[Andy01 (Andy)]

Hi folks,

I've been a dedicated mac user for six years now - driving my QSI camera via Nebulosity 3, guiding with PHD2 and controlling my Tak NJP mount with Sky Safari.

However, I've been increasingly frustrated with Nebulosity though as it's constantly prone to hanging and crashing.

I tried Neb 4 but it was worse! Then I downloaded & tried Neb 4.3, 4.41 etc. but they are still crash prone....

So now that I'm stuck at home for the indefinite future with the current lockdown, I'm seriously looking at alternative software, and would love one that can control autofocus on my recently acquired Starizona micro touch focus system. (Nebulosity can drive it manually in steps.)

Seems that both KStars/EKOS & Cloudmakers apps claim to do most or all of the following...

capture,

guiding,

autofocus,

filter sequence,

mount control,

goto,

meridian flips,

plate solving.


I briefly looked at The Sky X but it's very expensive, and I heard that it doesn't do auto meridian flips unless you own a Paramount? (I have a TAK NJP)


So has anyone used either or both the Cloudmakers or Ekos/KStars apps on their macs with reliable success?

Which is better?

I'm not a programmer, so I'd prefer a plug & play solution.

Thanks for your input!

Cheers
Andy