Some help with PoleAlignMax with MaxIm DL

[adman (Adam)]

Thought I would use the moon-y night again to try out some new software. I have just got plate solving working with MaxIm Dl and Pinpoint, and while reading about these came across PoleAlignMax which is a neat (and free) program to help with polar alignment using plate solving.

It promptly clouded over despite being a crystal clear afternoon, but in the end it didn't matter becasue I ran in to a few snags:

1. When opening PoleAlignMax, the log window said "Cannot find Maxim CCD window" or something similar, and "Cannot connect to camera"

2. It will only connect to the ASCOM telescope simulator - and if I try to change it to Gemini ASCOM, it is not even in the list - despite being able to connect to it in MaxIm DL

I also understand that there are some issues with PoleAlignMax in that it has issues translating between J2000 and JNow coordinates. There is a checkbox setting in Gemini ASCOM that says something like "Gemini expects J2000" - should I check this or not.

All suggestions gratefully received
Adam

[DavidTrap (David)]

Mine says the same for question 1, but still works.

Not sure about questions 2 or 3. I hope to be fiddling with scopes tonight/tomorrow, depending on weather. You're welcome to pop over - not too far away.

DT

[adman (Adam)]

Thanks for that David - didn't see your reply till this morning...would have popped over otherwise. Tonight is out though - I have a 40th birthday to go to. I would love to pick your brains about this at some point though as I know you have trodden these paths already!

Cheers
Adam