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.
Hi,
I am writing for a friend, who has a Saturn mount and a Teensy 3.2 but can't write english very well. After a meridian flip the scope is pointing to the ground, seems like the DEC is inversed. Any
Hi,
I am writing for a friend, who has a Saturn mount and a Teensy 3.2 but can't write english very well. After a meridian flip the scope is pointing to the ground, seems like the DEC is inversed. Any
By
Christian Schulbert <chris.schulbert@...>
·
#19219
·
Hello, Howard, or whom it may concern...
now that the latest version is working i want to build the (simple) smart hand controller. Can I build and operate the Simple smart hand controller (with the
Hello, Howard, or whom it may concern...
now that the latest version is working i want to build the (simple) smart hand controller. Can I build and operate the Simple smart hand controller (with the
I got a direct message from him with this:
If that is how you calculated, then it could be wrong.
GR2 is the reduction between the motor and the worm gear (100:1 in your case)
GR1 is the worm wheel
I got a direct message from him with this:
If that is how you calculated, then it could be wrong.
GR2 is the reduction between the motor and the worm gear (100:1 in your case)
GR1 is the worm wheel
I'm building another board and now get problem in STM32 it keeping blink PC13 LED and cannot program to board (maybe boot1 not work), I've changed the board but same result in all 3 board. This
I'm building another board and now get problem in STM32 it keeping blink PC13 LED and cannot program to board (maybe boot1 not work), I've changed the board but same result in all 3 board. This
Olá, qualquer um, eu finalizo minha primeira etapa, tudo acabou, tudo está bem, mas minha velocidade lateral é muito alta, tipo 160x mais, eu estou usando duas nema 17 com redução de planetário
Olá, qualquer um, eu finalizo minha primeira etapa, tudo acabou, tudo está bem, mas minha velocidade lateral é muito alta, tipo 160x mais, eu estou usando duas nema 17 com redução de planetário
I have been having the most success with my EQ5, 130mm Newtonian and 50mm guidescope combination using all three of refraction compensation, OnStep PEC playback and Predictive Pec (PPEC) in PHD2. I
I have been having the most success with my EQ5, 130mm Newtonian and 50mm guidescope combination using all three of refraction compensation, OnStep PEC playback and Predictive Pec (PPEC) in PHD2. I
This case of the FEATURE_LIST_DS option being enabled and no devices found is now more informative:
Dallas/Maxim OneWire bus device s/n's:
No DS18B20 devices found
No DS2413 devices found
This case of the FEATURE_LIST_DS option being enabled and no devices found is now more informative:
Dallas/Maxim OneWire bus device s/n's:
No DS18B20 devices found
No DS2413 devices found
Hi, Tomo (?)
i've got it from my FritzWlanApp while sending a GOTO command. It's about 20m distance...
but don't ask me about technical details...
best wishes Matthias (stay healthy) and clear
Hi, Tomo (?)
i've got it from my FritzWlanApp while sending a GOTO command. It's about 20m distance...
but don't ask me about technical details...
best wishes Matthias (stay healthy) and clear
I doubt it will matter much given the other tracking errors (worm PE, etc.) but turning it on shouldn't hurt. Just be sure dual axis is off since you don't want Dec constantly bouncing back and forth
I doubt it will matter much given the other tracking errors (worm PE, etc.) but turning it on shouldn't hurt. Just be sure dual axis is off since you don't want Dec constantly bouncing back and forth
Plus AstroEQ is arduino based. No flexibility to use faster, more capable boards.
My first project was AstroEQ. It convinced me that a stepper system for telescope control could be feasible.
But
Plus AstroEQ is arduino based. No flexibility to use faster, more capable boards.
My first project was AstroEQ. It convinced me that a stepper system for telescope control could be feasible.
But
OnStep was started in August of '12, I don't have the sources from then but I do have the revision log from an early version (about 1 year later) still on
OnStep was started in August of '12, I don't have the sources from then but I do have the revision log from an early version (about 1 year later) still on
One of the most buetiful thing of Onstep is to be opensource and having varius economical and object configuration, olso if I think that no many people help in the development.
AstroEQ was maybe the
One of the most buetiful thing of Onstep is to be opensource and having varius economical and object configuration, olso if I think that no many people help in the development.
AstroEQ was maybe the
Yes, don't use dual axis & guiding unless you have a zero backlash Declination drive.
GitHub can browse the OnStep history, pick a branch and work your way back to see the comments/changes.
Generally
Yes, don't use dual axis & guiding unless you have a zero backlash Declination drive.
GitHub can browse the OnStep history, pick a branch and work your way back to see the comments/changes.
Generally
Thanks again. I will email you the config. I have made so many changes over the months hardware wise that I will need to check my teeth counts on both pulleys.
Regards
Terry.
Thanks again. I will email you the config. I have made so many changes over the months hardware wise that I will need to check my teeth counts on both pulleys.
Regards
Terry.