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hi
Sequence Generator pro is also a good candidate for automation,
I'm still evaluating but you basically add targets in a list, it will then slew, plate solve, auto center, sync, focus, and then start exposure runs as configured. also does automatic guide star acquisition and pauses if the guide star fades.
it can then park the scope as well. I believe the flats module is in development for twilight flats.
it also does auto meridian flips, re-doing the plate solve, center, sync, guiding and exposure.
good support with the yahoo groups forum.
I also use maxim, I find its goto, plate solving, sync, centre, feature to right click and center all extremely good. i find its guiding much better and easier than phd but that's a personal preference.
only bit i hate is the auto stretch, makes the image very grainy whichever method i choose. i like the auto stretch in ccdstack although that's not for acquisition, but for processing.
I also have a plastic box under the scope with all power adaptors and also a wireless access point and a dedicated laptop. I then run one usb lead to a USB hub on the scope and one multi core wire for all the DC power connectors.
I then use teamviewer from my laptop/PC inside to connect to the laptop outside.
I just spend an hour at the start to polar align, focus, sync 6 to 7 stars. after that the plate solve helps with auto centering.
the wireless access point is useful when i go to remote sites. that way I can sit in the tent and control the whole thing wirelessly. the laptop is connected to the AP with an ethernet cable.
in theory, with SGP, you should be able to build a whole list and let it do its thing. I also use a $5 electrical time for the power, and its set to turn off at 6am, lappy is also set to hibernate in 15 minutes when on battery.
that way, everything powers down at 6am including dew heater, mount, ccd camera cooling, camera etc.
i use an eq6 with eqascom and I set the alignment points to be saved and loaded on startup. that way I don't lose the sync data and the goto's work well.
Cheers
Alistair
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