cjdawson

I'm currently in the process of building one of these for my telescope. Actually, I've for enough parts to build 3! I got it working at the weekend using a NEMA 14 Stepper motor, works like a charm. My version even has a Bluetooth connection so there's no need for a cable from the computer.

I'd have thought there was already enough wind at Todmorden, without the need to farm it. oh well.

There's no need to use a cloud based sharing service. Instead there's nothing stopping you from sharing a folder on the laptop, then connecting to that share from the desktop and copying the files directly across the network. There won't be any thottling involved and you can pull the files off as fast as you make them. This is the method that I've setup on my astro laptop, so that I can simply copy the files off over wifi. it's fast enough for the deep sky images.

Hiya. Here's a few thoughts to add to the mix. I'm just comming into the thread, so might repeat things what others have said already... 1. Forget about ST-4, you have a goto mount and using PHD you are better using pulse guiding. result is that you'll end up with one less cable and better results (PHD is designed for pulse guiding) 2. Windows remote desktop requires that the service side is running windows professional, so won't allow a connection on windows home edition. Alternatives will work, Teamviewer, VNC are a couple of examples. 3. As long as you can get a good network connection for both PC's you will be able to remote control the scope. The quality of the connection will determine the quality if the images you see remotely. 4. WIFI comes in many forms these days, they're not all equal. The protocols are 802.11a/b/g/n/ac or for short you have the choice of a, b, g, n or ac. a and b are extremely old and new kit doesn't bother with these. G allows 54Mbps, again it's old and probably not used. N allows about 300Mbps, and AC is much faster - I think it's comparible with Gigabit networking. For Remote control of a PC, you should be fine with G, N or AC. That is provided that you have sole access to the channel with no interference. (which can be a tall order) The distance of the PC from the Access Point (The Wifi antenna) determines the max throughput of the signal, the further you are the weaker and slower things go. 4. Wired network connections - These offer the best throughput the cables are normally 10/100/1000 Mbps. The better cables Cat 6 and above allow 1000Mbps without any second thoughts. You can get a 100m run from the switch - if you have a router (which you most likely to) all you need to do is run a standard patch cable (not cross over) to the switch and plug in there, it'll then be available on your network without any issues. I think your idea is good and should work without much difficulty. My own setup I'm running two cameras, filter wheel, and mount from a laptop. I think remote into the laptop using Windows Remote Desktop and can work with it like that. For my purposes, I run over a wifi (N) and it works just fine for my needs. The data is captured and stored on the laptop running the camera, I transfer it afterwards. This helps to keep the network traffic down a little.

The difference in price will be the quality of the item. The just take a look at the two pictures on amazon. The cheap one, looks like it's made from a cheap piece of aluminium that's been powder coated, and has the lens attached - cheap to make. I couldn't really tell you much about the quality of the lens(es) from the picture. My initial guess is that it's a single element. The orion one on the other hand looks to have been machined with a polished finished - so there's some attention to detail on the housing. They say that it's a 4 element lens, so that's 4 seperate lenses stacked together to produce the final image. I'd bet that the glass is higher quality to start with, then 4x the amount of glass. Add coatings, and I'd hazard a guess that it'll have a better output than the cheap lens. That said, I'd still want to do a side by side test to be sure.

Just to be clear when I said really hot. I meant is was much warmer that I expected. It’ll certainly be good enough to keep the dew off in a wide field setup. I got mine to run on my camera when I’m taking timelapses using my slider. In that scenario, I need to run the camera for about 6 hours at a time, and cannot touch it during the sequence - otherwise the movement will ruin the sequence.

I've got one that I'm intending to use with my DSLR Lens's for long exposure wide field work (time lapse, etc) For what I need the one I have will work well. If anything it'll get too warm, but I don't have to have it turned on all the time. Also I can turn on after the session starts without disturbing the camera. Don't know if they would be to the job of working on a 80mm scope though.

Here's my answer.... in short, don't clean it. It'll look after itself!

That would be funny. All the SGL Admin team, in bikinis, in the middle of the night. It'll be freezing!

IIRC the only place that doesn't have EHU is on the far end of the rally field. Don't think anyone has booked onto those pitches.

I've found that both EE and Three's signal is ok at Lucksall. can't remember what O2 was like. (yep. phone on EE, Mifi on Three and ipad on O2)0

Yep, that’s right. Quite how gravel can be softer, I’m not sure. They both good for caravans

The oaks are hard standings.

You'd be extremely well adviced to have an RCD somewhere in the system when plugging into the EHU. If you are camping then something like this would do the job.... https://www.leisureoutlet.com/mains-hook-ups-and-inverters/electric-and-power/camping-and-outdoors/36740-maypole-230v-mobile-mains-unit?gclid=Cj0KCQjwruPNBRCKARIsAEYNXIjcce1AjcMo10YKv-90kxumkc99NWyp_IGrhbKs8iKpSCqQx8gcggQaAooAEALw_wcB If you have a caravan/motorhome, then then should already be one inside the van. Personally I think anyone that doesn't have an RCD somewhere in their setup is asking for trouble.

You'll have plenty. Just make sure not to keep it coiled up when you are using it. Or if you do let me know so that I can toast the marshellows the your bonfire that was your tent.

Lol, you'll not be the lonely motor home. There will be both you and Jonk. I'll most likely by the lonely Caravan. We're all on Kingfisher, so it should be less lonely than last year for me, everyone else who was left was on Kingfisher.

The pitch that I have will be big enough for sure. My plan is to park a Caravan, Add an awning, toilet tent, telescope and car. Even with all of that in place. I'm still expecting that there will be room for on the pitch. I'm going for a hard standing on Kingfisher. The pitches all looked to be roughly the same size. i.e. plenty big enough

The rally field is the name for all the pitches that we're on. It's an area of the site far away from everything else. As for booking with a large tent, tell them. Anywhere on Buzzard or Hare that has electric hook ups would be suitable, iirc

Looking good. Still plenty of room for more people

"I boss, I'm phoning in sick."... "yeah, I'm seeing stars in front of my eye's"

Still plenty of time to book and stuff.

The pods are just outside the field that we all use. So you are not as far away as you'd think. You'd still be very much part of the crowd if you booked one of them.

haha. I've already packed my caravan and car ready. c'mon, I want to get there early this year, so that I'm not late for the curry.

Here http://sglsp.com/location/