dumb question G11 autoguiding

[spearo]

Hello,
I'll be setting up my new G11 this weekend.:D (many thanks to ATS)
It's going to be a nice upgrade from my trusty old CG5 which has reached its limits I think.

Quick question:
the modded TOUCAM that I was using on the CG5 had an rs232 connector which used to connect to the base of the hand control on the CG5 for autoguiding.

Do i just plug this into the autoguiding or the rs232 port of the gemini ?
I've read the manual and looked at the yahoo Losmandy group but still not sure.
I know I'll have to use lx200 commands from the lappy's guidedog (or PHD) but just not 100% sure which port I'll have to use
or is it the hancontroller port (the one above the encoder port) that I need to plug it in?

anyone with experience switching from CG5 to G11 Gemini?
thanks
frank

[leon]

Hi Frank, Dont know much about switching from one mount to another, and stuff like that, but i use PHD guiding with the G11, and plug straight into the auto guide port, through the USB guide port thingy, from the Lappy.

Leon

[JohnG]

Hi Frank

You will need a Shoestring Astronomy, GPUSB:

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_gp.htm, scroll down the page.

Attaches to a USB Port on your Laptop, the guide cable then goes to the Autoguider Port on the Gemini Controller. The cable must be ST-4 compatable, if in any doubt, Shoestring have the correct cables.

PHD and your guide camera will then autoguide your mount.

(Make sure you are in Photo or All Speeds Mode when using an autoguider)

The RS232 Port has a different plug type, you use this Port to connect your computer control to the Gemini, you then can perform GOTO's using various sky programs, it usually has a DB9 plug on the computer end.

Cheers

[spearo]

Thanks John and Leon,
sounds like I wont be able to just plug my current rs-232 connector straight into the gemini port (any of them)
frank

[Bassnut]

No , the guide input is for .......... hard x/y guiding only. But, in the mean time, you can "software" guide, with LX200 commands via the RS 232 connection. Im sure others will have the details. Or ask Andrew on the http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MelbMeadeScopes/messages forum, hes an expert ;-).

[KenGee]

"Make sure you are in Photo or All Speeds Mode when using an autoguider".
I've read this before even in the manual but I'm using a st402 autoguide and unless I'm loosing my mind it works fine in visual mode. Is this just for Sbig auto guiders? Or have I managed to get a very good G11 and polar aligned really, really well?:P

[spearo]

Thanks Fred and Kenny.
Ill definitely ensure i am in photo or all speeds mode (i spent last weekend just reading the gemini manual and made a note of that)
I have also looked into the pinout of the Rs-232 and it's different in the Gemini port from the pin order for the CG5
so I wont risk it and either get a shoestring cable as required or possibly a QHY5 with st4 connector that will plug straight into the autoguider por
thanks for the input
cheers
frank

[spearo]

Thanks All,
I've ordered a QHY5 for autoguiding with st4 cabling
should safely take care of the issues
I'll be keeping the TOUCAM for the soon-to-become-portable mount CG5 (I'm telling the good-old CG5 it's a promotion, field work, etc...:P)
:]
frank