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Thalestris24

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Everything posted by Thalestris24

  1. Thalestris24
    Thanks! It should be fairly straightforward as it will just be the Windows software I'm already familiar with. I may need a poe wifi extender, or possibly an access point, just outside the window but that's a small matter! An extender should do as it won't need to have a big range and it'll only be me using it. I should get the 4C on Tuesday. Also ordered a usb-c power connector - in anticipation! All the best Louise
  2. Thalestris24
    Oh well, I've ordered a MeLE Quieter 4C N100 with 16GB ddr4 and 512GB storage. I'm sure it will do the job providing the wifi works ok. (Fingers crossed!) The outside wifi signal will probably improve if I raise the router up above the bottom level of the kitchen window. I'll test that out with my phone and maybe also with the window open. I think Wifi doesn't much like double glazing... Happy Easter everyone! Louise
  3. Thalestris24
    Hi Again I've been looking at the mini PC options you mention. The MEle minis look attractive with Windows. In fact the Stellarmate X is obviously a MEle packaged with the Stellarmate OS etc. At least the MEle could be used for something else maybe. Using Windows also means being able to make use of familiar astro software. so that would be a plus. I tried out my wifi outside just with a Samsung phone, which is currently set to 2.4 GHz. It's a bit on the edge, and it cut out when I was downstairs but reconnected when I went outside. I was able to browse a bit on the net. It's from the second floor and through double glazing. It started raining so i cut my test short... I'll try again and maybe with the kitchen window ajar which might make a difference. I could also try moving the router closer to the kitchen. I was a bit concerned as the Stellarmate X doesn't have an external antenna. The MeLE PCG35 looks better but doesn't seem to available in the UK (at the moment, at least), tut! Oh well, I'll have to think about it will revisit after Easter! Cheers Louise
  4. Thalestris24
    I'm not sure - it's so long since I did any astro - I'll have to relearn everything! In any case, I'd be able to try the setup without autoguiding to see how the wifi performs. As mentioned above, am looking into the Stellarmate X system. Not sure what limitations that has but looks similar to the ASIair. I'm trying to find out power requirements for it but they don't seem to mention it anywhere. I'll have a look on here to see if anyone has written about it. Cheers Louise
  5. Thalestris24
    Hi Wim and thanks I haven't got all the solutions yet! But with the Synscan wifi and Canon dslr I can just use a remote shutter. I have one that does timed exposures. I'm moving away from the standalone autoguider ide - too expensive and may not work too well with the poor seeing here... The ASIair might be a solution but I'd need a ZWO guide cam so together is a little pricey. I'm too old and impatient to tinker around much with other stuff. The Stellarmate X looks a possibility - I'll have to look into it! Cheers Louise
  6. Thalestris24
    Hi Steve It's difficult to sell stuff from here in Glasgow - it's not exactly a hub for amateur astronomy... It's too much hassle to try and ship stuff. Other than that, I've got everything I need apart from some means of using kit remotely. I've looked at the ASIair but that would require buying yet another guide camera as they obviously only support their own make. The SynScan WiFi dongle is a partial solution but no guiding. However, the Takumar lens at 300mm is probably fairly undemanding so I could probably get away without, but I'd just have to try and see... I can't do anything much about the LP and weather here but that's always been the case! Cheers Louise
  7. Thalestris24
    Hi Ags! Yeah both of those were mentioned above. The thing is I've already got so much equipment and I don't really want to add even more to the pile! I'm only in a 1 bed flat so don't have a lot of room. I really want to be able to use the eq3 pro (pictured above) which I can just about manage to carry. Having said that, I'll have to try and see if I can carry it down the stairs and back up again,,, If that's ok, and as I said, I think I might try the Synscan wifi first and see how I get on and if I can get reliable wifi communication ok. Louise
  8. Thalestris24
    I've previously spent a ton of money and years trying to image through an open window. Had some success but it was very limiting. Now that I've moved there is a small possibility of carrying a limited amount of stuff downstairs. It might still not work very well for me but I'll give it a go. Louise
  9. Thalestris24
    Thanks, but I've got too many computers already!
  10. Thalestris24
    I used to use APT but then switched to Sharpcap. At the moment I don't know if wifi will work between my flat and downstairs, and outside. I think I'll I'll try the Synscan wifi module first as it's cheap and is a low power device. If it has to be remote then setup will be a bit of faffing around (polar alignment etc.) though, as I say, I'd prefer standalone if I can get it! It's mainly about not having to carry too much down two flights of stairs, through the security door and then back up again. I really want a single journey to take everything. I'll just have to try things and see, I suppose. Louise
  11. Thalestris24
    The ASI mount is quite a bit more expensive compared to the Ioptron one that Steve has and posted about - that's all I was comparing to. Yes, FLO is advertising and also mentioned they had a return going at a discount in their reply, but I don't want to buy something that's discontinued. Ideally I'd like a standalone setup that will work with my EQ3 pro and portable, and which partly automates a lot of functions. I'm an old lady so can't carry much - do read my op, it explains where I'm at. I might try the Synscan WiFi - at least it's quite cheap so if it doesn't pan out, it's not much to lose. I just set up the EQ3 pro with the 300mm F4 Takumar, Canon DSLR and qhy miniguider with an Altair Astro GPCam. I need to be able to control everything remotely from my 2nd floor flat i.e. via wifi or, ideally, change it to be standalone. Louise
  12. Thalestris24
    The AM3 is expensive! But I'm not in the market for either! I'm more interested in any equivalent for the StarAid which FLO says has been 'discontinued'. They didn't say if that means just discontinued by FLO, or discontinued by the maker, Louise
  13. Thalestris24
    Ah right, I didn't understand your original post as I'd never heard of it! It looks a neat, lightweight package, - relatively portable, especially compared to my heq5 pro which I struggle to pick up even on its own. Price isn't too bad, considering. I'm contemplating buying a StarAid Rev B standalone autoguider which is priced around £800... However, Flo says it's 'unavailable' so not sure what the situation is with it. It doesn't seem to be a 'big seller'. Maybe there's an alternative out there? Louise
  14. Thalestris24
    Hi Carol - you're still here! Great! I have narrowband filters etc but don't know whether I'll be able to manage long enough exposures. Just posted a pic of the old EQ3 Pro. I can fit a single filter inside the Canon/ Takumar. It's all one step at a time at the moment. Can I get a basic remote system up and running and guiding? This is the first step Louise
  15. Thalestris24
    The pic helps! But what mount is that? How does it work? It looks a big load on something small... Here is my little EQ3 Pro on custom aluminium legs, with Canon 550d and mirror lens, and, down below, the little blue battery and the 300mm Takumar on another Canon : Of course, I still have the heq5 pro but it's much too heavy for me.
  16. Thalestris24
    Hi Steve Thanks for the info. Not sure how you run a Quattro on a tripod?? - I must be missing something... The asi air is pricey compared to the Synscan WiFi and your battery seems overpriced compared to the one I was looking at! My eq3 pro is just about manageable for little old me! I dug it out of the cupboard the other day and set it up with a dslr and Samyang 500mm f8 lens (slow...) in the kitchen. I can't do anything with it there apart from a dummy alignment and checking it's tracking ok. I've also got a Takumar F4 300mm on another canon dslr which is lightweight and might be quite good. Cheers Louise
  17. Thalestris24
    Hi Gazers! After quite a long hiatus, I may be back in the game! Having settled in a new (to me) flat I'm looking at possibilities for astro imaging again (I miss it!). Unfortunately, I'm still on the second floor, now have double glazing, and am even nearer to the brightly lit city centre, as well as having lots of local artificial light On the plus side, there's a possibility of carrying my EQ3 Pro downstairs and it might be possible to set up at the back of the flats. I won't know until I try, and that will only happen if there's ever a clear night! I'd still only have a limited view of the sky which would be roughly WNW to nearly North. Again, on the plus side, I'd be able to see most of the Meridian/Zenith. On the downside, no Horizon - buildings all around. So not ideal, but at least it would be outside. I don't know if I'll actually be able to see Cassiopeia / the pole star - I'll probably still be limited to brighter stars cos of the light pollution. Next time it's clear I'll pop out and have a look and see what I can see. So Polar aligning may be a problem though it never stopped me before! Sooo... I'm thinking in terms of setting up standalone i.e. with a dslr/without a computer or, maybe, remotely via wifi. I think the mount would be in the region of 35-50 feet away from my living room or could be a bit closer from the kitchen I've looked at the Synscan wifi module - could work, but I'm not sure about running up and down the stairs to keep an eye on things. Any thoughts on that? Also looked at the Staraid Revolution B. On the face of it, it would do a lot of the functions I'd need - albeit at a price! Might be worth it, though. Not sure what view of the sky it needs - anyone know, had experience? I'd also need a lightweight battery. I've powered the EQ3 with a Chinese DC1298a '9800mAh' battery before. I still have a couple of but not sure whether they can still hold a decent charge. One seemed to charge ok, the other charged a bit too quick... I'll try them out when I get a minute. They are only about 250g each and were quite cheap when I bought them in 2014/15, but they're a lot more expensive now... So I could be looking for an alternative lightweight, but hopefully rugged, 12V battery This mobility scooter battery is only 1.5kg and looks like it would last longer than me! https://ecotreelithium.co.uk/product/12v-12ah/ Thoughts? Thanks for any responses Louise
  18. Thalestris24
    Not much! But I'm grateful for surpassing my three score and ten! Still, nothing lasts forever...
  19. Thalestris24
    I'll be 72 next week! Hey ho.
  20. Thalestris24
    Hi Peter Thanks. I'm fairly settled in now. I have furniture and curtains and other stuff! All my astro kit is tucked away in a cupboard... I'll get around to sorting it out and maybe selling it one day. I'm sure someone would/might like my 115mm TS Apo refractor, at least. It's been rather chilly and snowy here the last couple of days. I try not to go out in the cold! Hope your health has improved. Regards Louise
  21. Thalestris24
    Aww thanks but I'm getting too old, the weather here is awful, and I'm moving home!
  22. Thalestris24
    Hi Mark TBH it was a way to get social housing after my current landlord (understandably) wanted me to move on. The sheltered flat is similar to what I've been living in i.e. quite spacious. It also has gas central heating which is a bonus (I think!). But it's unfurnished so I'm left with a lot to do before I can properly move in. Thanks for your interest in my kit! Of course, I'm only allowed to sell on here via the appropriate forum. What I'll do is I'll put the details of the mount and scope in the buy/sell section when I get a minute (in the next few days). I'm not sure what prices to put but they won't be expensive. However, it will have to be first come, first served. At the moment I have the Apo 80 on the Heq5 but I can swap over with the 115mm and take a pic. I have extra weights for the Heq5 so I'll be able to balance but can't really demonstrate the mount properly. The last time I used it, it was fine and the motors all run ok. It's never been out in the open. All the best Louise
  23. Thalestris24
    It is - especially when you have the added accumulation of 12 years of miscellaneous 'stuff'! On the plus side the 'new' flat is only 6 mins walk away so at least I don't have to go far! Thanks Louise
  24. Thalestris24
    Thanks for your thoughts. I don't think my kit is really for most beginners. Maybe the EQ3 Pro, though that's the one I'd consider keeping as it's portable. The scopes and mounts have been living in the living room since I bought them! I would dismantle the Heq5 Syntek from its pedestal mount and also take the 80mm APO off for transporting. Hopefully the Man with a Van will be ok with that when the time comes! Cheers Louise
  25. Thalestris24
    Hi, thanks for your interest! I haven't done any astro for years. I started selling up over a year ago. I let someone on here have my AVX mount. Although there is a local society - Astronomical Society of Glasgow I don't know that their members do much practical amateur astronomy. The skies here are pretty terrible. I'll still be around and might post occasionally in the microscopy section once I've settled in to my new home and got things set up. Louise
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