Manual slewing using the Synscan on an heq5

[astrowoody]

I have just purchased a new heq5 and I am having fun learning to aligning the scope. Regardless of the alignment can you use the direction keys to manually adjust the mounts position, if so how?

[Merlin66]

Steve,
Basically yes, the handcontroller directional arrows will move the mount.
The speed of the slew is set by #2 Key and then any other #. I find #5 is good for finding and #2 for fine setting.

It's all in the Synscan manual which should be with the mount.....

[astrowoody]

Thanks for the reply
Here's the problem. I aligned the mount successfully, I sent the mount to a planet and then I couldn't get it to move from that spot.

[Merlin66]

Hmm
What's showing on the hand controller display when it "freezes"

[astrowoody]

Thanks
Good question. If I remember, it showed the co-ordinates it went to but if I pressed the direction buttons to adjust the position nothing happened. I will check that next time I set it up.
By the way when I say "aligned the mount successfully" the display said "alignment successful". I didn't get the visual alignment that accurately. I need more practice at that. That said I thought it would be adjustable to some degree.

[Sooby]

Hello

I was doing some searching for a resolution to the problem I am experiencing with my mount (HEQ5) and noted this thread. I am experiencing the same problem I think.

I went to use my second hand mount for the first time tonight (first ever use of a GEM and GoTo) and it all seemed to be going well.

I am a visual observer so I 'eyeballed' the SCP as I was only testing the mount in my backyard.

The mount star aligns to what I would say is a close enough position. However, when the hand set prompts me to slew the mount to the object the direction arrows do not respond.

When I tell the mount that it has successfully aligned (even though it is only close enough) the arrow keys do not respond as well.

Any suggestions on a resolution please?

[Startrek]

Golden rule for Star alignment using Synscan
Finish your Star centering using the “Up” then the “Right” keys
If you overshoot your alignment Star use the reverse keys “down” and “Left” then then re centre again using the “Up” and “Right” keys
This is stated in the Synscan manual in a few sections
The manual can be downloaded from the SkyWatcher website
Cheers

[The_bluester]

And I would check the rate setting as suggested by Ken above. If it is in “centre object to eyepiece” mode the rate is very low and depending on where you are pointing and which axis you are moving it can take a while to see movement.

Temporarily set the slew rate to 9 and see what happens.

[Sooby]

Thanks Martin and Paul

I have set the slew rate at 9 for my testing.

The handset arrows do not respond at all when I am prompted to centre the alignment star. In fact the arrow keys do not seem to respond at all when I am simply driving the scope after start up.

This morning I tested my WiFi dongle and the Synscan app. (I told the mount it was last night). The mount worked as it should so I am assuming there may be a problem with the handset.

I will see if I can borrow a handset from someone in Canberra and diagnose the problem 'by elimination'.

Cheers

[Merlin66]

John,
A couple of things...
When you start up with the Hand controller what comes up on the screen?
What power source are you using? You need a good 12-15V at 2A supply.

[Sooby]

Thanks for all the help.

I think I discovered a 'trap for young players'

I had set the slewing rate @9 for non aligned viewing. However, when the handset prompted me to slew to centre the target in aligning mode I went into the rate utility and it was set @3 (as mentioned above).

So there are at least two slewing rates depending on the function I suppose.

For my test I set the rate @ 9 and it seems to work now.

I am very glad that I decided to test the mount at home with the scope off so I could learn its functions in the daylight.

Cheers

[Sooby]

Another question please.

I think I know the answer, but just to be sure.

When I set the UTC and daylight savings settings I assume I enter the current UTC ie 10hrs 'normally' and 11hrs during AEDT.

I then answer the daylight saving question as appropriate.

Correct?

Cheers

[Startrek]

John
Daylight savings time set to UTC +11
Eastern Standard time set to UTC +10
Cheers

[gaseous]

Hi John,


there's a free app called "SynscanInit 2.1" which will give you all the required Skywatcher input in the order the handset requests it - it's a useful little tool.

[Sooby]

Thanks Patrick and Martin