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.
He means the ASCOM device hub (it gets installed with the ascom platform). You then connect PHD2 and stellarium both to the Device hub (which shows up as an ascom device itself). And the device hub is
He means the ASCOM device hub (it gets installed with the ascom platform). You then connect PHD2 and stellarium both to the Device hub (which shows up as an ascom device itself). And the device hub is
Hi there,
i am new here, hope i am doing this right :')
I have recently build two onstep drives, one mks and one Fysetc (for a diy startracker and for my LXD75). This works absolutely brilliant, in
Hi there,
i am new here, hope i am doing this right :')
I have recently build two onstep drives, one mks and one Fysetc (for a diy startracker and for my LXD75). This works absolutely brilliant, in
It is possible that the folks designing the carriers for the LV8729 have provided the IC pin 6 with logic power so that it could be used on circuits the were designed for the A4988 and DVR8825, but
It is possible that the folks designing the carriers for the LV8729 have provided the IC pin 6 with logic power so that it could be used on circuits the were designed for the A4988 and DVR8825, but
Which version of the ESP8266 board manager are you using? I am using 2.4.2 which is said to be stable, and seems what others have used with the MKS.
Could you post a picture of your wiring of the
Which version of the ESP8266 board manager are you using? I am using 2.4.2 which is said to be stable, and seems what others have used with the MKS.
Could you post a picture of your wiring of the
Hello Everyone,
Thank you guys so much for spending your time and helping me.
Hoped to find an easy solution for my focusers but didn’t happen.
This morning found another fault – the 12V
Hello Everyone,
Thank you guys so much for spending your time and helping me.
Hoped to find an easy solution for my focusers but didn’t happen.
This morning found another fault – the 12V
Hi All, This is my first post so be nice, I have managed to successfully integrate Onstep onto my EQ5 mount and everything was working a dream until I blue up my Bluepill. I have been looking at my
Hi All, This is my first post so be nice, I have managed to successfully integrate Onstep onto my EQ5 mount and everything was working a dream until I blue up my Bluepill. I have been looking at my
Hola, tengo armado un equipo con
Esp32 Wemos y CN3.
Hoy estoy terminando la temporada de invierno acá en San Juan Arg.
Utilizó NINA para todo. Nikon D7100,
PHD2, Cartes du cier por qué puedo
Hola, tengo armado un equipo con
Esp32 Wemos y CN3.
Hoy estoy terminando la temporada de invierno acá en San Juan Arg.
Utilizó NINA para todo. Nikon D7100,
PHD2, Cartes du cier por qué puedo
Jay,
Thanks for your reply. When you say a "device hub" would that be a USB hub? If so, then I would use two different USB ports on the laptop to connect to the hub...one port for PHD2 program, the
Jay,
Thanks for your reply. When you say a "device hub" would that be a USB hub? If so, then I would use two different USB ports on the laptop to connect to the hub...one port for PHD2 program, the
I *may* have found the short. Because the short was intermittent, I picked up the board for yet another inspection, and when the short went away again. I tapped the board on my work bench and lo and
I *may* have found the short. Because the short was intermittent, I picked up the board for yet another inspection, and when the short went away again. I tapped the board on my work bench and lo and
The behaviour is different in 4.24 (for the better ...)
Even without that parameter, a mount that has the location and time set should be able to slew immediately, then track automatically after the
The behaviour is different in 4.24 (for the better ...)
Even without that parameter, a mount that has the location and time set should be able to slew immediately, then track automatically after the
First of all thanks by your fast response.
I did the trick... was a newbie mistake...
I've trying to do a slew as soon as I set the Observing Site and Date/Time... After your answer I realized that
First of all thanks by your fast response.
I did the trick... was a newbie mistake...
I've trying to do a slew as soon as I set the Observing Site and Date/Time... After your answer I realized that
I don't have an Alt-Az mount, so there may be differences.
On an equatorial mount, OnStep 4.24 has a major improvement in usability over
older versions. That is, it can slew immediately if the
I don't have an Alt-Az mount, so there may be differences.
On an equatorial mount, OnStep 4.24 has a major improvement in usability over
older versions. That is, it can slew immediately if the
Hi Khalid, how are you?
I'm struggling with backlash on 100:1 planetary gearbox here, I use an handcrafted dobsonian mount, and I'm triyng to motorize that.
I saw this method os backlash adjustment
Hi Khalid, how are you?
I'm struggling with backlash on 100:1 planetary gearbox here, I use an handcrafted dobsonian mount, and I'm triyng to motorize that.
I saw this method os backlash adjustment
Not sure if this is the problem but it is advised that the Teensy's 5V power from USB be cut (per the Wiki assembly instructions.)
[I get the feeling from the discussion this might not have been
Not sure if this is the problem but it is advised that the Teensy's 5V power from USB be cut (per the Wiki assembly instructions.)
[I get the feeling from the discussion this might not have been
I have been successful using Onstep connected to Stellarium (direct connect via USB serial port into Onstep). I also have a SHC running on Onstep.
I am now trying to figure out how to do guiding
I have been successful using Onstep connected to Stellarium (direct connect via USB serial port into Onstep). I also have a SHC running on Onstep.
I am now trying to figure out how to do guiding
Were these drivers requiring EN pulled HIGH to become enabled (a rather rare situation) it seems impossible they would have worked with other designs (as was the case evidently) without Dimitrov
Were these drivers requiring EN pulled HIGH to become enabled (a rather rare situation) it seems impossible they would have worked with other designs (as was the case evidently) without Dimitrov
Thank you!
My target mount is a CG5-class, either an LX70 or a Exos2 – I have both.
As for motors, I have a variety, some Nema 14 and others Nema 17. However, I am thinking of what to do now
Thank you!
My target mount is a CG5-class, either an LX70 or a Exos2 – I have both.
As for motors, I have a variety, some Nema 14 and others Nema 17. However, I am thinking of what to do now
