G11 and PHD guiding

[desanctb]

Anyone using a newer G11 with PHD guiding with direct connection to gemini autoguideport :help::help: from SSAG (Guider camera) or using GPUSB (Shoestring astronomy) The current setup I'm using is \
Gemini ver4/G11
ssag GUIDER CAMERA
TMB130SS imaging telescope
WO 70mm guide scope
Nebulosity
PHD guiding
The question is should I pick under the phd setting on camera (under mount setting) and if so would the GPUSB be needed? Anyone with a similar setup have recommendations for guide settings. I normally image with my eq6pro and choose ascom eq6 for my other setup. Has anyone tried the ascom setting for the G11 with PHD? Thanks!

[rsbfoto]

Hi,

Just yesterday I used PHD Guiding v1.10.0 on both of my G11 with Gemini GoTo Level 4 v1.05

On one I am using a parallel port adapter GPINT-PT and on the other one I use a GPUSB adapter. Works great. No problem at all.

I would suggest you start wth the defaults settings and observe your guiding and then possibly just change as a first test the dead zone.

Calibration is easy and quick. Should you make a meridian flip you have to make a calibration. That is all.

I do NOT use ASCOM for myself. In the past too many problems with it.

The other day I showed a friend how to guide with PHD his Celestron NexStar 8 using ASCOM and a DSI camera as guide camera. Works also quite good.

Below you can see my setup.

http://rainerehlert.com/ObsReal14/cons/OReal14-05.jpg

[desanctb]

:thumbsup:Wow! I have tried the setup direct from guider camera to ST4 port on Gemini with so-so results. Why do you even need the GPUSB? I thought on the newer G11 you can go direct from guide camera to gemini box. Is this because you want to optoisolate from electrical interference? Should I be going through my GPUSB box as well rather than direct connect? Thanks for your help? I've attached a pic, wanna trade?
PS; I'm imaging with a QHY8 these days
Ola:)59262

59263

[rsbfoto]

Well good question. If you want to use the incamera ST4 connector then the program must support it. I have 2 QSI but never tried to use the in camera port as I do not even know how to do it.

From the former times I have left over the GPINT-PT as well as the GPUSB and so I just use them as I know it works.

If you have a GPUSB just use it and make yourself life easier ...

I have never seen a difference in guide results be it from the parallel port, serial port or USB port. Even if some people say USB is better I assume it is pure self imagination. The quantity of data being send for guiding is ridiculous

[Jeff]

Hi Burt,

Since you have a StarShoot Autoguider, do do not need the GPUSB for anything (GPUSB is usually just a way to get a ST4 guiding interface when using a webcam or planetary camera which has no ST4 interface).

I use a similar guide camera with my GM8 (non Gemini). The only thing I need to remember is to reset the RA slew speed down (on the GM8 492 electronics) down to 0.3x or 0.5x after slewing ..... to allow small movement increments for PHD calibration and guiding.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

[desanctb]

Jeff;
Thanks for the response. But when calibrating PHD, does it not assume and use guide speeds-ie.5x-especially if in photo/all speeds mode? Thanks

I dont understand why you have to slow down the speed?:D

[Omaroo]

Burt - don't use the GPUSB. As said a few times already, it's great when you want to use a webcam that doesn't have its own ST4 port. Plug your SSAG straight into the Gemini guide port.

One thing you have to remember - when you start calibrating, you MUST temporarily set your guide rate on the Gemini to 2x (try this rather than 5x). The software DOES NOT just magically tell the Gemini to select a temporarily higher calibration guide rate - you need to. It needs this higher rate in order to successfully calibrate - otherwise you'll most likely get a failure message stating that the mount didn't move enough during calibration. Once calibrated and "guiding", switch the guide rate back to .3x or .5x. It'll sit there all night...or until M/F.

[multiweb]

I use QHY5-> USB -> LAPTOP -> PHD -> USB -> GPUSB-AH -> AutoGuider port on Gemini.

I was told there is no significant improvement going directly from QHY5/Guider(ST4) to AutoGuider port directly. My Gemini box is the old type so some ground and 5V pins are not the same as the new boxes. Also going direct can introduce ground loop current which I wasn't ready to play with. It works for me so I didn't have the need to change. The shoestring adapters are all opto-isolated.