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Re: Winter temperature & equipment - limitations or risks?

 

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Please don¡¯t repeatedly edit your posts ¨C I received five copies with minor changes

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D.

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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Kevin Hannon via groups.io
Sent: 29 December 2024 10:12
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Winter temperature & equipment - limitations or risks?

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[Edited Message Follows]

So it¡¯s three years later(3 winters 2021-2023). The Telegizmo 365 covers worked as advertised. Setup is currently indoors being modernized with power box/usb hub, micro router, and mini pc. Let¡¯s see if the added gear can hold up under winter/telegizmo 365 cover. The added gear is on two carbon fiber dovetail clamps, so can be easily removed if desired.

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Red rails are made of aluminum. Aluminum rails, carbon fiber dovetail clamps and carbon fiber rings are from Rouz Astro. ?I used Stellarvue metal risers. Had to replace the Stellarvue riser long bolts with 90mm bolts from Amazon to get the Stellarvue risers and Rouz Astro rings/lower aluminum rail to securely join.?
Re: Winter temperature & equipment - limitations or risks?

 
Edited

So it¡¯s three years later(3 winters 2021-2023). The Telegizmo 365 covers worked as advertised. Setup is currently indoors being modernized with power box/usb hub, micro router, and mini pc. Let¡¯s see if the added gear can hold up under winter/telegizmo 365 cover. The added gear is on two carbon fiber dovetail clamps, so can be easily removed if desired.
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Red rails are made of aluminum. Aluminum rails, carbon fiber dovetail clamps and carbon fiber rings are from Rouz Astro. ?I used Stellarvue metal risers. Had to replace the Stellarvue riser long bolts with 90mm bolts from Amazon to get the Stellarvue risers and Rouz Astro rings/lower aluminum rail to securely join.?
Re: Gemini 1 replacement rs232 (rj9) socket

 

Cheers thanks for feedback
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Brendan
Re: Gemini 1 replacement rs232 (rj9) socket

 

Brendan,
I wanted to let you know that link from Digikey was the exact item I needed.? It arrived quickly, and I got the old jack removed easily, and the new one soldered in place, and it is all back together and working great.
Thanks!
Tom
Re: Gemini 2 L 6.02 Needed to Be Re-Flashed

 

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PEC shouldn't work after a full reset, and programming the same PEC curve shouldn't work either. Gemini keeps track of the current worm position in memory. When you reset all settings or do a reflash that does the same, Gemini will no longer remember the correct worm position. As the result PEC will be played back out of sync (out of phase) with the actual worm error, which is likely to make tracking error even worse than without PEC. If you want PEC, you'll need to redo PEMPro calibration/capture/program steps one more time.
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Regards,
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? -Paul
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On Sat, Dec 21, 2024 at 09:53 PM, <dkfcpalfd@...> wrote:

Thanks for that, Paul.
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It sounds like you are saying something like an HGM Reset on the HC (not looking at it now, but that's my recollection)?
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I had run PEMPro 7 months ago, when I first flashed the 6.02 firmware, and my guiding got superb.? After last night's reflash, I noticed the reflash wiped out my PEC data on the table, so I just uploaded the same PEC curve from 7 months ago.? My RA guiding was lousy after that.??
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I then tried just training the drive from the HC, it seemed to be improved, but I think I need to collect data by camera and rerun PEMPro again.
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Do you happen to know if L6.02 is improved for PEC training via the HC vs. L5.0?
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Let me know if an HGM Reset on HC is what I needed to do.
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Thanks so much.
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Dan
Re: Gemini 2 L 6.02 Needed to Be Re-Flashed

 

Dan,
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Is there a reason you are not flashing to L6.1 and v1.63 HC??
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 L 6.02 Needed to Be Re-Flashed

 

Thanks for that, Paul.
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It sounds like you are saying something like an HGM Reset on the HC (not looking at it now, but that's my recollection)?
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I had run PEMPro 7 months ago, when I first flashed the 6.02 firmware, and my guiding got superb.? After last night's reflash, I noticed the reflash wiped out my PEC data on the table, so I just uploaded the same PEC curve from 7 months ago.? My RA guiding was lousy after that.??
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I then tried just training the drive from the HC, it seemed to be improved, but I think I need to collect data by camera and rerun PEMPro again.
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Do you happen to know if L6.02 is improved for PEC training via the HC vs. L5.0?
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Let me know if an HGM Reset on HC is what I needed to do.
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Thanks so much.
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Dan
Re: In search of 492 systems for G11 and GM8

 

I have bought old Celestron Losmandy G11 here in EU with the tripod and ori pier for it, and it came with two of 492 systems. Never tried those. I would exchange it with Gemini with out thinking twice, or even with Onstep. Now days you cannot do nothing with those.
Re: Gemini 2 L 6.02 Needed to Be Re-Flashed

 

You just reset your Gemini HGM defaults. ? Which could be done in the HC. ?

cheers
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Brendan
Re: Gemini 2 L 6.02 Needed to Be Re-Flashed

 

Hi Dan,
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I suspect you just needed a reset of Gemini settings and not a full firmware re-flash. Firmware flashing operation can clear out and reset Gemini settings, so you may have done what was necessary, anyway :)
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The settings storage in volatile memory is much more "corruptible" than flashed firmware, which is why I think that's where your issue was. But, it is also possible that the firmware could get corrupted. All electronic circuits are subjected to constant bombardment by cosmic rays, for example. This can cause occasional bits to be randomly flipped. Error correction circuits usually take care of fixing these, but not always. Sudden supply voltage change, static electricity, etc. can also result in data corruption.
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Regards,
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? -Paul
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On Sat, Dec 21, 2024 at 10:13 AM, <dkfcpalfd@...> wrote:

I've been running L6.02 for 7 months, since May, and it has run beautifully.... my guide error went way down as compared to L5, and my plate solving got a lot more accurate.
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Then, about a week ago, my plate solving all of a sudden crashed.? Normally, I can get within 10 pixels of error for both RA and DEC, but all of a sudden, I could not get any better than 600 pixels error for RA, and around 3000 pixels for DEC.? The error started initially at much larger values, and would get better for successive solving attempts, but never got better than 600/3000.
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I use ASTAP in SGP for my plate solving, and I kept double checking all the specs for camera and plate solving, and could not come up with any setup mistakes.
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So..... I re-flashed Gemini to L6.02 again with the GFU.? I did a Cold Start and synced on a bright star.
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I then slewed to 2 different objects, 2 different solving attempts.? On the first object, I solved to less than 10 pixel error for both axes on the 3rd attempt, and on the second object, I solved to less than 10 pixels both axes for the second attempt.
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I am convinced a re-flash of L6.02 was necessary, and fixed my plate solving problem.
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Has anyone else had to do this?? What could have caused this?? It seems as though somehow L6.02 got corrupted.
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Thanks in advance.
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Dan
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Re: Losmandy/Celestron CG-11 Mount

 
Edited

Haha....I was sold on getting the dual saddles :)?
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But I am now fully sold on Losmandy as well :)?
Gemini 2 L 6.02 Needed to Be Re-Flashed

 

I've been running L6.02 for 7 months, since May, and it has run beautifully.... my guide error went way down as compared to L5, and my plate solving got a lot more accurate.
?
Then, about a week ago, my plate solving all of a sudden crashed.? Normally, I can get within 10 pixels of error for both RA and DEC, but all of a sudden, I could not get any better than 600 pixels error for RA, and around 3000 pixels for DEC.? The error started initially at much larger values, and would get better for successive solving attempts, but never got better than 600/3000.
?
I use ASTAP in SGP for my plate solving, and I kept double checking all the specs for camera and plate solving, and could not come up with any setup mistakes.
?
So..... I re-flashed Gemini to L6.02 again with the GFU.? I did a Cold Start and synced on a bright star.
?
I then slewed to 2 different objects, 2 different solving attempts.? On the first object, I solved to less than 10 pixel error for both axes on the 3rd attempt, and on the second object, I solved to less than 10 pixels both axes for the second attempt.
?
I am convinced a re-flash of L6.02 was necessary, and fixed my plate solving problem.
?
Has anyone else had to do this?? What could have caused this?? It seems as though somehow L6.02 got corrupted.
?
Thanks in advance.
?
Dan
?
??
Re: Losmandy/Celestron CG-11 Mount

 
Edited

On Thu, Dec 19, 2024 at 07:21 AM, <avishekaiyar@...> wrote:
I have a last question resulting from a last minute doubt.?
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All pics I have seen of Celestron branded Losmandy mount has a label on the side of the mount that confirms the Celestron Losmandy association and also confirms it's a G11. I don't know if it's just a stick on label or if it's engraved into the mount. ?
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However the mount I am looking at has nothing. The current owner claims the label was stick which came off at some point.?
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My question is how can I be sure it's a G11? I have the serial number but unclear how it links to the details of the mount. See attached.?
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Thanks.
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Avi
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LOL, I thought you were sold?? JK!??
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The original Celestron branded CG11 mounts had thin metal plates with the Celestron logo brand and CG11 etched on them.? Don't worry, nobody copied the G11, that HGM serial number plate is authentic Losmandy.? Losmandy IS HGM AKA Hollywood General Machining.? I have owned several Losmandy mounts over the years, I currently have a GM8G mount I bought from Tanya during Covid, a NOS 1992 vintage GM8s which has a very similar serial number to the one pictured as well as a 20+ year old G11G that Scott fully updated for me several years ago to the current specs.? These are true lifetime mounts unlike any other mounts past or present and can be fully updated to current specs.? Many of us started with older beaters and updated them over time, trust me this is a time honored way to get a taste of the high-end on the cheap - sort of anyway.? Once you get a taste and join the Losmandy club and get to know the people here you'll find a fun group of fellow madmen and travelers.?
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--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: ASI Air Communication with Gemini 2 L6.02

 

On Thu, Dec 19, 2024 at 09:51 AM, Jonathan wrote:
I recently bought the cheaper version of . I understand the usefulness of the AAir but I am more familiar with windows and the overall versatility of that platform with the myriads of software available. For my needs this is cheaper and easier to use so I don¡¯t see myself trying the AAir for now.
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The whole idea behind ZWO stealing the application software then building a silo around the supported peripherals which only inclides their products is to provide a stable well understood environment.? This allowed them to bring the ASIAIR to market up and running with full support of their cameras and added hardware faster.??
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I was an ASCOM app user and fan with multiple imaging apps and brands of imaging hardware.? It was not a bad place to be, with some issues until SGP started charging me for software I had already paid for.? The only other realitic option N.I.N.A. at the time was buggy as heck and while much improved still has issues.?
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The ZWO ASIAIR was new and a revised PRO model was announced.? So I jumped and order one from China.? I hate dealing with Chinese sourced products as repairs and support are usually non-existent.? But ZWO was doing well for me and I preferred their cameras and the drivers were more stable than QHY. Yes the ASIAIR has limits but they are there for a reason and the limits have paid off with a fairly stable product over the years I've used them.
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I'm also playing with NINA and while the ASCOM apps and flexibility are nice they also create many ways for thing to not work well or at all together.? The single brand ecosystem forces ZWO to be more responsive and it has for the most part been very successful.?
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Don't worry about being more familiar with Windows astro apps,? the ASIAIR UI is almost intuitive and it basically just works with whatever ZWO combo you plug into the box AND that interface is the only one you need to use for any of their products and ZWO is the ONLY maker that offers a complete vertical product line from tip to tail imaging solution, not that I'm switching to a strain wave mount anytime soon. It just works and they are excellent products generally speaking.?
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--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Losmandy/Celestron CG-11 Mount

 

Just a general observation about the D/V saddle design.?
The V dovetail bar is clamped at the bottom. (Regardless of the bar or saddle manufacturer.) The D dovetail is clamped at the top, which pulls the flat underside of the bar hard against the flat top surface of the saddle. Needless to say this is a much more stable and robust design than the V dovetail design.
Why this matters is that it¡¯s possible to mis-align the V bar in the saddle. I¡¯ve had this happen a few times where I clamped the saddle tight while the V bar was in at a tilted angle. Luckily I checked, and caught the problem each time.
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Just wanted to mention this, as a heads up to check.
Re: ASI Air Communication with Gemini 2 L6.02

 

I had my cell phone?stolen and Got a cheap Moto 5G. Was pleased when I added a 125GB mini SD it was accepted. Guess I can always wifi images to it.
Re: Losmandy/Celestron CG-11 Mount

 

Losmandy is incorporated as Hollywood General Machining. The real business is making stock and custom film making equipment for the motion picture industry. The astronomy business is a side line reflecting Scott's interests. The serial number HGM (Hollywood General Machining) 92 year of manufacture 1992 11125 is a guess #125 and made in November.
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I think all the saddles are now machined for both the Vixen and 3" Losmandy format. When Scoot was selling them on eBay 5 years or sso ago I picked up two for $55 each. I imagine they have gone up a bit.
Re: ASI Air Communication with Gemini 2 L6.02

 

I recently bought the cheaper version of . I understand the usefulness of the AAir but I am more familiar with windows and the overall versatility of that platform with the myriads of software available. For my needs this is cheaper and easier to use so I don¡¯t see myself trying the AAir for now.
Re: ASI Air Communication with Gemini 2 L6.02

 

On Wed, Dec 18, 2024 at 12:46 PM, Jamie Amendolagine wrote:
I've been quite happy with the 8G version, but I normally run Linux. The 16G / 512 version is only $229 though. As you mentioned, it does not have the 12v power control. I just use a non computerized dew heater control if I need to, but I usually don't.?
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I used to run a raspberry pi 4 with ekos but found that it was a bit underpowered. I believe that the USB data rate was the biggest factor. It looks like the latest asiair pro is using a rpi 5 which should help, but it's still not as fast as an n100.?
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MeLE Fanless N100 Mini PC 16GB LPDDR4x 512GB SSD Quieter4C Micro PC 2X HDMI 4K USB-C Triple Display 2.4G/5GHz WiFi BT5.1 GbE Small Desktop Computer on Business Office IoT Astrophotography NAS MES WMSMeLE? ??
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What US based source supplies the full speed N100 16 or 32GB / 512GB Mele for $230? I guess I could buy a lower storage model and shove my own SSD in. IME there are too many problems ordering from Chinese sources.??
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If you are going to compare the Mele mini PC to the ASIAIR you need to compare ports and application capabilities.? Compute power and OS comparisons are only relevant in so much as how well the apps run in use.? So for the mini PC what other hardware and software is needed to provide similar port and function as an ASIAIR?? When you do the analysis this way there is really no comparison to the ASIAIR between the them unless you actually need more capability than the ASIAIR can provide.??
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For a Windows based system faster is almost always better.? Linux is so much more efficient having none of the overhead Win11 has so it runs very well on these small boxes.? But I don't want to deal with the issues of a Linux based imaging app and prefer the wider software base of Win11.?
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Don't get me wrong, I'm a long time UNIX person having started with AT&T UNIX back in the day on AT&T 3b2 mini computer boxes.? But for this application Windows offers more mature ready to run apps with fewer issues than Linux.??
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--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Losmandy/Celestron CG-11 Mount

 

I have a last question resulting from a last minute doubt.?
?
All pics I have seen of Celestron branded Losmandy mount has a label on the side of the mount that confirms the Celestron Losmandy association and also confirms it's a G11. I don't know if it's just a stick on label or if it's engraved into the mount.?
?
However the mount I am looking at has nothing. The current owner claims the label was stick which came off at some point.?
?
My question is how can I be sure it's a G11? I have the serial number but unclear how it links to the details of the mount. See attached.?
?
Thanks.
?
Avi

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