Hello My Friends:
Purchased Losmandy G-II/Gemini II from Scott 4 years ago.? Have used twice due to move to Dallas, but now back to Oklahoma, Bortle 5 skies.? So rolling again.? ±á²¹¡
Losmany G-II, AstroTech 111 Main, Stellarvue 80 Guidescope, Stellarvue Finder, Orion Star Shoot Guider, Canon T2i modded, (Gary Honis), Backyard EOS, PHD2.? Use Canon Software and Photoshop for any post processing.? All my DSLR is done with Canon¡¯s great auto dark subtract feature. ?I take one shot up to 5 minutes, 800 ISO, no stacking multiple subs.? I¡¯m not real fancy, just looking for descent images.
Eventually migrating to ZWO camera, and keeping my beloved DSLR. Also SharpCap with? integrated stacking, plate solving etc. looks great.? I?watch lots of NSN broadcasts.? Very informative.
Had Skyshed POD before, but sold when moved to Dallas, ordered new one yesterday.? Be here in early April according to Wayne. I really like these and hold value very well.? Great for wind, but do have occasional small leaks, but simple garbage bag, or cheap scope cover provides extra level of protection.? Bays don¡¯t leak at all, so folks who need computer etc. in POD use bays.? I will have all computers etc. in house.? Thus not getting any bays.? They are very heavy, and tied down would take wind over 120 mph to budge them.
Pouring concrete slab in March with new steel pier attached.? I will run lines below new pad to house with pier centered 9 feet away from house under new POD.? View unobstructed will be 300 degrees to 120 degrees, not perfect, but scope will be on East side of house, out of wind etc.? Objects 50 degrees altitude and above will be able to be seen from 120 degrees to about 160 degrees.? Example Orion in winter.
Due to close proximity of scope housed in POD to inside my house (9 ft), I can use Gemini II hand controller/box.? Use Autostar Suite as Object reference etc. for now.??Ultimately would like to go to Ethernet control with Stellarium or similar software.
In process of updating computer, latest ASCOM, Gemini etc.? G-II has Feb. 2014 firmware, updating that also.? Found the firmware update program on Gemini II site, hopefully I can make it work.? I¡¯m 72 now and fairly computer literate, but Ethernet items tend to exasperate me.? ±á²¹¡Retired corporate pilot¡can take you to Cairo in a LearJet, but this Imaging is much more difficult¡.? Ha
Up to now, I have just been tinkering and not much Imaging.? Hope to change that with permanent setup.? I need to keep my mind busy.? You seniors will understand...Ha !
Appreciate your thoughts or ideas on cabling and or software or anything etc.?
?
My thoughts on cabling:
¡¤?????? Cat 6 cable? ( maybe run 2 just in case )
¡¤?????? AC power line
¡¤?????? USB 3 cable? ( maybe run 2 just in case )
¡¤?????? Gemini II handbox cord (14¡¯ ¨C tested longer cord, works well )
°Õ³ó²¹²Ô°ì²õ¡? ( Northeast of Oklahoma City 20 miles-Bortle 5 )
Gary? ¡°Semper Fi¡±
Gary C.