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DeepSkyMan

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Everything posted by DeepSkyMan

  1. Not really had a chance to sort out the collimation since I put the Bobs Knobs on, was hoping as I said to collimate with software, will get to it though when I resolve my backfocus issue. William, I did start off with the Esatto at midpoint, which seemed logical, however after the initial results I ended up assessing the situation with it at the zero position. I’m going to take the train of the scope this evening and carry out some experimentation. Thanks Everyone for your valued input Paul.
  2. Thanks all, appreciate the feedback. Ok, so now I’m seriously confused. Trying again this evening, and I get no joy at all for the entire range of the stock focuser, with the Esatto set at the zero step position. I took this image with the Atik Infinity software, this is what I’m getting for the entire range of the focuser. Also attached is the image train in question. Kind Regards Paul
  3. Thanks for the feedback Elp. Subsequent to my starting this thread yesterday evening, popped out to the obsy for a last try. I believed I had followed the recommendations for backfocus on the rig to the letter, using a sequence of extensions calculated and recommended to me by a reputable vendor to give me the desired backfocus, however I suspect this might be my issue. My last effort was to rack the focuser on the SCT out as far as it would go, and this resulted in me at least getting to a recognisable black background, with a very out of focus moon in the top right of the sensor. So it looks like I need to extend the image train out further to hit the backfocus. Looks like I will need to order another extension tube. Kind Regards Paul
  4. Hi there I am currently trying to get to grips with my imaging setup (relatively new to imaging). Setup is: C11 EdgeHD Esatto Focuser Extension tubes Atik Horizon The scope has had Bobs Knobs added to it, so I was expecting a need for collimation, and hoping to do this using the imaging rig and software rather than the traditional approach. However the scope seems so far out of whack that I’m wondering if I should just remove the imaging rig and use the visual rig from my 8”, this would be a Baader 2” click-lock diagonal and collimate the traditional way. Towards this end does anyone know if it is possible to use the click-lock with the Esatto focuser? How would this relate to the back-focus requirements for the 11” Edge? I did a little experimentation with the imaging rig this evening on the basis that I could get the scope into something nearing focus (collimation notwithstanding), I managed to get a very grainy image of Capella which more resembled a fanciful image of an angel than a star. My expectations were that I would see a distorted image on a black sky background, not an angel on grainy horizontally striped grey background. I was using MaximDL for this exercise. Thought I’d managed to save an instance of the image, however this failed to pass. This learning curve is getting so steep, I think I’m slipping off😏 Kind Regards Paul
  5. Hi there, I’m looking to reduce the amount of cabling for my mobile dark skies outfit. I use a Vixen SXW (uses the old Starbook). Current setup uses a 3 metre cat5/RJ45 link between my mobile router and the Starbook. I’d like to get rid of this annoying tether and replace with a WiFi based alternative. Towards this end I started thinking about a WiFi dongle with a male RJ45 connection, just wondering if anyone on SGL has come across such a beast? Kind Regards Paul.
  6. Guys, in the end I’ve gone with an all risks policy with Sansvar, the broker is Access Insurance, in the end the policy cost me £483. Kind Regards Paul
  7. Hi there folks, I’ve been trolling the market looking for an acceptable insurance deal for my observatory. After getting knocked back by my home contents insurer I’ve managed to source a company who will provide full coverage for £401 p/a. Coverage includes structure and contents, all items individually listed and quoted. Just wondering how other stargazers have faired in this endeavour. Kind Regards Paul
  8. Hi there, I’m looking to put in place a wireless security system and insurance coverage for my home observatory. Can anyone provide recommendations for 1/. A tried and trusted security system incorporating exterior lighting, WiFi controlled sensors/cameras, preferably a DIY solution (rather than a contracted option such as ADT) 2/. An insurance solution tried and trusted from a home obsy perspective. Kind Regards Paul.
  9. Hi everyone, looking for some feedback on an idea I have to replace all my cabled USB connections with Bluetooth. Has anybody done this, if so what were the results. Kind Regards Paul
  10. Hi there, I am trying to get Autoslew to drive my Pulsar Dome over ASCOM. To my knowledge the Pulsar ASCOM driver works without issue with a multitude of different vendor solutions, unfortunately the same does not appear to be true for ASA Autoslew. I have managed to get Autoslew to recognise the Pulsar ASCOM driver in as much as the menu options for Open and Close of the shutter are now enabled, unfortunately when I execute the Open command I receive the following error output: -------------09:13:24------------ Dome Problem:Object reference not set to an instance of an object Has anyone ever successfully used the Pulsar ASCOM driver with Autoslew? I have tried uninstalling and re-installing the driver… same result. The Pulsar driver is 32 bit running on a 64bit Windows 10 computer. ASCOM Diagnostics returns the following: Create Creating device Connected Connecting to device Name Pulsar Observatories Dome Description Pulsar Observatories Dome DriverInfo Pulsar Observatories Dome Drive Version: 6.3 DriverVersion 6.3 InterfaceVersion 2 Azimuth, Altitude Property not available - Property read Altitude is not implemented in this driver. AtHome False AtPark False Connected Disconnecting from device Dispose Disposing of device Dispose Completed disposal ReleaseComObject Releasing COM instance GC Collect Starting garbage collection GC Collect Completed garbage collection Kind Regards Paul
  11. Hi there folks, can anyone recommend a narrow to wide dovetail adapter. My C8 Edge currently has a CGE adapter plate on it for use with my ASA DDM85, however I would like to use it with my Vixen Sphinx, and an adapter plate seems like the best way to go rather than swapping over the dovetail bar. Kind Regards Pauk.
  12. Hi there I recently installed an EcoAir DD1 Mk5 dehumidifier in my Pulsar Observatory. Looking for recommendations for scheduling. I currently have the unit scheduled on between 05:00 and 09:00. I’m thinking that in addition to this I should probably have the unit running during the evening as well. Or… perhaps there are more optimal schedules? I live in central Scotland. Kind Regards Paul.
  13. Hi there, just wondering if anyone happens to have a set of DDM85 metrics that I could use with my 2.7m dome ASCOM setup. New to dome setup so I'm sort of experimenting at the moment. As I don't yet have my pier (unforeseen budget complications), I'm currently working with my Altair Starbase Tri-Pier. The ASCOM dome setup requires the following in either inches or mm Total North/South Offset Total East/West Offset Total Up/Down Offset Dome Diameter or Dome Radius GEM Axis Offset Any assistance greatly appreciated. Kind Regards Paul.
  14. Thanks for the feedback Tomatobro, will have a look into this, and get back to you.
  15. Hi guys, hoping someone on the forum can recommend a humidity sensor unit for my observatory. Kind Regards Paul.
  16. Direct Drive technology. 64kg instrument payload Renishaw absolute encoders Spectacular pointing and tracking and a whole lot more. Here’s an old fact sheet on the Astrograph.net website: https://astrograph.net/WebRoot/LCN/Shops/www_astrograph_net/5B8F/1E85/5121/D95F/4C37/0A0C/05B7/E09A/DDM85Standard_Datasheet.pdf unfortunately ASA stopped making them in 2018, their focus has returned to institutional customers which was their mainstay prior to venturing into the amateur market in the late noughties. Kind Regards Paul.
  17. It’s an ASA DDM85, out of the 2017 production run, but never used in anger. It’s amazing what a polite enquiry on a vendor forum can turn up.🙂
  18. An eagerly awaited package finally arrived from Holland yesterday and following a little reading and exercise of my grey matter, this: turned into this: first coarse balance achieved, plan to dive into the electronics and software tomorrow evening😀
  19. Hi there everyone. I trying to decide on a Pier for my 2.7m dome. Curious about what the ideal height is for the pier. Height between the concrete and the lower point of the dome aperture window is about 1.8m. The dome will house an ASA DDM85 Mount. Kind Regards Paul.
  20. Yves I’m considering the e-fric as the mount for my new observatory. Do you have a video of the mount in operation? Can pm you my personal email address. Since the mount does not come with an integrated controller, I’m also curious about how you mount the OnStep unit to the mount, and what cabling you use. I have a preference where possible for LAN/WiFi based control over SkySafari. Kind Regards Paul.
  21. I’ve noted over the years the trials and tribulations of my fellow astronomers coping with a mish-mash of software, hardware solutions and mangled nests of cabling, stumbling up the ever steepening learning curve, and I have no desire to repeat the cycle, so I’m just looking to make my life easier from the outset. 🙂
  22. Hi there guys, hope Xmas prep is going well 🙂 Posted this question in an attempt perhaps to push me into a decision. I’m targeting a mount capable of delivering unguided imaging for an instrument load of about 20Kg over about 20mins. Of the mounts out there the majority of the key players are way to rich for my blood. Considering I’m located in the U.K. I’m also more attracted to a European supplier (potential shipping, support costs), that being the case I’ve come to a short list one: 10 Micron HPS 1000 Just wondering if there are other options to consider. I saw some marketing on the ASA DDM60 Pro the other day and thought that was the way to go, only to find out that ASA have dropped them from production 😞 Hoping for some inspirational feedback. Kind Regards Paul.
  23. Hi there I’m looking for recommendations for a dehumidifier to install in my Pulsar Observatory. Topic has probably been done to death already over the years however a lot of the posts are several years old, just wondering what the best dehumidifier currently on the market is for this use-case. Kind Regards Paul.
  24. Pulsar Obsy kit delivered this evening…. How am I feeling… Daunted…😅
  25. Kinch I guess your control would be via ASCOM then? I foresee an issue for me there, in that I may not be able to source an ASCOM driver for my ‘somewhat Vintage’ Sphinx SXW.
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