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.
The feature in question here is for adjusting the tracking rates for refraction or refraction and the pointing model.
This can include the Declination Axis or not also.
If the Declination axis is
The feature in question here is for adjusting the tracking rates for refraction or refraction and the pointing model.
This can include the Declination Axis or not also.
If the Declination axis is
I can't comment on the "havoc on DEC" part ...
But this is what I know:
What I said was : doing a 3+ star alignment does not affect tracking. It only corrects Gotos.
There are two types of
I can't comment on the "havoc on DEC" part ...
But this is what I know:
What I said was : doing a 3+ star alignment does not affect tracking. It only corrects Gotos.
There are two types of
I'm confused (nothing new there)...
Khalid keeps saying that compensation does not affect tracking, only goto accurarcy but now you say compensation 'wreaks havoc with DEC guiding".
Can we have a
I'm confused (nothing new there)...
Khalid keeps saying that compensation does not affect tracking, only goto accurarcy but now you say compensation 'wreaks havoc with DEC guiding".
Can we have a
Just a little update on the status of this project.
You Tube Part 5 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsFXhdbkCPU
Next step is to finish the Home/Limit switches 3D print design. Still waiting on
Just a little update on the status of this project.
You Tube Part 5 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsFXhdbkCPU
Next step is to finish the Home/Limit switches 3D print design. Still waiting on
I'll see if something can be done. I don't want to have users blindly turning dual axis comp on though, as it wreaks havoc with Dec guiding on most mounts.
Perhaps a _MEMORY setting so your last
I'll see if something can be done. I don't want to have users blindly turning dual axis comp on though, as it wreaks havoc with Dec guiding on most mounts.
Perhaps a _MEMORY setting so your last
I saw that, and thought it is a typo. My mind said: it should be F/6.7.
But yeah, that makes it a visual only setup.
Anything near ~ 13,000 steps per degree will be more than enough for visual.
I saw that, and thought it is a typo. My mind said: it should be F/6.7.
But yeah, that makes it a visual only setup.
Anything near ~ 13,000 steps per degree will be more than enough for visual.
Good job it's not going to be used for imaging then. I thought the fact that the telescope I mentioned in my original post, my Skylight 60mm F16.7 would give away it's not an imaging set up. Still no
Good job it's not going to be used for imaging then. I thought the fact that the telescope I mentioned in my original post, my Skylight 60mm F16.7 would give away it's not an imaging set up. Still no
This mount is not well suited for astrophotography (though with a wide field
optical tube, they are acceptable).
This is because of the way it is built.
So, there is no point in increasing the
This mount is not well suited for astrophotography (though with a wide field
optical tube, they are acceptable).
This is because of the way it is built.
So, there is no point in increasing the
Thanks for all the replies guys, I will probably use the Nema 14 motors with 19:1 planetary gearbox, as it achieves the lowest resolution from all the show cases from what I can gather. Instead of
Thanks for all the replies guys, I will probably use the Nema 14 motors with 19:1 planetary gearbox, as it achieves the lowest resolution from all the show cases from what I can gather. Instead of
And to stress the point that Drew made:
Only use GT2 pulleys and belts.
They are readily available as they are the standard for the 3D printing community.
And to stress the point that Drew made:
Only use GT2 pulleys and belts.
They are readily available as they are the standard for the 3D printing community.
Don't by an extender.
Try using smaller pulleys.
For example 45T to 15T will give you the same ratio as 60T to 20T.
And even 40T to 12T will work with more reduction.
Don't by an extender.
Try using smaller pulleys.
For example 45T to 15T will give you the same ratio as 60T to 20T.
And even 40T to 12T will work with more reduction.
In general, and not specific to Sky Planetarium or any one OnStep client program, Sync
is like this:
- Start a goto on a star
- Using the N/S/W/E, center the star in the eyepiece the best you can
-
In general, and not specific to Sky Planetarium or any one OnStep client program, Sync
is like this:
- Start a goto on a star
- Using the N/S/W/E, center the star in the eyepiece the best you can
-
Its not complicated so doesn't require over-thinking.
Anywhere you could use a WiFi device (phone, tablet) you can now use the wireless SHC. The OnStep Android app connects to port 9999 and other
Its not complicated so doesn't require over-thinking.
Anywhere you could use a WiFi device (phone, tablet) you can now use the wireless SHC. The OnStep Android app connects to port 9999 and other
Do you have a ESP8266? I would get the known working setup going first. One step at a time. Next I would set up a router as a wireless repeater and see if that works.
I am not familiar with the
Do you have a ESP8266? I would get the known working setup going first. One step at a time. Next I would set up a router as a wireless repeater and see if that works.
I am not familiar with the
Thanks everyone for answering my questions re: wifiSHC. I think I will take a run at it.
I would appreciate if someone would confirm the network architecture that I would like to use would probably
Thanks everyone for answering my questions re: wifiSHC. I think I will take a run at it.
I would appreciate if someone would confirm the network architecture that I would like to use would probably
I expect this to evolve into an non-issue with OnStepX as the ASCOM driver will have the ability to make it behave correctly regardless of the PPS setting.
I expect this to evolve into an non-issue with OnStepX as the ASCOM driver will have the ability to make it behave correctly regardless of the PPS setting.
