Gmx76

hi @jif001 did you get anywhere with the Dec belt mod?

Great feedback all, thanks. Would love to hear more about the belt and bearing mods on this mount.

thanks both for your replies, I started mucking about with it last night, but then changed my mind and went for the the assumption of "it aint broke, don't fix it." I'm testing at the moment, and so far guiding seems ok. in terms of the hyper tuning, Dark Frame here in the UK talk about replacing some of the washers and lubricants wit bearings and giving it a "proper" hypertune so you can get 11kg imaging payload. Sounds a bit too good to be true, would love to hear if anyone has done this or achieved something like this themselves. I do like the idea of this mount being lightweight, but conscious there is always a sacrifice...

Hi, Just got a EQ35M-Pro and have a couple of questions. Firstly, EQMod, do I need to modify the Eqmod.ini for with correct settings for the Eq35 as on here (currently set for heq5 by default ) https://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/prerequisites.html Also, anyone hypertuned one of these or got one done? Can you increase payload, is it worth it? Thanks

that's the one! thanks

Hi, sometime ago, someone shared on SGL a nice graph showing different EQ mounts and their capacity ratings, does anyone have that please?

Have you cleared calibration? I recalibrate near every time now and have a lot less guiding issues.

no idea as haven't tried myself

hi, if you look back at first couple of pages, @lenscap details out the parts needed, and I took his recommendations. I used NEMA17 400 steps, https://amberspyglass.co.uk/store/48mm-nema17-stepper-motor-400step-per-rev.html. Brought from these guys. ASCOM is supported by this project, so you would need to connect it to a windows device. Just be aware this is not plug n play as such, do plenty of research and ask lots of questions!

Hi! I have an AZ-GTI using Synscan app on Windows to control, and Sharpcap for PA, and platesolving. When I Goto a target in the East and platesolve in SC, it searches, finds the correct co-ordinates and moves the mount. If i try in the West, it searches, finds co-ordinates, says it has moved the mount, but actually doesn't move it. If I take a snapshot and platesolve and then use DeepSky Annotation in ASTAP, my target is off the edge of the screen. Anyone have any ideas why this might be? For now I am just imaging in the East, at least I can get something! Thanks

hi @edjrgibbs very helpful, thanks. Looking through this it seems once the initial config is done using a Windows laptop and Synscan, thereafter its possible to connect to the RPi using any device? Reason I'm asking is that I might want to use this setup with a Mac connecting to the RPi. I do have a Windows laptop available for the initial setup, but going forward will just want to use the Mac. Cheers Greg

So much cheaper and more flexible than an out the box solution. Cheers again @lenscap!

Now I've done it once I would do it again. Might upgrade to an eq5 at some point, so will either port this Onstep or build a new one.

Cheers Andy!

Well after over 3 months of reading, buying bits from various places, waiting, getting confused, getting help, jumping in and putting it altogether (plus a bout of covid to contend with) I am finally calling this project a success! Goto's and tracking working from the app!! It's been a ride but HUUUGE thanks to @lenscapfor starting me off on this journey and your support along the way, and @fozzybear for extra guidance and linking me to that hugely useful guide from Oddvar Naess. There were a few issues a long the way, which i resolved with help or figured out myself, and when I'm feeling a little better from covid I'll do a full write-up. But I have achieved my aim of building a cheap goto system for my eq3 and learnt a ton of things along the way. On(step)wards and upwards!