How to create and setup a home autoguiding system

[h0ughy]

I'll start this one here, but move it if required!

I am after information on how to setup an autoguiding system for my scope setup for both of my mounts, the meade LX200 and the EQ6 with skyscan. I have a LPI and a DSI.

oh and I have laptop as well. so what software is required, scope? and connections? Any idea guys?

[[1ponders]]

Have you tried using the LPI/DSI with the Autostar Suite to autoguide h0ughy? Maybe download K3CCDTools V2 and give it a whirl for a month (fully funtional for 30 days I think). It will work with the LPI, not sure about the DSI. Bit of a learning curve with it, but it usually works for me. Its compatible with the LX200 and should also be fine for Skyscan. Hopefully Robby will put his head in and comment. He'd more than likely know.

My connections are ToUcam (autoguider in guidescope)to USB, Serial to serial (StarMate) but I'd imagine you would be going serial to RS232 or autoguide port for the LX200. What are the ports on the skyscan???

[h0ughy]

Thanks Paul! I will have a look at that.

http://www.skyinsight.net/wiki/index.php?title=DeepSkyImager_FAQ i found this link as well

[acropolite]

Pete's astronomy site has everything you need to know. http://www.users.bigpond.com/lansma/Default.htm

[Robby]

Hiya Houghy,
You are able to use the DSI & LPI to guide your LX200 from within Autostar Envisage. Just type COMx into the port box and hit CONNECT (x = 1,2,3,4 or whatever your serial port number is).
Unfortunately K3 & Guidedog do not support the DSI, but I think the LPI should work ok here.
To autoguide your EQ6 Skyscan you'll need an interface between the mount and the PC. If you are using K3 and/or guidedog (LPI only) there are a few options for this interface including my LX200 emulator box.
If you want to use the DSI to autoguide the EQ6 (dimmer stars than LPI) then you are limited to the Meade Envisage software. As far as I'm aware the only way to communicate with non-Meade mounts from within Envisage is to use an LX200 emulator box. As far as I know my star-mate LX200 emulator is the only one that works "properly" to do this. Shameless plug :)
Check it out at http://www.star-mate.com/lx200.htm and fire any questions my way!
Cheers

[GUIDESTAR]

or you can use the free software based LX200 Emulator software ;

http://www.skyinsight.com/wiki/index.php/GuideStar_LX200_Software_Emulator

I already tried this on Envisage guiding an Orion Atlas mount with Skyscan upgrade and it works. other St-4 port based mount will also work.

[Robby]

K3CCDTools3 now also supports the DSI directly. It works very well and you can use virtually any ST4 interface (LPT, LX200 Serial, other serial protocols) with it. I note that this new software only uses LPT. This could be a problem if you don't have a parallel port (like alot of new laptops).

All this software is doing me out of sales, but luckily I have othe new, much more exciting products coming out soon, so don't really mind! :D

Thanks for the post GUIDESTAR. Do you have any affiliation to the software you are promoting? I must say you forum handle and number of posts kinda gives it away :) ... but I could be wrong :confuse3:

Cheers