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Old 17-07-2021, 06:47 PM
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Outcast (Carlton)
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Autofocussers, EAA & Possibly Wireless Integration

Asking some questions with the aim to helping out and elderly friend make more use of his telescope.

His scope is not permanently setup but, that is not an issue..what he wants to do is be able to set it up, then relax in a comfy chair (outdoors is fine) & control the scope, a focusser & see the pretty pictures on his laptop.

Equipment he has:

1. Celestron Evolution 9.25" SCT & mount... - Whilst I don't own one of these, I'm reasonably familiar with them. His is about 4 - 5 years old, I'm unsure at this time whether it has inbuilt wifi or not... either way, we should be able to hook up his handset to his laptop & most likely make use of Stellarium to drive it.

- Any thoughts, advice, experience in this area will be appreciated

2. Infinity ATIK camera to use for EAA - I have ZERO experience with this camera however, I do have experience with ZWO camera's so, I figure it can't be that much different, can it? I figure we'd look at Sharpcap or similar to use for EAA. At this stage looking at USB hookup to his laptop to drive the camera & see the resultant images.

- Any thoughts, advice, experience or tips in this area will be appreciated

Equipment he needs:

1. An auto focus solution - this is an area where I have ZERO knowledge.. I don't use them... Again, cable hookup to his laptop would be acceptable, at least as a starting point... he's in his seventies & has a few health issues... wants to sit in his comfy chair once it's all working & just enjoy the views...

- Really need advice & experience on this issue please

2. Possibly an integrated 'box' either to manage connections or at least manage the power distribution in a reasonably simple manner. I use Stellarmate & a seperate 12v power distribution box for my own astrophotography work but, I'm not convinced he has the IT/troubleshooting skills to make this solution work...
ZWO ASIAIR comes to mind but, I don't think the ATIK camera will work with this solution, is that correct?

3. Coupled with number 2 above... maybe ultimately, a wireless solution but, this is not a high priority nor a necessity... just a nicety... again, I know I can achieve this via stellarmate but, I don't believe this is the solution I want for my friend... ASIAIR comes to mind again except... it's not a ZWO camera & it might not be a ZWO focusser...

So folks, let me know your ideas, solutions, experience both good & bad...

I can't put a figure on a budget as we haven't really discussed this part so, at this stage, open to the full range of options but, needs to be off the shelf with preferably no fettling required & it needs to be reasonably intuitive to setup & operate

Edit: Meant to put this in & forgot... from a practical perspective, what would be the maximum length of USB cabling we could use that would work without issue & what options are out there to boost this length if required... somewhere between 2.5 - 5m unboosted is in my mind for some reason but, I recall there are solutions that could extend this range.. just can't quite recall what they are...

Thanks in advance
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Old 18-07-2021, 12:43 AM
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toc (Tim)
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Im pretty much doing this - except I dont have an Evolution, but I suspect the exact same software will work.

I use:
- small form factor PC attached to the scope https://www.amazon.com/MeLE-Quieter2.../dp/B08ZXXJL6N
- powerwerx PD-8 power distribution https://powerwerx.com/8-position-pow...ribution-block
- Celestron CPWI software - this connects to the mount and allows you to control, align and even has a planetarium built in. Im quite sure this will work with the Evolution.
- Celestron Autofocus Motor https://www.amazon.com.au/Celestron-...45285322&psc=1 This is USB powered and can be fitted to most Celestron scopes. I use it with the RASA8 and it works well.

I made up some power cables with Anderson connectors to fit into the PD-8, and they provide power to the mount, Dew heater, PC, camera, and autofocus motor. (I use a lab power supply to provide power to the PD-8, but any 12V source with enough current will do)

I use remote desktop to access the PC, and do everything inside where its toasty warm

For EAA, Sharpcap is probably the best, but perhaps ASIStudio might be a bit easier to use.

Edit: for USB, I think about 20 meters is the limit with so called 'active' USB cables, but I don't have any experience with them.
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Old 09-08-2021, 05:17 PM
neurosis3000 (Reggie)
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It looks like he wants to keep it as simple as possible. With that in mind, I’d recommend an ASIAIR. He can control and view it all from a simple tablet or phone app. No need for a laptop and cables etc the images will come up right in the app on the tablet or phone. If he wants to auto guide, it’ll do that(using ZWO guide cam). It will also live stack for dimmer targets if he wants.

Once it’s connected to his home wifi, he can do his EAA on the tablet or phone from anywhere in the house, the local cafe or pub, or anywhere really.

It also has a power distribution box built in for powering focuser, camera, dew heater etc so it’s likely he’ll only need ONE cable in for power and everything else plugs into the Air.

It does the job of a NUC and a Powerbox at less than half their combined weight and less than half their cost.

The phone or tablet will connect to its wifi hotspot.

Caveat, it only works with ZWO gear so the camera will have to change. It’ll control the autofocus, camera, etc

Also, it’ll work with SkySafari or Stellarium on the tablet or phone.
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Old 10-08-2021, 02:47 PM
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toc (Tim)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neurosis3000 View Post
It looks like he wants to keep it as simple as possible. With that in mind, I’d recommend an ASIAIR. He can control and view it all from a simple tablet or phone app. No need for a laptop and cables etc the images will come up right in the app on the tablet or phone. If he wants to auto guide, it’ll do that(using ZWO guide cam). It will also live stack for dimmer targets if he wants.

Once it’s connected to his home wifi, he can do his EAA on the tablet or phone from anywhere in the house, the local cafe or pub, or anywhere really.

It also has a power distribution box built in for powering focuser, camera, dew heater etc so it’s likely he’ll only need ONE cable in for power and everything else plugs into the Air.

It does the job of a NUC and a Powerbox at less than half their combined weight and less than half their cost.

The phone or tablet will connect to its wifi hotspot.

Caveat, it only works with ZWO gear so the camera will have to change. It’ll control the autofocus, camera, etc

Also, it’ll work with SkySafari or Stellarium on the tablet or phone.
I think the ASIAIR is a decent solution - my solution is around the same price, but not quite as integrated. I only have one cable for power as well though. The beauty of mine is that I can run whatever software I want on it, and Im not tied in to ZWO hardware. By the time he upgrades the camera and focuser, it might be a pretty pricey operation just to use the AIR...

Another option is the Stellina
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