Eq8 goto

[HCR32 (Peter)]

Reading the info that's on the net seems like the EQ8 didn't get to much praise on how well its goto was operating. Can anyone tell me if the firmware updates have solved these issues??

[Shiraz (Ray)]

The handset software seems to be OK for GOTO, but not brilliant - fine for visual I would think.

A bigger problem is that the handset introduces glitches when guiding using the ST4 input or in PCdirect mode, so if you want to image, you need to ditch the handset. I tested mine last night with Cartes du Ciel, PHD2 and EQMOD in direct control of the mount - GOTO was excellent and it was guiding very cleanly with about 0.5 arcsec RMS error in intermediate seeing conditions and moderate wind.

[HCR32 (Peter)]

Main use would be visual I just want to know basically if the goto drops the object into the field of view? Reading past posts suggested that the goto was horrible. Has it been fixed?

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

If you want to do mainly visual, are you sure an EQ mount is right for you? As Ray notes, if you are doing imaging then driving via the PC is much more sensible/reliable powerful.

Another option is to use a smartphone or tablet as the handset and use Skysafari, via Skywire or SkyFi. Then you would just do a simple 1-star alignment with your handset, and then rely on Skysafari to do a local sync (which offsets the pointing model based on the nearest synced location). This will be typically a lot more accurate in a given small patch of sky than any type of whole-of-sky 3-star alignment.

I speak from hard-won experience here! When I do AP, I simply use my computer (HS stays in the box). When I do visual, I use a mount in Alt-Az mode, do an initial HS alignment, and drive with my iPad (but leave the HS connected, because it's better for fine-scale positioning of targets within the eyepiece). These combos work brilliantly.

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

yes it is fine you need to update the handset firmware to v3.35, there was also a firmware update for the mount.

[HCR32 (Peter)]

So your saying with this mount to ditch the hand controller and align one star with sky safari and that works better the using HC?

If so how far can you slew before it loses accuracy?

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

You have to do the initial alignment with the HC, then you can use SkySafari thereafter. I would resync if you moved a few degrees off target, but to be honest, it's so easy to do, I follow this sequence:

1. 1-star alignment using HC.
2. Connect SS, slew to 1st object (it should be in your widefield eyepiece FOV)
3. Centre object, and do local sync in SS
4. Slew to next object (when ready) - it should be close to centre of FOV
5. If you like, centre to get the optimal view, and sync again
6. Repeat 4-6 throughout night.

[HCR32 (Peter)]

Okay thanks it's been a few years since I used a skywatcher system.