Since I aquired an Losmandy G11 mount without any goto provision I decided to create my own solution. I was a bit reluctant to use a Gemini, mainly because of the cost, but also due to the reliability since the servo motors are somewhat prone to failure. I also like to have complete control over the software/firmware so that no "show stopper" issues will ever be a problem for me. Looking around the 'net I saw other goto systems that seemed capable, but either they had needlessly complex hardware or were commercial systems that cost about twice what they should.
OnStep is a computerized goto system, usually for stepper motor equipped mounts though any step/dir interface motor driver (including servo) should work. It was designed, from the beginning, as a more or less general purpose system and provisions were made in the firmware to allow for use on a variety of mounts including Equatorial and Alt/Az (GEM, Fork, Dobsonian, etc.) It uses an LX200 like computer command set with a few extensions to suit hand controller-less operation.
There's a telescope hand controller App for Android (free in the Google Play Store,) an option to control through a website (Smart Web Server,) and a dedicated physical hand controller (Smart Hand Controller.) Or, on a PC there's ASCOM and INDI drivers for control. These options allow you to setup and control OnStep using a wide range of software including my Sky Planetarium, Cartes du Ciel, Stellarium, SkySafari, KStars, PHD2, etc. You can see most of the control possibilities in the diagram below:
Also, please visit my StellarJourney.comsite for updates, links toOnStep resources, my other astronomy software, or to see someImages taken with the assistance of my OnStep operated mounts.
If you find OnStep useful and would like to show your appreciation and support please consider making asmall monetary donation. This keeps me motivated and helps cover expenses associated with my projects.
So I'm trying to convert my CGE and all these motor choices are playing with my head. Open loop 400 step with reduction pulleys, open loop 200 step with precision planetary reduction, closed loop like
So I'm trying to convert my CGE and all these motor choices are playing with my head. Open loop 400 step with reduction pulleys, open loop 200 step with precision planetary reduction, closed loop like
Looking closely the BIGTREE S42A is a different creature vs. the MKS units.
https://www.biqu.equipment/products/sdgjgh
It has usb.
It has more advanced AS5047D encoder chip (read this.)
It has the
Looking closely the BIGTREE S42A is a different creature vs. the MKS units.
https://www.biqu.equipment/products/sdgjgh
It has usb.
It has more advanced AS5047D encoder chip (read this.)
It has the
Hi all,
In the FS2 system there was no side of pier but a pointing direction wich is defined in the opposite manner. That's why Thomas and many FS2 users are when they switch to onstep or teenastro
Hi all,
In the FS2 system there was no side of pier but a pointing direction wich is defined in the opposite manner. That's why Thomas and many FS2 users are when they switch to onstep or teenastro
I tested a 1000 step 5-phase stepper motor yesterday. It was smooth and accurate in its motion but shaft angular displacement was still there and every bit as significant as any of the 400 step
I tested a 1000 step 5-phase stepper motor yesterday. It was smooth and accurate in its motion but shaft angular displacement was still there and every bit as significant as any of the 400 step
Well, that might be a stupid question, but since english is not my mother tongue, I better ask.
I can enter the pier side in Onstep. But what does that mean? Does "West" mean that the telescope is on
Well, that might be a stupid question, but since english is not my mother tongue, I better ask.
I can enter the pier side in Onstep. But what does that mean? Does "West" mean that the telescope is on
Last change to the GitHub master branch WiFi Addon was 22 days ago. I wonder if the cheapo ESP8266 flash memory misses writing a bit here and there sometimes.
I use the same Arduino IDE
Last change to the GitHub master branch WiFi Addon was 22 days ago. I wonder if the cheapo ESP8266 flash memory misses writing a bit here and there sometimes.
I use the same Arduino IDE
The good news:
The latest Wifi Addon (github checkout this morning) works with the Onstep 3.13c on my Teensy3.6.
The bad news:
I'm going out of my mind. As I said I checked out the latest code
The good news:
The latest Wifi Addon (github checkout this morning) works with the Onstep 3.13c on my Teensy3.6.
The bad news:
I'm going out of my mind. As I said I checked out the latest code
This is just my experience with polar alignment and OnStep:
I have EQ5 mount with a short tube refractor that I use for visual only. I polar aligned the mount once and marked the position of the
This is just my experience with polar alignment and OnStep:
I have EQ5 mount with a short tube refractor that I use for visual only. I polar aligned the mount once and marked the position of the
I'm mostly done with this 4:1 belt drive for the Losmandy GM8 and you can look at the design here. I'm just waiting on pulleys and belt coming from china and I can test this, though I have no reason
I'm mostly done with this 4:1 belt drive for the Losmandy GM8 and you can look at the design here. I'm just waiting on pulleys and belt coming from china and I can test this, though I have no reason
To get this perfectly right, you need the laser to be attached to the mount itself (not the optical tube), and you need to have it aligned (e.g. center Polaris through the polar scope opening, and
To get this perfectly right, you need the laser to be attached to the mount itself (not the optical tube), and you need to have it aligned (e.g. center Polaris through the polar scope opening, and
