kunene

How I get the Skywatcher wedge. I am thinking of Benro or Manfroto geared  head. I think geared heads are better.  

I learnt there is now a Mak to SCT adapter for $5 with shipping on Aliexpress. 

 35%OFF | EYSDON SCT Male Transform to Mak Female Threads T Ring Adapter 2"-24TPI to M44.5*1mm Telescope Converter Threads Conversion
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqC2zuX

I have always felt that adapters shouldn't be that expensive. 

On 10/11/2019 at 18:02, WanderingEye said:

In that case then someone need to inform FLO, as they do one cable for both mounts...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/lynx-astro-silicone-power-cable-for-sky-watcher-az-eq5-az-eq6-eq6-r-eq8-r-mounts.html

EQ8 is not the same as EQ8-R. Always be mindful of those little details but significant differences or learning will be expensive. 

On 22/12/2018 at 15:36, Wiu-Wiu said:

I can't seem to find a lot of info on the QHYCCD Astrobar 1 - only that it seems to be discontinued. 

I think this piece of equipment is very similar to the EAGLE (Primalucelab). 

 

I have one and would like to see if it would be handy to incorporate it into my setup. What can I make it do for me? 

I was thinking to put it in charge of dew heating and autofocus, but it looks like it could also take control over my camera, guiding and goto. (ascom pre-installed)

Any ideas? 

 

 

Hi.

How far did you go with Astrobar? Though, it has officially been continued, a lot of aliexpress.com sellers still carry it. 

I guess it didn't really catch on as you hardly find users. This is probably because of its meager processing powers and only 2Gb memory. The manufacturer might after also found out defects and bugs. 

Interestingly, it is still selling for atleast $350 on aliexpress. You were the only owner I could find.

So, how did it go?.

+1. ClearOutside is a great tool but it lacks adequate explanations. If time and resources can be used to develop such an important tool,adding a little documentation shouldn't be a big deal.

On 28/11/2020 at 15:29, SteveNickolls said:

Hi kunene, if you are going to add a PLL dovetail clamp on top of the Eagle Core to take a dovetail on the OTA it has a pre-drilled hole to accommodate the protruding 1/4" screw so it doesn't hit the OTA. 😀

Cheers,
Steve

Thanks for the information. 

3 hours ago, SteveNickolls said:

I have never tried to remove the 1/4" screw but would think it was not meant to come out since that could mean it might work loose sometime in use and PLL get blamed. You could drop an email to PLL, do let us know the reply if you do.

Going back to the 61 mm app at 2 kg  weight thats less than I've attached to the top of my Eagle Core in the past with no issues.  In the printed manual page 80 when talking about fitting a guide scope on top of the Eagle Core using a pair of rings it states, "...the guide telescope should not exceed 3 kg in weight to avoid flexures." I'm not at my main pc listing all the measured weights of my PLL accessories. But I will post them ASAP.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Steve

P.S. The clamp weighs 314g and the PL 140 mm dovetail bar 185g.

Thanks Steve.

But I am assuming that if you are to mount a telescope  on top, the screw might   be a kind of obstacle as it may protrude towards the OTA. 

16 minutes ago, SteveNickolls said:

Hi, I bought a PLL dovetail clamp when I first ordered my Eagle Core and have used it to hold various parts for imaging such as this accessory from Teleskop Express-

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p9891_TS-Optics-Telephoto-Lens-and-Camera-holder-with-Vixen-style-dovetail-bar.html

It would certainly hold a guide set up on a dovetail bar.

I would think that should be fine, do you know what tbe 61 mm scope weighs?

Cheers,

Steve

Thanks for your reply.

It weighs just under 2kg.  Do you know if that screw on top is removable? 

Thanks 

The Primalucelab lab ecosystem though very aesthetic, therefore very pleasing to the eyes , are very expensive.

I got a pair of  tube rings, guides rings and dovetail bars and cable for over £ 300 . That's even more than what I spent on the Eagle Core itself or the Sesto Sensor I just got. But they are well built stuffs.

However, I think they are a little more expensive than they should be. 

Currently, I mount the Eagle core on top of the telescope guide rings I got from Primalucelab and then mount the 60mm guide scope with Primalucelab guide ring on top of the Eagle core.

However,  I have a small 61mm Apo that the Eagle Core can not go on top of, atleast not with the tube rings it came with and I don't  have the budget right now to buy another Primalucelab guide ring for the scope.

What I am contemplating is mounting the Eagle Core directly on the dovetail bar  and then mounting the 61mm Apo onto of it. I guess it should work that way. 

Who knows if the screw on the top of Eagle Core is removable  ? I don't want to force it with a plier unless I am sure it's removable.  I am talking about the ball head screw where you can mount a camera.

I have been exploring different methods to mount the Eagle Core On different scopes and guide scopes. I am thinking of  screwing a dovetail clamp on top of the Eagle Core and using it to hold a  mini guide scope. 

Unfortunately, only the Primalucelab clamp has holes that fits exactly  and it is twice as expensive as other clamps.  Who uses Primalucelab clamps or other clamps? 

I really don't know  their thinking or reasons for wanting to keep the extended manual in print form.

Probably, it is because they claim that the printed manual also serves as an astrophotography  primer but  there is nothing special about the astrophotography tips I saw in the printed manual. 

Instead , there are several functions of the device that are explained only in the printed manual.  As if they want to make it a secret, only to be seen by those who have bought the device. I don't know how that makes sense. 

The world has since moved past instructional manuals only in printed form.

7 hours ago, SteveNickolls said:

Hi kunene, I've had similar problem in the past on various combinations of mount etc and I've found a piece of plastic say from a milk carton or a washer or two will often take up the difference between the mated faces to allow a solid orientation of the guidescope. You might need to experiment with a few pieces of plastic/washers until you get the 'right' fit. 👍 Plastic doesn't scratch like washers.

Cheers,
Steve

Thanks for your Insight. I hope a piece of plastic won't cause some flexure. 

Thanks. 

How can I make this plate face the correct direction (orientation) ?

I am trying to use it to mount as Small guidescope. I am threading it into the Eagle core 1/4 screw but it wouldn't face forward before getting tight. How do it get the right orientation? 

Thanks

There was actually an update to ver 2.9 a week ago but it only added 2 cameras.  At this point, I don't think they are really interested in any major update. 

1 hour ago, stash_old said:

Dont have or know Eagle box other than it runs Wins 10. But if it supports Ascom you can do platesolving (assuming that the eagle allows software installs!) using Astrotortilla as this has an inbuilt ASCOM mount interface and even if it cannot interface with your camera(s) (it needs a supported ascom camera) you can use the manual "load image" part of Astrotortilla to use an image to solve and this will inform all ASCOM mount software the solved Ra/Dec - again assuming Eagle uses or makes available the mount driver via ASCOM. So the workflow would be take image,load image into Astrotortilla,Platesolve abd if ok sync mount - the latter should then show you where your mount is pointing (via your Planeltarium software)

the requirement would be

1. Able to install Astrotortilla onto Eagle

2. Load correct index's for your camera's FOV - have you enough disc space

3. Set the correct paramters for Astrotortilla (google SGL Astrotortilla) so get max solving speed

4. Celeron CPU will be slower for Platesolving so faster version the better.

Note depending on your FOV and how close your mount is to the object selected the platesolving times will differ. Also your CPU type ,  using SSD and memory also effect the platesolving speed.

There are other options such as ASTAP (very fast and very simple to install as it comes with its own Index's of about 700mb),ASPS (will auto sync mount) ,platesolve2 and even local Astrometry.net but you would have to pass the cords manual unless you can do command line scripts under Windows

IMO I do not see that Eagle manufactures have a valid reason for not implementing Platesolving as you will not be taking images while platesolving and the rest of the software will be dormant or using little CPU time.

This thread is for Eagle Core and not the Eagle. They are different - Eagle Core runs a proprietary OS and not Windows. There is absolutely no way to implement platesolving on Eagle Core. 

On 27/09/2019 at 16:29, jcj380 said:

Those are the ones I have on my TW 1 now.   It would be great if they fit the SW AZ.  I'll ask Serge, thanks.

 

Did you still find out if they fit? 

Thanks

On 22/08/2020 at 17:12, SteveNickolls said:

 

I communicated with Primalucelab about the need for polar alignment feature. They said well, I could use a laptop to polar align with PHD, then guide and capture with Eagle Core.

I found this very ridiculous. It defeats the whole purpose of not wanting to have a computer on the field in the first place . That was almost three years ago. 

Since then, there have been no major improvements  in the device, apart from adding the delay which should have been there in the first place and compatibility with more cameras and Primalucelab focusers. 

I have to admit that the Eagle Core works very well for what it is being marketed for, but the hardware is being grossly underutilized . Hence, there are better options out there.  

The hardware is well capable of a polar alignment feature, platesolving and even capturing with CMOS/CCD cameras but it requires a major overhaul of the operating system.  Primalucelab doesn't want to do this , despite the fact that market forces are not on their side. There is Lacerta MGEN,  AsiAir Pro, Atik Base and even Pegasus Power Power Box which could be coupled with a mini PC. All these do much more at lower prices. Lacerta MGEN almost twice more expensive but comes with its own guide camera a handheld  device with an inbuilt screen. 

I understand their business model of trying to keep it less complex and less complicated to attract newbies but it does not  amount to a lot more sales. You can still keep it simple but give users more options for them to ignore if they don't need It. 

With the form factor and aesthetics of Eagle Core, the device should have been very common in the market now but only a few people use it because the company has refused to invest in software development. You can count the number of threads where Eagle Core has been discussed. There is only one independent review on YouTube and on the internet. And those guys admitted that it was a complimentary copy for review from Primalucelab. People were even asking of polar alignment and platesolving in that comment section of that review .  And that was more than three years ago.

Another problem is that they prize themselves out of the market. Their cables and accessories are the most expensive in the industry. Who sales a simple cable for $50 or a DSLR coupler for $80?  Pegasus Astro sells its own DSLR coupler for $18 .I have been making my own cables for under $10. I made DSLR coupler for under $20. I just couldn't bring myself to buying those expensive accessories. That alone discourages prospective users.

I have suggested features to them for almost three years and I don't didn't there is anything anyone will suggest to them today that has been suggested before. Perhaps they are fearful that they may not get a return on investment if they pay software developers because for them to integrate polar alignment and platesolving, they will need partnership from PHD and the astrometry people. This means licenses.  You get the idea? The only features that you may suggest are minor ones like that delay timer . 

Atleast It does deliver on its promises but to be honest, the gadget is lagging behind and almost outdated. Go to a star party and you are the only one using it . They look at it like something inferior. 

I can bet you that if Primalucelab adds polar alignment and platesolving, the Eagle Core will start selling like hot cake and beat the competition as it has such a beautiful form factor and design,  as well as its cable management abilities . 

However , like I noted, it is not a disappointing device as it delivers on promises.  It can only get better as it has futuristic capabilities. That's if the manufacturer allows it to reach its potential. 

Look at what they said at about further upgrade 

Development:
With firmware version 1.00 the MGEN-3 has about the same functionality as the MGEN-2, but has 
some important improvements. Numerous other features are in planning, such as platesolving and 
related features (micro GoTo via ST4, polar alignment, etc). There is an onboard WiFi module that 
will allow wireless connection to PCs or mobile phones and apps, adaptive optics, measuring of 
field rotation and derotator, and more. Please send us your ideas. Suggestions are always welcome.

Maybe 1 GB of RAM Is not that limiting after all.  I just checked Lacerta MGEN 3 and it has only 64 MB of RAM and 4 GB SD. Yet, it packs a lot of features and has inbuilt colour screen. 

5 hours ago, SteveNickolls said:

I was able to find out the specification for the Eagle Core back in February, this is what I posted on 20.2.2020-

"My understanding on the Eagle Core spec

(taken from the technical data tab on https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p9959_PrimaLuceLab-EAGLE-CORE---Control-Unit-for-astrophotography-with-a-DSLR-camera.html  ) is that the ARM cpu is very efficient and runs a proprietory Eagle App, I think Linux based. I understand ARM cpu's are used very widely to run bespoke systems using little power. "

That indeed would be very interesting.

At some point I will contact PLL and put forward again the benefit of incorporating the two ideas I would like to see integrated into the Eagle app in a future update particularly wrt the addition of an exif temperature value which would go hand in hand with the 'delay' ability provided in v2.8.

Cheers,
Steve

I think the RAM is indeed limiting.  The SSD is generous enough for a basic gadget. If only the RAM is user replaceable. 

4 hours ago, SteveNickolls said:

Thanks for that clarification kunene .

There may be hardware limitations but I think there are features that can fly. Maybe, they just want to keep the development cost low. For instance, what processing power is "time elapsed" feature going to eat up.

You don't see a lot of discussions about it becuase the features are almost too basic to the point of being outdated and it shouldn't be so.  The competitors  are way ahead. People prefer ASIair pro , Lacerta Mgen and AtikBase.

They can still keep it simple and basic but give users more options.  There is no doubt that people like simple solutions and that's why they prefer Asiair and Lacerta Mgen to Stellarmate but both of those gadgets still gives users various options. 

I don't know what the processing powers and RAM of Eagle Core are and I don't know why Primalucelab doesn't include this in the specifications but I doubt that the Larceta Mgen will have more processing power but look at what you can do with that. Basic but very useful. 

So, I think it is really development cost that is keeping Eagle Core from getting a major update. They don't want to spend money. They forget that it will enable them sell more devices. An update can even turn one of the USB ports to an external storage port. 

Also, Primalucelab should tell us what processor is used and the size of RAM.

I hate to say these but the Eagle Core doesn't really have unique features anymore. The competition is doing better. 

Eagle Core needs a major update.  I don't know what makes it impossible. 

18 hours ago, SteveNickolls said:

FWIW I have checked through the accompanying pdf manual for the Eagle Core bundled with the latest downloadable v2.8 update and there are no changes written down that I can find. TBH the pdf manual could do with a complete re-write as the pdf version refers to certain information only available in a paper manual accompanying the purchase of an Eagle Core.

The changes introduced in v2.8 are-

Version 2.8 25/06/2020

1) Added the possibility to set a delay time between images

2) Added support for the Canon EOS 4000D

3) Added support for Nikon Z50 and D850

Incidentally does anyone know what the changes incorporated in v2.7 mean when referring to 'SIXTH SENSE 2' and 'EXACT'?-

Version 2.7 02/03/2020

1) Added support for SIXTH SENSE 2 and EXACT

Cheers,
Steve

They translated the focusers to English from the Italian products names.  Sixth Sense 2 is the Sesto Sensor 2 electronic auto focuser while Exact is the Exacto precision focuser.   

It doesn't make sense that they felt the need to translate it to English. A product name is a product name. 

I think Eagle Core v2.7 firmware is out.

However,  I doubt that there are significant new features.  Probably just support for their focusers and more cameras .