groberts

The general recommendation from ZWO is : So 1.25″ filters won’t have vignetting up to F5 focal ratio scope and 31mm filter won’t have vignetting up to F2 lens. I believe your scope in f5? so borderline + the extra size to 31mm is probably the way to go. They're a bit fiddly to fit but do a good job - here's my write up of First Light with the camera & FW - you will not regret the move to mono, except for even less sleep! https://watchthisspaceman.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/first-light/

Go to the following attachment and fill in the appropriate numbers to calcukate the minimum filter size for your set-up: http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/astronomy-calculations/minimize-vignetting/minimize-vignetting.html which I calculate to be 23.72mm without a Reducer/Barlow. I use the ZWO1600 + EFW & FF wich gives a similar number and I use 31mm filters + flats with good results.

I wonder how you power your camera? Some years ago when using a Canon DSLR powered by a mains power adapter the camera went down and after weeks of searching I finally discovered that it was probably a microscopic crack in the cable from the adapter to the camera - new adapter and it was working again, see here for more https://watchthisspaceman.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/the-eagle-has-landed/ Good luck.

I'm certainly no expert in the science of calibration but following advice a few years ago, I set ADU at 25,000 using APT and find it works well. So I would suggest ADU 12,000 is way too low and your flats are too dark.

Thank you Patrick - simple when you know how! Are there any other catalogues that work like this, or is this just an anomaly? Graham

Last year I successfully downloaded the DWB catalogue from here http://www.schoenball.de/astronomie/cdc/cdc_en.htm + installed it in the CdC Catalogue section + turned it on + navigated to DWB111 the Propellor nebula using Find-Slew and obtained a pleasing image of this exciting part of Cygnus https://watchthisspaceman.wordpress.com/2019/10/12/fabric-of-reality/. This year I go back to Find-DWB111-Slew and CdC cannot find the object - though the catalogue is clearly installed + can be seen on the screen + is switched on in the relevant Catalogue list (see below). This is driving me mad, can anbody see what I'm doing wrong or have overlooked? Graham

I agree the Lodestar x2 is indeed outstanding - not cheap but perhaps a case of you get what you pay for, in this case = excellence. Thanks again.

Thanks David - a toilet roll, now that's the sort of technology I like, will give it a try. If I may also ask: I presume 80mm is the drawtube that comes with the guidescope (approx 40mm) plus an extension tube then? Do you happen to know what the size and type of threads (make & female) are for the extension tube? What did you make of the Evoguide + Lodestar x2 combination? I already use a Lodestar x2 on another rig and find it to be an excellent guidescope. Graham Graham

Can anyone using this combination tell me what extension is necessary to obtain focus and what you used? I tried this out tonight and can see that focus will only be achieved some distance behind the current scope tube - probably a few centimetres. Graham

OK thanks 👍

My ZWO1600MM-Cool camera is late 2016 + probably 2nd generation and I remember having signifcant driver issues when installing at the time. I've just acquired a new (refurbished) ThinkPad laptop to use with the camera + x8 EFW and would be grateful is somebody could confirm what the correct driver(s) would be for the camera/EFW and a source (presumably ZWO?). The one currently installed is v 1.0.0.4 but I presume this will have been updated, though would an updated driver work with a 2nd gen camera? Graham

Sorted! For the record they say 8.3nm + v1.2.20 driver. However, I also want to say what great support I got from Starlight Express. Emailed them this afternoon (Saturday) and in less that 30 minutes they replied- now that's what I call service + good cameras too!

1. The pixel size for the Starlight Express Lodestar x2 is given as 8.2nm x 8.4nm. Would the average of 8.3nm therefore be correct for use with PHD2? 2. What is the correct driver to use with this camera & Windows 10 Pro? Graham

Yes all is now working with both laptops the driver just self loaded + just needed to sort the ports out. I appreciate your help Alan, now on to the other things that need sorting out - watch this space! Graham

Thanks Alan, pity but that's something of a reality check. I do have a spare + new Lynx FTDI cable / connector but as the exisiting Prolific one already worked well thought I'd just switch it over but, as they say, the rest is history and astronomy! I'll give it one last try and if that doesn't work, which seems likely, will change the cabling for the Lynx, which I presume will also be OK with Windows 7? Graham

Famous last words After plugging in the EQDirect cable it was recognised in the Device manager + said it was working properly but in fact did not work and on closer inspection under driver says "PL2303HXA PHASED OUT SINCE 2012 PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER"! After hours messing around its still not working. Looking on Google this seems to be a common problem and, in fact, usually only means that it won't work with a more up-to-date driver. I therefore copied over the driver file dated 2015 (is the correct thing to do?) from my Windows 7 machine (which still works fine with the older computer) but now get a "Code 10" error. Aware of the fake Prolific EQDirect problems I purchased my EQDirect cable from a mainstream astro supplier (can't remember who now) and it's always worked fine, except now with Windows 10. Any suggestions of what to do would be most welcome. I'm not entirely sure I copied the old driver correctly - copy & paste - so if there's a better way or another source that could work? Although not proven I can certainly see the logic of using the older version, afterall it still works well on the the older machine. Graham

Thanks Alan, sounds like it should be OK then 👍

I already have a working EQASCOM computer controlled setup using an EQDirect cable that works well and now want to set-up another Windows 10 laptop. Unfortunately I last did this a few years ago and can't remember what I did then! Using a USB computer port to Mount EQDirect cable, do I need to add a dedicated driver for the EQDirect - I already have EQMOD and ASCOM installed and working with another computer (see previous comment). If so where can I find it? Graham

Thanks again Alan, much appreciated + will try it if still needed. Graham

Yes there is no "Ports / COM & LPT" in Windows 10 which is present on my Windows 7 setup, even with something plugged in, though the item works OK (so far). Generally this is fine with me but, as I said, with EQASOM it is often necessary to change the Port number and if I can't see it I can't change it. How do I get round this?

Thanks Alan. I should clarify more, when I say 'ports' actaully what I can see are USB root hubs etc not ports which I cannot find anywhere, let alone ID their number etc. Any ideas where I might find them? Graham

Previously when using Windows 7 it was possible to view the built-in USB ports in Device Manager to ID their number and, as if sometimes is necessary when using EQASCOM with EQDIRECT, change the Port number. I'm currently moving over to Windows 10 and am unable to find the port numbers any more - can anybody please point me in the right direction? Obvioulsy I go into Device Manager and (as has been suggested elsewhere on Google) turn on the "View-Hidden Devices". There are ports there but unlike with Windows 7 I can't see how to ID or change their assigned Port number. Graham

I think all looks good now (see above) but I'll take a look at that too - just to be sure! The funny thing is, my existing astro laptop a Samsung is way back from 2012 and that is colour coded. Graham

Ah why didn't I think of that? Great thanks Lee - I wonder what powered means? Of course I appreciate what it says but aren't all USB ports powered or unpowered and, in practical terms, what's the difference - I've nver seen that before except when using hubs? Graham

OK that puts my mind at rest - presumbly pre-colour coding then. It's a T440p ThinkPad 500Gb SSD +15 RAM bought from Microdream, who so far have been good. As I said, it looks great but as we all know, with astrophotography USB cables and ports cane often be the weak link and I was conerned I'd bought a pup. Now to start the task of installing the many programs needed! Many thanks, Graham