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.com site for updates, links to OnStep resources, my other astronomy software, or to see some Images 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 a small monetary donation. This keeps me motivated and helps cover expenses associated with my projects.
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OnStep Group Terms of Service
OnStep group 1. I, Howard Dutton, established this group to share information about OnStep Telescope Controller and its use. These rules are here to keep things courteous and on-topic - and to keep scammers and spammers out... 2. Discussion of any topic not related to OnStep and its subsystems and/or use such as data/images generated with the help of OnStep, is prohibited. 3. Registering to use this group under a false name or for false pretenses is prohibited. Please include a first name when setting up your account, not just your email. It helps to identify who we are addressing and promotes a friendlier atmosphere. 4. Before asking a question, read the relevant *Wiki ( https://groups.io/g/onstep/wiki/home )* sections (aka read the manual.) 5. When asking a question, first provide background on the hardware and software including version info. and configuration/settings, be methodical. Describe what you are trying to do, the steps you took, what you expected, and what happened instead. 6. Excessively vague posts are more likely to go unanswered for fear of the time/effort required to obtain the above information and figure out the problem. 7. More experienced users are encouraged to help beginners. 8. When uploading images, please try to minimize their size as they end up in the e-mail boxes of many people. If you can, upload the images somewhere (e.g. imgur, Google Photos, Flickr) and post a link to it - especially for large images. 9. Try to avoid repeatedly editing messages, since each edit sends the new message to all members. * * 10. Moderators will not allow posts that are rude, uncivil, belittling, derogatory, or discourteous. Members who post such messages are subject to being banned from the group. 11. Advertisements for commercial products or services must first be approved by the group owner, these requests may be approved or denied for any reason the group owner sees fit. Members who choose to make mention of products or services when approval is denied are subject to being banned from the group. Note that this provision should not be taken as an endorsement of any product or service mentioned in this group. 12. The moderators reserve the right to edit, modify or delete any post they deem a violation of these rules. 13. If you have a question or complaint about a specific post, notify a moderator. 14. The group owner (Howard Dutton) may modify these terms of service without notice.
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OnStep Developer and OCS Sub-Groups
Just a reminder that OnStep sub groups exist relating to Developer Talk and the Observatory Control System (OCS.)
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The 4th Generation Max Telescope Controllers
This is an summary of work covered in a prior topic to put all information/links in one place. These new designs are all for OnStepX only and use just two pinmaps, MaxPCB4 and MaxESP4. These designs all make use of EasyEDA/JCLPCB and SMT assembly services. For the "Basic" designs you must source an ESP32 or Teensy microcontroller (with pin headers) which is plugged into 0.1" socket headers or soldered to the PCB. The MaxESP4 has two "Integrated" versions where SMT ESP32's are used. For all designs you need to solder stepper driver sockets and some other components to finish the build though the amount of soldering is greatly reduced vs. earlier designs like the MaxPCB2. Until dedicated Wiki pages are created for these designs I suggest you look at the assembly instructions for the *MaxSTM3.6I ( https://onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/24727 )* as it's generally somewhat similar to these designs. * MaxPCB4 * Using plugin micro-controllers, for WiFi/Ethernet: https://oshwlab.com/hdutton/maxpcb4 (Beta but seems to work well, the most tested design of these.) * Integrated ESP32, for WiFi: https://oshwlab.com/hdutton/maxpcb4w (Experimental, untested... maybe it works maybe not.) * With W5500 socket for Ethernet: https://oshwlab.com/hdutton/maxpcb4e (Experimental, untested but a good bet it works.) * MaxESP4 * Using plugin micro-controllers, for WiFi/Ethernet: https://oshwlab.com/hdutton/maxesp4 (Beta but seems to work well.) * Integrated ESP32, for WiFi: https://oshwlab.com/hdutton/maxesp4i (Experimental, untested... maybe it works maybe not.) Retracted/removed. * With W5500 socket for Ethernet: https://oshwlab.com/hdutton/maxesp4ie (Experimental, untested... maybe it works maybe not.) Retracted/removed. * Integrated ESP32, for WiFi or Ethernet (has W5500 socket): https://oshwlab.com/hdutton/maxesp4i (Beta, some testing done... seems to work well.) You can see the ordering process in this *video ( https://youtu.be/nPJ0RQVDIQk )*.
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Reuse ST4 Pins
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#lx200
#maxesp3
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Spreadsheet : microsteps 16,32,64 only. Why?
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Servo oscillations during tracking - PID issue or latency in encoder's interrupt handling?
16 messages
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Rotator Home Switch
29 messages
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Negative Longitude values from GPS module?
5 messages
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3d print gear reduction with toothed pulleys
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Onstep , Nina , PHD2 Issues. Can't get guiding to work
6 messages
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Questions about reducing stepper noise, mismatch between SWS slew rates vs as loaded in config
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#maxesp3
#tmc5160
#sws
#onstepx
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MaxPCB4 with GPS LC76G Multi-GNSS Module
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MaxPCB4 with TMC5160 - RA and Dec motors stop from time to time
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Blue Pill Upgrade: RobotDyn F303CC
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Motor random wrong direction
120 messages
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NEMA 17 HIGH TORQUE HELP
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#EQ5
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Question.....
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