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Re: Usability Question

 

On Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 06:41 AM, Kirk wrote:
There is a gentleman, Buckeyestargazer, who sells a ?for $14 that "snaps in place over the screws on the RA housing of a G11 mount". It looks like it might be worth a try for older G11 mounts without the built in levels.
Thanks Kirk. This looks like a handy gadget made for the task.

John
?
--
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Losmandy G11G2 on pier; SkyShed design roll-off observatory; ZWO ASI2600MM-P; ZWO ASI071MC; Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED; Celestron C925 Edge HD with 0.7XFR, William Optics Zenithstar 61 APO; PHD2, Sequence Generator Pro and PixInsight user
G11G DEC balance advice

 

New G11G user here. Been setting up my new mount, and have run into what seems like a strangeness in balancing in DEC. Watched the video, and balancing in RA was easy. Now I'm at the point where I've got all the accessories on the OTA, and I'm making the final balances. RA balanced fine, but I can't seem to get the DEC to "stay at the balance point". That is, if I have the DEC clamp loose, and the RA is tilted down slightly to take weight off the DEC, and have the DEC level, it will stay there. But, if I tap DEC slightly in either direction and get it off level, it wants to swing like it is off balance in the direction I moved it. Doesn't matter which direction, or if I swing RA to the other side. Am I doing something silly, or overthinking it? I hope I'm describing what is going on well enough to visualize.

Say I have the RA slightly below level on the east side. The DEC clutch is loose. I have DEC set level with the ground. It doesn't start to swing either way, so I think it's balanced. But, if I tap the north end of the OTA upwards slightly, it will then act like it's back-heavy and swing upwards. And if I have it level, and tap the north end down slightly, it acts like it's front-heavy and swings downward. There's about a 10 degree band around level, that if I leave it alone there, it stays still. When I first added all the accessories (camera mainly), and did this, it was obviously back heavy because if I let go at level it immediately swung that way.
Re: Usability Question

 

>>> I'd assume if you sync the guide camera to mount, slew to the planet, adjust the mount to center image on the main camera, and then plate solve you would obtain (p2 - p1) the planet position offset in RA/DEC.?

? Yes, more or less ;)

My goal was to be able to do planetary remotely from inside, and it mostly works.?

Here's a pic of two sharpcaps side by side. the right is the finderscope and the left is the planetary setup. I also have Gemini Telescope.net control with "keep on top" option checked.?





On Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 6:50 AM WayBack <corey_d@...> wrote:
On Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 01:24 AM, Brian Valente wrote:
?
and marked where that was on the guidescope.
?
?
Thanks for sharing and reminding the oppositions are coming!

I'd assume if you sync the guide camera to mount, slew to the planet, adjust the mount to center image on the main camera, and then plate solve you would obtain (p2 - p1) the planet position offset in RA/DEC.

Then if the synced guide scope were not changed from use to use, the offset added to the current planet position should provide the main camera offset slew position.? At least after the initial slew with a plate position or photo confirmation that the guide scope is centered.? Sounds promising and a lot better than fiddling with high power finder guide rings given the dedicated equipment during opposition.

Enough usability to support the concept (just to stay on subject).



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
Re: Strange issues with PHD2 with Losmandy G11/g2

 

Hi Doug

can you upload the relevant log file?

you can use the automatic log file uploader under Help menu




On Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 7:21 AM Doug Askew <daskew43230@...> wrote:
Finally got a reasonably good night and after updating PHD2 and finding a good star in NE soon noticed that DEC was drifting which increased over exposure time.? I am using a STi as a guider.

My question is whether others have fount this issue and how did they solve it?? I did several weeks check the balance of the unit and it was spot on east or west with all gear on mount/scope/camera & all cords etc.

Please note that I am not sure I have the corrects settings in PHD2 to increase the response to the DEC so any suggestions about PHD2 would also be appreciated.? My scope by the way is a Tak E180 and the guide scope is a Televue scope usable for terrestrial or stars.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions to check.

Doug Askew



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
Re: Strange issues with PHD2 with Losmandy G11/g2

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Polar Alignment?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Doug Askew
Sent: 09 August 2022 15:21
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Losmandy_users_io] Strange issues with PHD2 with Losmandy G11/g2

?

Finally got a reasonably good night and after updating PHD2 and finding a good star in NE soon noticed that DEC was drifting which increased over exposure time. ?I am using a STi as a guider.

?

My question is whether others have fount this issue and how did they solve it? ?I did several weeks check the balance of the unit and it was spot on east or west with all gear on mount/scope/camera & all cords etc.

?

Please note that I am not sure I have the corrects settings in PHD2 to increase the response to the DEC so any suggestions about PHD2 would also be appreciated. ?My scope by the way is a Tak E180 and the guide scope is a Televue scope usable for terrestrial or stars.

?

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions to check.

?

Doug Askew
Strange issues with PHD2 with Losmandy G11/g2

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Finally got a reasonably good night and after updating PHD2 and finding a good star in NE soon noticed that DEC was drifting which increased over exposure time. ?I am using a STi as a guider.

My question is whether others have fount this issue and how did they solve it? ?I did several weeks check the balance of the unit and it was spot on east or west with all gear on mount/scope/camera & all cords etc.

Please note that I am not sure I have the corrects settings in PHD2 to increase the response to the DEC so any suggestions about PHD2 would also be appreciated. ?My scope by the way is a Tak E180 and the guide scope is a Televue scope usable for terrestrial or stars.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions to check.

Doug Askew
Re: Usability Question

 

On Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 01:24 AM, Brian Valente wrote:
?
and marked where that was on the guidescope.
?
?
Thanks for sharing and reminding the oppositions are coming!

I'd assume if you sync the guide camera to mount, slew to the planet, adjust the mount to center image on the main camera, and then plate solve you would obtain (p2 - p1) the planet position offset in RA/DEC.

Then if the synced guide scope were not changed from use to use, the offset added to the current planet position should provide the main camera offset slew position.? At least after the initial slew with a plate position or photo confirmation that the guide scope is centered.? Sounds promising and a lot better than fiddling with high power finder guide rings given the dedicated equipment during opposition.

Enough usability to support the concept (just to stay on subject).
Re: Usability Question

 

There is a gentleman, Buckeyestargazer, who sells a ?for $14 that "snaps in place over the screws on the RA housing of a G11 mount". It looks like it might be worth a try for older G11 mounts without the built in levels.

Clear Skies,
Kirk
Re: Usability Question

 

>>> Interesting extension, how did you align the guide camera to the narrow field main camera?

I didn't, although I could have. I chose a guide scope/camera with a wide enough fov that I could at least see the target in the frame, and plate solve if need be. then just move a bit around until i got it in the smaller fov and marked where that was on the guidescope.

>>>.It also seems like a pretty small guide scope should work and provide a larger field.? At least with a small pixel camera for this purpose.

even a lodestar worked pretty well, it's really about the shorter guidescope imo





On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 8:12 PM WayBack <corey_d@...> wrote:
Interesting extension, how did you align the guide camera to the narrow field main camera?

It also seems like a pretty small guide scope should work and provide a larger field.? At least with a small pixel camera for this purpose.



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
Re: Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

 

?A raspberry 4 with either the astroberry distro, or the stellarmate distro works great. It's not exactly the same as the asiair, but it's the same general software stack and hardware.
--
jamie.amendolagine@...
Re: Usability Question

 

Interesting extension, how did you align the guide camera to the narrow field main camera?

It also seems like a pretty small guide scope should work and provide a larger field.? At least with a small pixel camera for this purpose.
Re: Losmandy mount adapter on amart

 

Ross,

Did not find your ad.??

I see folks paying $80 or more $ on Astromart for this item. I wonder if they know they are in stock here with free shipping. I just bought one.



Peter
Re: Usability Question

 

Following up my comment on using plate solving, I am setting up a new planetary telescope: Edge HD11 with an ASI462mc planetary camera and 2-3x barlow (2x used in this example). The imaging fov is miniscule - .06¡ã x .03¡ã.? Planets aren't exactly large targets either

I also wanted it to be automated from inside, so i added a 250mm guidescope?+ cmos camera and made sure I could plate solve from within sharpcap (the trick here was making sure the settings were correct and do about 20 second exposures). I made sure the fov of the guidescope was large enough so that I didn't have to precisely align the guidescope and main telescope.

Using this approach I was able to goto, plate solve, and find jupiter, saturn, and (with a little more work) Mars within the tiny fov.?

I could have just as easily swapped out the 462mc sensor with an eyepiece and taken pretty much the same approach. So that could?be a bit of a hybrid plate solve/visual observing kind of thing.?

If there's interest, i can get some more pics/writeup of this approach and setup.




Note that seeing was pretty bad last night, so my jupiter is not good. But i wanted to grab the time to test this idea


On Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 12:22 PM Derek C Breit <breit_ideas@...> wrote:

?

Dereck,

6 arc minutes is a tiny FOV, I would align with a lower power eyepiece and then swap if for a higher power.

Paul

?

That¡¯s what I said in the post you responded to! It says..

***

I used a camera and changed the Region of interest.. If you use eyepieces, like I used to do, start out widefield until you locate the target, then increase the power ¨C i.e take the time to be exact as possible before adding them to the model..

***

I use the camera as a set of eyepieces, locating the target at around 3,000 x 2000 pixels, center on the crosshairs, change the Region of Interest to 640x480 and center better, then synch and align.. It was after the third star was entered into the model ¨C from my 6 arcminute Region Of Interest Camera view - that I just happened to do a GOTO back to all three model stars ¨C without changing back to the full 3,000 x 2,000 pixels - that I was SHOCKED they were all perfect.. Sorry that wasn¡¯t clear..

??? HOWEVER! When I tried it again last night, It worked perfect for the first star.. Arcturus was in the (widefield ROI) of the camera.. A GOTO to Antares was not, but it was in the guidescope, so easily centered and synched on..

??? My (widefield ROI) is somewhere around 20 arcminutes, so it SEEMED it was another ¡°it stopped short by a half moon diameter / 15 arcmin¡±.. It is this ¡°works one day but not the next¡± issue why it is ¨C to me ¨C much more important to have proper pointing devices and adequate scale between them so even if things are perfect, it¡¯s a very simple matter to get back on target and continue on..

??? Derek

?

?



On 7 Aug 2022, at 3:48:40 pm, Derek C Breit <breit_ideas@...> wrote:

?

(I had to calculate my FOV.. It is listed as 0.1 x 0.07 degrees, so 6 arcminutes..)

This may include an extra step or so, as I was always told not to align on the first star.. Anywho, this is what I just did.. Maybe it¡¯ll work for you!

My settings are correct.. I have a new battery, I reset CWD. I did a cold start.. My clock runs very fast, so I use my cellphone and set it to the second and hit the SET button when appropriate.. I do this on every powerup.. I live in?Morgan Hill,?CA?and this was around 8:30 PM.. aka a little while ago..?

I did a goto to Arcturus. Laser should it as it normally is, which is HALF a moon diameter away, almost entirely in RA.. (I use the tactile buttons on the back on the hand controller.. Coiled cord points away from me.. The button is what I need to center the target.. Also takes just a touch north in Dec.. I mention this for the ¡°Stops Short¡± idea.. )..

Anywho, I centered Arcturus, and SYNCHED..?

GOTO Antares, Center.. SYNCH.. ALIGN..?

GOTO Arcturus.. Centered it, as it was off towards the top left, and ALIGNED..?

GOTO Vindemiatrix and it is nowhere to be found and I didn¡¯t try! I did a Goto to Arcturus.. On the way, I saw Vindemiatrix flash by.. *Importantly* Arcturus was in the same top left corner it was previously, so I went to MENU / ALIGN / UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT.. This time I centered Arcturus, SYNCH, then ALIGN..?

GOTO Vindemiatrix, Center SYNCH, then ALIGN..?

Arcturus to Vindemiatrix is around 20 degrees.. Arcturus to Antares is ~ 56 degees.. Antares to Vindemiatrix is ~ 62 degrees.. Not the best choices, but good enough.. Now I have three stars in a model on the West. And?regardless of which order I went to them via GOTO, they were all quite close to being centered in my little 6 arcminute FOV.. My guess is they were all within 2 arcminutes of being perfect..

I used a camera and changed the Region of interest.. If you use eyepieces, like I used to do, start out widefield until you locate the target, then increase the power ¨C i.e take the time to be exact as possible before adding them to the model.. and remember, SYNCH, then ALIGN.. The ¡°New¡± thing for me was to try and go back to previous stars to make sure they were correct before adding another one, as if it is wrong in any way, you can ¡°UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT¡±..?

I parked it at CWD and will do a WARM RESTART and see how it works next time out.. :-))

Derek

?

?

?

?

From:?[email protected]?[mailto:[email protected]]?On Behalf Of?Derek C Breit
Sent:?Saturday, August 06, 2022 9:54 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question

?

Put the Counterweight bar horizontal , use the clutch knob as needed, and level with a torpedo level.. Spin the RA dial and set it to something like 18 hours.. Loosen clutch and lower the Counterweight bar and set it at 0 hours.. Lock the clutch.. Loosen the other clutch and adjust the scope until the level on the dovetail is centered.. Tighten clutch.. Your visual, so do this ¡°well¡± but do not obsess with it.. I have a solution for you to try.. Just worked perfectly for me.. First time and I am quite pleased about it!

See next email.. It¡¯ll take a minute..

Derek

?

From:?[email protected]?[mailto:[email protected]]?On Behalf Of?Mark de Regt
Sent:?Saturday, August 06, 2022 8:53 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question

?

Agreed about ¡°should.¡±???

?

What is the best method for making sure I have CWD a good as possible?

?

From:?[email protected]?<[email protected]>?On Behalf Of?Paul Homer
Sent:?Saturday, August 6, 2022 8:21 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question

?

Mark,

?

Assuming you are polar aligned it is not just the CWD position that matters but the top of the dovetail should also be levelled, both with a small level.

?

This is easy and quick and should get you fairly close.

?

Then centre the star and synchronise the first star.

?

If you are not so closely polar aligned then take the time to do alignments on three or more stars spread across the sky.

?

This sill build a pretty accurate model and no camera is required.

?

It will need to be rebuilt if you move the mount, but should only require a synchronisation if you only warm start.

?

Paul

?

?

?

On 7 Aug 2022, at 8:41:23 am, Mark de Regt <deregt@...> wrote:

?

OP here again.

?

I really appreciate all the suggstions!

?

Two things have resonated:

?

  1. I only guestimate CWD position with my eye.? If precision of CWD matters, and if there is a simple way to get it perfect, that may be the cause.
  2. People keep taking about using plate-solve to work around the poorly-functioning Gemini2 model building.
    1. I need a camera to do that; I¡¯m happy to buy a cheap camera for that, but not an expensive one; any suggestions?
    2. I own TheSkyX Professional Edition, a very powerful planetarium program.? Would this do that is being suggested, and, if so, how?

?

Thanks again!

?

Mark

?

?

Virus-free.?

?



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
Losmandy mount adapter on amart

 

Hi guys these items are not in stock when i looked on the losmandy site last week.?
So if you want one, i have an ad on astromart.?


Ross
Re: Usability Question

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

?

Dereck,

6 arc minutes is a tiny FOV, I would align with a lower power eyepiece and then swap if for a higher power.

Paul

?

That¡¯s what I said in the post you responded to! It says..

***

I used a camera and changed the Region of interest.. If you use eyepieces, like I used to do, start out widefield until you locate the target, then increase the power ¨C i.e take the time to be exact as possible before adding them to the model..

***

I use the camera as a set of eyepieces, locating the target at around 3,000 x 2000 pixels, center on the crosshairs, change the Region of Interest to 640x480 and center better, then synch and align.. It was after the third star was entered into the model ¨C from my 6 arcminute Region Of Interest Camera view - that I just happened to do a GOTO back to all three model stars ¨C without changing back to the full 3,000 x 2,000 pixels - that I was SHOCKED they were all perfect.. Sorry that wasn¡¯t clear..

??? HOWEVER! When I tried it again last night, It worked perfect for the first star.. Arcturus was in the (widefield ROI) of the camera.. A GOTO to Antares was not, but it was in the guidescope, so easily centered and synched on..

??? My (widefield ROI) is somewhere around 20 arcminutes, so it SEEMED it was another ¡°it stopped short by a half moon diameter / 15 arcmin¡±.. It is this ¡°works one day but not the next¡± issue why it is ¨C to me ¨C much more important to have proper pointing devices and adequate scale between them so even if things are perfect, it¡¯s a very simple matter to get back on target and continue on..

??? Derek

?

?



On 7 Aug 2022, at 3:48:40 pm, Derek C Breit <breit_ideas@...> wrote:

?

(I had to calculate my FOV.. It is listed as 0.1 x 0.07 degrees, so 6 arcminutes..)

This may include an extra step or so, as I was always told not to align on the first star.. Anywho, this is what I just did.. Maybe it¡¯ll work for you!

My settings are correct.. I have a new battery, I reset CWD. I did a cold start.. My clock runs very fast, so I use my cellphone and set it to the second and hit the SET button when appropriate.. I do this on every powerup.. I live in?Morgan Hill,?CA?and this was around 8:30 PM.. aka a little while ago..?

I did a goto to Arcturus. Laser should it as it normally is, which is HALF a moon diameter away, almost entirely in RA.. (I use the tactile buttons on the back on the hand controller.. Coiled cord points away from me.. The button is what I need to center the target.. Also takes just a touch north in Dec.. I mention this for the ¡°Stops Short¡± idea.. )..

Anywho, I centered Arcturus, and SYNCHED..?

GOTO Antares, Center.. SYNCH.. ALIGN..?

GOTO Arcturus.. Centered it, as it was off towards the top left, and ALIGNED..?

GOTO Vindemiatrix and it is nowhere to be found and I didn¡¯t try! I did a Goto to Arcturus.. On the way, I saw Vindemiatrix flash by.. *Importantly* Arcturus was in the same top left corner it was previously, so I went to MENU / ALIGN / UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT.. This time I centered Arcturus, SYNCH, then ALIGN..?

GOTO Vindemiatrix, Center SYNCH, then ALIGN..?

Arcturus to Vindemiatrix is around 20 degrees.. Arcturus to Antares is ~ 56 degees.. Antares to Vindemiatrix is ~ 62 degrees.. Not the best choices, but good enough.. Now I have three stars in a model on the West. And?regardless of which order I went to them via GOTO, they were all quite close to being centered in my little 6 arcminute FOV.. My guess is they were all within 2 arcminutes of being perfect..

I used a camera and changed the Region of interest.. If you use eyepieces, like I used to do, start out widefield until you locate the target, then increase the power ¨C i.e take the time to be exact as possible before adding them to the model.. and remember, SYNCH, then ALIGN.. The ¡°New¡± thing for me was to try and go back to previous stars to make sure they were correct before adding another one, as if it is wrong in any way, you can ¡°UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT¡±..?

I parked it at CWD and will do a WARM RESTART and see how it works next time out.. :-))

Derek

?

?

?

?

From:?[email protected]?[mailto:[email protected]]?On Behalf Of?Derek C Breit
Sent:?Saturday, August 06, 2022 9:54 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question

?

Put the Counterweight bar horizontal , use the clutch knob as needed, and level with a torpedo level.. Spin the RA dial and set it to something like 18 hours.. Loosen clutch and lower the Counterweight bar and set it at 0 hours.. Lock the clutch.. Loosen the other clutch and adjust the scope until the level on the dovetail is centered.. Tighten clutch.. Your visual, so do this ¡°well¡± but do not obsess with it.. I have a solution for you to try.. Just worked perfectly for me.. First time and I am quite pleased about it!

See next email.. It¡¯ll take a minute..

Derek

?

From:?[email protected]?[mailto:[email protected]]?On Behalf Of?Mark de Regt
Sent:?Saturday, August 06, 2022 8:53 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question

?

Agreed about ¡°should.¡±???

?

What is the best method for making sure I have CWD a good as possible?

?

From:?[email protected]?<[email protected]>?On Behalf Of?Paul Homer
Sent:?Saturday, August 6, 2022 8:21 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question

?

Mark,

?

Assuming you are polar aligned it is not just the CWD position that matters but the top of the dovetail should also be levelled, both with a small level.

?

This is easy and quick and should get you fairly close.

?

Then centre the star and synchronise the first star.

?

If you are not so closely polar aligned then take the time to do alignments on three or more stars spread across the sky.

?

This sill build a pretty accurate model and no camera is required.

?

It will need to be rebuilt if you move the mount, but should only require a synchronisation if you only warm start.

?

Paul

?

?

?

On 7 Aug 2022, at 8:41:23 am, Mark de Regt <deregt@...> wrote:

?

OP here again.

?

I really appreciate all the suggstions!

?

Two things have resonated:

?

  1. I only guestimate CWD position with my eye.? If precision of CWD matters, and if there is a simple way to get it perfect, that may be the cause.
  2. People keep taking about using plate-solve to work around the poorly-functioning Gemini2 model building.
    1. I need a camera to do that; I¡¯m happy to buy a cheap camera for that, but not an expensive one; any suggestions?
    2. I own TheSkyX Professional Edition, a very powerful planetarium program.? Would this do that is being suggested, and, if so, how?

?

Thanks again!

?

Mark

?

?

Virus-free.?

?
Re: Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I¡¯m sorry, I meant to say that the ASIAir plus is backordered, not the iPhones or iPads!!

?

Darryl

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of "Brian Valente via groups.io" <bvalente@...>
Reply-To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 9:11 PM
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

?

>>> ?I like that I will be able to use it on my iPhone or iPad, once they become available, they are so backordered now.

?

iphones and ipads are backordered? holy smokes

?

with the new iphone 14 coming up next month i would expect them on sale!?

?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 5:34 PM zetapuppi via <stanfordd=[email protected]> wrote:

Thank you so much, Brian, I am listening to the podcast right now.? I like that I will be able to use it on my iPhone or iPad, once they become available, they are so backordered now.

?

Darryl

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of "Brian Valente via " <bvalente=[email protected]>
Reply-To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 3:55 PM
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

?

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

?

PS

?

here's a recent podcast where we discussed AAP with losmandy owner/guest Jim Potts

?

?

(skipped to this topic)

?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 3:54 PM Brian Valente via <bvalente=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Darryl

?

I use ASI Air Pro with my G11 pretty frequently. There are others here with plus/pro and other mounts that I'm sure will chime in

?

?

Brian

?

?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 2:45 PM zetapuppi via <stanfordd=[email protected]> wrote:

Hey everyone,

I was thinking about ordering the ASIAir Plus for my GM811 but want to make sure that it can control my mount.? Does anyone have any experience using the ASIAir Plus or Pro to control their mounts?

?

Darryl

?


?

--

Brian?

?

?

?

Brian Valente

astro portfolio?

portfolio

astrobin?


?

--

Brian?

?

?

?

Brian Valente

astro portfolio?

portfolio

astrobin?


?

--

Brian?

?

?

?

Brian Valente

astro portfolio?

portfolio

astrobin?
Re: Usability Question

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Dereck,

6 arc minutes is a tiny FOV, I would align with a lower power eyepiece and then swap if for a higher power.

Paul




On 7 Aug 2022, at 3:48:40 pm, Derek C Breit <breit_ideas@...> wrote:

(I had to calculate my FOV.. It is listed as 0.1 x 0.07 degrees, so 6 arcminutes..)
This may include an extra step or so, as I was always told not to align on the first star.. Anywho, this is what I just did.. Maybe it¡¯ll work for you!
My settings are correct.. I have a new battery, I reset CWD. I did a cold start.. My clock runs very fast, so I use my cellphone and set it to the second and hit the SET button when appropriate.. I do this on every powerup.. I live in?Morgan Hill,?CA?and this was around 8:30 PM.. aka a little while ago..?
I did a goto to Arcturus. Laser should it as it normally is, which is HALF a moon diameter away, almost entirely in RA.. (I use the tactile buttons on the back on the hand controller.. Coiled cord points away from me.. The button is what I need to center the target.. Also takes just a touch north in Dec.. I mention this for the ¡°Stops Short¡± idea.. )..
Anywho, I centered Arcturus, and SYNCHED..?
GOTO Antares, Center.. SYNCH.. ALIGN..?
GOTO Arcturus.. Centered it, as it was off towards the top left, and ALIGNED..?
GOTO Vindemiatrix and it is nowhere to be found and I didn¡¯t try! I did a Goto to Arcturus.. On the way, I saw Vindemiatrix flash by.. *Importantly* Arcturus was in the same top left corner it was previously, so I went to MENU / ALIGN / UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT.. This time I centered Arcturus, SYNCH, then ALIGN..?
GOTO Vindemiatrix, Center SYNCH, then ALIGN..?
Arcturus to Vindemiatrix is around 20 degrees.. Arcturus to Antares is ~ 56 degees.. Antares to Vindemiatrix is ~ 62 degrees.. Not the best choices, but good enough.. Now I have three stars in a model on the West. And?regardless of which order I went to them via GOTO, they were all quite close to being centered in my little 6 arcminute FOV.. My guess is they were all within 2 arcminutes of being perfect..
I used a camera and changed the Region of interest.. If you use eyepieces, like I used to do, start out widefield until you locate the target, then increase the power ¨C i.e take the time to be exact as possible before adding them to the model.. and remember, SYNCH, then ALIGN.. The ¡°New¡± thing for me was to try and go back to previous stars to make sure they were correct before adding another one, as if it is wrong in any way, you can ¡°UNDO LAST ALIGNMENT¡±..?
I parked it at CWD and will do a WARM RESTART and see how it works next time out.. :-))
Derek
?
?
?
?
From:?[email protected]?[mailto:[email protected]]?On Behalf Of?Derek C Breit
Sent:?Saturday, August 06, 2022 9:54 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question
?
Put the Counterweight bar horizontal , use the clutch knob as needed, and level with a torpedo level.. Spin the RA dial and set it to something like 18 hours.. Loosen clutch and lower the Counterweight bar and set it at 0 hours.. Lock the clutch.. Loosen the other clutch and adjust the scope until the level on the dovetail is centered.. Tighten clutch.. Your visual, so do this ¡°well¡± but do not obsess with it.. I have a solution for you to try.. Just worked perfectly for me.. First time and I am quite pleased about it!
See next email.. It¡¯ll take a minute..
Derek
?
From:?[email protected]?[mailto:[email protected]]?On Behalf Of?Mark de Regt
Sent:?Saturday, August 06, 2022 8:53 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question
?
Agreed about ¡°should.¡±???
?
What is the best method for making sure I have CWD a good as possible?
?
From:?[email protected]?<[email protected]>?On Behalf Of?Paul Homer
Sent:?Saturday, August 6, 2022 8:21 PM
To:?[email protected]
Subject:?Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Usability Question
?
Mark,
?
Assuming you are polar aligned it is not just the CWD position that matters but the top of the dovetail should also be levelled, both with a small level.
?
This is easy and quick and should get you fairly close.
?
Then centre the star and synchronise the first star.
?
If you are not so closely polar aligned then take the time to do alignments on three or more stars spread across the sky.
?
This sill build a pretty accurate model and no camera is required.
?
It will need to be rebuilt if you move the mount, but should only require a synchronisation if you only warm start.
?
Paul
?

?

?

On 7 Aug 2022, at 8:41:23 am, Mark de Regt <deregt@...> wrote:
?
OP here again.
?
I really appreciate all the suggstions!
?
Two things have resonated:
?
  1. I only guestimate CWD position with my eye.? If precision of CWD matters, and if there is a simple way to get it perfect, that may be the cause.
  2. People keep taking about using plate-solve to work around the poorly-functioning Gemini2 model building.
    1. I need a camera to do that; I¡¯m happy to buy a cheap camera for that, but not an expensive one; any suggestions?
    2. I own TheSkyX Professional Edition, a very powerful planetarium program.? Would this do that is being suggested, and, if so, how?
?
Thanks again!
?
Mark
?
?
Virus-free.?
Re: Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

 

>>> ?I like that I will be able to use it on my iPhone or iPad, once they become available, they are so backordered now.

iphones and ipads are backordered? holy smokes

with the new iphone 14 coming up next month i would expect them on sale!?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 5:34 PM zetapuppi via <stanfordd=[email protected]> wrote:

Thank you so much, Brian, I am listening to the podcast right now.? I like that I will be able to use it on my iPhone or iPad, once they become available, they are so backordered now.

?

Darryl

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of "Brian Valente via " <bvalente=[email protected]>
Reply-To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 3:55 PM
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

?

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

?

PS

?

here's a recent podcast where we discussed AAP with losmandy owner/guest Jim Potts

?

?

(skipped to this topic)

?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 3:54 PM Brian Valente via <bvalente=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Darryl

?

I use ASI Air Pro with my G11 pretty frequently. There are others here with plus/pro and other mounts that I'm sure will chime in

?

?

Brian

?

?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 2:45 PM zetapuppi via <stanfordd=[email protected]> wrote:

Hey everyone,

I was thinking about ordering the ASIAir Plus for my GM811 but want to make sure that it can control my mount.? Does anyone have any experience using the ASIAir Plus or Pro to control their mounts?

?

Darryl

?


?

--

Brian?

?

?

?

Brian Valente

astro portfolio?

portfolio

astrobin?


?

--

Brian?

?

?

?

Brian Valente

astro portfolio?

portfolio

astrobin?



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
Re: Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thank you so much, Brian, I am listening to the podcast right now.? I like that I will be able to use it on my iPhone or iPad, once they become available, they are so backordered now.

?

Darryl

?

From: <[email protected]> on behalf of "Brian Valente via groups.io" <bvalente@...>
Reply-To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 3:55 PM
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL]Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

?

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

?

PS

?

here's a recent podcast where we discussed AAP with losmandy owner/guest Jim Potts

?

?

(skipped to this topic)

?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 3:54 PM Brian Valente via <bvalente=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Darryl

?

I use ASI Air Pro with my G11 pretty frequently. There are others here with plus/pro and other mounts that I'm sure will chime in

?

?

Brian

?

?

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 2:45 PM zetapuppi via <stanfordd=[email protected]> wrote:

Hey everyone,

I was thinking about ordering the ASIAir Plus for my GM811 but want to make sure that it can control my mount.? Does anyone have any experience using the ASIAir Plus or Pro to control their mounts?

?

Darryl

?


?

--

Brian?

?

?

?

Brian Valente

astro portfolio?

portfolio

astrobin?


?

--

Brian?

?

?

?

Brian Valente

astro portfolio?

portfolio

astrobin?
Re: Controlling Losmandy GM811 with ASIAir Plus or Pro

 

PS

here's a recent podcast where we discussed AAP with losmandy owner/guest Jim Potts



(skipped to this topic)

On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 3:54 PM Brian Valente via <bvalente=[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Darryl

I use ASI Air Pro with my G11 pretty frequently. There are others here with plus/pro and other mounts that I'm sure will chime in


Brian


On Sun, Aug 7, 2022 at 2:45 PM zetapuppi via <stanfordd=[email protected]> wrote:

Hey everyone,

I was thinking about ordering the ASIAir Plus for my GM811 but want to make sure that it can control my mount.? Does anyone have any experience using the ASIAir Plus or Pro to control their mounts?

?

Darryl

?



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
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