Another Arduino electronics

[bojan]

This project may be interesting for those who like to tinker...

http://rduinoscope.byethost24.com/index.html

[Troy]

Looks good, out of curiosity can it be autoguided you think?

[bojan]

yes, it accepts LX200 commands.
Just like OnStep

[kinetic]

Bojan,

!!!!! Thanks for the link !!!!!

Steve:thumbsup:

[Boozlefoot]

Well spotted Bojan! Just in time for the Christmas break. Could be just the shot to drive my visual mount. Thanks, Rod

[Astromaniac]

That's an improved (different?) version of the OnStep system, I think. One day I'll get into it. I've got all the bits necessary to start.:D Finding the time is the issue...:sadeyes:

Cheers,
John

[luka]

Not sure if I would call rDUINO Scope an improvement over OnStep. It is a different project and each project seem to have some advantages over the other one.

The main features of both projects seem to be quite similar, both projects support the LX200 protocols, can do tracking and guiding, meridian flips, both connect via Bluetooth, both can be controlled via SkySafari/Stellarium...

Here are some differences that caught my eye:
rDUINO Scope:
- allows stand-alone operation (while OnStep needs a mobile phone or a PC to run).
- supports RTC, GPS, screen and joystick (OnStep uses the phone app for this functionality)

OnStep:
- can be controlled via WiFi/LAN and Bluetooth (rDUINO Scope supports only Bluetooth)
- can even be controlled via a web browser as it can run a web server
- also supports Alt/Az mounts (think Dobsonians) in addition to GEMs
- has PEC
- comes with a dedicated ASCOM driver and a dedicated Android control app.
- supports more stepper motor controllers (Big Easy Drivers, DRV8825, RAPS128, TMC2100 and TMC2130)
- can run on other platforms than Arduino (Teensy, Tiva Launchpad)

So, it will all depend on what you want to motorise and how you want to control the mount.

And let's not forget the www.astroeq.co.uk (http://www.astroeq.co.uk).

Note that I may be biased as I did software development for part of the OnStep project a while ago (but I don't use OnStep any more) ;)

[ChrisV]

Also, I noticed a few comments on the onstep forum that they were moving from rduino scope because they thought it wasn't as good. But this is second hand information and rduino does look like a fun build anyway.

Might be noted that with the new PCB manufacturer (easyEDA) that the onstep boards are now really cheap. I've built the new onstep miniPCB using a teensy 3.2.

[bojan]

Not quite...
After my comments/complaints to Howard some time ago, OnStep can also be used as stand-alone unit (I am using it as such, when I am lazy to connect computer).
In setup it is possible to enable tracking after power up (so no need for computer or mobile), and ST4 inputs can be used for N-S-W-E buttons for fine navigation.
Of course, there is no internal data base with objects... but how often do you really need that feature?

[Boozlefoot]

Well, all the materials ordered, just concerned regarding possible "stuttering" at higher microstep settings. Will be using 24v Nema24's. Time will tell, at least if I blow the guts out of one of these it won't be as expensive as the last debacles...........:rofl: I find this build attractive for its stand alone capability, as I'm mainly a visual / single frame AP astronomer.

[bojan]

I couldn't resist to mention this one - it is a living proof the equipment for astrophotography doesn't need to cost arm and leg:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2422008

It is very similar to the project I did years ago (still using it for wide fields):
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=45079&highlight=eq3