Quote:
Originally Posted by alistairsam
can it therefore be used with software such as CDS, phd, stellarium etc to drive the steppers, read position and control the scope? I know bartels system controls it, but wanted a windows based controller as well.
|
Hi Alistair,
Just to clarify. The Bartels system only uses the EK box so your encoders keep rack of the scope's position. Handy if you use clutches or if your scope gets knocked out of position or a motor stalls. But you can run the system without encoders quite successfully. Likewise to control your Bartels controlled scope with a planetarium program like Carte du ciel you don't need encoders just a serial connection between the laptop with the planetarium program and the laptop with the DOS based Bartels software. You can use a serial bluetooth adapter (for a PC or a PDA) or serial wifi adapter (for an iphone) to avoid using a cable connection.
I use carte du ciel (and astromist (PDA planetarium) to control my Bartels system. I don't have encoders. I will add them one day when I get around to building clutches. In the meantime I just move the scope either with the handpad or by sending goto commands from the laptop or PDA.
BTW you can also use a the old DOS version of Guide to control Bartels. No extra laptop is then needed. It looks a little basic by comparision but it works well.
Rod.