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.
Sky Safari, and the Android OnStep app, don't use the backlash setting nor the n-star alignment internally.
They are stored within OnStep, and OnStep uses them for its own purpose.
In other words,
Sky Safari, and the Android OnStep app, don't use the backlash setting nor the n-star alignment internally.
They are stored within OnStep, and OnStep uses them for its own purpose.
In other words,
Yes corrects for the alt/az mount not being level but for go-to only, not tracking. Next version OnStepX was designed so that the pointing model applies to tracking as well as go-to. That is still a
Yes corrects for the alt/az mount not being level but for go-to only, not tracking. Next version OnStepX was designed so that the pointing model applies to tracking as well as go-to. That is still a
Great old motors. Vixen's stand by. But on the Great Polaris with an intermediary 1:! ratio and the 120:1 gearbox the pulses were visible. Think this mount has a 180:1 crown to worm ratio. So
Great old motors. Vixen's stand by. But on the Great Polaris with an intermediary 1:! ratio and the 120:1 gearbox the pulses were visible. Think this mount has a 180:1 crown to worm ratio. So
Following this topic about Alt-Az alignment. I got a few quiestion regarding on how onstep makes the caclulations for alidnment on this mode,
-How critical is the LEVELING of the mount for alt-az
Following this topic about Alt-Az alignment. I got a few quiestion regarding on how onstep makes the caclulations for alidnment on this mode,
-How critical is the LEVELING of the mount for alt-az
For the BME280, try the parameter WEATHER BME280_0x76. The value WEATHER BME280 uses the default address of 0x77 only... some of them have address 0x76.
For the BME280, try the parameter WEATHER BME280_0x76. The value WEATHER BME280 uses the default address of 0x77 only... some of them have address 0x76.
I also installed BME280 and I saw that it is the adafruit one.
Well, it was easy, hehehe.
already stores the time in DS3231
The BME280 gives me an error that I do not initialize well on the web page,
I also installed BME280 and I saw that it is the adafruit one.
Well, it was easy, hehehe.
already stores the time in DS3231
The BME280 gives me an error that I do not initialize well on the web page,
Hello everybody.
I wanted to integrate the DS3231 clock module and I thought it would be simple, but I think not. jjjj
I am using esp 32 and everything works perfectly but when trying to compile it
Hello everybody.
I wanted to integrate the DS3231 clock module and I thought it would be simple, but I think not. jjjj
I am using esp 32 and everything works perfectly but when trying to compile it
Its good to know that your home router's access point is using the 192.168.50 subnet. That makes the 192.168.50.55 that the SWS got from it on the guest network make total sense.
I'm pretty sure guest
Its good to know that your home router's access point is using the 192.168.50 subnet. That makes the 192.168.50.55 that the SWS got from it on the guest network make total sense.
I'm pretty sure guest
I didn't realize your telescope is the Zhumell Dob conversion. It looks good, good work.
However, I wonder if you backlash issue is mainly with the Altitude axis? That's a very long belt reaching down
I didn't realize your telescope is the Zhumell Dob conversion. It looks good, good work.
However, I wonder if you backlash issue is mainly with the Altitude axis? That's a very long belt reaching down
Hi Burton,
Here is the Wiki for Backlash adjustment.
It's possible to do the same thing in daylight by using a faraway object, e.g. transmitter tower or water tower, etc.
-Mike
Hi Burton,
Here is the Wiki for Backlash adjustment.
It's possible to do the same thing in daylight by using a faraway object, e.g. transmitter tower or water tower, etc.
-Mike
Hi, so I have had a few nights under my belt with my finished goto dobsonian, which uses belt drives and planetary gearboxes. I have been using a 4-star alignment with a 200x magnification, and have
Hi, so I have had a few nights under my belt with my finished goto dobsonian, which uses belt drives and planetary gearboxes. I have been using a 4-star alignment with a 200x magnification, and have
Hi!
Jumpers correct for LV8729 non SPI, but this settings for 128 microsteps. I hav seam setup, but I need set jumpers this way:
I use 32 microstep, one jumper need to remove. (MS2)
Hi!
Jumpers correct for LV8729 non SPI, but this settings for 128 microsteps. I hav seam setup, but I need set jumpers this way:
I use 32 microstep, one jumper need to remove. (MS2)
