ICEINSPACE
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Waxing Gibbous 71.4%
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16-05-2016, 09:13 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,939
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Best software for automation
I have my gear all sorted down and now would like to add another level of sophistication.
After staying up later than I wanted to the last few nights just to do a meridian flip it would be nice to have software do that.
The main requirement is user friendly and above all reliable. Nothing worse than checking something out the next morning of a not so common clear night to find some silly error prevented data collection (eh, for example leaving the imager set to subframing after using that to speed up focusing images, duh!).
CCDware software has always been good so they have CCD autopilot 5. I have heard good things about CCD Commander. SGP gets good mentions as well.
Which is best?
Greg.
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16-05-2016, 09:23 AM
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PI cult recruiter
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 10,584
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ACP is the most sophisticated (and expensive) automation package that I know of. I picked it after trying CCD Commander and CCD Autopilot as well. SGP didn't exist at the time. It has worked reliably for me at home and in the field and also drives our scope at SRO in completely automated mode. Bob Denny provides excellent support and the system is all scripted, so the technically adept can modify and extend it. Possibly overkill for some applications but worth considering.
Cheers,
Rick.
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16-05-2016, 02:21 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,939
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Thanks Rick.
CCDautopilot is only about US$200 so that would be a large factor if ACP is much more expensive.
Greg.
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16-05-2016, 02:48 PM
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PI cult recruiter
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 10,584
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
Thanks Rick.
CCDautopilot is only about US$200 so that would be a large factor if ACP is much more expensive.
Greg.
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The basic version of ACP is $695 USD, Greg.
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16-05-2016, 02:54 PM
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Highest Observatory in Oz
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
After staying up later than I wanted to the last few nights just to do a meridian flip it would be nice to have software do that.
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Fork Mount
If by some miracle I came into some cash and decided to automate , I would like to go with a fork mount...heck, even if I don't automate!
Sorry, I am sure you will get some good feedback from less useless people
Mike
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16-05-2016, 03:04 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,939
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS
The basic version of ACP is $695 USD, Greg.
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Thanks Rick. I think that's out of my budget for something like this which is more of a convenience when my main observatory is in my backyard and I enjoy the stroll there anyway, except for the mossies!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Fork Mount
If by some miracle I came into some cash and decided to automate , I would like to go with a fork mount...heck, even if I don't automate!
Sorry, I am sure you will get some good feedback from less useless people
Mike
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I've got some forks in the kitchen. I never though of using those!
There don't seem to be many fork mounts on the market.
Greg.
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16-05-2016, 03:09 PM
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Highest Observatory in Oz
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley
There don't seem to be many fork mounts on the market.
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Yes, shame really, apart from custom construction, I think Mathis is it..?
Mike
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16-05-2016, 03:42 PM
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Billions and Billions ...
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Quialigo, NSW
Posts: 3,142
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Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
... I think Mathis is it..?
Mike
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Nah ... take a gander at this ...
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16-05-2016, 03:58 PM
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Highest Observatory in Oz
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marc4darkskies
Nah ... take a gander at this ...
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Aaaah yes, I have see these, forgot about'em...but at around the price of a BMW 420i coupe...not likely anytime soon
Sorry Greg
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16-05-2016, 04:05 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Glanmire, NSW
Posts: 2,219
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Hi Greg, I have been using SGP for some months now and am very impressed with the capabilities available and for a reasonable price. Automates just about everything apart from making tea/coffee and could probably do that as well if the coffee machine had an ascom driver
I successfully run automated sequences whereby I set up the imaging run as soon as it is dark enough and the let it run by itself overnight till the wee hours when it finishes by shutting down the session and parking the mount. All of this happens whilst I am safely tucked in bed. It includes observatory automation as well if one wants to open and close the obs.
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16-05-2016, 04:44 PM
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Highest Observatory in Oz
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,231
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Ok some on topic talk now...If I was going to automate..It would be great to go see packages in operation on someone's scope or download trials and try them out...you probably were going to do that anyway but hey, I like to state the bleeding obvious at times...just in case it wasn't Everyone is gunna say "I use XXX and it works great"...so where do you go from there?
Mike
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16-05-2016, 05:37 PM
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Lee "Wormsy" Borsboom
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kilcoy, QLD
Posts: 2,058
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryderscope
I successfully run automated sequences whereby I set up the imaging run as soon as it is dark enough and the let it run by itself overnight till the wee hours when it finishes by shutting down the session and parking the mount. All of this happens whilst I am safely tucked in bed. It includes observatory automation as well if one wants to open and close the obs.
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Am I inferring correctly that you do not open / close the obs automatically? I'd love to get more data while I sleep, but I can't imagine doing it without having an automated obs. We get lots of fog here during the cooler months and very heavy dew... I think leaving my gear out all night would be tantamount to throwing it in the dam.
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16-05-2016, 05:43 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: North Queensland
Posts: 3,240
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From the Main Sequence Software website: Sequence Generator Pro offers a free 45 day trial of the "pro" version. During the trial, you will have unlimited access to all avaialble features
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16-05-2016, 06:00 PM
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Narrowfield rules!
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Torquay
Posts: 5,064
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DL 6 does auto flip with auto guide star reaquisition , would be worth investigating if thats all you want to add. Interestingly, some itelescope hosted scope owners have used CCD auto pilot and CCD commander with varied success, but they have eventually switched to ACP, that says something. itelescope also use a modified version of ACP. OK, its not cheap, but then its a small cost compared to the rest of your rig, and reliability was one of your concerns.
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16-05-2016, 06:24 PM
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Bust Duster
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 4,846
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Last few nights I've been loving SGP - using some features I've never used before. Set up a sequence in the afternoon. Getting dark, uncover the scope, start the sequence with a delay to not start shooting until just after astronomical twilight, sequence kicks in at that time, automatically centres the scope at the target RA/DEC using platesolving, autofocuses, auto calibrates guiding and starts, off she goes. Come meridian flip, auto flips, recalibrates guiding, recentres using platesolving, and off she goes again. Sexy.
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16-05-2016, 06:24 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,939
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Some good feedback here.
I think I will trial SGP Pro and see how it goes.
Greg.
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16-05-2016, 06:27 PM
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Bust Duster
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 4,846
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It's because I used the word "sexy", isn't it.
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16-05-2016, 06:30 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: North Queensland
Posts: 3,240
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Might be worth keeping in mind that on their website it says that ACP needs MaximDL and FocusMax - would add extra cost if someone does not already have this software.
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16-05-2016, 06:31 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,939
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Quote:
Originally Posted by troypiggo
It's because I used the word "sexy", isn't it.
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Well it would have except your post appeared after I put the reply so I read it after my reply!
Greg.
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16-05-2016, 06:41 PM
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PI cult recruiter
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 10,584
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