Quote:
Originally Posted by g__day
I use this combination absolutely fine, so it is completely possible.
I custom made the cable according to the Celestron and SBIG 4 cabling connections. From memory it goes into a shoestring parallel port connector (wish I had of got a Shoestring USB connector - that automatically starts with all 4 directions powered down, the parallel port's start-up is random so I write a script to copy a binary file I created null.bin containing only a HEX 0 to my parallel port - this clears all port settings).
Next in the Control Panel -> System -> Device manager -> Ports -> Parallel Port -> Resources setting I check what I/O range is being used. Say its 0378, you have to check that this same I/O address is set under the PHD mounts tab - else all fails.
I guide using a DSI. I make sure its orientated so the usb cable from the DSI points downwards at the centre of the eyepiece or camera hanging from my larger SCT (the 80mm Meg I use rests atop the 9.25 Celestron). The key thing is you want your X / Y axes to track the mounts axes as well as you can so corrections are only on one co-ordinate grid at a time.
Then I simple slew to a bright star and focus the DSI running PHD in capture mode, and focus on this bright star as best I can.
Then I stop capture - you apparently have to press stop or it won't guide when you click on guide - it wook me a month to learn this! I click on the brain and make sure guide on both axes is set to auto and that force calibration is set on.
Now you are ready to calibrate. I set steps to be say 0.5 secs on a bright star. Simply click on the star you wish - wait a second or two for the green box to form around it and check its X and Y pixel coordinates stay stable after a second or two. Then press Guide and watch how it tracks E - W, clears backlash then tracks N-S.
It should say calibrated at track well!
About 1 in 3 times this fails for me and if I just try again (press stop, click on brain forcing calibration for both axes again, slect your star than click on guide again) it succeeds.
Note that if I slew more than 45 degrees I generally re-calibrate PHD.
Now once it says guiding I generally lower the refresh rate to 3-5 seconds, so it doesn't get too twichy and over correct.
Doing this on a fairly well aligned and balanced mount seems to work fine for me. Hope this helps!
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wow thanks for that..a lot to digest and check out
Thing is, I use a usb cable plugged into the handset-as opposed to the shoestring adapter..and maybe that is my problem..it merits a lot more investigation ..but thanks again for the tips