Quote:
Originally Posted by rsbfoto
Hi Barry,
I do understand your frustration with GCC as I thought in the same way as you are after having bought GCC. I did not know what to do with it for about 2 years ...
It is not correct that you need the handcontrol for starting up before you are able to use GCC. I have 2 Losmandy G11 sitting in my Observatory and since one year I have not used the Handpaddle anymore. I do start up everything remote from a PC.
... and about the € 40.00 we can discuss 
I would recommend you get more used to the Gemini Logic and you will see that it is quite intuitive ... |
Yes you can start from the computer without the hand controller. but I found it easier to turn the Gemini on and let it do the warm start/cold start routine before I changed to computer control.
Do you mean that GCC is intuitive or the hand controller. GCC is OK but I disagree that the hand control is intuitive although it can be fairly easy to familiarise yourself with its logic. I have a standard test for devices that are intuitive. I turn them on and see how far I can get without reading the manual. If I can make them work they are intuitive otherwise they are not. Simple as that!
As for the cost of GCC It is probably very reasonable for most but as I already had a program to drive an LX200 I only had to rework it slightly to make it work with the Gemini and it does all the same things with all my own databases.
Like any equatorial mount it needs to be polar aligned for proper use. In an observatory this can be very precise if on a permanent mount. This will remove all the problems with the initial start. The warm restart is all that is needed for it to be aligned.
In the field I have initially found it tedious to do the polar alignment process but this will become easier as I get used to it. This process is much easier from my light poluted home location because the alignment stars are quite obvious. But in a dark location these stars do not stand out as well and can be missed if you are not familiar enough with the sky. Once alignment has been achieved operation is easy.
Barry