Marvin Jenkins

Nice one Rob, small scope but attention to detail with colimation, or should I say calibration. Never thought to check the square of the focuser! I have so much to learn from the details of conversations like this. I have to say that Ron ‘barkis’ sorry if I have your name wrong, has the kind of experience and calm educational teaching that makes me look out for his input. Supernova, well deserved.

Thank you Peter. Do you think I should delete the current ascom software that came bundled with my scope (Gemini, ascom profile etc etc) or will I need to keep this in addition to eqmod? Thank you for the link also.

Hi there. Have to say I am not tech when it comes to tech so if replying please assume I know the minimum. I have a small newt on an NEQ5 pro synscan V5. The OTA is an Orion space probe 130st which came with a bundled set of free programmes, starry night and some ascom drivers. Since moving up to the NEQ5 mount I thought about controlling it via a lap top after buying and reading Steve Richards excellent book ‘Making every photon count’. In the near future I was planning on moving up to a SW150 pds and experimenting with photography, with a view to learning the basics then going onto HEQ5 or above to really get good images. My question is the programmes I have on my laptop are ASCOM drivers v6.2 and only appear to give me a small control pane with basic controls which looks nothing like the screen shot on page 154 fig15.1. Have I got a basic version of Ascom’s platform that needs to be up dated or is EQmod something entirely different. Marvin

I will try tomorrow with your settings if possible, sorry work means I have to go to bed, and it’s solid cloud out now anyway. If I get any strange results I will get in touch. Looks like you are all correct in your month day year set up. I hope I can help. Marv

Just a quick thought. I have seen a post in the past on here about a similar problem. It might sound obvious but the the date setting on my V5 is American, ie month, day, year. Not European day, month year. swap the month for the day and a big difference. Doesn’t explain your first star alignment being close, but worth checking. Sorry if this already been addressed in past replies. Marv

I will have a play with my set up and see if I can replicate your problems. Perhaps if I can enter a setting in reverse of my current settings or change time date etc I can be of use. No such thing as a stupid question on SGL. I have only been at this for about two years and the knowledge base here is amazing. Give me your basic long lat so I know where about you are viewing from.

Just so you don’t despair. SGL is top heavy with knowledge and be assured that all anyone on this site wants is for you to solve your issues and get star gazing.

Interesting, I have the exact mount as yours but have a 130 newt and the V5 kit without a problem. in relation to your picture (I assume the first picture is in home or park) which part of your scope is hitting your mount or it’s legs?

Hi Bill, and welcome. Just getting the pattern back on thread.

I normally go to ‘B’ when I have spilt wine down the front of mine.

Good thing is it’s only a 130 mirror, but I don’t want to muck it up as it is my first scope and although I know it will not be my last, I will never let it go. I guess it’s that first moon and first Messier, stay with you forever.

I love the quote “ the famous LN 300” it’s a bit like being around kids as they talk about Cardi B and I have no idea.

Nice. Two years from purchase and for the first time looked into my newt at the main mirror, dirty!!! Yes, spots blobs and with a great big hair laying across it’s face. I’m going in.. always been scared until I read this. Thank you for the confidence boost. Marv.

The kind of kit us mortals dream of, or should I say are aiming at. Is that some form of pier mount at the bottom of the pic? I have only basic kit compared to you, but I am about a year away from building a small obsy, so tips would be much appreciated. I am lucky to have dark skies, a big garden in an elevated position, without trees or large buildings, (rural France, one farm house in a field) I have to say, dude, that wiring looks complicated.

Typical of how companies operate these days. Only thing to say is these people will never get my custom. Furthermore lots of people on this forum should say the same thing. Maybe they would change there business practice or go out of business.