Can I use an LPI to autoguide a losmandy?

[[1ponders]]

I was wondering what the proceedure would be, if its at all possible, in using the Meade LPI as an autoguider for the Losmandy G-11 mount running Gemini controller. I can't imagine it plugging straight into the autoguider jack in the Gemini contol box.

I've heard that the Gemini firmware is very similar to the Autostar. Is this correct? If so would it be possible to operate the losmandy and gemini from meade autostar suite and use the inbuilt autoguiding function?

Its probably a long shot but I'd be very interested in ideas and opinions.

[rumples riot]

Now that is a good question Paul and I have got to say I don't know for sure. What I do know is that the LPi can be used with other software on the computer and to auto guide you could use it with K3ccdtools and plug your computer into the Losmandy mount. Its worth a try. I doubt that you can just plug the LPI straight into the controller of the G11.

Anyway just some uneducated guesses.:astron:

[[1ponders]]

Those were some of my thoughts as well. However I hadn't thought of using K3ccdtools as the viewing software. I'm not that familiar with it yet, do you know haw to go about it. That is using K3ccd at the autoguiding image sofware?

I might have to pop the question over at yahoo as well as I don't think anyone here is using the gemini software.

[rumples riot]

have not really used it yet for guiding. Must give it a go soon though. All I know is that it is there and have heard good reports from some guys at CN's. You might also try there.

[[1ponders]]

I'll do that. Thanks

[gbeal]

Paul(s),
I have the G-11, as you know, although not the gemini.
I use the Rob Beck Starmate to interface the ToUcam (unmodded) and the PC, and guiding is a breeze.
I would perhaps ask Rob for his input as to whether the StarMate will work with the gemini, (I can't see why it won't though).
For software I use IRIS, only cos I am to miserable to buy K3CCD Tools. Rob uses K3.
See what he says,
Gary

[[1ponders]]

If he doesn't pop through here I will Gary, thanks. I understand the part about Starmate interfacing with The ToUcam and the PC but what are you using as the controller for your drives? Or does the Starmate do that as well? And how does IRIS enter the picture?

My line of thought on setting up goes like this. LPI/ToUcam in eyepiece holder of guidescope/off-axis guider. USB cable to PC, Autostar/K3CCDTools used for image capture/guiding interface, PC to Gemini autoguide port.

Does that sound about right?

[westsky]

Paul, it sounds like you got the line of thought right,
There is also a few other options for software like" Guidedog " a free autoguiding software from Barko Software look them up on the net.
the only problem would be which protocol the Gemini autoguider port use's to talk to the PC ,sorry I don't know , it should be avalible on the net somewhere.

David.

[westsky]

Paul be carefull of plugging anything in to the autoguider port of your mount till you read this.
http://www.atscope.com.au/techhelp.html

You could damage your stepper motors.

cheers
David.

[[1ponders]]

Thanks for that David. I'll certainly check that info out. Last thing I want to do is stuff up a losmandy.:P

[[1ponders]]

Thanks again for that David. I'm not using a SBIG at the moment, though the Observatory where the mount is, is considering getting a SBIG eventually, so its good to know about this.

[westsky]

Paul, another way to autoguide with your mount
http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products.htm
this might be the better way, fairly cheap too :-))

why don't these show up as links? do I have to do anything to get them to be active links?

David.

[[1ponders]]

If you type them into the "Quick Reply" box they don't come up as links unless you do some sort of fancy computer lingo stuff :P It only works as you've written them if you use the post reply button.

thanks for the link, I'll check it out

[Robby]

Hi Paul,
Sorry for the late entry into this thread... and I'm just about to shoot out the door so I'll be brief.
The Starmate will control anything that has an ST4 compatible guide port. I believe the autoguide port on Gemini is ST4 compatible, but I have never tried it personally.
The Starmate should work for autoguiding with LPI no problem. It's really the PC software that determines camera's anyway.
The ST4 control output of the starmate a voltage free so will not damage anything connected to it. It will either work or it won't. I suspect it will though. If your intereseted I can send you one to try...
I'll be back online later today.
Cheers

[gbeal]

There you go, can't get better than that.
If you are still worried about the voltage thing, (and I was when I used an ST-7), I have an Opticoupler, which I can send across for you to try as well.
I will add though that I use the StarMate with nothing else, just as Rob suggests. No problems, whatsoever.
It would be interesting to see if you can work the LPI with the available software out there, that is K3 CCD Tools, IRIS, and GuideDog. Maybe download each or a few of them and see. I use Iris, as I said.
Gary

[Robby]

I have put an "draft" user manual for the Starmate on my website.
Have a at http://www.2fdesign.co.nz/astronomy/starmate/starmate.pdf

Cheers
Rob

PS. I need to be open to the forum that this product is not 100% ready for sale as yet. I would offer Paul a unit to try primarily for feedback as to it's usefulness rather than "making a sale".
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I don't want to appear to be using this forum as a "marketting" spot for Star-Mate. When the time comes I will use the appropriate channels and may contact Mike for the best way to do this on this forum.

Regards

[[1ponders]]

Thanks very much for your info Robby and Gary. At this time I'm still a bit skitishas to the process of hooking everything up. I've got the gemini controller manual to finish reading first. Next in line is Robby's Star-mate manual.

Then Once I've got that squared away and understood I'll need to have a talk to the Observatory commitee and convince them that the world won't end if I load a program or two onto the guiding computer and use programs other than "The Sky" to interface with the telescope.

I'll certainly be in touch with you Robby. And thanks again

[westsky]

Hi Robby, you got me interested in the Star-mate, can you tell me if it works with the Sky Senser 2000PC and /or the Celestron Advanced Goto mount both of which have ST4 autoguider ports.
cheers
David.

[Robby]

Hi David,
To date I have not tried either of those mounts, but if it is ST4 it should work... Do you know where I can get the user manual for these mounts? I'll have a closer look and that should give me a better idea.
Cheers
Rob

[westsky]

Robby I have both user manuals , if you tell me what information you need I can send it to you.

cheers
david.

[Robby]

Hi David,
Anything to do with ST4 port, and specifications.. Can I get in on-line anywhere?
Cheers
Rob

[Robby]

http://www.celestron.com/prod_pgs/tel/c8sgt.htm
Is this it David? or similar?

[Robby]

David,
Having looked at the Celestron manual I'm 99.9% sure the Star-Mate will work on it. I'll hunt down the Vixen one and see if I can confirm that one as well.
Cheers

[Robby]

David,
I can't seem to find an online user manual for the SS 2000PC. Anything you have would help.
Cheers

[Robby]

Paul,
I have been reading up on the Gemini. It seems there are two types.. OLD & NEW versions! From what I gather the NEW Gemini has the RJ11 guide port, and from all info I can gather it will work without a problem with a Star-Mate.
Cheers

[iceman]

To link using the quick reply, use [ url]http://blahblah [ /url] (removing the space at the front).

Or hit "post reply" and type it there and it'll automatically parse the URL's.

I'll add the auto-parsing into the quick reply this week.. someone remind me tomorrow and i'll add it to my to-do list :D

[Robby]

Thanks Mike.... I know I was just in too much haste to do it...!!
Just had a strong coffee.. Bad idea for 11pm on a Sunday night. :)
Cheers

[westsky]

Robby yes thats the Celestron mount.
the vixen manual is 115 pages I will see what I can find.I don't think there is a online manual.
cheers
David

[westsky]

Robby ,
The SS2K PC settings are the standard 9600 baud rate
data bits 8
stop bits 1
flow control xon/xoff
it uses the LX200 commands

I have used a Meade Pictor 216 to autoguide this was standalone and via the PC
I am also connecting using CDC,The Sky Version 5 and starrynight to control the mount ,although the rain here tonight stopped me from trying autoguiding using Guidedog, I can get a connection to the mount with Guidedog.
try this site for lots of info on the SS2K
http://www.ss2k-plaza.tk/
cheers
david.

[Robby]

Hi David,
Looks like you don't need the Star-Mate for guiding with the Vixen.
Let me know if your still interested for the Celestron and I'll see what I can do.
Cheers

[westsky]

Robby I have found out the SS2K use's a LX200 autoguider port not ST4 as I thought,
I hope tonight to try and guide using guidedog via the serial port but I,m not sure if this will work on the SS2K.
I am interested in the Star-mate for the Celestron mount when they are availible.

thanks
David.

[westsky]

Robby just an update on the SS2K and guiding with the serial port, it does work,and does it well, so your star-mate should work as well
any idea when you will have them for sale?

cheers
David.

[Robby]

David,
I'm very close to having them ready. As you say, you don't need it for SS2K but it should be good for the Celestron.
If your interested in buying a pre-production unit (fully tested, just a little rough on the box routing) seen me a PM or e-mail me directly at rob@star-mate.com
We can take it from there.
Cheers