SteveNickolls

Yes while it was good at the time to get a detailed printed manual with my Eagle Core it does need to show what the current device can do so I'd vote for a pdf manual available to download online. PLL wouldn't have to print (at some cost) a substantial manual. Cheers, Steve

I've checked this morning and I can't see that the pdf manual has been changed in any way. It would be good to know if PLL have ever changed the contents of the paper manual that ships with the Eagle Core but verifying this is not easy as the paper manual has no version number. It would be good to know from any new purchaser of the device if the format has changed from the 121 page Italian and English paper manual I have. The English part begins at page 62 and holds information not given in the pdf version. It's important the manual is updated to allow users of the Eagle Core to know what its functionality is for things such as mount control. I will email PLL and ask that the manual is condensed into a pdf that can be kept updated more easily than a printed manual. Cheers, Steve

Just visited the PLL site and there is a version 2.10 firmware update for the Eagle Core adding support for the Nikon Z5 camera. When I get chance I will check the download zip to see if the pdf manual has been updated. Cheers, Steve

Hi kunene, I've had similar problem in the past on various combinations of mount etc and I've found a piece of plastic say from a milk carton or a washer or two will often take up the difference between the mated faces to allow a solid orientation of the guidescope. You might need to experiment with a few pieces of plastic/washers until you get the 'right' fit. Plastic doesn't scratch like washers. Cheers, Steve

Here's a complete list of the contents of all the Eagle Core updates. as you say kunene v2.9 adds support for two cameras and fixes an error for the Canon EOS 450D. Added 3.10.2020-finally had some spare time to check if there were changes to the supporting pdf manual with the v2.9 firmware. Unfortunately I can't see any difference. The paper and online manuals really do need updating now and bringing into line with current capabilities of the software and device. Cheers, Steve Last version 2.9 25/09/2020: 1) Added support to Nikon D3200 (it doesn't shoot in B mode) 2) Added support to Canon EOS 77D 3) Fixed an error with Canon EOS 450D Version 2.8 25/06/2020: 1) Added possibility to set a delay time between images 2) Added support to Canon EOS 4000D 3) Added support to Nikon Z50 and D850 Version 2.7 02/03/2020: 1) Added support of SESTO SENSO 2 and ESATTO focusers Version 2.6 12/07/2019: 1) Added support of Celestron equatorial mounts with NexStar+ handpad 2) Added support to Canon EOS 450D and Nikon D90 cameras Version 2.5 26/03/2019: 1) Added support of computerized mounts 2) Added support to Canon EOS R and Nikon Z6/Z7 mirrorless cameras Version 2.4 01/02/2019: 1) Added Auto Dithering feature 2) Added support to Canon EOS 1100D 3) Improved sequences control Last version 2.2 06/09/2018: 1) Added support to guide cameras ASI120MM-S, ASI120MC-S, ASI178MM, ASI290MM, ASI290MC 2) Added support to Canon EOS 500D, 650D, 800D, 80D and 5D Mark IV Version 2.1 15/05/2018: 1) Added support to Canon EOS 5D Mark II Update version 2.0 17/04/2018: 1) Added support to SESTO SENSO robotic focusing motor 2) Added support to Nikon D5300 camera Update version 1.0.20 01/12/2017: 1) Added support to Canon EOS 450D, 1300D, 750D, 70D and Nikon D800E cameras Update version 1.0.15 24/07/2017: 1) Added support to Canon EOS 60D and 60Da 2) Added support to Canon EOS 5D Mark III 3) Added + and - button to decrease/increase Y scale of guide graph 4) ÒguidingÓ button is now disabled during Calibration Update version 1.0.10 31/05/2017: 1) Fixed an even that could pause autoguide 2) Fixed guide star selection with a tap on the screen 3) Increased system speed Update version 1.0.9 24/05/2017: 1) Fixed the exposition times for the QHY5L-II camera 2) Now the image resolution of the QHY5L-II camera is correctly set 3) Added option black/white for the guide camera 4) "matrix width" and "matrix height" values are now correctly visualized 5) Added the parameter "Guiding rate" in "Advanced settings" 6) Added support to Nikon D750 camera

Thanks for highlighting the latest v2.9 kunene, I'll take a look later at which extra cameras have been added to the Eagle Core's support. I'm sorry you feel let down there's not more in the update and that it might signal an overall lack ideas for development for the device. The history of the Eagle Core updates has been irregular in the past mixing minor additions with some useful ideas from time to time. Cheers, Steve

Hi GuySt, thanks for posting. As others have replied take things a step at a time. Carole's advice concerning the polar scope being orthogonal is a job you can do in daytime but if your HEQ5 is like my old CG5 you may have to temporarily take out one of the dec knobs to lower the altitude of the view through the polar scope. A job best done in daytime in case one of the tiny grub screws in the polar scope drops off! Slight turn on one screw-check and repeat carefully. The three screws work against each other.. I would hope your manual describes the process better than Celestron do. Your problem is made worse having no garden to set up permanent markers to help align the tripod each night. If you try to set up as it is getting dark Polaris will stand out amongst the sky being the brightest star. Once you have adjusted the focus of your polar scope you will find subsequent attempts on other nights easier. You might then want to use the Skywatcher Star Adventurer Mini App (free) on a mobile or tablet to help get a more precise polar alignment. While the App is meant for the Star Adventurer Mini you can use the polar alignment utility to manually set polar alignment. It is quite easy to do. This is not as precise as a Pole Master or iPolar device but depending on tbe focal length of your imaging gear can be fine. It is however much more precise than just lining up Polaris through the polar scope. Good luck with your efforts. Everything worthwhile takes time and patience. Cheers, Steve

Thanks stash_old and kunene. As kunene says the Eagle Core is different to the bigger Eagle pc models in the PLL stable line up in that rather than using Windows 10 Enterprise it runs on its own proprietory Eagle software, I think it's Linux based. Earlier posts in this thread detail the hardware found inside the Eagle Core. Cheers, Steve

Thanks for your assessment on the Eagle Core Robindonne and take the points about comparing to the later ASiair Pro and limited functionality of the Eagle Core. It's exciting to wonder what developments we will get to use in these coming years to help in our hobby. I'd hope that the Eagle Core will be a useful system for many in the future having the structural design element, power provision and tidy cable management features. I'm intending this season trying out the Eagle Core on my Star Adventurer mount. Cheers, Steve

Hi Nick, I do like what you have discovered, very resourceful indeed. I'm sure that work around will prove very helpful to others facing a similar dilemma. Cheers, Steve

Hi I had a new Canon 700D modified by Astronomiser being local to me. Excellent service. I had just the one filter removed and it has suited my needs since then. Chers, Steve

Hi Kunene, thanks for your recent post. I can understand your frustrations not being able to have a polar alignment capability in the Eagle App but you have let PLL know your ideas as a customer. It seems PLL didn’t explain to you why the Eagle Core wouldn’t or couldn’t have a polar alignment built in. When I last contacted them with some ideas Fillipo was able to explain why the Eagle App couldn’t include a temperature indication of the sensor (it’s all explained in an earlier post of mine). Maybe if more users wanted polar alignment included then it would add weight to get it incorporated in the future? I agree the Eagle Core works very well at what it does and may actually be under selling itself against competitors as it’s a solution that includes a tidy cable management system and its structural design incorporates it into the imaging rig in many useful ways. I do like its red livery too which fits in well with my WO RedCat set up. Certainly no need to Velcro tie an alternative mini-pc somewhere on the mount or OTA. I’ve done a check of basic prices of the options you mention- Eagle Core £277 (FLO) Lacerta MGEN 3 £609 (365 Astronomy) ASIair Pro £313 (FLO) Atik Base (£269 (FLO) Pegasus Power Box V1 £340 (eBay) Before deciding on a solution that meets an individual’s requirements all these current competitors would require quite a lot of comparison work to be done before choosing. When I purchased my Eagle Core the main option was the original ASIair. The range of PLUS accessories is extensive but costly-in the last video I posted it was pointed out that PLL are not a far eastern manufacturer churning out thousands of units where economies of scale become possible but PLL’s products are of much higher quality getting the individual attention of a small team of committed staff. Yes, the number of threads where the Eagle Core or even Eagle range are mentioned are few and was a driving reason to having this thread where users could share views etc. Looking at the number of views the thread has had (currently 4,570) it is helping to get the product thought about so individuals can make their informed decisions before parting with their hard earnt. I agree that it would be great for the Eagle Core to reach its potential. Cheers, Steve

Thanks for posting your recent experience and observations Nick with the LENR workaround I'm sure it will be helpful for others who want to try that approach and indeed if they in turn can post that it also works for them. We really could do with some clear night skies right now to use the Eagle Core in earnest; I keep records of sessions and this August has been by far the worst year for getting out since my records began in 2012. Interesting that you found the progress bar greyed out but for informing PLL. Cheers, Steve

Thanks for both your recent posts Nick. I can understand your situation with limited star alignment capability. I can't personally help over plate solving but I can see the time coming when plate solving becomes a tool inbuilt into many mount firmware. Hopefully other SGL users with practical experience and knowledge on the subject will be able to chip in and help you here. The reply you received from PLL on the subject is very interesting and will wait to see what comes of it in the future. Cheers, Steve

He, he just our luck to get the light pollution turned down just in time to see all those LEO satellites. Just a thought. Cheers, Steve