Paramount MX+ Without A Computer

[Liquid360]

I've read so many times that this mount can't be used without a computer. I felt I should make a thread disputing this. First, let's define computer, because technically any go-to mount with a hand controller is a computer. Secondly, as is so often said, if you're doing AP, a computer is kinda necessary. That said, I took my scope out the other night without a computer,, just to do some looking around. With my iPhone and my mount, I had no problem at all operating my mount in typical point-n-click fashion. No wires except for power. I had a menu of that nights choosing, point, click, and go to the eyepiece. Zero computer, only my iPhone. So tell me again why this is different from any other mount?

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[Spikey]

Isn't an iphone a computer?

[Liquid360]

Isn't a hand controller? All go to scopes are computers.

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[mcolbert]

'Secondly, as is so often said, if you're doing AP, a computer is kinda necessary'  The proviso being that that only holds true where you're not using film!

michael

[Liquid360]

I know not this "film" of which you speak.

[Kai]

I'm sorry but I must of missed the point , why is it important not to use a computer ?

Your phone is a computer , as is a Goto Handset as is a laptop as is the circuit board inside the mount to control the motors trying to say else wise is pointless

If your observing and don't want a computer , buy a Dob

If your wanting to do Astrophotography and not use a computer to control your mount you will struggle.

Why go to the expense of buying what for many is dream equipment and not use it to its full potential ? , seems silly to me

[Liquid360]

Deleted

[Liquid360]

I'm sorry but I must of missed the point , why is it important not to use a computer ?

Your phone is a computer , as is a Goto Handset as is a laptop as is the circuit board inside the mount to control the motors trying to say else wise is pointless

If your observing and don't want a computer , buy a Dob

If your wanting to do Astrophotography and not use a computer to control your mount you will struggle.

Why go to the expense of buying what for many is dream equipment and not use it to its full potential ? , seems silly to me

You did miss it. The point is that if you search the forums for information concerning this mount you will read over and over and over again that this mount requires a laptop to operate it. This is not true and I'm wondering why it's stated as fact everywhere I looked as told by those who should know. I wonder why I was told so many times that which wasn't at all true.

I'm unsure as to what you're saying though...? I'm silly to use my scope visually and not use it for CCD imaging every time? I wasn't seeking advice on a scope and I'm unsure why you're suggesting a Dob?

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[Kai]

No what I'm saying is that why not use the mount as it was designed to be used either for visual or imaging.

Is there an option to control the mount manually , without any power ?

I would expect that the vast majority of people purchased the mount as a platform for Digital Astrophotography ( going by your previous posts you did ) and as such this will require the use of a laptop or Goto handset ,this is the reason you are struggling to find any information to the contrary .

Maybe a Paramount user group or forum has the information you require , if not then maybe it's because there really isn't the need or requirement.

A last resort would be contacting Paramount and asking their view as to the reasoning behind requiring computer control

[Liquid360]

I'm not looking for information. I'm looking for an explanation. You misunderstood my initial question. I'm not struggling with anything. Honestly, somehow we're both talking about something very different. We're on VERY different pages here. I have zero idea what you're talking about.

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[RikM]

The Paramount MX mounts are optimised for robotic imaging and are designed and built by essentially a software company. However, nowhere on the Software Bisque MX+ page does it state the mount must be used with a laptop. In fact the hand controller has a little joystick, so I guess you could look through the eyepiece and use the hand controller to move the mount?

It is a very heavy mount to move about for observing though and the FSQ106, while outstanding for imaging if you are using a full frame camera, for observing is only a 4" short focal length scope. Good for open clusters but outrageously expensive when a good pair of binoculars will give you essentially the same view, through both eyes. For observing planets you will want more focal length. For deep sky objects you will want more aperture.

Get and take some images with it

[Liquid360]

I'm not new to this. Again you've completely missed my point and this conversation has run its course.

If you believe that the views through binoculars are no different than they are through a good refractor... we have nothing to discuss.

Again... Run its course.

Best wishes.

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[aruangra]

Do you use Wisky for mount control?

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[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I'm not looking for information. I'm looking for an explanation. You misunderstood my initial question. I'm not struggling with anything. Honestly, somehow we're both talking about something very different. We're on VERY different pages here. I have zero idea what you're talking about. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Now I am confused. An explanation was given several times, and it seems you are deliberately evading the point. Your iPhone is quite a powerful little computer (vastly more powerful than the early PCs I used for image processing when I started out programming professionally), so controlling it without a computer is not what you did. Your mount is very different from my Vixen Great Polaris mount (yours is much heftier, much more accurate, and much more stable) but mine does not need computer control of any kind. It just has an oscillator timing the stepper motors. When that breaks down, it is fully manual. How do I find objects: star-hopping with my 14x70 finder scope. Initially, I could not even control it by computer, because all it had was an RA motor and hand controller without any input plugs. I now have dual axis motors with ST-4 port, so could in principle control it through a computer. Many mounts allow you to simply release the clutches, and use it as a purist observer's mount rather than an imaging mount. It may be possible with your mount, I do not know, but if you need an external device (not included with the mount) like a phone, tablet or laptop, the remark that you "need a computer" is not wrong. You can certainly argue that the go-to hand-controllers supplied with almost all go-to mounts is a computer, but the fact that they are included in the package is a bonus.

[swag72]

Nate, I don't know you from Adam and so all I see is what happens in forum threads. You often seem to come across in your replies to people as very defensive if they don't agree with you or make an observation that doesn't seem to fit with your thinking. Threads will always wander off in different directions, people will always read and understand what they think and so things can get lost between one answer and another reply.

If you used your mount without a computer and you want to write about it then that's cool. It may well be something that others are looking at or wondering about. I've learnt on forums that there's little advantage to be gained by coming across as prickly to others, just read the replies and take from them what you will. People are freely offering their opinions and from many miles away and looking from behind this keyboard you can come across as being rather scathing about it.

Enjoy the forum Nate - There's great people on here, friendly people - Don't come across as appearing to sling their help or comments back in their faces. 

Just an observation on my part - Nothing to do with the OP. I'm sure it will be ignored or refuted but that's everyone's right to do so

[glowjet]

"Many mounts allow you to simply release the clutches, and use it as a purist observer's mount rather than an imaging mount" 

Just why I invested in a Losmandy mount, enabling point anywhere without disruption to the continuous tracking facility, fairly simple basic operation which suits my type of star hopping observing. Some of to-days mounts will not allow this, once you de-clutch you interrupt the inbuilt tracking system.

There again the mounts inbuilt stepper motors are controlled by a separate printed circuit board controller unit, included with the mount package 

[Liquid360]

You're all absolutely correct. I apologize. I tend to get upset when I I'm asking something or seeking something and I get everything but the advice/answers I was seeking. It's not a matter of disagreeing. I haven't shared an opinion here with which to disagree.

Maybe the forum thing just isn't for me. If I have problems, as was suggested, I always have the manufacturers forums to get specific answers. I read all the time threads where the OP asks for something, but instead of answers they're given advice they weren't asking for. I get upset and I shouldn't. It's just the way these forums are and it's not going to change because some schmuck in Alabama USA is in a mood.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

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[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

You have also been given answers to the question you did ask, so I wonder what the gripe is.

[pyrasanth]

I use a Paramount MX+. It is always connected to a powerful computer. This is because I use the same computer to manipulate my images & the computer software controls the mount & connect equipment.

I can take the petrol out of my car or not even start it & push it down a hill. The car still moves to some degree but I have little control. The Paramount can function without any computer at all other than the handset to control where it points after you manually find the object you want to observe. Why you would do this is beyond me-other than in an emergency. I use the mount for its intended function- A robotic imaging platform & doing something different without a computer is possible but somewhat limited.

[Earl]

I think its best to clarify "Personal Computer" which is a bit different from a mobile device,  it this gets a bit fuzzy with laptop / palmtop / net book where the line is drawn is very much down to interpretation.

I consider a Tablet / phone as a mobile device everything else is a Personal Computer of sorts.

With the increasing power of Mobile devices this boundary is blurring even more.

[Philip Benson]

Why don't you ask this question on the SB forum and one of the Bisque brothers will give you a formative answer.  As designers and manufacturers of the mount I'm sure they will be aware of what it can and cannot do.