adyj1

Beginning with a 300p could prove to be challenging, but it should give fantastic views, so if you hit problems, don't get discouraged and keep coming back to ask for help. (you may not find it difficult, it's just not the sort of scope that is traditionally used to learn the ropes). So, if you want to hook up a dslr - that's a few more rungs up the beginner's ladder, so you are really setting yourself a challenge. Your first issue is whether you can achieve focus with a dslr. When you switch from an eyepiece to a camera you normally have to rack the focuser in quite a bit - on some scopes the focuser won't actually travel far enough in, and you then have to resort to compromises like using a Barlow lens which is not ideal. Hopefully someone with the same kit as you will be along to advise (if not start a thread and call it something like 'dslr focus with a 300p flex dob?'). Assuming a dslr can achieve focus, you need a nikon t2 adapter for your camera with ideally a 2" barrel, (although I got mine from the 'bay and could only find a 1.25" - found a canon one later that was 2" and the two barrels were interchangeable. I'm on my mobile atm, so it's not easy to provide a link.) Your next 'problem' is that the Nikon D3200 can't be controlled by the mainstream astrophotography software (like APT) I know, I started with that camera. It is something to do with nikon not releasing an SDK to developers or something... HOWEVER, I don't see this as a problem, as it will simplify things on that front and give you the chance to get familiar with all the other things you'll need to learn. To take astrophotos with your D3200 connected to the scope you will need an intervalometer,so that you can automatically take lots of long exposure pics. I got a wireless one for about £20. You'll need to also learn how to take darks, flats and bias shots, but that is still easily done with your intervalometer. I remember that getting focus was a challenge when switching between eyepiece and dslr, so take your time with that. A bahtinov mask is invaluable for this. That's probably enough for now - hope this helps. Ady

Thanks very much for that - it lists my Nikon D3200, so I may give it a go. Ady

Is there a list of supported dslrs anywhere? I couldn't find one...

A good question, but I've only had it a couple of months so time will tell. I'll probably end up putting another cheap garden cover over it during the height of summer...

I used 'Cygnus Astro Covers' http://neilross758.wixsite.com/cygnus-astro-covers/breathable-covers The site seems to be a low-volume producer of covers and the feedback during the order process was a bit non-existent, but I'm very pleased with the heavyweight cover I received. Far better than the garden chair cover I was considering... Ady

Yes, I have a v3 handset which came with a SW AZ Goto mount. It supports the AZ and eq modes

Unfortunately, my guiding ambitions were put on the back burner once I realised that my EQ5 couldn't take the 150pds AND st80 guide scope. I also found I had a lot more to learn about everything else, so haven't got round to looking at it again. Hopefully I'll be able to have a go at it over the summer... Ady

I agree with Mr donkey, it may be a very big minus for you that it only runs on Windows, but it's hardly a shortcoming that sets it apart from the rest...

I agree - thanks for showing the detail, Alan.

I like the way you roll ? ✅ My next project ☺

I've stayed in hotel rooms that haven't been that well equipped ?

Well, I think we can safely say it isn't going to fall over ? Looking good

That looks interesting, but I'm not sure about their dimensions; Bottom row; three holes 19mm apart (centre to centre). Second row; three holes 17.5mm apart - but both rows look the same length? What am I missing?

I'm using a cheap light panel and would like to do this - how can the ADU be checked? Thanks, Ady

Just to add for clarification (in case it helps) Skysafari *thinks* it is connecting to a mount, when in reality it is Synscan 'pretending' to be a mount by advertising an ASCOM interface on port 11882. Synscan takes the commands from Skysafari via ASCOM and then controls the mount through the connection you have already made (hence @R26 oldtimer saying make sure all is well with synscan, including alignment, before trying Skysafari.) Skysafari -> (ASCOM) -> Synscan -> (WiFi ) -> Mount Hope this helps Ady

when you are running skysafari on a different device to the one you are running synscan, you have to go through a convoluted way of finding out the real IP Address of the synscan device. With this, because they're both running on the same device, it's easy!

127.0.0.1 is a special ip address that equates to the computer/host itself - in other words it means the device running skysafari. Ady

Thanks for the update, @R26 oldtimer-one now on order... Ady

Alan, Sorry, my humour was a bit obtuse; I meant that I've downloaded the manual a few times but didn't actually spot the pinouts,and now that someone has pointed it out I feel a bit sheepish ?? ? ... (I blame electronic manuals - if I'd had a paper one I'd have spotted it. Probably ?) Thanks again for your help ☺ Ady

Alan, Thanks very much for your post, but there appears to be a problem with your link. When I click it, it says "Do you really want to download the manual for the THIRD time, Ady? Do you?"... ? ? ? ? Thanks for the pointer, exactly the info I needed - didn't expect it to be in the manual! And thanks also for the 3.3v/5v reminder. Ady

Hi I'd like to make my own FTDI EQDIR USB Adapter for my new(to me) AZ GTi mount... Does anyone know what the pinouts for the rj12 connector are? The 8-pin RJ45 connections are well documented, but I can't find a 6-pin RJ12 wiring diagram... Lynx astro do make one, so I know it is possible ? Thanks Ady

I know what you mean, but I would say you were just following instructions... Every time my update failed - sometimes after as little as 5% - it said to power on and off. Luckily for me, it always returned with a SynScan (no number) Wi-Fi SSID. Perhaps try the 4-hr reset and hope that the normal SSID returns. [4-hr reset is to switch on the mount and leave for at least 4 hours without connecting to the WiFi (not a problem for you - you can't ?), then power off and on] Good Luck! Ady

I posted this in the other thread; "Just thought I'd add some encouraging findings to this thread, as I managed to get out of the 'Firmware Update Failed' cycle. The beta firmware for the EQ mode 'AZGTi_RightArm_AZ_EQ_V0316' would not flash, failing at different percentages during the update (I think I tried about 6 times, each time trying to fight back the tears ? ). I then tried to flash the normal firmware 'AZGTi_motor_controller_firmware_0316' and it worked at the first attempt. I tried the EQ firmware again and that worked first time too. So don't give up if your GTi does get stuck in a failed firmware update cycle - try different firmware versions." Ady PS - any others had this success?

Just thought I'd add some encouraging findings to this thread, as I managed to get out of the 'Firmware Update Failed' cycle. The beta firmware for the EQ mode 'AZGTi_RightArm_AZ_EQ_V0316' would not flash, failing at different percentages during the update (I think I tried about 6 times, each time trying to fight back the tears ?). I then tried to flash the normal firmware 'AZGTi_motor_controller_firmware_0316' and it worked at the first attempt. I tried the EQ firmware again and that worked first time too. So don't give up if your GTi does get stuck in a failed firmware update cycle - try different firmware versions. Ady

I'm a big fan of skysafari, but the 'plus' version is good enough for me, and a bit cheaper...