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.
That is what I am currently doing with the TM6600 External Driver but there is no
uStep change sent to the driver in slew/goto. That is what I am trying to add.
Maybe there is a way to set one of
That is what I am currently doing with the TM6600 External Driver but there is no
uStep change sent to the driver in slew/goto. That is what I am trying to add.
Maybe there is a way to set one of
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:25 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:20 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
With OnStepX one could in theory correct tracking (as a servo motor driver) but that's
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:25 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:20 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
With OnStepX one could in theory correct tracking (as a servo motor driver) but that's
Note that TMC2209 support like this requires using the FYSETC TMC2209 version 3.1 as they have an onboard 1k resistor between TX and the TMC2209 chips PDN pin (and so RX pin.) That is required and
Note that TMC2209 support like this requires using the FYSETC TMC2209 version 3.1 as they have an onboard 1k resistor between TX and the TMC2209 chips PDN pin (and so RX pin.) That is required and
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 12:05 PM, Howard Dutton wrote:
That said once TMC2209 SoftwareSerial mode is checked out and OnStepX is released I will likely add the TMC2209 and TMC2226 to the list. In
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 12:05 PM, Howard Dutton wrote:
That said once TMC2209 SoftwareSerial mode is checked out and OnStepX is released I will likely add the TMC2209 and TMC2226 to the list. In
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 11:24 AM, Vladimir wrote:
Didn't knew that, I think Max series wiki page state that only SPI drivers can be used with MaxSTM but I didn't go for details...Best left that way and
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 11:24 AM, Vladimir wrote:
Didn't knew that, I think Max series wiki page state that only SPI drivers can be used with MaxSTM but I didn't go for details...Best left that way and
Thanks Howard, I think that the above is beyond my abilities as I have been out of the game, retired for 20 years now. Since TMC5160s are not available, my progress has stopped, so I will have to
Thanks Howard, I think that the above is beyond my abilities as I have been out of the game, retired for 20 years now. Since TMC5160s are not available, my progress has stopped, so I will have to
On Sun, May 8, 2022 at 12:48 PM, Ken Hunter wrote:
On the Amazon TB6600 driver (which is actually using a TB67S109AFTG
Driver module to get 32 uSteps) I can switch from 32 to 8 uSteps by
supplying
On Sun, May 8, 2022 at 12:48 PM, Ken Hunter wrote:
On the Amazon TB6600 driver (which is actually using a TB67S109AFTG
Driver module to get 32 uSteps) I can switch from 32 to 8 uSteps by
supplying
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 03:31 PM, Howard Dutton wrote:
No reason a MaxSTM3.6 can't work with stand alone drivers.Didn't knew that, I think Max series wiki page state that only SPI drivers can be used
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 03:31 PM, Howard Dutton wrote:
No reason a MaxSTM3.6 can't work with stand alone drivers.Didn't knew that, I think Max series wiki page state that only SPI drivers can be used
Yeah, this is treasure, however on MaxESP3 only some combinations of modes will work because two out of three cfg pins are connected together and but if wisely connected this can be very usable.
Yeah, this is treasure, however on MaxESP3 only some combinations of modes will work because two out of three cfg pins are connected together and but if wisely connected this can be very usable.
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 09:56 AM, eugenecisneros wrote:
Is there any plan to make the MaxSTM3.6 compatible with stand alone drivers whereby microsteps can be changed for goto speeds?No.
You are free to
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 09:56 AM, eugenecisneros wrote:
Is there any plan to make the MaxSTM3.6 compatible with stand alone drivers whereby microsteps can be changed for goto speeds?No.
You are free to
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 06:31 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
No reason a MaxSTM3.6 can't work with stand alone drivers. You might want to add a pair of enable pins to the pinmap for Axis1 and Axis2, I'd map
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 06:31 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
No reason a MaxSTM3.6 can't work with stand alone drivers. You might want to add a pair of enable pins to the pinmap for Axis1 and Axis2, I'd map
Dear members.,
First of all, I have very limited electronic and electric knowledge, but I have assembled a few onstep controller kits with great success. But right now im struggling to install a
Dear members.,
First of all, I have very limited electronic and electric knowledge, but I have assembled a few onstep controller kits with great success. But right now im struggling to install a
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:20 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
With OnStepX one could in theory correct tracking (as a servo motor driver) but that's another thing.... and the idea a $33 18bit magnetic encoder
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:20 AM, Howard Dutton wrote:
With OnStepX one could in theory correct tracking (as a servo motor driver) but that's another thing.... and the idea a $33 18bit magnetic encoder
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:05 AM, Hanif Nanda wrote:
1. What type of encoder is currently supported with onstep?A/B Quadrature.
CW/CCW.
Broadcom AS37-H39B 23bit absolute (BISS-C interface.)
2. Is
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 07:05 AM, Hanif Nanda wrote:
1. What type of encoder is currently supported with onstep?A/B Quadrature.
CW/CCW.
Broadcom AS37-H39B 23bit absolute (BISS-C interface.)
2. Is
Hi.......I have modified the mount several times using onstep such as EQ5,CG4 dan EQ3-M. I'm planning to add a rotary encoder to my mount. I'm currently using MAX STM. There are a few things I want to
Hi.......I have modified the mount several times using onstep such as EQ5,CG4 dan EQ3-M. I'm planning to add a rotary encoder to my mount. I'm currently using MAX STM. There are a few things I want to
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 03:53 AM, Vladimir wrote:
Will MaxSTM 3.6 support Fysetc TMC2209 v3.1 in UART mode on OnStepX?Not sure as it hasn't been tested. But in theory, yes. SoftwareSerial mode and
On Mon, May 9, 2022 at 03:53 AM, Vladimir wrote:
Will MaxSTM 3.6 support Fysetc TMC2209 v3.1 in UART mode on OnStepX?Not sure as it hasn't been tested. But in theory, yes. SoftwareSerial mode and
@Howard
Will MaxSTM 3.6 support Fysetc TMC2209 v3.1 in UART mode on OnStepX? If not, then it may be cheaper for him to replace board with something that work with standalone drivers and then use
@Howard
Will MaxSTM 3.6 support Fysetc TMC2209 v3.1 in UART mode on OnStepX? If not, then it may be cheaper for him to replace board with something that work with standalone drivers and then use
First opportunity to work with the 20" since last October. Uploaded version 4.xx to the box, set the Backlash settings, and performed a few alignments and gotos. The scope consistently points short
First opportunity to work with the 20" since last October. Uploaded version 4.xx to the box, set the Backlash settings, and performed a few alignments and gotos. The scope consistently points short
