I'm trying to use the Orion Starshoot autoguider through an Orion guide scope on a Skywatcher EQ6 mount.
I can select, centre and focus on the star I wish to guide on; connect to the scope, have the yellow crosshairs change colour from yellow to green, and then, within seconds, the star has drifted out of the green box and crosshairs; and the flashing and audible alarms have started.
I've followed the set-up diagram; have adjusted the settings in the advanced parameter's section (and returned them to the default setting) and even been through the hand controller on the mount to see if I've missed anything.
I've tried the manual control on the PHD program, but I cannot say for certain whether a signal is getting through to the mount:- it's a little noisy where I am, so I'm not 100% sure whether or not I'm hearing the motors operating.
At the moment I'm inclined to think the issue could be with the autoguide cable but I still wouldn't rule out user error at this stage!
make sure you have pulse guiding turned on in eqmod for a start
- In the window window on the left hand side at the top there are 2 small buttons click the left, it cycles though different things. There is one to see the pulse guides that should be going to the mount.
- put your ear to the mount you should hear a high pitched whoot whooo kinda sound. Thats the motors tracking. if when you hit the button to start your calibration you hear that sound change then the movements are coming though.
But you have to calibrate first. If your star doesn't come directly back to the same spot it started, your polar alignment is up the duff. go back and fix it first if you don't your guiding will be shocking no matter what you do even if it ends up calibrating.
The reason for this is the calibration tells PHD what angle your guide scope is in relation to North South East and West as an angle. if you have the wrong angle when it makes an adjustment it sends the star in the wrong direction!
Try do your calibration in the east or west where the stars move quick to minimise PE and Wind effects.!
If worse comes to worse PM me and i can help you further.
Rob, 2 things come to mind as first things to check:
1. If the star drifts out of the PHD screen very quickly I would question your polar alignment and second checking that you have got your mount tracing set to 'on'.;
2. check that on the top line of PHD under the 'Mount' tab that you have the right item checked. I thing the Orion starshoot has an ST4 out of the back that goes straight to the mount. In that case the item 'on-camera' need to be checked.
Peter
Peter - I'm not losing the star from the PHD window quickly; the alarms are occurring with the star visible and after the software is telling me that it's starting to guide. It's after the initial attempt at guiding that I'm having the alarms. You are correct about the ST4 and I've had the 'on-camera' option activated but no joy
Noticed the following on the PHD Website. It may help
If you're running an Orion autoguider and you've not upgraded their drivers for some time and things don't work - upgrade their drivers from their site.
Orion Autoguider Problem (or User Problem?!)
