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.
Yes but not Pro version is offered with discount, only Plus. At least in my country.
Regarding alignment and pointing models, i think this is not for OnStep, but perhaps for synta mounts which
Yes but not Pro version is offered with discount, only Plus. At least in my country.
Regarding alignment and pointing models, i think this is not for OnStep, but perhaps for synta mounts which
Thanks Howard for the detailed response.
Would you be kind enough just to say a bit more about "And the motion controller supervisor operates at 5x shorter timing intervals so it's more responsive as
Thanks Howard for the detailed response.
Would you be kind enough just to say a bit more about "And the motion controller supervisor operates at 5x shorter timing intervals so it's more responsive as
I emailed the manufacturer about the controller box, this is the reply: We can sell OnStep control box without motors or brackets. The price is $137 for one control box. delivery time:14-20 days from
I emailed the manufacturer about the controller box, this is the reply: We can sell OnStep control box without motors or brackets. The price is $137 for one control box. delivery time:14-20 days from
I believe that continually syncing to stars as you slew from target to target in Skysafari will only increase the slew accuracy in the vicinity of the last star you synced on. Doing a n-star
I believe that continually syncing to stars as you slew from target to target in Skysafari will only increase the slew accuracy in the vicinity of the last star you synced on. Doing a n-star
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 02:36 PM, Claudio Arena wrote:
Removing this lines solves the issue of the focuser never reporting being done with moving, and ASCOM now works.I've constrained these times to
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 02:36 PM, Claudio Arena wrote:
Removing this lines solves the issue of the focuser never reporting being done with moving, and ASCOM now works.I've constrained these times to
Looking good!
Reading through this post (and things I've found online) I thought the Skywatcher goto motors are NEMA 14? Can I ask why you went for 17? Is it that it has better torque?
I have Onstep
Looking good!
Reading through this post (and things I've found online) I thought the Skywatcher goto motors are NEMA 14? Can I ask why you went for 17? Is it that it has better torque?
I have Onstep
As a Sky Safari 6 Pro user, I wonder what kind of difference it will make between performing an initial 2, 3, .. .star alignment vs omitting the alignment and simply making required adjustments by
As a Sky Safari 6 Pro user, I wonder what kind of difference it will make between performing an initial 2, 3, .. .star alignment vs omitting the alignment and simply making required adjustments by
I am converting the old heq5 (heavy duty), with small nema17, and trying to insert the hardware inside.
But to soon to test, i am waiting some items...
I am using nema 17 with 16Ncm and 1.8deg, very
I am converting the old heq5 (heavy duty), with small nema17, and trying to insert the hardware inside.
But to soon to test, i am waiting some items...
I am using nema 17 with 16Ncm and 1.8deg, very
I was wondering if you'd had cance to further test this project?
I may have the opportunity to get hold of a black heq5 in the coming few days and would like to know if you think it works well enough
I was wondering if you'd had cance to further test this project?
I may have the opportunity to get hold of a black heq5 in the coming few days and would like to know if you think it works well enough
On Fri, Nov 25, 2022 at 07:36 AM, Claudio Arena wrote:
I have a weird configurationI've never used 0 for that part as the default.
If you are not unhappy with the focuser response at the default of 2
On Fri, Nov 25, 2022 at 07:36 AM, Claudio Arena wrote:
I have a weird configurationI've never used 0 for that part as the default.
If you are not unhappy with the focuser response at the default of 2
Ok, I figured it out.
When I selected an IP address instead of a com port, I had the same problem. So not communication issue.
I checked the ASCOM trace logs. The issue is that the focuser is reported
Ok, I figured it out.
When I selected an IP address instead of a com port, I had the same problem. So not communication issue.
I checked the ASCOM trace logs. The issue is that the focuser is reported
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 10:13 AM, Drew 🔭📷🚴♂️ wrote:
In SkySafari the cursor "hangs" and the debug output disappears. Then at the end of the slew debug outputs and the crosshairs are on
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 10:13 AM, Drew 🔭📷🚴♂️ wrote:
In SkySafari the cursor "hangs" and the debug output disappears. Then at the end of the slew debug outputs and the crosshairs are on
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 12:04 PM, Howard Dutton wrote:
Cursor went missing in SPIn SkySafari the cursor "hangs" and the debug output disappears. Then at the end of the slew debug outputs and the
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 12:04 PM, Howard Dutton wrote:
Cursor went missing in SPIn SkySafari the cursor "hangs" and the debug output disappears. Then at the end of the slew debug outputs and the
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 12:22 PM, alucky wrote:
I recently saw some TERRANS Industry branded Goto kits on Aliexpress, which have the name ONSTEP in them.I think we are seeing the beginning of the
On Thu, Nov 24, 2022 at 12:22 PM, alucky wrote:
I recently saw some TERRANS Industry branded Goto kits on Aliexpress, which have the name ONSTEP in them.I think we are seeing the beginning of the
I recently saw some TERRANS Industry branded Goto kits on Aliexpress, which have the name ONSTEP in them.
I could not find any reviews of them here. Has anyone tried them?
I recently saw some TERRANS Industry branded Goto kits on Aliexpress, which have the name ONSTEP in them.
I could not find any reviews of them here. Has anyone tried them?
