Hi James,
I use RDP for remote telescope control just as you mentioned all the time. Never looked back.
I have found it useful to save a RDP profile shortcut that includes credentials so you can just click and connect from the desktop.?
Rarely, from time to time, the RDP connection can fail, causing the remote session desktop to no longer refresh.??Just close and reopen the RDP session and the remote visibility is restored in a few seconds.
I use the Gemini-2's Ethernet port for mount connectivity. This makes it so you can directly connect to the mount.
I actually have Stellarium running on the more powerful inside computer and use the 'mount' computer for imaging.
I usually open the Gemini web site on the inside computer displaying the hand controller, so that in case the RDP connection fails, I can still have quick mount control.
I also use a remote video camera pointed at the mount and a good portion of the sky (I actually use an old StellaCam, which has hardware integration, which results in daylight like views of the telescope, while still getting a good view of the stars and sky conditions without the infrared emissions of modern 'night vision security cameras'.
It is a comfort being able to see the equipment while it is moving.
I also added a camera to my finder scope and use a reasonably fast update rate, like 300mS in Sharpcap, to get a EAA view of "what the main scope's looking at" at any time, regardless of the state of the imaging camera.
I did negotiate a pitfall the first time I went portable (without internet). I had to reconfigure my networking to compensate. If you are going to be taking your rig mobile, make sure you test your scenario ahead of time.
Like many others, I use SGP, PHD2 & Sharpcap for imaging workflow.
More depends on the specific software you use in your workflow, as well as specifics on how your networking is configured.?
Hope something in here may be useful,
Astronut Tim
