On Tue, Dec 17, 2024 at 07:03 AM, Jamie Amendolagine wrote:

The meles go for around $200 with an n100 Intel chip. They come with windows 11. I dual boot to Linux and normally boot Linux for ekos/indi/PhD.

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jamie.amendolagine@...

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AFAIK there is no $200 model with a full speed N100 processor with enough RAM and storage for people using large sensor cameras imaging multiple nights with short subs.? Windows can run with 8GB but is a lot faster and happier with 16GB and 0.5TB is the minimum storage space once Windows 11 Pro and all the ASCOM imaging apps are loaded.? If you can find one of these they are about $350 plus.? To which you will still want to add managed power ports for dew heaters and USB ports which you will need for a full imaging rig.? This is still going to add at least $325 for a Pegasus Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2.? So still double the price of the ASIAIR Plus 256GB.??

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This combination will be more flexible and have more capability but in the end the ASIAIR Plus will provide the same images and in the real world the real power is in post capture data processing.??

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On Wed, Dec 18, 2024 at 03:13 AM, <avishekaiyar@...> wrote:

Hi all?

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One thing I wanted to confirm about the CG11. How does the telescope actually mate with the saddle and type of mounting plate I need.?

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On my Skyguider Pro I used a William optica saddle and a standard vixen dovetail plate on the refractor. But just looking at pics of the Losmandy saddle (below), it seems a lot wider. I am assuming a standard vixen plate will not fit the saddle? Can you point me to the right plate I would need ??

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Many thanks.

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Avi

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Use the right part: ? This has been the standard G11 saddle for some time now because this saddle can safely carry any load any Losmandy mount can carry and correctly fits both Vixen and Losmandy "D" style dovetails.? Click on the link and read the description. The saddle has the correct countersunk hole pattern for G11 GM8 mounrs with square shoulder holes and if you ask the correct hardware to drop in place and go. But call NOW because they are closed for the holidays and that will delay you into next year.?

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Hi all?

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One thing I wanted to confirm about the CG11. How does the telescope actually mate with the saddle and type of mounting plate I need.?

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On my Skyguider Pro I used a William optica saddle and a standard vixen dovetail plate on the refractor. But just looking at pics of the Losmandy saddle (below), it seems a lot wider. I am assuming a standard vixen plate will not fit the saddle? Can you point me to the right plate I would need ??

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Many thanks.

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Avi

Hello Bryan, I have the same mount, the adjustment of the AR worm is quite simple, the only thing that is contrary to the sample video, I do the adjustment in several steps, first I separate the worm from the crown and I adjust it a little to the crown, then I tighten the worm block and this movement will bring the worm a little closer to the crown, I adjust the distance from the worm to the crown again definitively and I give a strong tightening to the worm block and that would be it, It's very easy to do, good luck.

This is a 6 month old G11T. I received an email from Tanya and in fact the worm adjustment is opposite from what is shown in a video they put out. Who knew? Any way lubing the bolts before tightening is a good idea. I'm also going to put a shim under the worm block before I tighten it. Seems like the system in the video is much better than what I have. Don't know why they would change it.

I use Miele and it works well EXCEPT stellarium will close uncommanded when you minimize it but cartes du Ciel works. I'm still trying to find out why stellarium does this!!!

Chuck

The meles go for around $200 with an n100 Intel chip. They come with windows 11. I dual boot to Linux and normally boot Linux for ekos/indi/PhD.

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On Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 08:16 AM, Jamie Amendolagine wrote:

If you have the inclination and time I'd go with a mini pc like a mele. You can then run the full indi / ekos stack that does not have competitor cameras disabled --? the asiair is using a branch of indi, but with non-zwo cameras disabled .You can also choose to boot to windows if you want to run an ascom / nina stack. If you want the easy to use ui you can load stellarmate on the same hardware. Just my 2 cents!

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The ASIAIR UI is tightly integrated and makes sense once you have some time with it.? But I don't like the handicapped autoguiding section which honestly would make it easier for experienced PHD2 users but also flood the web with "ASIAIR autoguiding doesn't work" comments and complaints.? Would I like a couple of other features included, sure what experienced imager wouldn't like their pet features included.? But any experienced imager will be using the best imaging cameras from ZWO and the read and amp noise is so low that if you are working you top post capture apps that most experienced imagers use to stack and process who cares??

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That said I would love to have a cheap, fast actual mini-pc running Windows 11 connected to a Pegasus Ultimate Power Boxv3 with all the usual ASCOM apps and an RDP interface on my tablet or phone.? At this point I would be spending $1,000 before cables and mounting solutions.? The 2024 ASIAIR Plus 256GB V3 is $270 and takes up about 20% of the volume as the technically better solution.? I think the ASIAIR offers a much better value position and solves 98% of the needs of imagers out there.? ? ?

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If you have the inclination and time I'd go with a mini pc like a mele. You can then run the full indi / ekos stack that does not have competitor cameras disabled --? the asiair is using a branch of indi, but with non-zwo cameras disabled .You can also choose to boot to windows if you want to run an ascom / nina stack. If you want the easy to use ui you can load stellarmate on the same hardware. Just my 2 cents!

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Chip makes a valid point. ?With 3 systems in 1 package, you are 3x more likely to lose the item for repairs. ?Separate items allow swap out easier and cheaper. Plus, as he mentions, to upgrade. I would not buy the 2600 Duo all in one for these reasons. ?Spread the risk.

That said, I do have both the MM and MC Duos and like them. ?No problems, but not many miles on them yet either.?

I sent an AA+ in for repair under warranty (a known issue with the USB ports) and it was gone for about 3-4 weeks.

AA+ is cheap enough (especially used on CN) to buy a backup, not so with the 2600 all in one.

My 2?.

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Make sure the worm gear is remaining parallel to the worm wheel and before fastening try a little synthetic grease under the bolt head and washer to help minimize the fastener friction as it is tightening from moving the worm block.

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Confirm for us what mount you have, if possible include a photo so we can see what you are working with.? Also did you buy the mount new from Losmandy or is this an older used mount??

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On Sat, Dec 14, 2024 at 05:48 PM, <dkfcpalfd@...> wrote:

My astronomy club has a Losmandy Titan mount, recently upgraded to Gemini 2 L6.02.? We are looking at purchasing a camera for our scope, and we're looking at the ZWO ASI 2600MC Air, with the built-in Air feature, that could wirelessly communicate with mount.

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I am used to using a laptop PC to control the mount via Ethernet.? I don't think ASI Air, or this camera, has an Ethernet port.? It does have USB, and I know the control board on the Gemini 2/Titan has a USB port.... which I've never used.

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Has anyone used ASI Air successfully to control a Gemini 2 mount?

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Thanks in advance.

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Dan

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Hi Dan,

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I have been using the ASIAIR since the Pro version was released.? I have been using it on a G11G and GM8G with Gemini 2 minis and Tall boys communicating over Ethernet with both the ASIAIR imaging rig and Gemini 2 connected to high performance travel routers.? The Gemini L6.1 / HC v1.63 firmware and ASIAIR 2.2x and 2.3BETA apps and related firmware have been working very well, they just flat out work.??

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Hold off on buying an ASI2600MC AIR.? There are several issues with this product, some permanent due to the DUO design some and some at the moment are not known if the problems are hardware (power related) or firmware related.? Some issues look like hardware problems and so far the firmware fixes have not resolved them.? This product is not ready for prime time by a long shot.? ?

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Additionally you will always be more flexible by keeping the controller, guide camera and main imaging camera all as separate peripherals which allows individual components to be swapped out as needed (failures) or desired (better tech, new features) in the future.? The DUO self-guiding design is problematic as many people found out many years ago with the almost identical but CCD based SBig cameras.? What do you do when one or the other fails?? Trust me, you DO NOT want to have to send it to China for a few months for repairs.? It's not like you can easily swap out the main imaging or guide camera sensors in the system if you have a problem.? And to make it even worse what happens when the new ASIAIR controller fails, you have no access to the internal cameras to bypass the internal ASIAIR controller.? And what about auto guiding behind a dual or multi-band filter with a 3nm bandwidth?? You end up with a guide settings that are a compromise and that may or may not work optimally with your mount and telescope AND you are handicapped by the reduced tunability of the ASIAIR autoguiding software which BTW works very well with standalone piggybacked guiders and the ZWO OAG-L with ASI174mm mini.? Is it initially more convenient then having separates, cheaper?? Absolutely, but life is long and the initial ease of use and slight cost savings will be quickly forgotten when the issues I mention come up and I assure you they will.? ??

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Some actual thought needs to go into this whole AIO (All-In-One) idea and a full redesign for easy field serviceability and external access the main and guide cameras before it might make even a little sense.?

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Thanks!? That is exactly what I needed!? I have some coming.

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Tom

I will call. They're pretty busy I'm sure.

I've been using the mount all summer. Now that colder weather is here it needed adjustment. I was just hoping for a non-ordeal fix.

As I said before, call them during business hours to get in touch.

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Are you getting stalls even when the gear/worm mesh is loose? How balanced is your mount? Do you get stalls if you remove the motor off the mount (i.e., fully unloaded)?

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On Sun, Dec 15, 2024 at 01:13 PM, Brian wrote:

Well, even after emailing Tanya I get no reply. So here's what I have

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I'm trying to adjust the worm mesh to the gear on the RA axis. I'm getting an RA stall. I watched this video

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It's a very simple adjustment except, on my G11T, the 2 screws that should be tightened to relieve the pressure on the worm does just the opposite. On my mount when I tighten the screws, they?apply pressure?to the worm. I have to loosen the screws or the motor stalls. Something is backwards. I can't even tighten the bolts that attach the worm block to the mount.? The clockwise turn of the bolt forces the worm down and will stall the motor. So, I have a very loose RA (lots of backlash) and no way to tighten it up.

Any help is appreciated.

Tom

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you caught me at a bad time to fully reply. ?But what you want is a 4P4C (4 pins 4 connectors) RJ22 vertical PCB mount socket

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this from digikey should do

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mouser will have similar sand as E14 and Rs components. ?They are cheap. ?

here’s a search for modular connectors pick from here

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Many places will sell this. ?The OEM had panel stops but they aren’t needed all you want is vertical Rj22 4P4C thru hole vertical?

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cut off old pins and socket leave enough to grab left over pin hit with soldering iron pull old pin out. ?Do with all pins. ?Clean up use flux insert solder new socket. ??

Ensure you minimise ESD clean flux off after it’s done?

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Just check the drawings of the part (from digikey) match the one you have on your PCB. I don’t have access to my lappy to find they types I use. But they look the same?

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You cannot use the feature port for Rs232 but you can make a serial port to DB25 to connect serial to the HC cable socket and control it that way. ?But you lose the HC though.?

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Best to use the Serial port. ?Just replace the socket easy job?

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Check other sockets while you are at it.?

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cheers

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Brendan