Mintron 72S85HP-EX

[Electron]

Hi Everyone,

I just suffered a week in UK, with relatives, to pick up the Mintron which was delivered there

by Bernard from Modern astronomy.

Dying to get home, all week, and do a remote for the OSD switches.

Well first shock was how small it is, it does look smaller than it's dimensions,

so of course there is not much room inside,

just enough I'm glad to say.

Here it is next to a 2" Barlow.

I got pinouts from the Mintron service (next day).

Anyway It is now completed, I have put pics and schematics in a Public album here:

Stargazers Lounge - Electron's Album: Mintron 72S85HP-EX - Remote modification

Not really been able to use it, at night due to high winds and clouds, but here is a screen shot

just before I had finished focusing. Didn't get much more time because the wind blew my dew shield off,

just to tell me it really was too strong for me.

You can see the "Out of focus holes" in the star centres due to hyperstar.

This is with my DIT Bahtinov mask, Hyperstar and Mintron screenshot.

Now for the DIY remote focus control !

[Rusty Strings]

Wow! that is tiny, my scb4000 is positively roomy. I've been thinking about a remote mod for mine using a PS/2 connector.

[Electron]

Hi John,

Be aware that I used the PS/2 because I had the cables already and

the in line socket fitted in the iris connector mounting hole (with a diy plate to hold it in place)

but..

Sourcing the fixed PS/2 plug/socket is not easy as they are usually on a PC motherboard,

or an add in pci card (£17 for the card though).

So unless you plan a "flying lead" type I would go for the sub-D 9 pin type or

other (6 pin) plug/socket arrangement.

I wanted the short lead from the remote keypad and a long extension between it

and the camera so I can use it both on the scope and with canon lenses easily without always having a long remote cable.

The wifi video converter just saves a cable run.

I did try it without the mod first and it was a real pain, especially on the hyperstar,

not so much using it but getting to view the OSD at the same time.

Denis