northantsnick

23 minutes ago, Craney said:

I'm liking the innovation, but would it not be easier to wrap the weights around the counter-balance arm and adjust (slide) the position to suit ?   Saves anything hanging off the OTA..

Just wondering ?

 

Well I suppose you could. Didn't look at it from that perspective. 

Just worked for me. 

Might try your suggestion though

Nick

Hi. I had the same issue with my Cem60 and the OTA I was using. 

Solved by increasing the weight of the OTA by buying some gym arm and ankle wrap round weights from Decathlon (very cheap). I bought a combination of 1.5 and 2.5 kilos weights. When wrapped around the tube they are very stable as they are secured to themselves with velcro

I agree the single 9 kilo weight you receive with these mounts is way too much and of course most retailers don't stock the smaller weight. The hole diameter is odd too at 28mm and other mount weights won't fit it. 

Nick

Thanks

After speaking to IVO at APT (strangely he has the same mount !) it appears that the slew controls in APT provide little to no response on the CEM60 and he suggests Pointcraft, platesolve, Goto++ and then use Commander to hone in if needed.

What I achieved (which wasnt happening before) was the selection of an object and the straightforward Goto and it worked perfectly, meaning of course that APT is talking to my mount without errors or conflicts.

One of the things which was interesting, which I had to dig deep in forums for, was in Commander, to enable the box "tracking". Apparantly this gives APT the permissions to talk through or with Commander.

It would be nice wouldnt it, if there was a basic set of instructions for each mount out there, just so that the hit and miss effect could be eliminated.

Nick

Finally sorted this afternoon. 

There were quite a few steps which I had to get from multiple posts. But now all sweet with Apt 😁😁😁

Thanks

I am using direct connection from pc to mount via RS232 port. Ioptron doesnt support EQMOD

I actually receive an  error report when i use manual controls in APT

Nick

Referring to a CEM60 non EC

So I have a direct connection between mount and computer.

Mount has latest firmware

Connects fine through Ioptron commander and I can manually control the mount

Connects fine through PHD2 and the mount connects

Connects fine through NINA and I can manually control the mount

However APT connects but I get an exception when I try to manually slew the mount and it just wont move

Any thoghts?

Nick

Success

Thank you all for your help

I had to do a repair on the redistributable C++ package first and then I installed the firmware

Plugged it back into my new machine and PHD has found it and connected

Thank you all sooooo much for your help, saved me money and frustration

You are all brilliant

Nick

Thanks

I just downloaded the new firmware.... is that the same as flashing the firmware. For some reason I thought they were different

Nick

So I have a message back from Sam at ZWO and he says I have to Flash the firmware to the camera with as he puts it "name compatible". However he seems unable to offer advice on how to do this

Any ideas on how I can flash this camera

Its worth a try as its completely useless as it stands

Thaks

Nick

I have just tried it as Administrator and compatability to Win7, still the same response. Could it be the cable thats causing the issue do you think. It looks like a classic printer cable with a USB at one end and the other like a square plug  thats goes into the camera

Nick

Thanks, not sure how to do that if im honest

Nick

Just as an interesting point, I thought I would try my old Meade DSI II (yes I still own one in the original box !)

Downloaded the drivers and the envisage suite and it runs fine (well it connects without issues) and this camera is a lot older than the ZWO

Nick

Thanks

The camera does indeed show up under an imaging tab in devcice manager when, and only when I plug it in (the imaging tab isnt there before I insert the camera). However it has an orange warning triangle on it.

When I open its properties it displays the following message under general headings:-

The device cannot start (code 10)

Insufficient resources exist to complete the API

When I then look under events tab I see the following in the information section :-

Device USB\VID_03C3&PID_120A\00000 requires further installation

The device works fine under machines running Win10 with Intel chips, but I appear to be having this issue with my AMD based laptop.

Nick

Thanks. Just looking for reassurance before I delve into the bottomless wallet again..

Any recommendation for a reasonable guide camera. Would the mini be OK? 

Thanks 

Nick 

I'm in a bit of a pickle! 

Bought a new laptop last week cos my old one finally gave up. 

Thought to myself spend a decent amount but not stupid as its going to be used only for telescopic work. 

Amd Ryzen 3500U quad core processor running Win 10.

Fast at multitasking and a decent screen. 

All looking good. 

Downloaded all my programs, Nina, APT, I-Polar, PHD2, Canon Drivers, Ioptron mount drivers, Ascom and finally got to my guide camera, the old Zwo ASI120MM (USB 2 version). 

Everything worked except the Zwo. Native driver download from their site is giving me an Error 10. Not sufficient resource to run Api in Device manager. 

Now my issue is that if the computer won't enable the native driver what's the point in upgrading the camera to a more modern version. 

Is it the computer? Or is it the incompatibility of Zwo and Amd chipset. 

I have emailed Zwo and all they tell me to do is flash the firmware on the camera. 

So I did this on a desktop computer as mine won't even run the firmware because it doesn't recognise the camera. 

Even after the firmware upgrade I get the same errors and the camera just isn't seen. 

How would this be different with a new Zwo camera if the drivers don't function. 

Help or insight would be much appreciated 

Many thanks

Nick 

Interesting topic this. I have an original ASI120MM. Usb2 version. I am having real issues getting my new win10 laptop to run the camera. I have downloaded the native zwo drivers but in device manager I get error 10 not enough resources to run api. Yet I put it on my surface Pro (work computer) and it runs fine. 

I don't get it. Anyone any thoughts

Thanks 

Nick

Thank you for your responses. I appreciate the input

Best regards

Nick

Hi All

Probably in the wrong section here but I will ask.

I have an Equinox ED80 Pro and I would like to fit an auto focus unit to it enabling me to use APT or NINA focus routines from my seated position without having to touch the OTA.

I have narrowed it to 3 potentials and just would like to know how peoples experiences have faired particularly with small refractors like mine

ZWO EAF

Pegasus Cube V2

Senso  from Primaluce

There appears to be approx £100 difference between them in cost, but I don't just want to buy the most expensive one on the basis that it's cost dictates its quality , which isn't always the case

Just thoughts would help me a little further

many thanks

Nick

Thank you all for kindly offering your views and advice. I certainly have some things to consider now 

Nick

Thanks for the heads up.

The only other system I could see was the Italian one from Primaluce, but the cost is ridiculous.

I noticed that Autofocus in APT can give hit and miss results, but I understand it has a Bahtinov tool to hone in on the focus point

Cheers

Nick

Hi All

I am considering automating my focus routines within NINA

I have an Equinox ED80 Pro and was just wondering if anyone had some insights on whether the Pegasus FocusCube was a good match to this OTA's standard crayford set up and how well the stepper motors perform through the computer.

I am sure anything is better than actually touching the scope, but my hands are a little shaky and I would prefer to have full Ascom control at the computer if at all possible

Many thanks

Nick

You should be rotating the RA so that the constellations that you see in the polar scope match the sky

This will then put the small circle in the correct position.

You can then use the fine adjustments on the mount to move the head east or west as required and alter the declination to be ea=xact

Once that's done you should lockdown, rotate your RA back to the perpendicular position (weight and scope in south/north position) and you will be roughly polar aligned.

Nick

Bit the bullit during my lunch hour today at work and drew up a CAD file for a Bahtinov Mask for my Equinox 80ED Pro

Transferred it over to my CNC flatbed knife cutter and used some 10mm thick high density PE foam to cut the design.

Quite pleased actually and looking forward to trying it out.

It should fit nicely into the end of the drawtube and sit proud enough to be able to remove it easily

Thanks I will take a look

Nick 

Hi all, 

I'm looking for some advice please. 

I have a Cem60, a c9. 25xlt, a skywatcher equinox ED80 Pro and a low cost skywatcher 80t refractor. 

I have been trying to set up to image using the Equinox which for its size is quite a heavy ota. 

Im struggling with balancing. 

1. I have invested in a side by side ADM system but cannot achieve balance. This appears to have been a waste of a few hundred pounds. 

2. I have no idea how to piggyback 1 telescope onto another. 

3. I need to buy a suitable guidscope and then be given some pointers on how to attach it to either the mount or the refractor to enable Dec balance to be achieved. 

If I need dovetails, clamps, superglue, blue-tac you name it I will get it. 

I just am getting a little frustrated. 

I have asked a very popular on-line UK retailer from whom I bought both the mount and the bars from recently and the answer I received back was effectively..... You need to buy a dovetail!!! 

That didn't help me. 

So the questions are

1. Guiding scope? (I will be using an ASI120MM for guiding) 

2. If piggybacked what equipment do I need to do this

3. If side by side how do I achieve balance

Any help on the right stuff would be greatfully receuved

Thanks

Nick