Workflow help and other questions.

[rthorntn]

Hi,

Your help is much appreciated.

I am new to all this and would love some workflow tips.

The idea of setting everything up is daunting and I work better if I have a checklist of sorts.

I have an EQ6 with Meade 10" SCT ACF.

I mean I think it should roughly go something like this:

Use software to figure out what you will see at the time your going out
Align mount
Locate star
Tune mount to that star

Now with all the aligning I have some instructions which is cool but some tools are mentioned like an inclinometer, does anyone have a list of there favorite setup tools?

Now I have an MSI Windpad tablet that has a GPS and runs full Windows 7, so I should be able to attach a USB serial dongle and drive the eq6?

So which software should I use at first?

I want to run the EQ6 from mains power, that is working with an inadequate 12v psu but the doesn't have enough amps, is it possible to get a good one that would not need any soldering?

I like the idea of an Electric focuser, is one available that will work with my setup and if so, how would I integrate it with the computer (I thik I will get an skyfi type device also)?

I have a couple of eyepieces (25 and 12.5) but could anyone suggest an fairly cheap zoom eyepiece to use while I am coming up to speed?

Thanks for your time everyone.

Cheers
Richard

[stevous67]

Hi Richard,

I've got some suggestions for you.

The inclinometer I use is very accurate and extremely helpful for setting axis inclination for any viewing location quickly:

http://www.stakesys.co.uk/product/a300_tube_axis_gauge_small/

I've seen others using cheaper versions with reasonable results, as you still really need to rely on other alignment methods to finalize this angle.

The correct power supply may be found in your household, as many older external hard disk drives required 12v 4amp AC switch mode power supply, and these usually had the correct plug for the EQ6 mount.

The EQ6 has a terrific user group supporting it, look for the EQMOD yahoo user group, or even via the ASCOM ORG download site for downloads and details. You will need a special USB adaptor that will be refered to in that forum.

http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net/

Hope that helps with some of your questions.

Good luck,

Steve

[rthorntn]

Brilliant info, thanks Steve, I have ordered that exact inclinometer from an au ebay seller!

I am thinking of buying astroplanner, it looks like it supports GPS and my EQ6?

I am looking at the Baader Planetarium Hyperion Mark III 8-24mm Clickstop Zoom Eyepiece, any thoughts from the group?

Jaycar do a 12v 6.5A PSU that has a cigarette lighter socket on the end, I have the EQ6 car adapter so this should be perfect, anyone used this?

Thanks again.

Richard

[technofetishism]

astroplanner is fun and useful, definatly changed how i go about things outside. Running it with EQMOD on an EQ6 works fine as well.

My setup routine when heading out with the laptop and EQ6 is as follows.

Setup tripod. Use compass to point it within a degree or so of south and bubble level to make sure its pretty flat.

Put the EQ6 on the tripod, leaving azimuth knobs loose for the time being and mounting the scope on it as well.

Turn the laptop on and do the rest while its booting up.

Power up mount, and do a quick 2 or 3 star align, then polar realignment routine with the latest beta firmware.

Once im happy with that, I park and power off the mount, and hand over control from the handset to a direct EQMOD connection.

Power back up the mount and drift align however makes you happy. Im testing out EQAlign at the moment for that side of things.

Build a pointing model with what ever makes you happy, that could be with EQTour, CdC or an Astroplanner plan.

Remember to save said pointing model just incase eqmod/astroplanner/ascom crashes, saves alot of time. :)

Once ive done all that, Then i hand over control to AstroPlanner.


The reasoning for doing the initial 2/3 star coarse alignment with the hand-controller rather than the computer is as follows - lets me make sure the mount and scope is all working properly, and its also the go/no-go time for the weather, some nights I've decided that due to intermittent cloud, i cant be bothered going through a full computer setup and are just happy scanning the sky. Plus it also tends to mean less time spent drift aligning with EQAlign

[rthorntn]

Thanks Nick, this is awesome!