Ready to go!

[ohills]

Just received the lodestar x2c and ready to attach it to the scope.  I have the focal reducers also.    Lodestar live is loaded on my imac,  telescope will be controlled on a windows laptop via my 14 year old son, (whos scope it is but dad has taken over it.)  I think I'm all set to go but have a question about focusing.  How do I focus this camera?  Is there anything else I'm missing.   Scope is celestron 8se and have celestron f6.3 and mallincams MFR-5 focal reducer.  I will try the MFR-5 with and without the f6.3.  I will be using the diagonal.

Roy

[HiloDon]

Just received the lodestar x2c and ready to attach it to the scope.  I have the focal reducers also.    Lodestar live is loaded on my imac,  telescope will be controlled on a windows laptop via my 14 year old son, (whos scope it is but dad has taken over it.)  I think I'm all set to go but have a question about focusing.  How do I focus this camera?  Is there anything else I'm missing.   Scope is celestron 8se and have celestron f6.3 and mallincams MFR-5 focal reducer.  I will try the MFR-5 with and without the f6.3.  I will be using the diagonal.

Roy

Hi Roy,

Congrats on getting the new Lodestar! I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Here's how I focus. I take my laptop with LL (I have a Mac, too) next to the scope that is pointing to a fairly bright centered star. I set LL exposure to a short exposure time (less than 500ms). Don't forget to hit the set exposure button when you change exposure time and adjust the black and white settings to bring out the image. If the star is center well, it should appear as a large out of focus image. Turn the focusing knob to get a good coarse focus. I usually increase the exposure time to bring out fainter stars. I find I can get a better focus on them. You can use the cursor to enlarge the star by zooming. Just click and create a small window around the star. That will also help getting a better focus. If you look at LL there is also a focusing aid you can use. It takes some playing around to get the best focus, but this should get you close. Some use a focusing mask to really get precise focusing. I'll have to try one some day. Right now I think you can use my technique to get you started.

Good luck and post here again if you're having problems.

Don

[ohills]

Thanks  Don!!!

Roy

[RobertI]

Looking forward to seeing your results )

Rob

[ohills]

It looks like the software that comes with the x2c is windows only .. Do the drivers come with the lodestar live software for a mac?

[HiloDon]

It looks like the software that comes with the x2c is windows only .. Do the drivers come with the lodestar live software for a mac?

Roy,

The s/w that comes with the Lodestar cameras is the SX software, not Lodestar Live. LL is available in both Mac and Windows versions. Here's the link to download LL for both. V0.10 is the latest.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/221635-lodestar-live-version-010-beta-download-transformation-update/

[ohills]

Roy,

The s/w that comes with the Lodestar cameras is the SX software, not Lodestar Live. LL is available in both Mac and Windows versions. Here's the link to download LL for both. V0.10 is the latest.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/221635-lodestar-live-version-010-beta-download-transformation-update/

Don.......I understand that, so I won't need any drivers for the x2c to work with LL.

Roy

[HiloDon]

Don.......I understand that, so I won't need any drivers for the x2c to work with LL.

Roy

Right, Roy. Just download the OSX s/w and it should work. I think you need OS 10.6 or later to work. For color, make sure to check the one shot color box.

Good luck! Let us know how things work out.

Don

[Paul81]

Hi Roy

Sorry been away for a while so just seen your post!

For the Mac version of LL I have written and built in my own drivers so you don't need to install anything else for it to work.

How was your first light?

Paul

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ohills]

Hi Roy

Sorry been away for a while so just seen your post!

For the Mac version of LL I have written and built in my own drivers so you don't need to install anything else for it to work.

How was your first light?

Paul

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Paul....... Thanks for asking.  I should have learned to swim first before I jumped into the deep end.  All I can say is the lodestar works and I aligned my scope.  Thats about all.  Using nexremote on a windows pc next to the scope and then transferring to inside imac  Never made it inside..  LL lost exposure control a few times, it froze during the countdown.  Had to restart a few times.  You guys make it look so easy.  Learning alot ,but it's taking time.  I guess I'm paying my dues.  Looking forward to a real first light.  Not getting discouraged,  getting excited!

Roy

[Martin Meredith]

Hi Roy

Losing exposure control might be a cable problem? I understand that the newer Lodestar has a different connector but the older model I use does occasionally work loose and I see the X at the lower left of the LL app to indicate a lost connection. Just a thought.

Anyway, good luck from me too.

Martin