PEC with a De-Rotator

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Well I have been playing around with PEC trainig on my LX200 GPS with the current Firmware. I have done the training but am having problems understanding the programs that can refine the training. Programs like Meades PEC Utility tool and MyScope PEC editor software. All this sharpen and smooth and the rest of it is not making sense to me at all. I am going to have to try to find somone at a club that can help me.

I am wanting to get my scope the best I can before I start taking pictures. I have upgraded the scope with Peterson Gears.

I have a simple question However. I am about to purchase a De-Rotator as well as building a wedge. I know that PEC training is done on RA with a wedge, However is PEC training needed in ALT AZ when using a De-Rotaor? Or is PEC an advantage in all cases?..

Some advice on the subject would be of great assistance..



Regards
Mardy

[tempestwizz (Brian)]

I have an LX90, so am not sure about the LX200, but with mine, when you go to Alt/Az mode, all PEC funtions, including the PEC training feature are removed from the menu. In Alt/Az mode, neither elements are necessarily driven at a constant speed, hence PEC can't really be predicted.

I f you are wedded to using the Meade mount/drive, I suggest using a wedge, but make sure it is really robust. There will be a lot of weight hanging on it, especially if you include guide scopes and 3d balance weights.

Most people (not all) taking images, eventually migrate to an equatorial mount of some sort. I removed the OTA from my Meade and put it on an equatorial mount.

HTH

Brian

[AndrewJ]

Gday Mardy

Programs like Meades PEC Utility tool

Just be warned, unless you have the very latest version ( not the one on their download site ), it WILL destroy your data.
IIRC you need to get the latest ASSuite update to get a version that "semi works". Also, note it will not do Alt PEC and gives very little real information about the data.

I have a simple question However. I am about to purchase a De-Rotator as well as building a wedge

If you get a wedge, you dont need a derotater.
If you want to stay AltAz and use a derotater, then forget about PEC.
Alt Az PEC is theoretically possible, but Meades implementation in the latest firmwares just does not work. RA PEC in Polar is OK
but forget PEC in AltAz.

If you want good ( long exposure ) piccies, get a wedge and get it polar aligned as best you can.

Andrew

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Thanks Adrew for your reply. I think I have the latest firmware in my Autostar as it does allow me to do pec training in both Alt Az. however its the external software progrmas that allow editing of the pec training that gets me stumped. I have chosen to make a wedge as my brother inlaw is a metal fabricator and is going to lazer cut the parts for me so that should be a simple project (and Fun).. I have chosen to also get a De-Rotator as well as from my home location I am not able to see the Celestial Pole, its below my buildings. So it is for this reason that having a de-rotator will allow me to do some fun stuff from home. When I go out to dark locations for deep space stuff I hope to use a wedge. I will have more time and better ability to align using a wedge... I will be on holiday in the states in a weeks time and will be getting a de-rotator thier as they are half the price of that here..

When you say the latest versions not from the Meade site. Are you refering to the Firmware, or are you talking about the PEC editing software?



Regards
Mardy

[AndrewJ]

Gday Mardy

I think I have the latest firmware in my Autostar as it does allow me to do pec training in both Alt Az

We need to get more basic
YES the LX200 firmware will allow you to train the PEC in both axes when AltAz
BUT it doesn't work
It will save data, ( and if you are lucky, it might even look semi reasonable ), but it probably isnt worth the bytes its stored in.
This is due to bugs in the Meade Firmware, not the training process.
Using my PEC Editor or the Meade utility is futile if the raw data is no good.

When you say the latest versions not from the Meade site.

Meade used to have a direct link to a copy of its PEC editor on the std software download site. That version was fatal to late ASII firmwares
There is a different copy of their editor supplied as part of the ASSuite upgrade
but thats a different download page.
Either way, their editor is not a very user friendly bit of work.

Andrew