ASIair connection via USB to G11 w Gemini2
Hi ASIair users....
This is a reposte in hopes of getting responses related to USB connection. I am helping a friend set up his recently purchased ASIAir Plus and G11G w Gemini2 (which I sold him). He says the ASIair will not recognize the mount via USB. I don't know which cable he is using, and will see him this week.?
So I ask: Is there a proper sequence to startup and get connected and ready to do a Go To. Assume the mount has been levelled and is polar aligned. I always liked Cold Start w CWD:
--- Everything powered off:
--- ASIair physically connected via printer cable to Gemini2 control box.
--- Mount is in CWD position.?
--- ASIair App (on Galaxy S9 turned off)
?
If the ASIair will not recognize the USB connection to the mount, then what should I try? Change the power up order?
?
When I had the mount, I used Serial to USB with FTDI, and it connected to my laptop nicely. I think there was a FTDI driver. Is this a back up option to try, and still using ASIair (not a PC)?
?
Any other option, ie LAN? Many thanks for your advice!
Roger
This is the control box:
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Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Hi Neil,?
?
Southern/Northern hemispheres are indeed different, and the calculation for side of pier is different based on this setting in the ASCOM driver. What I find strange is that when you turn off Gemini reporting of side of pier in the driver, you still get the wrong result. In that case, I assume NINA is doing the checking and not using ASCOM driver calculation.
?
Regards,
?
? ?-Paul
?
On Mon, Oct 28, 2024 at 12:53 AM, Neil Allison wrote:
Hi Paul
?
Report PierSide was set to False.
I have now set it to True, reconnected to the mount and tried my tests again.
The N.I.N.A logs are still showing SOP=pierEast even though the scope is on the West.
?
You say North/South hemisphere wouldn't?have anything to do with the issue, but if the mount were pointing to the north, then the scope would indeed be pierside East.
So my thinking is that it believes it is in the northern hemisphere.
?
I have already tried switching off Gemini reporting the side of the pier and it made no difference.?
?
--
Thanks and Best Regards
Neil
On Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 10:04?PM Paul Buckley via <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote:
Neil,
?
I may be mistaken, but I believe that Gemini.net IS the ASCOM-based telescope driver. If you haven't already done so you might want to download the ASCOM platform (see? and look to the upper right for the Platform 7.0 Download button). It should provide you with?the previously-mentioned Explorer tool that gives you access to every communications parameter sent between the mount and the computer.? I bring this up because I had a similar issue where the PHD2 log showed that I was always East of pier even though N.I.N.A was clearly generating meridian flips.? It turned out to be that ReportPierSide was set to false in the Gemini.net driver, even though?I was quite sure that I had previously set Gemini to report it.? I wrote this off to a bad EEPROM configuration on the mount although admittedly, I never found the root cause of the issue and kept exploring until the problem was resolved.? I lost of few nights of observing because of it.
?
BTW I don't think North/South hemispheres would have anything?to do with this issue.
?
Best Regards,
?
Paul
?
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:53?PM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote:
I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver.
The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west.
Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
?
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote:
Neil,
?
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
?
?
Best Regards,
?
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote:
So, I've been doing more testing.
I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier.
I have Gemini set to Report the pier side
I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
?
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West.
Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini?
I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
?
--
Thanks and Best Regards
Neil
?
?
?
?
?
?
|
Hi Chip Louie,
Your reply is very useful, especially where you have all the router performance results.?
I do need to answer in a different direction because of my situation.
The purchaser is pretty new to astrophotography and scopes, etc. His depth is not such that he will learn how to connect via a router, and he will have little understanding of additional things to do inside Gemini2. You can say he is the perfect ASIair candidate... plug and play. Of course I do not have the Losmandy mount any more, and just want him to get started, ie functioning connection.
So thank you very much.?
I am going to repost my above original message as a new topic to see if I can get a clear answer about USB.
?
Thanks,
? ?Roger
?
|
Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Hi Paul
Report PierSide was set to False. I have now set it to True, reconnected to the mount and tried my tests again. The N.I.N.A logs are still showing SOP=pierEast even though the scope is on the West.
You say North/South hemisphere wouldn't?have anything to do with the issue, but if the mount were pointing to the north, then the scope would indeed be pierside East. So my thinking is that it believes it is in the northern hemisphere.
I have already tried switching off Gemini reporting the side of the pier and it made no difference.?
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
On Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 10:04?PM Paul Buckley via <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
I may be mistaken, but I believe that Gemini.net IS the ASCOM-based telescope driver. If you haven't already done so you might want to download the ASCOM platform (see? and look to the upper right for the Platform 7.0 Download button). It should provide you with?the previously-mentioned Explorer tool that gives you access to every communications parameter sent between the mount and the computer.? I bring this up because I had a similar issue where the PHD2 log showed that I was always East of pier even though N.I.N.A was clearly generating meridian flips.? It turned out to be that ReportPierSide was set to false in the Gemini.net driver, even though?I was quite sure that I had previously set Gemini to report it.? I wrote this off to a bad EEPROM configuration on the mount although admittedly, I never found the root cause of the issue and kept exploring until the problem was resolved.? I lost of few nights of observing because of it.
BTW I don't think North/South hemispheres would have anything?to do with this issue.
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:53?PM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver. The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west. Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
?
I know people imaging with a 70+ pound Newtonian payload on a G11G and FHD no problems.? I can't imagine the a 16" SCT would be a bad payload being a lot shorter tube with a much lower polar moment, it should be fine.? I don't think the G11GT has much more payload headroom than the G11G but it should be fine.?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
|
Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Hi Neil, did you try to turn off Gemini Reports Side of Pier and see if that works any better?
?
Regards,
?
? -Paul
?
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 04:01 AM, Neil Allison wrote:
So, I've been doing more testing.
I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier.
I have Gemini set to Report the pier side
I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
?
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West.
Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini?
I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
?
--
Thanks and Best Regards
Neil
|
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:11 PM, Roger Smith wrote:
Hi,
Some great and practical advice!
I am helping a friend set up his recentlypurchased ASIAir Plus and G11 w Gemini2 (which I sold him). What is the proper sequence to startup and get connected and ready to do a Go To. Assume the mount has been levelled and is polar aligned. I always liked Cold Start w CWD:
--- Everything powered off:
--- ASIair physically connected via printer cable to Gemini2 control box.
--- Mount is in CWD position.?
--- ASIair App (on Galaxy S9 turned off)
?
If the ASIair will not recognize the USB connection to the mount, then what should I try? Change the power up order?
?
When I had the mount, I used Serial to USB with FTDI, and it connected to my laptop nicely. I think there was a FTDI driver. Is this a back up option to try?
?
Any other option, ie LAN? Many thanks for your advice!
Roger
This is the control box:
?
?
Hi Roger,
?
I have always used the Ethernet ports to talk to the Gemini 2 for imaging and planetarium app use so I just found a way to keep using Ethernet connections when I switched to the ASIAIR years ago pre-COVID.??
?
This is not hard to do but you do need to configure the Gemini 2 and ASIAIR specifically to do this. But it is well worth it as you will be able to use GFU and have network access to the Gemini 2 mSD card file system. There are also a lot of control through the web UI which gives you a acess to everything in the Gemini 2 which you don't even know about without it.?
?
Using the Ethernet port also frees up one USB port on the ASIAIR which on a full house system are always going to be in short supply especially with the new CAA (camera angle adjuster) coming out shortly.? If like most folks your friend will be or is planning to run a full ZWO imaging system with ASIAIR , EAF, EFW, ASI autoguider and ASI cooled imaging camera? ?means there will not be enough ports to plug everything into the ASIAIR if you want to use the CAA and an external USB SSD/Flash drive. Unless of course there is a USB hub built into the new CAA.?
?
So looking forward if you can set your friend's Gemini 2 to use Ethernet for command and control this is a big help and supposedly allows for better mount performance.? This is what the people who wrote the software have said all along anyway. I can't confirm it, as long as I have had a Gemini 2 I have used the G2 Ethernet port for communication.??
?
The way I do it is simple. I use a small high-end travel router and plug the Gemini 2 and ASIAIR into the switch ports of the router.? The best small routers with the newish WiFi6? 803.11AX standard AND at least 2 or 3 Ethernet ports with full 1Gbs Ethernet are the GL.iNet travel routers. I am using the Slate-AX model as it has the best specs and includes a third Ethernet port. It is very a very fast WiFi router if you are near the router, faster than wired Ethernet. If you have a phone that is less than 5 years old you probably have WiFi6 and can take advantage of this much faster WiFi standard.
?
These days I am no longer waiting at all any more for the data to move between the ASIAIR and the phone with this setup, focusing, preview downloads from the ASI2600MC Pro take longer to process on the ASIAIR than to download. But it wasn't always the case, in fact it was SLOW.? But at least the WiFi connection was not failing every 2 minutes.?
?
I have seen the screen responsiveness improve as download speeds increased.? I kept upgrading as newer WiFi technology came out for nano and travel routers and I moved from the router I hung off the Gemini 2 for WiFi access and bridge routing to my home mesh LAN to needing to overcome the terrible ASIAIR WiFi which requires additional 1Gbs Ethernet ports at the mount router.? At the time there was no such thing as a multi port travel router so I used a 4-port mini 1G/100/10 switch to add the required ports. I went from the?
150Mbs 802.11n TP Link nano router>
300Mbs 802.11n TP Link nano router >
433Mbs 802.11ac TP Link travel router >
433Mbs 802.11ac Slate with 3X 1Gbs ports>
867Mbs 802.11ac Beryl with 3X 1Gps ports>
1,200Mbs 802.11ax Slate-AX 3X 1Gbs ports
?
The speed improvement I have seen is very significant. But you really have to have a newer phone with Wi-Fi 6 to take advantage of the technology. You can verify what Wi-Fi your phone has in the settings pages.?
?
Let me know if you need any more advice or screen shots for configuration of the Gemini 2, ASIAIR and Slate-AX router.?
?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
|
Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Neil,
I may be mistaken, but I believe that Gemini.net IS the ASCOM-based telescope driver. If you haven't already done so you might want to download the ASCOM platform (see? and look to the upper right for the Platform 7.0 Download button). It should provide you with?the previously-mentioned Explorer tool that gives you access to every communications parameter sent between the mount and the computer.? I bring this up because I had a similar issue where the PHD2 log showed that I was always East of pier even though N.I.N.A was clearly generating meridian flips.? It turned out to be that ReportPierSide was set to false in the Gemini.net driver, even though?I was quite sure that I had previously set Gemini to report it.? I wrote this off to a bad EEPROM configuration on the mount although admittedly, I never found the root cause of the issue and kept exploring until the problem was resolved.? I lost of few nights of observing because of it.
BTW I don't think North/South hemispheres would have anything?to do with this issue.
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 10:53?PM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver. The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west. Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
Hi,
Some great and practical advice!
I am helping a friend set up his recentlypurchased ASIAir Plus and G11 w Gemini2 (which I sold him). What is the proper sequence to startup and get connected and ready to do a Go To. Assume the mount has been levelled and is polar aligned. I always liked Cold Start w CWD:
--- Everything powered off:
--- ASIair physically connected via printer cable to Gemini2 control box.
--- Mount is in CWD position.?
--- ASIair App (on Galaxy S9 turned off)
?
If the ASIair will not recognize the USB connection to the mount, then what should I try? Change the power up order?
?
When I had the mount, I used Serial to USB with FTDI, and it connected to my laptop nicely. I think there was a FTDI driver. Is this a back up option to try?
?
Any other option, ie LAN? Many thanks for your advice!
Roger
This is the control box:
?
|
Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
I'm connecting using the Gemini.NET driver. The mount is already reporting the pier side, but it is reporting that its in the east when it is actually in the west. Now if i was in the northern hemisphere, that would be correct (i think).
Do you think I might be better off using the ASCOM driver instead?
On Sun, 27 Oct 2024, 1:03?pm Paul Buckley via , <paulbuckley14059= [email protected]> wrote: Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
Re: An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
Neil,
Are you connecting using the ASCOM driver?? If so, open the Profile Explorer, go to Telescope Drivers, ASCOM.GeminiTelescope.Telescope, and confirm that the ReportPierSide value is set to True, as shown in this screenshot:
Best Regards,
Paul
On Sat, Oct 26, 2024 at 4:01?AM Neil Allison via <nallison147= [email protected]> wrote: So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
Gee I don’t have a 16” ….we’re they not the Meade ACF…..that thing is huge. I cannot imagine many mounts could manage it. ?I wouldn’t even think a Titan is in the range maybe one of the HGM200s is something that might manage it.?
?
FWIW
?
--
Brendan
|
An update on meridian flips with N.I.N.A
So, I've been doing more testing. I have N.I.N.A set to use telescope side of pier. I have Gemini set to Report the pier side I am imaging an object in the east (so the scope is Pier side west).
However, In my N.I.N.A logs, I see "True Telescope SOP=pierEast" when the scope is clearly pier side West. Given I'm in the southern hemisphere, are there some settings I need to update in Gemini? I use a GPS receiver to get the coordinates (which Gemini connects to) so it definitely knows where in the world it is.
-- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
|
I know the stated capacity of the g11t (75lbs imaging 90lbs visual) but having this mount for a few months I think that's overrated.
I think a 16" SCT (67lbs) for planet imaging is definitely pushing it. I'm looking for some feedback from anyone who has their g11t loaded, over 70lbs.?
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Re: What mount for Celestron 9.25
I too have the G811 for my 9.25 Edge HD, along with a ZWO ASI2600, EAF and? OAG, as well as the surprisingly heavy Celestron reducer.? The G811 handles it all with no issues whatsoever.
Paul
I use a GM811 works great for C9.25 for imaging.  Visual as well.....
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Re: What mount for Celestron 9.25
I use a GM811 works great for C9.25 for imaging.  Visual as well.....
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What mount for Celestron 9.25
I’m looking to buy a Celestron 9.25 edge for my multi purpose scope. ?Just getting back into the hobby, and my interest are visual observation of lunar, planetary and DSO.?
I am interested in possibly getting into imaging further down the road and want to make a wise investment in my mount choice. ?I don’t want to go any bigger scope wise, maybe a refractor or two.
?
Looking at the second hand market right now and there’s some nice g811s out there that are within my price range. ?I know the g8 was designed for the C8 and the g11 for C11, which leaves the 9.25 in the middle.
?
If a g11 came up in the price I was looking for, the choice would be easy, but will the g811 be enough for the 9.25 when it comes to both visual and imaging?
I keep getting conflicting opinions about whether this will be a good combo or not, and of course I could alway put the g11 dec on later down the road.
?
thanks for any advice
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Re: ASCOM Platform 7 Update 1 is safe to use with Gemini.NET driver
On Tue, Oct 22, 2024 at 07:40 AM, Peter Simpson wrote:
Thanks very much for sending this out Paul.
Peter, thank you and the platform team for delivering such a quick fix!
?
Regards,
?
? -Paul
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Re: ASCOM Platform 7 Update 1 is safe to use with Gemini.NET driver
Thanks very much for sending this out Paul.
?
Best wishes, Peter
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Re: In search of 492 systems for G11 and GM8
Thanks to Mark I'll soon have the 492 for my G-11.
?
I'm still in the market for a 492 to go on a GM-8 with Losmandy DSC.??
?
?
?
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Paul Kanevsky
Chip Louie
Peter Simpson