Gemini - Titan 50 Problems

[Badger]

First time with you, and hoping I have done this correctly.

Brand new Titan used with both Gemini and Gemini II. Completely unable to even complete the quick start as mount progressively gives random pointing in its operation. End result is permanent pointing error at startup, regardless of startup method. All setup parameters correct. Gemini II errors include mirror image display and changed date during trial attempts.

Does anyone had a similar experience, or have a solution to get the mount operational?

Badger

[Octane]

Barry,

You will need to perform a cold start, and ensure that in the Gemini hand controller that all the correct parameters are set for your mount.

For example, the mount should read Titan, for a start. Once that's done, then, it loads up all the correct gear values, etc.

I had a problem once, where strangely, my G-11 had Titan set as the mount and I ended up with the same pointing inaccuracies as you mention. A cold start and setting the value of the mount back to a G-11 sorted everything.

Hope this helps.

H

[Badger]

H,
All done, cold starts were tried repeatedly, Factory advised Titan 50 as setting not Titan, which removed earlier problems, all other settings triple checked since. This problem has had repeated trials and it seems that the mount inputs are scrambling the software and the pointing goes haywire while trying to carry out the quick start. If only one could reboot the software!

Answer appreciated and thanks for input.

Badger

[icytailmark]

thats not a good sign i was gunna buy a losmandy g11 with g2

[mithrandir]

Have you tried the Losmandy Y! group? About the only guru I've not seen there is the man himself.

Other than that, take the CR battery out of the Gemini for half an hour or so and check all the chips are seated.

[UniPol]

Hi Barry,

I had very similar problems when I bought a brand new G11 with Gemini I around three to four years ago. I sent the Gemini control panel back to the dealer (instructed to do so) and it was "repaired" and made no difference on its return. The dealer asked me to send back the hand contoller to see if this was the problem. A replacement was sent (albeit the dealers own used one) and surprise, surprise, the mount worked perfectly and still does to this day.

Between the lines, I was very annoyed that the Gemini system did not work straight out of the box. The fact that I had to return the control panel and handpiece at my own expense and have the latter replaced by a used one precludes me from ever buying astronomical equipment from the one and only Losmandy dealer in Australia at the time.

Just as annoying is the fact that I was made to feel that I didn't know what I was doing. I was even sent simplified Gemini instructions just in case the full manual instructions were too difficult for me to follow. I don't know where you bought the mount from Barry but you may like to take this information on board in the hope that it may help with your predicament.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Had the roughly same problem about four years ago with a G8-G.
The Yahoo group is loaded with owners seeking solutions to software bugs. Its intensely annoying and really inexcusable given their price.
While nicely finished, in my experience, they are far from the wonder-mounts they profess to be.
My HEQ5 was much more accurate and user-friendly at less than 1/2 the price.

[Badger]

Think I have solved the problem. Related to orientation of the head to the mount. Other mounts have the start positions marked. Titan does not, and the head to mount position alters when the clutches are loosened to re-set to the counterweight down position. This happens often while you are learning to use it, but not after it is all calibrated. My random pointing problem ended with a sideways CWD position, and was cured solely by manually resetting the CWD position and restarting - Voila!

[Octane]

Ah-hah! Glad to hear you got it sorted out, Barry.

H