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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G11/gm8 direct drive to NEMA17 motor adapter plate 2 messages
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Connecting focuser to NINA
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SHC arduino error messages during installation attempt 70 messages
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ESP32 OnStep doesn't work without RTC + Android app issues 8 messages
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Slews to wrong places... 13 messages
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Lib check error 15 messages
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ASI Air Pro 3 messages
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Erratic slew and goto movement 28 messages
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Setting Limits on Equatorial Mount 14 messages
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control RA/DEC stepper movements via serial console 5 messages
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Finding steps per degree for Altitude axis in an Alt-Az mount 12 messages
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Focuser on MaxSTM "ROT/FOC2" port? 2 messages
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FYSETC E4
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Blutooth connection fail 12 messages
#arduino
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Flashing Error Teensy 4.0 MiniPCB2 4 messages
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#onstepx SLEW_ACCELERATION_DIST does not have any effect 4 messages
#onstepx
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home switch debug 12 messages
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Encoder usage 2 messages
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