Hi Greg
There is a bit of history to this, so here goes.
During testing over several sessions, utilizing both the Legacy PEC and the new TrainPEC routines, I discovered that uploading PE Data to the MX+ actually worsened the PE in the “After PEC” phase, by a factor of almost x2. The new TrainPEC procedure in TSX is quite slick and highly automated, which I found to be a great improvement over the Legacy PEC Procedure. But it still doubled the PE.
However, these tests were performed under very poor conditions, (our wettest Autumn in 10 years) with very strong wind gusts hammering the MX+. I attributed these anomalous results to user error as this was a brand-new mount, thinking this was part of the (steep) learning curve. Normally I would not even set up under these very windy conditions, but the run of poor weather and time constraints forced my hand.
Unfortunately, I also encountered some problems with Image Link during these tests and this sort of muddied the waters, but the folks at SB set me straight on that minor diversion.
After providing some (wind affected) TrainPEC Files to SB, they provided me with a PE File that I was able to upload to my MX+ via the Bisque TCS and this did indeed improve the PE as follows
Pre-PEC
Periodic Error = +3.1 arcsecs, -2.9 arcsecs and +3.2 arcsecs, -2.7 arcsecs
After PEC
Periodic Error = +1.2 / -1.2
However, browsing the web suggested that several Paramount owners were obtaining After PEC results of better than +- 1 arcsec, so I figured the wind blasts had polluted my results. By this stage, Peter joined the conversation on the SB Forum (alerting me to PEMPro) and I also discovered this very Thread on IIS, where it seems the issue has been active since around 2013/2014.
So, I purchased a PEMPro License and used PEMPro to collect the PE data under no wind loads and it produced the following very pleasing results.
Pre-PEC
RMS Error = 0.834
Periodic Error = +2.1 / -2.1
After PEC
RMS Error = 0.752
Periodic Error = +0.0 / -0.0
After uploading the PEMPro generated PE File to the MX+, a subsequent validation run yielded a PE of 0.8 arcsec Peak-to-Peak, a result I am extremely pleased with.
I then grabbed a 120 sec un-guided exposure of M16 at a FL of 2250 mm, and the stars were nice and round, although it is worth noting that in TSX, I had all the following Enabled:
- Apply PEC
- Apply pointing corrections
- Activate ProTrack
- Enable tracking adjustments
Although it might sound a painful journey, it was also a good learning experience so I remain optimistic and have faith in the MX+ and TSX.
Cheers
Dennis