love to fix this. The unit is only 1 year old. Is the display card available for purchase at a reasonable price? I am also considering not replacing the HC given that I can still image w/o the unit. Any help is appreciated.
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Catalog Explanations
G'morning, After building a model and setting limits last wknd., I was able to get some observing in last night. My Goto's were putting my object in the FOV of an 8mm/122x eyepiece. Although not quite centered. No biggie, as I'm awaiting some parts to do maintenance, clean, regrease, etc. I'll re-model, PA, and balance then. But here is my query. I wanted to go to Beta Monoceritis, a very pretty triple star. In the catalogs I didn't know where to look for it. I didn't know the SAO number or the STF designation for it. Thanks to Sky Safari on my phone I was able to get that info and away I went. Many of my Double Star lists, Atlases don't have SAO's or are not in the STF( STT, Bu ) Anyway, is there a catalog for Bayer designations, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc.? Most of the catalogs in the HC are easy( I am not connected to a PC yet, HC only ), Messier, NGC, Caldwell, but what are "Combined_Constellation_Stars", or PN( Planetary Nebula? ) catalogs? An explanation of the various catalogs would be a nice feature on the Gem 2 Website and a tutorial on how to use them. I do a lot of outreach and right now it is Galaxy season. Unless you have a light bucket, Galaxies are boring to show/look at. While double stars are a fun objects to show people, especially with different/contrasty colors. Iota Cas is another good one. I guess my question really is, Which catalog do I look for Bayer designations in? I know I can build my own catalogs, but I'm not ready to do that. Kevin
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Losmandy Polar scope and elusive "second star"
5
I'm starting to get the hang of the Gemini 2 / G 11 but in the half dozen or so sessions I've had so far I've simply been unable to find the elusive "second star" in the polar scope. I'm a visual guy so getting Polaris in its slot and subsequent modeling works quite well but wondering if someone can help me find that second star. There are no other visible stars in the polar scope as far as I can tell. I admit I do my alignment in twilight due to the fact I don't want to start sessions too late in the evening (for now).
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Greetings everyone! Apologies if this has been discussed already (I did a quick but not exhaustive search through past posts), but I am looking for suggestions for a good entry level autoguiding system to go along with our G11 mount and Gemini II system. Autoguiding is something I¡¯m completely new to, so I¡¯m looking for something simple to set up and learn to use, and any advice or guidance would be appreciated. The ioptron iguider is one I¡¯ve been looking at. We have an ioptron polar scope and I love it, so theirs was one of the first I¡¯ve checked out. Thanks in advance! Jeremy Benson Keeper of Keys and Labs NIU Department of Physics NASA Solar System Ambassador La Tourette 202A 815.753.1953 www.niu.edu/clas/physics From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Kanevsky via groups.io Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2025 1:09 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Gemini-II_io] Starlight Xpress AO Connections On Sun, Mar 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM, Rick Scott wrote: I have the original large Losmandy Gemini 2 controller and have been using the Ethernat port for pulse guiding with PHD2. I¡¯m adding Starlight Xpress AO unit to my system and need to know which Gemini port to use for the bump command from the AO and how to set it up. Thanks in advance, Rick Hi Rick, I think that will depend on the software you use to control the autoguider. I see that SX AO unit has an autoguider output, so I assume the native SX software can use that port to bump the mount. You'll then want to connect the RJ11 port on the AO to the Autoguider input on Gemini-2 and calibrate it using SX software. Alternatively, if you use some other software that can control SX AO and that supports ASCOM telescope interface for guiding, then you can use the Ethernet port to bump using theASCOM pulse guiding commands, just like you do today with PHD2. Regards, -Paul
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Hello all, A particular binary was recommended for viewing this month namely Tegmine in Cancer (Zeta Cancri A) and my app Sky Guide provided the following catalogue designations which I wasn't able to find under the catalogue menu on the HC. Am I missing something?
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Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am