This has been stewing for a while now, Deric.
I'd guess nobody knows.
But do you think a local machine shop could do some for you? You could even get them customized, like V-grooves, or such.
300 series is like what is used for cooking and fixtures. Non-magnetic.
400 series is magnetic.
Both can be polished to a chrome-like appearance.
I can give you this, never touch your stainless steel with anything but a stainless steel brush. If you use a carbon steel brush on it, it will begin to rust. I believe also a steel bolt (locking screw) will cause the threads to begin rusting. It's an annoying nature of stainless steels.
I am more of a functional type. I made my own smaller counterweights by filling cans with molten lead. One I put an EMT conduit in, the other I simply bored a hole through. Both worked fine, both gave me the counterbalancing I needed with my light telescope set-up. And nobody saw them in the dark. At least, nobody ever mentioned them.
I used a Tuna can for one, and a smaller chopped Jalapeno can for the other. Total was ~9 pounds.
I never even painted them. I have no shame. ;^(
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Hi Tim, In that second goal... they seem to be failing hard. I'm still seeing developers in the Alpaca forums asking "which
version of .net should I use". The answer is, of course... NONE. ".net" is not POSIX-compliant. If you leverage
any .net code in your ASCOM driver then it wont work on anything other than Windows -- not portability -- you lose. I get the sense that these are developers who have, quite frankly, never used any other computer in their life and
they just can't grasp the concept of OS independence. Maybe you're not aware of this but Microsoft is spending lots of development on .Net Core, which is cross-platform on the source code and binary level. From one source code base you can today target Windows, LINUX, Mac O/S, Raspberry PI, etc. .Net Core applications can run as web applications, desktop, and device apps. .Net Core/.Net 5 will likely be the natural progression of Windows/ASCOM applications to target cross platform solutions. I have several .Net core projects in development now that target Windows/LINUX/MacOS. -Ray Gralak Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): Author of PEMPro V3: Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Timothy Campbell via
Groups.Io
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2020 8:53 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
INDI:
I do this using INDI (see ). INDI is based on the ideas of ASCOM *except* it adds networking (it is
not necessary for all components to run on the same computer). This allows for very low-cost single-board
computers (such as a $35 Raspberry Pi) to be mounted on a scope and not require desktop class or even laptop
class machine to drive the equipment.
The second cool feature is that it is POSIX-compliant. POSIX is Portable Operating System Interface standard.
This is a standards-based library of system services that are implemented across all compliant operating systems
(e.g. how to access file system services or network services, etc. etc.) such that any program using these services
would be very easy to port to other operating systems because they all offer the same services and are called the
same way.
If that sounds like a cool idea ... don't run out and do that (yet).
The problem is Windows is specifically and *deliberately* not POSIX-compliant. Since Microsoft had the lion's-share
of developers ... they wanted to make it hard to port that software to other platforms (to make it more difficult to
leave Windows). Other OS vendors were happy to be POSIX-compliant.
This means many of the astronomy apps you use today will probably not work with INDI because they're expecting
ASCOM.
There *is* something called Cygwin which installs the POSIX-compliant services on Windows to make it possible to
port POSIX-compliant applications to that platform and it's my understanding that there is some development
underway for an INDI-ASCOM "bridge". This is a program that looks like an ASCOM driver... but really reaches
across the network to find INDI devices and presents them as though they are ASCOM devices.
Alpaca:
ASCOM Alpaca was supposed to do two things (but I don't think it's working very well). First, it was supposed to
offer a network layer -- just like INDI. Alpaca actually *does* do this. This means it isn't necessary to have all
devices hooked to a single computer and run that software on the same computer. So that's really useful and cool.
The second thing it was supposed to do was be POSIX-compliant so that ASCOM could work across platforms and
not just Windows.
In that second goal... they seem to be failing hard. I'm still seeing developers in the Alpaca forums asking "which
version of .net should I use". The answer is, of course... NONE. ".net" is not POSIX-compliant. If you leverage
any .net code in your ASCOM driver then it wont work on anything other than Windows -- not portability -- you lose.
I get the sense that these are developers who have, quite frankly, never used any other computer in their life and
they just can't grasp the concept of OS independence.
Still... the idea is a step in the right direction and if they can just manage to educate developers then finally there
would be an astronomy "standard" that worked everywhere. So I do wish them the best. But today... there is not a
whole lot of support for it.
BTW, if you want to do this with Windows... go search for a Windows "NUC". NUC = Next Unit of Computing.
These are small modular boxes that are basically very low-cost headless PC's that can run Windows. They vary in
price... I've seen them as cheap as $150 ... but I've also seen them as expensive as $700-800. Just be careful
because not all NUC's run Intel CPUs and you probably *do* want a Intel CPU because it might be pretty difficult to
find astronomy software for Windows compiled to run on non-Intel platforms.
INDIGO:
BTW... there is a cool evolution of INDI called INDIGO. INDIGO is based on the original ideas of INDI but it adds
something that every astronomer wants... zero-configuration implementations.
Years ago, Sun Microsystems created a standard called Java Jini. Jini was a zero-configuration network services
protocol. E.g. plug-in a "Jini" compliant camera *anywhere* on your network, and your other "Jini" compliant
applications will auto-discover it and it will "just work". You wont don't have to know anything about networking, etc.
BTW, that standard went to Apache and is now known as Apache River.
Meanwhile Apple came up with their own implementation called "Bonjour" and, unlike Jini, quite a few things take
advantage of Apple Bonjour services. Lots of network printers implement Bonjour, for example. If you own a mac,
you've probably been taking advantage of Bonjour services and don't even know it. Bonjour is at the heart of much
of Apple's networking capabilities and it's how devices automatically find each other (e.g. Apple HomeKit would be
an example).
So INDIGO is basically INDI... but it adds the Bonjour services. THIS means you just plug-in your Bonjour device
and it "just works". See: <> . There's an OS image for the
Raspberry Pi that you can get (free) called INDIGO Sky. The idea is you put the Pi on your scope and connect all
your cameras, mount, etc. Then go back to your computer and run any application that supports INDIGO
(CloudMakers.eu have lots of INDIGO based apps) and your devices just "show up". You don't have to understand
networking. There is one caveat which is that it only discovers devices on your local network. E.g. your computer
will not "discover" equipment running elsewhere on the Internet. The discovery protocol intentionally does not go
across subnets (and this makes sense ... otherwise you'd have a crazy number of devices show up that aren't
yours.)
INDIGO is probably the best platform because it is the most user-friendly by far. Astronomers don't have to know
anything about networking or deal with configuration. INDIGO is also completely backward-compatible with INDI (it
also speaks the INDI network protocol which means you can mix INDI and INDIGO devices and software).
ASCOM was first and is the most widely known ... but is not portable (and probably will not be portable for many
years to come ... if ever). This means it is stuck being the least network-friendly and the most complex and
confusing platform out there.
Quite a few of the "problems" people have with their mounts aren't actually mount problems... they're ASCOM
problems.
Clear skies,
Tim
On Jan 20, 2020, at 10:56 AM, Brian Valente <bvalente@...> wrote:
Tying this in to another topic, I run a small computer on top of my telescope and use windows remote
desktop to log in to it (as do many)
i installed Ascom Alpaca on both that computer and my desktop, and i was able to connect my stellarium on
my desktop to the gemini running on my telescope. worked perfectly!
On Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 7:50 AM Derek C Breit <breit_ideas@...> wrote:
Ah.. Now it makes sense..
I hate Stellarium, and was all excited that I could use something else..
Hopefully my favorite program works, or I can get it to work.. Was just working on that..
Derek
________________________________
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Valente
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2020 5:03 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Yeah this is kind of a big deal, i'm surprised it's not getting more headlines!
native ascom support in Stellarium, and it works great. I was never really a fan of stellarium but i'm
warming up to it with this update ;)
On Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 1:23 AM Chip Louie <chiplouie@...> wrote:
Derek,
The latest 19.3 version of Stellarvue now has direct ASCOM support for telescope control. You
no longer need to use Stellarium Scope!
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
--
Brian
Brian Valente
portfolio brianvalentephotography.com <>
<
email&utm_content=emailclient>
Virus-free. www.avg.com <
signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient>
--
Brian
Brian Valente
portfolio brianvalentephotography.com <>
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
I will admit I've been hot and cold with Stellarium.
But once I got some things figured out, I've used it as my main targeting program. It also (17.0 and up) has a direct Losmandy G-11 Device settings. (Configuration window - Plugins - Telescope control - Telescopes - configure - Device Settings - Device Model - find/select Losmandy G-11. Go back to the Main Configuration window and SAVE settings. (I learned this the hard way. Always save your changes, or they revert. ARGH!)
If I click on Polaris, then initiate the "Center on Selected Object", the telescope icon follows the telescope's movement for a "live View" as it slews from alignment star to next alignment star.
I use it rather rudimentary, and don't dabble with it like Syncing and such. One time I noticed it was tracking a star of it's own accord, so I emailed Alex Wolf to ask if it could, or might have, the capability to guide the telescope and keep it on an object. His answer was no. But just as it can accurately slew from place to place, maybe he and the team will someday incorporate where it will guide and track our telescopes.
I wrote him because my AVX and telescope was definitely following the object (moving) with Stellarium's tracking. The object was staying in my camera's window.
But in the meantime, I always have it running in the background (full screen), behind my Main camera (1/2 screen), Guiding (PHD2's view)(~1/4 screen), and my focuser program (~1/6 screen). That way I can bring it forward to check or select a new place to jump to in the sky.
But there are options now. Here is . But there is ?(Careful! This link sends you into space!) that (depending on your personal speed) might help unload a small computers hard drive out at the mount. I try and keep things that tend to cause slowing, off my main HD, so I download them to a 120 Gig micro SD card and run them from there. Keeps the front end light and my Baby Dell spunky.
I've been running v:0.17.0 on my baby dell. I don't use all the bells and whistles that Alex's team keeps adding and adding. It has grown exponentially, as things will when too many people are clamoring for a certain addition. It becomes a gigantic, lumbering program and slows things down. So personally, I'm slow to upgrade. I don't need some of the later versions candy coatings.?
I'm sure there are Astrophysics out there who do, but not me. I just want a living Star Chart I can see what is in my view, from my location, at the time I'm sitting there rubbing my cold hands together ready to take my picturds. (Not a typo, I do take a lot of picturds. But now and then, this blind mouse gets the cheese.)
So does this rambling tye in? Sure does, this helps me to run my mount. So naturally, I'd like to have it run my new Losmandy as I take a new quantum leap. The fact that the Losmandy G-11 is specifically offered in Stellarium's Config settings gives me a lot of hope. I think the future is as bright as Sirius...
I use a free program called to WiFi link my Baby Dell at the mount, with my Daddy Dell Tower at my inside desk. But whatever you like is fine.
I went through a lot of trial and error, error, error, trying to link up. Blew a laptop, and later blew a router. After fixing those problems, things have been very smooth sailing indeed.
Vnc gives me full control over the Baby Dell as if I were sitting in front of it, shivering my butt off. But I'm in the nice warm house, drawing down images, and I can wonder off and watch a program with the wife, come back to a huge file of image.
I just save them to the 120 G, D: SD card. But I have WiFi downloaded them into the Daddy Dell directly from the outside.
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
INDI:
I do this using INDI (see?). INDI is based on the ideas of ASCOM *except* it adds networking (it is not necessary for all components to run on the same computer). ?This allows for very low-cost single-board computers (such as a $35 Raspberry Pi) to be mounted on a scope and not require desktop class or even laptop class machine to drive the equipment.
The second cool feature is that it is POSIX-compliant. ?POSIX is Portable Operating System Interface standard. ?This is a standards-based library of system services that are implemented across all compliant operating systems (e.g. how to access file system services or network services, etc. etc.) such that any program using these services would be very easy to port to other operating systems because they all offer the same services and are called the same way.
If that sounds like a cool idea ... don't run out and do that (yet). ?
The problem is Windows is specifically and *deliberately* not POSIX-compliant. ?Since Microsoft had the lion's-share of developers ... they wanted to make it hard to port that software to other platforms (to make it more difficult to leave Windows). ?Other OS vendors were happy to be POSIX-compliant.
This means many of the astronomy apps you use today will probably not work with INDI because they're expecting ASCOM.
There *is* something called Cygwin which installs the POSIX-compliant services on Windows to make it possible to port POSIX-compliant applications to that platform and it's my understanding that there is some development underway for an INDI-ASCOM "bridge". ?This is a program that looks like an ASCOM driver... but really reaches across the network to find INDI devices and presents them as though they are ASCOM devices.
Alpaca:
ASCOM Alpaca was supposed to do two things (but I don't think it's working very well). First, it was supposed to offer a network layer -- just like INDI. ?Alpaca actually *does* do this. ?This means it isn't necessary to have all devices hooked to a single computer and run that software on the same computer. ?So that's really useful and cool.
The second thing it was supposed to do was be POSIX-compliant so that ASCOM could work across platforms and not just Windows.
In that second goal... they seem to be failing hard. ?I'm still seeing developers in the Alpaca forums asking "which version of .net should I use". ?The answer is, of course... NONE. ?".net" is not POSIX-compliant. ?If you leverage any .net code in your ASCOM driver then it wont work on anything other than Windows -- not portability -- you lose.
I get the sense that these are developers who have, quite frankly, never used any other computer in their life and they just can't grasp the concept of OS independence.
Still... the idea is a step in the right direction and if they can just manage to educate developers then finally there would be an astronomy "standard" that worked everywhere. ?So I do wish them the best. ?But today... there is not a whole lot of support for it.
BTW, if you want to do this with Windows... go search for a Windows "NUC". ?NUC = Next Unit of Computing. ?These are small modular boxes that are basically very low-cost headless PC's that can run Windows. ?They vary in price... I've seen them as cheap as $150 ... but I've also seen them as expensive as $700-800. ? Just be careful because not all NUC's run Intel CPUs and you probably *do* want a Intel CPU because it might be pretty difficult to find astronomy software for Windows compiled to run on non-Intel platforms.
INDIGO:
BTW... there is a cool evolution of INDI called INDIGO. ?INDIGO is based on the original ideas of INDI but it adds something that every astronomer wants... ?zero-configuration implementations.
Years ago, Sun Microsystems created a standard called Java Jini. ?Jini was a zero-configuration network services protocol. ?E.g. plug-in a "Jini" compliant camera *anywhere* on your network, and your other "Jini" compliant applications will auto-discover it and it will "just work". ?You wont don't have to know anything about networking, etc. ? BTW, that standard went to Apache and is now known as Apache River. ?
Meanwhile Apple came up with their own implementation called "Bonjour" and, unlike Jini, quite a few things take advantage of Apple Bonjour services. ?Lots of network printers implement Bonjour, for example. ?If you own a mac, you've probably been taking advantage of Bonjour services and don't even know it. ?Bonjour is at the heart of much of Apple's networking capabilities and it's how devices automatically find each other (e.g. Apple HomeKit would be an example).
So INDIGO is basically INDI... but it adds the Bonjour services. ?THIS means you just plug-in your Bonjour device and it "just works". ?See: ?. There's an OS image for the Raspberry Pi that you can get (free) called INDIGO Sky. ? The idea is you put the Pi on your scope and connect all your cameras, mount, etc. Then go back to your computer and run any application that supports INDIGO (CloudMakers.eu have lots of INDIGO based apps) and your devices just "show up". ?You don't have to understand networking. ? There is one caveat which is that it only discovers devices on your local network. ?E.g. your computer will not "discover" equipment running elsewhere on the Internet. ?The discovery protocol intentionally does not go across subnets (and this makes sense ... otherwise you'd have a crazy number of devices show up that aren't yours.)
INDIGO is probably the best platform because it is the most user-friendly by far. Astronomers don't have to know anything about networking or deal with configuration. ?INDIGO is also completely backward-compatible with INDI (it also speaks the INDI network protocol which means you can mix INDI and INDIGO devices and software).
ASCOM was first and is the most widely known ... but is not portable (and probably will not be portable for many years to come ... if ever). ?This means it is stuck being the least network-friendly and the most complex and confusing platform out there.
Quite a few of the "problems" people have with their mounts aren't actually mount problems... they're ASCOM problems.
Clear skies, Tim
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 20, 2020, at 10:56 AM, Brian Valente <bvalente@...> wrote:
? Tying?this in to another topic, I run a small computer on top of my telescope and use windows remote desktop to log in to it (as do many)
i installed Ascom Alpaca on both that computer and my desktop, and i was able to connect my stellarium on my desktop to the gemini running on my telescope. worked perfectly!
Ah..
Now it makes sense..
I
hate Stellarium, and was all excited that I could use something else..
Hopefully
my favorite program works, or I can get it to work.. Was just working on that..
?
Derek
?
?
Yeah this is kind of a big deal, i'm surprised it's not getting more
headlines!
native ascom support in Stellarium, and it works great. I was never
really a fan of stellarium but i'm warming up to it with this update ;)
?
On Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 1:23 AM Chip Louie <chiplouie@...> wrote:
Derek,
The latest 19.3 version of Stellarvue
now has direct ASCOM support for telescope control. You no longer need to use
Stellarium Scope!
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
--
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Tying?this in to another topic, I run a small computer on top of my telescope and use windows remote desktop to log in to it (as do many)
i installed Ascom Alpaca on both that computer and my desktop, and i was able to connect my stellarium on my desktop to the gemini running on my telescope. worked perfectly!
Ah..
Now it makes sense..
I
hate Stellarium, and was all excited that I could use something else..
Hopefully
my favorite program works, or I can get it to work.. Was just working on that..
?
Derek
?
?
Yeah this is kind of a big deal, i'm surprised it's not getting more
headlines!
native ascom support in Stellarium, and it works great. I was never
really a fan of stellarium but i'm warming up to it with this update ;)
?
On Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 1:23 AM Chip Louie <chiplouie@...> wrote:
Derek,
The latest 19.3 version of Stellarvue
now has direct ASCOM support for telescope control. You no longer need to use
Stellarium Scope!
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
--
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Ah..
Now it makes sense..
I
hate Stellarium, and was all excited that I could use something else..
Hopefully
my favorite program works, or I can get it to work.. Was just working on that..
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Valente
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2020
5:03 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io]
Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
?
Yeah this is kind of a big deal, i'm surprised it's not getting more
headlines!
native ascom support in Stellarium, and it works great. I was never
really a fan of stellarium but i'm warming up to it with this update ;)
?
On Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 1:23 AM Chip Louie <chiplouie@...> wrote:
Derek,
The latest 19.3 version of Stellarvue
now has direct ASCOM support for telescope control. You no longer need to use
Stellarium Scope!
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
--
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Huh??
What??
Please
elaborate..
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chip Louie
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2020
1:24 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io]
Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
?
Derek,
The latest 19.3 version of Stellarvue
now has direct ASCOM support for telescope control. You no longer need to use
Stellarium Scope!
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Yeah this is kind of a big deal, i'm surprised it's not getting more headlines!
native ascom support in Stellarium, and it works great. I was never really a fan of stellarium but i'm warming up to it with this update ;)
On Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 1:23 AM Chip Louie < chiplouie@...> wrote: Derek,
The latest 19.3 version of Stellarvue now has direct ASCOM support for telescope control. You no longer need to use Stellarium Scope!
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Derek,
The latest 19.3 version of Stellarvue now has direct ASCOM support for telescope control. You no longer need to use Stellarium Scope!
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
|
Re: PoleMaster Add-on... Anybody use one?
Regarding the accuracy issue: The mounting of the telescope is not relevant to polar alignment. ?Polar alignment is about aligning the polar axis of the mount to be parallel to the Earth¡¯s axis. ?It has nothing to do with where the telescope is pointed. ?That¡¯s why the physical pointing of the Polemaster or other camera used for alignment is not critical. ?
If the telescope is not parallel to the polar axis in the plane of the dec axis, then you will have cone error. That¡¯s a different issue, addressed by the mounting of the telescope. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Thank You Again, Losmandy buddies!
OK, now I'm leaning hard the other way.
I've downloaded Sharp Cap for a check out. As I have the software for Polemaster.
I downloaded Sharp Cap years ago, but found it too advanced for me at that time. So I got used to using individual programs and figuring things out by my boot straps. I guess I wasn't ready... then.
I already have my Guide Scope Camera, as well as my Atik Infinity Main telescope camera. The Atik I've used for my PA by manually fine tuning my PA on start up, before beginning Alignment. So I am kinda use to using my telescope to fine adjust my Polar Alignment.
I agree that using a Polemaster mounted to the mount might have repeat accuracy issues. Because if you remove and replace your telescope et al, like I do, then the aim of the Polemaster and the aim of the telescope can vary. Making the results vary from time to time, in my opinion, based on my experience.
My thoughts on that would be to , with everything else, so it is as accurate to the Telescope, Guide Camera, Red Dot sight, and Laser Pointer all co-aligned.
I was also planning on a DUP14 bar to transfer my telescope to, maybe. I presently have a solid, custom made, Vixen bar I bought from a machinist on Ebay. And I've converted my ED80T CF telescope to Williams rings.
My reason for the DUP14 was for the options it could open up for me to work with, like improving the mounting of my focuser for one thing. Or any other brain farts as I go along.
Early on, when starting out, I got my initial equipment together, and tried with two different Off-Axis Guiders and my Orion Star Shoot guide camera to do through the telescope guiding. Good in theory, bad in application.
As soon as I achiest to a guide scope, I found instant success. But it set me on a course for accuracy getting things to aim at the same place in the Universe, and how far off things can be at thousandths of an inch.
So utilizing the telescope, and it's already in use cameras makes sense to me. Over adding yet an additional device I have to dial in yet again.
If I stumble and fail again, like with an OAG on a small refractor did, I could always add a Polemaster later. But currently PA with my MOT and camera is not a foreign language to me. I've been doing that for a while now.
I do appreciate all your help and input. Thank You!
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Hi Brian,
Oh, completely imaging. Nebula.
ASCOM is resident with me. One of the first things I downloaded in the beginning. A pre-requisite.
Gemini.net is new to me. But I knew I'd be learning a lot of new tricks with a new mount. ;^) Will it jump out of ASCOM?
I've been looking at N.I.N.A. and it has a directional controller in it. (Virtual controller) Have you ever looked at it?
All of this would be so much easier with a mount. ;^) :^0
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Thanks Derek and Mearl!
Glad to hear I can stay with Stellarium. I actually rely heavily on it to find and target the objects I want to image. With my old mount, I'd pick an object and use the telescope icon to slew to. Then center my victim, start PHD2, and suck the light out of them. It made acquisition easy.
I have Sharpcap onboard both computers as of today. So can jump start it when I get my mount. (I usually parallel programs in my computers so if all else fails I have back-up to back up too.) IF?I even need to...
I did explore Cart Du Ciel years ago, but got lost quick. I don't think I got past page 1.? :^(? ?Never did learn French. And I must say I tend to avoid DSLR geared programs.
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Hi Sonny
assuming you are imaging, these are the essentials:
ASCOM platform Gemini.net driver
for polar alignment, i use sharpcap and/or polemaster, depending.
regarding guiding, there are several options but PHD (freeware) is quite popular and for good reason. It has been well maintained and continues to evolve. advances like PPEC guiding algorithm are great
for imaging, there are a lot of options. I personally use Sequence Generator Pro, which includes many functions like image acquisition, framing and mosaic automation, autofocus (if you have a focuser), plate solving, integration with PHD for guiding, filterwheel support, additional automation (dome, flat panel, etc.).? NINA is a similar application in scope, some people prefer the user experience of NINA and it also includes a planetarium app if you like that kind of thing
If you want to improve your mount's performance, you can consider periodic error correction inside the mount. PEMPro is the only software package that currently does this for Gemini
There are many other options out there, so ask around. My choices were for capability to run completely unattended, and low price
OK, here again showing my DUMB card.
I'm wondering what programs others use to run a Losmandy Gemini II mount with.
I'm pretty handy at grabbing programs from the Internet. And have my favorites I've gotten used to using.
But does a Losmandy Mount with Gemini II just jump to life and PHD2 Guiding natively run?
Will N.I.N.A. run a Gemini II? ASCOM (J2000)?
This is a brave new World for me, and wondering before I actually get to turn the key.
I'm coming from a rather troublesome Celestron Advanced VX (AVX) mount and I've sworn off any more off-shore made mount.
When I finally woke up and explored Losmandy Mounts I knew where I was going for my next mount. (And at my age, likely last mount. But I have the caveat of an interested Grandson to aim my stuff at.)
I've already scrubbed all Celestron from my computers, and washed the bad taste from my mouth; Changed Stellarium to look for a Losmandy G-11 mount (which I hope works for a GM811G), which is encouraging to find in the mounts.
And I have the practically memorized.
Sorry if this is a dumb question. But I'm not afraid to ask dumb questions. Sometimes my dumb questions get answers that even help the smart guys... ;^)
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
I have G811 for two years.? Works great...no modifications needed.
Sharpcap Pro for polar align through my astrograph reflector, and also for my ZWO color camera control and image capture.? Live stacking great in Sharpcap.? Also great for plate solving after first star sync at Cold Start. No need to stay outside for an hour building models.? I have a pier to set up on each night out. ZWO guide camera running PHD2.
Ascom Gemini hand control for Gemini2 to control mount and Gemini.net once in a while.? Carte du Ciel (free) works great with Gemini Ascom to locate objects and slew there.
There is a learning curve!? Lots to learn since retired.? I am 71 and wifi to the house with free NoMachine app. All USB to PC I keep in car next to mount.
Good luck!
From VA coufy skies!
Stellarium
/ Stellarium Scope / Gemini.net / PHD2 is the #1 most common setup..
?
I
use them all on my G11..
?
There
is another good reason to ask ¡°dumb questions¡±, and not to be
afraid to do so ¨C which I am not either ¨C and that is because
someone else someone wants to know the answer but *IS* afraid to ask.. My
stupid questions are legion around the web.. :-))
?
Derek
?
?
OK, here again showing my DUMB card.
I'm wondering what programs others use to run a Losmandy Gemini II mount with.
I'm pretty handy at grabbing programs from the Internet. And have my favorites
I've gotten used to using.
But does a Losmandy Mount with Gemini II just jump to life and PHD2 Guiding
natively run?
Will N.I.N.A. run a Gemini II? ASCOM (J2000)?
This is a brave new World for me, and wondering before I actually get to turn
the key.
I'm coming from a rather troublesome Celestron Advanced VX (AVX) mount and I've
sworn off any more off-shore made mount.
When I finally woke up and explored Losmandy Mounts I knew where I was going
for my next mount. (And at my age, likely
last mount. But I
have the caveat of an interested Grandson to aim my stuff at.)
I've already scrubbed all Celestron from my computers, and washed the bad taste
from my mouth; Changed Stellarium to look for a Losmandy G-11 mount (which I
hope works for a GM811G), which is encouraging to find in the mounts.
And I have the practically memorized.
Sorry if this is a dumb question. But I'm not afraid to ask dumb questions.
Sometimes my dumb questions get answers that even help the smart guys... ;^)
|
Re: Replacing Old Clutch Discs in a CG11
Hi Frank,
Thanks for explaining your CG11 condition, but that is a very unusually messed up system..?
I have one of this same CG11 mounts too.? Its clutch disks were also contaminated by oils and this is not unusual.? But it can be mostly prevented.??
The clutch pads in a CG11 are either both 3.5 inch OD (RA size) or one each of 3.5 and 4.25 inch OD (DEC size).? Here is a picture of my CG11 RA clutch section showing why the diameter there is only 3.5 inch due to the 3 bolts.?
I think Losmandy sells only the present G11 4.25 inch OD size...at least when I contacted them last.? Those are the stock white plastic clutch disks.? But I don't recommend those for Astro imaging...the slipping has been a problem for many people doing imaging.?
So the reason your clutch disks were found glued to one metal surface was probably intentional.? The original disks are both intentionally slippery (when dry, as designed for visual push-to use), and their flat smooth surface acts as a capillary to suck in oils if they migrate from the lubed needle bearings nearby.? There was one report of an owner using heavy auto wheel grease to stick down one side of the clutch disk, to allow only one surface to possibly slip.
Anyway, if you want some correct size disks that are higher friction for imaging work, and can prevent oil capillary diffusion, let me know...and the sizes you need for your CG11.
_______
The other problem you mention, distortion of the rear AZ threaded rod, is the first report of that I've seen. Maybe someone tried to force the AZ to move when the AZ bolt locks were tight.? ?
I do find that the AZ bolts are either locked down so you can't adjust the AZ, or go too loose so the mount head vertical position is wobbly.? This is a problem when trying to polar drift align.??
I find two improvements help:?
a) put a 3/8 inch Belleville spring washer on the bottom center bolt head (I bound mine also with a flat 3/8 washer too).? That helps keep the vertical axis stable.? ? b) The other improvement is to put one or two 3/8 Belleville spring washers under the AZ bolt lockdown heads.? Then you have an AZ holding that can be either locked or slightly loosened with spring adjustable force.??
Here are a picture of the AZ spring washers in place (under the red cap AZ bolt, and one on the yellow Elevation locking knob too).? I have these parts too in case you want them.? I install color head T handles help me find these in near darkness, but if course black is an easy option.??
Very best, Michael
On Sun, Jan 19, 2020, 12:28 PM Frank < ffowsky@...> wrote: I wanted to pass along my experience with clutch disc? R&R on an old apparently never used Celestron G11 mount.? I believe never used because inspection of the RA and Dec shafts would show no roller bearing tracks.? The original discs were completely saturated with grease [remnants of white grease].? They were stuck as if melted onto the mount's surface.? Once gently pried off and the surfaces cleaned, there remained faint very thin what appeared to be deposits left by the old discs.? Alcohol 99% then Brakleen failed to remove what at first I thought were smudges.? Close inspection of the old discs revealed what I would term delamination.? The marks on the alloy surface matched depressions in the old disc's surface.? I placed a call to Losmandy, they never encountered this and suggested using a razor blade to remove the residue. ? I took great care not to nick or scratch the surface in any way.? The material/residue was very thin and very slick making the (new) razor blade skip over its surface, the deposits would not budge, still visible and not easily felt with a fingernail.
Ok, bring out and test all types of solvents.? Finally some very strong Epoxy Paint remover, briefly applied then wiped off worked.? The spots/material was gone and I had not left any razor blade marks.? Whew.
Another repair, which was not immediately noticed,? was the need to replace a bent Azimuth Adjusting SS Threaded Shaft.? Look for wobbling Adjuster Knobs while rotating the adjuster.? The !/4" -28 x ~3" rod could have easily been bend if the mount got bumped.
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Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Stellarium
/ Stellarium Scope / Gemini.net / PHD2 is the #1 most common setup..
?
I
use them all on my G11..
?
There
is another good reason to ask ¡°dumb questions¡±, and not to be
afraid to do so ¨C which I am not either ¨C and that is because
someone else someone wants to know the answer but *IS* afraid to ask.. My
stupid questions are legion around the web.. :-))
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of sonnyedmonds@...
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2020
2:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Losmandy_users_io]
Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
?
OK, here again showing my DUMB card.
I'm wondering what programs others use to run a Losmandy Gemini II mount with.
I'm pretty handy at grabbing programs from the Internet. And have my favorites
I've gotten used to using.
But does a Losmandy Mount with Gemini II just jump to life and PHD2 Guiding
natively run?
Will N.I.N.A. run a Gemini II? ASCOM (J2000)?
This is a brave new World for me, and wondering before I actually get to turn
the key.
I'm coming from a rather troublesome Celestron Advanced VX (AVX) mount and I've
sworn off any more off-shore made mount.
When I finally woke up and explored Losmandy Mounts I knew where I was going
for my next mount. (And at my age, likely
last mount. But I
have the caveat of an interested Grandson to aim my stuff at.)
I've already scrubbed all Celestron from my computers, and washed the bad taste
from my mouth; Changed Stellarium to look for a Losmandy G-11 mount (which I
hope works for a GM811G), which is encouraging to find in the mounts.
And I have the practically memorized.
Sorry if this is a dumb question. But I'm not afraid to ask dumb questions.
Sometimes my dumb questions get answers that even help the smart guys... ;^)
|
Re: PoleMaster Add-on... Anybody use one?
I
used the DUP14 for one other reason.. So I could add weights ¨C Farpoint brand
Lightbridge counterweights ¨C so I could move the very nose heavy triplet
much farther forward in the saddle so the diagonal wouldn¡¯t swing such a
large arc and hit the tripod legs at the drop of a hat..
?
Now
I have the guidescope on it ¨C a very heavy 80mm NightHawk II ¨C and it
still balances at the same point..
?
See
Attached..
?
Derek
|
Re: Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
Edit In:
I'm used to running with a small computer at the mount, and doing remote from inside the house when imaging.
Forgot to clarify that....
|
Trying to figure out, what do you use to run your Losmandy mount?
OK, here again showing my DUMB card.
I'm wondering what programs others use to run a Losmandy Gemini II mount with.
I'm pretty handy at grabbing programs from the Internet. And have my favorites I've gotten used to using.
But does a Losmandy Mount with Gemini II just jump to life and PHD2 Guiding natively run?
Will N.I.N.A. run a Gemini II? ASCOM (J2000)?
This is a brave new World for me, and wondering before I actually get to turn the key.
I'm coming from a rather troublesome Celestron Advanced VX (AVX) mount and I've sworn off any more off-shore made mount.
When I finally woke up and explored Losmandy Mounts I knew where I was going for my next mount. (And at my age, likely last mount. But I have the caveat of an interested Grandson to aim my stuff at.)
I've already scrubbed all Celestron from my computers, and washed the bad taste from my mouth; Changed Stellarium to look for a Losmandy G-11 mount (which I hope works for a GM811G), which is encouraging to find in the mounts.
And I have the practically memorized.
Sorry if this is a dumb question. But I'm not afraid to ask dumb questions. Sometimes my dumb questions get answers that even help the smart guys... ;^)
|
Re: Replacing Old Clutch Discs in a CG11
Very helpful for anyone else who might encounter such problems, Frank.
Epoxy Paint Remover, who'da thunk?
Thanks!
|
Timothy Campbell
Chip Louie
Mearl Balmer
Michael Herman