Autoguiding settings for K3ccdtools V2

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 14-05-2005, 10:08 PM

I'd like some idea of suitable settings for "dead zone" K and Q constants for Dec and RA When autoguiding with K3 Version 2.4.7.891. I tried experimenting with settings tonight, but the wind was blowing about 20 knots. It may be able to deal with those little adjustments needed for error correction but a good gust of wind soon throws the program for a loop.

gbeal · #2 15-05-2005, 07:57 AM

Me too. Rob suggested some ages ago, when I first tried it, but I have had to "wing it" since then. Hopefully he will chime in here.
The program is good, but I would like to know how much better it could actually be. I have found just lately (new mount) that I can be guiding quite happily for a couple of minutes, and then it just dives off the screen. I suspect a guidestar that is not bright enough, but need more testing to confirm this.
Gary

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 15-05-2005, 12:13 PM

I had problems like that as well (last nights was the first chance I've had to use the new mount). I think I worked it out in my sleep last night though. Spent the whole damn night dreaming about cables and mounts. It was like a nest of snakes. Which is how I managed to work out what I was doing wrong.

I hadn't connected a serial cable from the laptop to the StarMate to actually carry any information for the mount to make adjustments.

And that was after sending an email to Robby asking how to do it.

Straight down to Dick Smiths this morning to pick up a serial cable

And a usb extension and a usb multihub (only one port on the Laptop)

I hope Robby chimes in. That will save me another night of experimenting.