On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 11:55 AM, Chip Louie wrote:

Nobody these days seems to appreciate the journey is at least half the fun of any hobby worth doing.??Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just saying.?

You struck a chord with me right here.

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These things are always a constantly changing journey for me. I worked hard to have a successful career primarily for my family, but also to support how I approach these hobbies. I can directly tell you how all of these various equipment compare because I have all of them.

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Yes, I want to explore the ?Universe and make incredible images, but along the way I can compare everything from a ten year old Vixen mount to a Paramount, ZWO strain wave mounts, a G11G and most recently an AP 1100 AE. This is my fun.

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And I am finding out if a $2K ZWO can be guided to the same quality as a $16K AP. At the field of views I like to shoot, they all work pretty well. And I still ?use all of them on different occasions for various reasons. Being able to run a G11 at 0.4" guiding with an ASIAIR is wonderful. But so is building a DEC arc model and doing unguided 5 minute subs on the AP if I'm in the mood to bother.

On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 01:29 PM, Mike Colyar wrote:

So, is not getting a call back from Losmandy a normal thing? I've left a voice mail and used their contact form. Wouldn't mind spending some money but I'm a little nervous about sending money out in the blind if they've closed up shop or something. I would really rather talk to a live human being.

So, is not getting a call back from Losmandy a normal thing? I've left a voice mail and used their contact form. Wouldn't mind spending some money but I'm a little nervous about sending money out in the blind if they've closed up shop or something. I would really rather talk to a live human being.

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Mike

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Thanks Ryan, I'll give that a try.

The reason is that the gemini does not have intermediate rates. You have Guide (generally 0.5x sidereal), center (maybe 20x sidereal) and slew (800x) sidereal.?

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Slew is 3.342 degrees per second... if NINA tells it to slew 3 degrees per second... it tries the next slower speed... which is centering... if you ask it to do 4 degrees per second, it will go as fast as it "can" according to your settings... which will be slew speed.

I believe the TPPA defaults to 3 degrees per second. That triggers the Centering Rate with the Gemini Slew. Change the "Telescope Move Rate" to 4 degrees per second and that should fix it.

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Let us know if it works.

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Cheers

Ryan

I have a question about slew rate in TPPA. I have a Losmandy G11T using the updated Gemini 2 driver. When using TPPA the scope slews to the first position at what ?think is a normal rate. However when slewing to the second and third position the slew rate is so slow it often takes 10 minutes to move to the next position. Anyone know if there is a TPPA or Gemini setting I should change.

Thanks, Frank

Found some helpful information on the clutch thrust bearing here by John Kmetz. /g/Losmandy_users/message/83601

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Seems the AZ8, GM8, G9 and G11 all use the same bearings.
"Then there are the lower thrust bearings and washers as well (1.25” ID).

Hi all, from the imperially challenged other side of the world (South Africa).

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I have an AZ8 acquired from local astronomer enthusiast Douglas Bullis with a beloved Intes Wirth (APM Markus Ludes) MN86 purchase.?

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I am missing the RA clutch needle thrust bearing, which I assume is the same as the GM8 and trying to source one locally before importing it from the USA. Can anyone suggest proper sizing on this bearing? Presumably, thickness will not be a concern. The Losmandy website states one 2.100" diameter needle thrust bearing, one 2.000" diameter needle thrust bearing.

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I am hoping to convert the AZ8 to equatorial by making a wedge where the bottom flange can bolt onto. This seems like a simple, non-destructive modification unless I'm missing something. Will also need to fashion some kind of counterweight system... Unless someone would like to trade for something equatorial with 30lb payload capacity?

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I do not see a serial number. I have the flat machined section for encoders and a polarscope hole with brass gears and worms.

Any advice here would be greatly appreciated. I tried to join the Losmandy hackers group, but it seems they are not taking any more members.

On Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 06:20 PM, Russ Lynn wrote:

I'm considering getting what appears to be the relatively new AZ8 with the Gemini 2 go to system with servo motors: ?

I am a visual observer with no interest at this point in imaging. ?And I have never used a Losmandy mount. ?I'm wondering if anyone using this new version of the AZ8 with go to and tracking could share their experience and opinions about this mount? ?TIA for any insight on this mount. ?

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Clear and steady skies, ?Russ

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Russ,

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While I have not used the Gemini equipped version the AZ8 is basically a GM8G turned vertically.? It will work as expected for visual use but for imaging field rotation will be an issue as it is for all ALT/AZ mounts.??

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I'm considering getting what appears to be the relatively new AZ8 with the Gemini 2 go to system with servo motors: ?

I am a visual observer with no interest at this point in imaging. ?And I have never used a Losmandy mount. ?I'm wondering if anyone using this new version of the AZ8 with go to and tracking could share their experience and opinions about this mount? ?TIA for any insight on this mount. ?

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Clear and steady skies, ?Russ

Hi,

While installing Gem2 Retro-fit kit to my G-11, I lost one of the grub/set screws that hold the worm gear cover in place. Could someone tell me what size they are so I can go to the hardware for a replacement?

Thanks, Kevin

Hello Ciril,

Allow me to jump into this discussion to share my thoughts and also throw in a question for the group. I had the same issue a while back, and Paul pointed out the same solution. Needless to say, he was absolutely right — you really want to have a stable and noise-free connection between the mount and your control software.

In my case, I cleaned all the connectors with Sonax (any similar brand will do), and it helped reduce the issue (it happened fewer times). I've narrowed down the problem to the Gemini RJ port on the gemini board, and I noticed there's an alternative communication method through the hand control DB port that I haven’t tried yet ().

Here’s my question: Is replacing the RJ11 (11 or 12?) an easy fix for someone unskilled in electronics like myself, or should we go down the DB15 route instead? Good luck Ciril and thanks in advance for any additional comments on my inquiry. Guy

On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 11:16 AM, Chip Louie wrote:

What are "Paul's Safety Clips"

On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 11:16 AM, Chip Louie wrote:

What are "Paul's Safety Clips" what do they do?

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On Tue, Apr 1, 2025 at 08:17 AM, WayBack wrote:

On Sun, Mar 30, 2025 at 06:21 PM, George Cushing wrote:

However, I came across this.....

I'm not sure of any material advantage exists for not just replacing the part, given this new part exists and installed with fewer unknowns.? But that reference link for repair of plastic coverings is a wonderful resource to keep in mind.

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Losmandy assembly should really use Paul's Safety Clips to help prevent the issue.? And sell a modified short motor hex key tool for these motors.? Something that fits straight in, limits torque, and costs $1 but sells for $5 to help with the stocking overhead.

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Thank you,

Doug

What are "Paul's Safety Clips" what do they do?

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On Sun, Mar 30, 2025 at 06:21 PM, George Cushing wrote:

However, I came across this.....

For what it’s worth…

I’ve had my G11 for slightly less than a year now, after years of having Celestron GEMs. The G11 on a permanent pier.
Like with your situation, my sky is limited by my garage and tall trees. Here’s what I did to get to get decent go-tos.

1. In the daytime I used a ‘carpenter’s level’ app on my phone to set the tilt of the saddle equal to my latitude, then I used a solar app to set the mount pointing due north at local noon. This gave me a rough polar alignment.
2. I don’t have a polarscope, but at night I was able to see Polaris through tree branches, so I eyeballed through the polar axis to tweak the mount to center Polaris.
3. I could see a few bright stars, so I then used the ‘Polar Alignment Correction’ app in the Gemini II to further tweak the PA. (Scott Losmandy has a video describing this procedure on the Losmandy YouTube channel.)
4. After a few months of use I could tell that the PA still wasn’t great so I ran the ‘Drift Alignment’ routine in PHD2. This worked quite well even with my very limited sky.

So now I do a 1-star synchronization on a bright star at the start of each night and then my automatic go-tos are pretty close. Occassionally I need to use platesolving to center the mount. For this I use the DSLR astrophotography software BYE/BYN along with ASTAP and Carts du Ciel.

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Another option, if your polar alignment is roughly ok, is to go to a bright star near the object you want to observe, then do ‘Model/ Synchronize’ on the HC. This will improve any go-tos you do in that part of the sky.