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Neila1975

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Posts posted by Neila1975

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    15 minutes ago, Jamgood said:

    You need to set the COM Port that EQMod uses to connect to the mount. 

    Look in Device Manager on the PC, see what COM Port is being used. Under Ports (COM & LPT) it'll say USB Serial Port and a COM number.

    Then open the EQASCOM toolbox. If you haven't registered EQMOD, hit Register. Then click on Driver Setup and under EQMOD Port Details, select the Port number from Device Manager.

     

    Ah yes, just found that & can now move the mount with the directional pad.  :)  Thanks alot.

    • Like 1

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    Not going too well. 

    Want to check that everything connects and registers OK, getting a mount error in ascom 'connect error: port not available.'  Believe I've downloaded all the correct drivers & software but looks like I've fallen at the first hurdle.  Cable is connected from laptop direct to the handset port.   

    Any ideas? 

    Cheers

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    On 07/02/2021 at 20:22, Rustang said:

    No problem, il do my best to help you through it but I may not be able to remember ever part of setting it up. 

    Cable has arrived!  

    Will hook it up tonight.  Is everything controlled via APT?   Have other software installed, NINA, PHD2, Ascom, etc etc. 

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    55 minutes ago, Rustang said:

    Yeah that should be the right cable. So I don't use sharp cap so not familiar with it. The process I follow is, everything turned on and connected/talking to each other. I pola Align through the HEQ5 Pro pola scope, I use an app to tell me with Polaris is. Because I've set up plate solving in Apt which again can be a head ache to set up but seriously worth it, I can choose my target in APT, slew to it then plate solve in Apt, sync that to the scope. My target will then be centered in frame ready to then connect to PHD2 to guide, once guiding I go back into APT and press go on the image plan I've set. I now sit back and enjoy the ride..... then wait for something to get upset.........sit back again and enjoy the ride! 😁

     

    Plate solving is yet another game changer for getting you correctly on target. No star alignment needed, just choose the target, solve and then your away, it's awesome. I honestly had a tough time setting it all up but it's seriously made my life easier and really made a big difference to my astrophotophotography so I couldn't recommend doing all of this enough. I owe a big thanks to this forum and it's great members for their help. 

    OK.  Thanks all.

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Rustang said:

    Appricate that, my thread probably didn't help the confusion but honestly if you take the time to read through it and set it all up it's worth it, I'm not going to lie and say it's easy, it was a bit of a headache but if I can do it then you can. What else can you do while we have all these clouds! 😉

    Get the EQ Direct cable, Download the correct ASCOM drivers for your camera and mount, download EQASCOM. I think everything is within my thread but you will have to hunt for it I'm afraid. It will all be worth it, trust me. 

    OK, I've jumped in and purchased the cable (rolled eyes from the Mrs)...also read most of your thread....stay tuned as may need some help!

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Gerr said:

    Can all seem very daunting and complicated getting all your equipment talking to each other properly!!

    But as Rustang said, I also found it easier to use Lynx astro EQ Direct cable plugged into laptop and APT program as my preferred option. I also use a long USB2 cable to connect to a USB Hub attached to the mount. This is where the other imaging components are connected up - so only two cables are attached to my laptop which usually runs with no problems!

    Gerr.

    Thanks - What is APT?

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted · Edited by Neila1975

    33 minutes ago, Rustang said:

    I tried for ages to get my HEQ5 mount running via the ST4 cable and it just wouldn't work. I'm pleased it didn't because it was suggested to just run it off a laptop via a Lynx Astro EQ direct cable, I've never looked back and it's made things so much easier. So now I use the EQ direct cable with the correct EQASCOM software and control the mount via that through Apt. I've  been loving using it this way ever since, like you I wanted to make my life easier for now with the ST4 but actually the way I ended up doing it with the EQ direct option is easier in the end! 

    OK, so that another cable & a different approach?  

    Edit - so I've just checked & thats the EQMOD approach & extra cost for the cable.

    If I can get the HEQ5 mount working via the ST4 then that will need to suffice to begin with until I can start to understand things a little better.

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    48 minutes ago, Jamgood said:

    The best thing to do is set it all up in the day time and make sure everything is talking to each other. 

    If your mount is to be controlled by computer, you don't need the ST4 cable. You can use pulse guiding from PHD2 straight to the mount. This is more reliable and one less wire to worry about.

    Thanks. -how do you check it's all working?

    Secondly if it's to be controlled by the computer without the ST4 cable then a different cable would be required? 

    ST4 Guiding

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    Hi all 

    I have recently purchased a guide scope & camera combo, installed SharpCap for PA,  PHD2 for ST4 guiding &  the camera driver - just wondering if there is anything else at this stage that I need to download to get this up & running?   Seems to be some conflicting suggestions on the net that the mount HEQ5 drivers along with ASCOM are also needed but I'm pretty sure that's for using EQMOD which I'm not really keen to use at stage in my learning process as Im intent on taking it slowly to understand things a little better.  

    Any help appreciated.

    Many thanks

     

    SharpCap

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    1 hour ago, malc-c said:

     If you have the money then the Altair is the better option.  It's a dedicated guide scope, designed for that purpose.  Focusing will be easier, it has a longer focal length which is better compared to the SW finder, and it has 10mm more aperture.  But its a £100+ more so you would expect it to be.  If you want the version that replaces the sock finderscope then this is the option you might need https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/altair-60mm-guide-scope-gpcam2-package.html The one you linked to has a dovetail that fits onto the main rings of a mount, which without knowing the mount and OTA you are using I couldn't confirm if it would fit.

    The SW finder is just that, a finder scope.  It's as basic as it comes, it doesn't need to have superb optics as it's simply used to get a target into the field of view of the main scope.  These dedicated guidescopes are decent telescopes in their own right, with achromatic objective lenses, so will give you far better images than the stock finder.  But the conversion of the stock finder works, and unless you are in an area of sky with faint stars, never fails.  The 40mm or so additional focal length these dedicated guidescopes offer will help with the guiding, but again, the conversion of the stock finder still gives a decent guiding graph in PHD2

    Another alternative is the SW EVOGuide scope https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-evoguide-50ed-50mm-guidescope.html - but then you would need to add the camera, any adapters and the cost of Sharpcap, which Harrisons throw in with the deal.

    The choice is yours my friend, we can't make up your mind for you....  If in doubt speak  with Adam at Rothervalley Optics,  or give the guys at Firstlight Optics or Harrisons  a call and ask them for their opinions.  If you like the look of the scope but want a cheaper camera then see if they will do a deal on a custom package for 

     

    Thanks Malc.  The option for the dovetail- arca base works for my set-up - Scope on one side, DSLR & lens on the other & i can use existing arca clamps that I have in my photography inventory!  Went with the Altair, just ordered!

    SharpCap

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, KP82 said:

    Yes. This is probably the cheapest 50mm guiding setup available.

    The focal length of the SW 9x50 finderscope is 180mm I believe. To be able to reach focus with the 120MM, I remember you need to unscrew the protective cover from the camera and then attach the C adapter to the camera directly.

    Thanks - do i need to purchase a c adapter?

    SharpCap

    in Getting Started Equipment Help and Advice

    Posted

    1 hour ago, malc-c said:

    I have an old  QHY5 connected to the stock Skywatcher 9 x 50 finder - worked well when using Sharpcap's polar alignment option, and with PHD2 for guiding the main scope (200P / HEQ5)

     

    Thanks Malcolm.

    This is all prettry new to me....I'm initially using a DSLR & a selection of HQ Nikkor glass. I figured a way to have both a guide scope & DSLR mounted on my HEQ5 but am not sure about the process of using the guide scope & camera for first PA & then guiding.  Is it a simple process? I'll be using a windows 10 laptop.

    Polar Alignment

    in Getting Started General Help and Advice

    Posted

    2 hours ago, M40 said:

    Hello Neil, try this site for an excellent polar alignment method....  https://darkskies.space/easy-polar-alignment/

    It does rely on the tripod being level, the polar scope being aligned and the mount in the home position. 

    This is my little routine for setting the home position, you only need to do it the once then mark the mount so you can very quickly set it to the home position. I hope it makes some sort of sense....

    Setting Home Position:

    1.       Position North tripod leg to face North Celestial Pole (Polaris)

    2.       Set and level tripod

    3.       Position motor so that the weight bar is at lowest point and pointing to the North

    4.       Set the telescope mount so that the telescope locking knobs are to the right

    5.       Extend weight bar

    6.       Stand facing ON/OFF switch

    7.       Release RA clutch lock, rotate body anticlockwise and set body and weight bar to the horizontal position

    8.       Level with bubble and lock RA clutch

    9.       RA graticule scale is located adjacent to the polar scope cover

    10.   Release RA graticule locking screw.

    11.   Adjust graticule scale to show 12.00 against marker

    12.   Release RA lock

    13.   Rotate body clockwise until RA graticule scale shows 6.00 against marker

    14.   Lock RA clutch lock

    15.   Release DA clutch lock

    16.   Rotate telescope mount clockwise so that the telescope locking knobs point down

    17.   Level with bubble

    18.   Lock DA clutch lock

    19.   Declination graticule scale is adjacent to the weight bar

    20.   Release the two Declination graticule scale screws and rotate the scale to show zero against marker

    21.   Retighten the two DA scale screws

    22.   Release DA clutch lock

    23.   Rotate telescope mount anticlockwise until the DA scale is at the 90’ position

    24.   Lock DA clutch lock

    This is the home position.

    Telescope should now be in the following position:

    North leg pointing towards North Celestial Pole

    Weight bar at lowest position and pointing to the North Celestial Pole

    When standing facing ON/OFF switch, Telescope mount knobs to the right

    RA scale shows 6.00

    DA scale shows 90’

     

    Thanks  - to be honest Ive haven't bothered to set the home position (is there any need to?), but I have followed the process outlined in my initial post which I understand would be the correct way to polar align, at least I think so.  I also think Tomatobro hit the nail on the head.  In guess it's now a question of what Im prepared to live with.  

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