Anyone in Brisbane that can Help

[Striker]

Hi Guys,

I have most things set up and working properly I just cant get it all working together.
If anyone is in Brisbane that can come around to my place and help a very frustrated Astrophotographer get things working I would so appreciate this.

I have EQMOD working, PHD2 working and SGP working but making them all work together is frustrating me.

Even a daytime visit at Tingalpa would so be appreciated.

Let me know if you can help?

[RickS]

Hi Tony,

Hopefully you'll find someone local with experience in those software packages. I'm not that far away and do A-P but I don't use any of the same software. If you ever start using MaximDL, ACP and PixInsight I'd be happy to help :)

Cheers,
Rick.

[Striker]

Cheers Rick, I will try to get my head around what I have first....lol

I too hope someone can help..just too frustrated atm and i'm sure its only a box or 2 not ticked is the problem....someone with experience will work it out.

[DJScotty]

PM sent Tony

[glend]

Tony it is not necessary to integrate in order to do AP with your gear. SGP can manage the camera and imaging sequence, and PHD2 can guide as a stand alone app. The mount can be driven by the hand controller, or Sky Safari and wifi without needing EQMOD.
Integration, by that i assume you mean everything being run by SGP, can be done down the track if you wish. You will need ASCOM Platform 6 and the ASI ASCOM driver, but that is all you need to get SGP to run the camera. The camera USB3 cable can just be plugged into the laptop running SGP. That is the important bit.

[LewisM]

Agree with Glen. I use Maxim for capture and sequencing and sometimes guiding plus PHD2 for guiding when Maxim hss a brain fart (actually me but blame the tools).

[Striker]

Thanks Glen,

I currently have be using the handset and using SGP and PHD2 as stand alone without any problems but find the handset not that accurate and there are functions I need the handset doesn't do, I need to park and start the scope on a different angle due to my slide of roof being low and it doesn't have a sync option...will check out Sky Safari though

[glend]

Tony, i don't know alot about your mount, but i did have an NEQ6 Pro for years, can you not simply park your scope in its normal Home position, then loosen the clutches to move it manually to clear the roof. Then you can close the roof. When going out again, open the roof, and loosen the clutches to return the scope to its Home position, then your right to go.
Its pretty easy to do that on a scope with setting circles, and if you don't have them little alignment marks on the housing can do the job. My new CGX mount, has Home sensors, so i can Park the mount in any position, then simply powerup and return to Home. You can probably work something out.

If your handset is not accurate its probably due to your Polar Alignment. There is nothing wrong with Synscan HCs when it comes to goto functions. Since your in an observatory take some time to get the PA perfect. A simple way these days, is to download Sharpcap 2.9, which has plate solving PA imbedded in it, and its free. You can use your scope and camera to precisely polar align, and it only takes a few minutes following the onscreen instructions.

BTW, SGP has a dedicated Forum that contains many questions on the topic of Integration, it would be worth looking there if your determined to tackle that now.


Good luck.

[Striker]

thanks Glen, that's exactly what I currently do regarding the clutches, what I was after is to park the scope where I want and not use the hand controller at all. the system your suggesting defiantly works was just after full control from Laptop.

[jwoody]

Hello Tony
If you are using EQMOD you can set up any park position you wish. I also have an obs and the scope needs to be on it's side for the roof to slide up and close. You set a "user defined park position" once and then you can always park it to that position.

Are you using the handset just for finding targets? If not then you can possibly not use it. EQMOD will run the mount, SGP to capture/plate solve and it will also talk to PHD2 for your guiding.
I am not too far away and be happy to help.
Cheers
Jeremy