PHD V1.10.7 - a few more features (next day 1.10.8)

[g__day (Matthew)]

A day later:

PHD Guiding 1.10.8 Download Windows, Download OS X (8/2/09)
- Updated star finding routine to deal well with large stars
- Added manual calibration entry routine (Ctrl-M or Tools menu)

Will give this one a look at tonight - a few more features added to the brain!

http://www.stark-labs.com/depot/beta...ing_1_10_7.exe

The release still says 1.10.06, but the link takes you to 1.10.7. Update are:

PHD Guiding 1.10.6 Download Windows, Download OS X (8/1/09)
- Clear button added to graph view
- RMS (RA) report added to graph view
- Updates to Dec resist switch - will decided on a side sooner
- Updates to Dec lowpass. New "slope" parameter included to help
keep constant, slow drift from building up (default value is 5)
- Huge number of internal updates to support OpenPHD's compile on
Linux
- Source of initial OpenPHD Linux code (core code now under BSD open
source license)

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Have you sorted your issue with the Visual C++ install, or should people stick to 1.10.7 or earlier?

Floyd has reported the same error.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Andrew,

It's sorted now - MS changed a DLL yesterday - Craig has recompiled it - its 5.13MB (vs 5.11MD original) - instals fine and seems to run okay!

Matthew

[g__day (Matthew)]

If you look in the /depot/beta directory (pre-release) their is a version 1.10.8a now - this should solve a blinking problem where guide stars could dissappear for 5% of the time randomly!

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Now 1.10.9 (as of 14:09 AEST):
- now has a crosshair cursor
- reset to lock position when starting guiding

[g__day (Matthew)]

It works really well - I noted last night the guide CCD can rock back and forth - as Lumicon only secure it via one set screw - poor design. Tightening this alot helped to the point I was able to set Min Pixels before pulse guide issued down from 1.10 pixels to 0.15 pixels and maintain great results.

I'm going through the logs from last night - as I'd like to tweak the performance even more.

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by g__day

... the guide CCD can rock back and forth - as Lumicon only secure it via one set screw - poor design. .

Are you referring to the Lumicon Easy Guider? I just ordered one. I'd like to hear other's experiences. Perhaps this should bump to another thread. Soddy Mod if this is too much of a sidetrack.
Peter

[g__day (Matthew)]

One chap recommened wrap the CCD tube in tape to make it a firmer fit - another suggested tap extra holes and insert more screws.

Its the large Lumicon guider designed for C9.25 SCTs - was around $350

Matthew

PS

Guided on the Helix and Sculptor galaxies last night - taking 20 and 40 minute shots, guiding at 5 and 10 second intervals (very dim guide stars) - worked very, very well!