Italian Company: Gemini Telescope Design?

[PRejto (Peter)]

Would anyone know if Gemini is still in business? Their website appears fully functional but emails go unanswered.

I have one of their automated lens cap/flat fielder units and would like to buy another. The feature I need is that the lens cap opens 270 degrees and lies flat along the OTA to avoid hitting the roof of my observatory. The Optec model doesn't do this and the new Primaluce Lab product extends about 100mm and seems extremely complicated to mount. Alas, the Gemini product seems to meet all of my needs. Have I missed another manufacturer?

Thanks!
Peter

[Stefan Buda]

Ask Diego from Astroworx, he was making something like that if I'm not mistaken.

[AnakChan (Sean)]

Andras unfortunately passed away back in April if I’m not mistaken. I don’t think anyone else has taken over.

More info on CN.

Last year when I talked to him, he said it was pretty much a one-man show. Real pity as he had great friction mount designs.

[PRejto (Peter)]

Thanks for both replies!

Wow, very sad about Andras and the company. I think it's odd that the website is still up and running 7 months later.

I looked on the Astroworx website...no cap in sight, but I've written anyway.

Thanks

Peter

[Stefan Buda]

If you have a look at the Astroworx closed tube Newtonians, they are shown equipped with automated caps and I'm sure Diego makes those.

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

Hi Peter,
Wanderer Astro make very light flat caps:
https://www.wandererastro.com/en/col.jsp?id=130
The open and closed angles are set by the user - which is a nice feature.
Li can also custom some other sizes if needed. You can purchase directly from him using PayPal or from his AliExpress store:
https://startrip.aliexpress.com/stor...12df38c8HpLI46
I have an Optec flip flat, but the Wanderer is a much lighter option for small setups.

[PRejto (Peter)]

Hi Jason,

Sorry for my slow reply. I forgot to check back in this thread for a while. Great find...seems exactly what I need. Thanks so much for pointing this out to me!

Peter

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

Hi Peter,
They seem a very good product so far.
If you order one, please note the firmware has to be updated before you can connect to their software or via ASCOM. I wasn't aware of this until I contacted Frank - Wanderer's tech guy - thinking there was a problem. Firmware update instructions are posted on their website and are simple to follow. All good after that - I control via SGP.

[PRejto (Peter)]

My experience with this Wanderer lens cap has been frustrating. I can only briefly connect to it after upgrading the firmware with the message that the USB power source is not strong enough. So, my Primalucelab Eagle cannot power it. Then I tried a Digiport 12 volt powered hub (max 500ma/port) with the same result. The manual indicates that it needs 1 amp output. I see a few 5 volt powered hubs for sale but I'm not seeing a reasonably priced 12 volt option with the required current.

This could be a good product if it just had a power input instead of relying on USB.

Anyone have any advice for a powered hub that would avoid stepping down to 5 volts?

Customer support may exist for Wanderer but if so it is quite hidden.

I may be sending this back...

Peter

[Joshua Bunn (Joshua)]

Hi Peter,
I think this is the one I have been using ( I cant see it right now as its in my obsy ), seems pretty good.


https://www.startech.com/en-au/cards...rs/st7300usbme


Cheers
Joshua

[PRejto (Peter)]

Hi Josh,

Thanks for the link...yes, looks good and costs nearly as much as the motorised cap!

I found something on Amazon, 12 volts and puts out 2.5 amps for around $35. That plus another $35 for a specialised power out plug for the Eagle 4 hopefully will get me going. I'm just really surprised that the Eagle cannot run this gear... I finally did get it working with my laptop.

Thanks,
Peter