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Post by Dragon Man on Jan 25, 2019 10:46:48 GMT
First, let me say that I really like using my Synscan Hand Controller on my old black Skywatcher EQ6 mount, even though it is the original faulty v2.05a. When Synta (the manufacturer of Skywatcher products) re-programmed the v2 hand controller for the Southern Hemisphere (they only catered for the Northern sky in the v1 and early v2 handsets) they completely failed to also re-program the coordinates for Solar System objects. It only did Deep Sky objects, so the Aussie model could never find planets or the Moon. But otherwise, that hand controller proved to be extremely accurate on all other objects (NGC's, IC's, Messiers, stars, etc). The only really annoying thing with the hand controller is that every time it is used you have to re-enter the date, time, Lat and Long, Daylight Savings, etc. Then after that annoying procedure you have to do a star alignment. Every time! Enter the 'Synscan WiFi Adaptor' Under $100, simple, small, user friendly, and it works great!!! What is fantastic about this little unit is that becuse I never move my mount there is no need to re-enter the date, time, Lat and Long, Daylight Savings, etc every time I want to use it. I just turn the mount on, select an object and it goes to it! To me that is heaven after 15 years of re-entering info and doing star alignments every time The other point I am really pleased about is that the GoTo's are even more accurate than the near excellent GoTo's of the hand controller. The hand controller has given accurate GoTos for the past 15 years. Every object (well, except planets) was always within the FOV of the camera or eyepiece. But this little WiFi unit gets the object dead centre of the FOV every time! - It also has diagonal slewing!!! - A selection of 'Tonight's best objects'. - DSLR camera control. - Polar Scope. - Polar Alignment tool. and more! And it only cost me $79 I have been using it the last 3 observing nights and it has made my astronomy even more fun and enjoyable. I highly recommend this unit. skywatcheraustralia.com.au/product/wifi-adapter/
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Post by davy on Jan 25, 2019 13:22:06 GMT
😀 been using one of these for over a year and I would never go back to the handset,, I just like it that much. I had to laugh because start if the week I was looking at buying one specifically for my skywatcher allview mount,, down to £50 from first light optics. I have been making a new power lead for the allview as problem with battery pack,, not that they lasted long on the mount, Going to use a 12v mobility scooter battery,, looking at 3d printing a carrier to hold battery on mount at present.
Best purchase going for its price,, well recommend
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2019 2:18:27 GMT
My EQ6 never gets moved in my pod. Never realized I did not have to realign with the synscan wifi. That will save a bit of time when I eventually get back to observing.
The outside temp was 46C yesterday. The EQ6 with the adapter attached was slowly getting cooked in the pod. The mount is too heavy to be lugging around at the moment but I should have removed the adapter. cheers Paul
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Post by howie1 on Jan 26, 2019 4:21:54 GMT
Ken, where did you get it for $79? My usual 'value' astro shops such as Andrews, Bintel, Astro Pete, only have them for $99.
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Post by Dragon Man on Jan 26, 2019 14:52:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2019 6:01:48 GMT
Ken, you have prompted me to get the wifi adapters out again. I have one for the EQ6 and one for the HEQ5. I stopped using them because the synscan software would lock up and then crash almost every time I used it. I swapped them around on the mounts, tried all the combinations of old ipad, new ipad, phone,reloaded the software. Synscan would crash as soon as I plugged in a messier or ngc number but it would work normally if I selected the dso from the list. It was such a consistent crash that I new it had to be a software glitch. Today I downloaded synscan pro and whaddyerknow ....no crash .. that is in the daytime at least. I noticed in the "what's new" in the new version that they have"fixed the problem where locking screen would interrupt connection" Looking forward to using the adapters again. I have got a lot of things on the "to do" list when I have 2 functional hands again Orion produced a wifi adapter that connected to the handset of either the meade or celestron. It requires you to align with the handset first and then skysafari takes over. I found that worked well with no software problems but is a lot more cumbersome than the little skywatcher unit cheers Paul
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Post by Dragon Man on Jan 29, 2019 12:35:01 GMT
Paul, I can't get my Synscan WiFi adaptor to work on my laptop but it works fantastic on my 2 mobile phones. When I loaded the software into my laptop it worked perfectly on the first night. On the second night it refused to work. I Googled and I Googled. Nothing. No help anywhere. It hasn't worked on my laptop since. I'll stick to using the phone as it's easier anyway. One less program on the laptop while I have everything else open
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Post by davy on Jan 29, 2019 13:06:36 GMT
I use mine with an 8" tablet and my phone,, if I'm out in the car I can run it from my car head unit,, now that is brilliant,, mobile warm observatory 😂
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Post by Dragon Man on Jan 30, 2019 8:39:30 GMT
OK, I have hit a wall with my Synscan WiFi Adaptor. It still works great, BUT . . . nowhere in any of the Skywatcher websites or anywhere online (Google, Forums, You Tube etc) can I find any instructions. The user manual is useless as it only tells you how to connect the device, but not how to use it. eg: - How does the Polar Align tab work? - How to use the Advanced Settings? - Auto Home? - How to use Backlash settings? - etc, etc, etc. The device has been around for more than a year. I find it extremely strange that no-one has written a user guide yet. Any links to any instructions would be fantastic thanks
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Post by howie1 on Jan 30, 2019 22:42:53 GMT
Hmmm ... looks like nothing in the world of astro "overpriced-but-terrible-quality" world has changed! Sigh! I worked as an Engineer with tech stuff for 40 years prior to retiring. Before retirement remote sensors in mining plant was all wifi, as were driverless trucks, and for me programming PLC controls and predictive maintenance systems was a regular thing. I've setup many LANs and, back in 1995 setup a WAN between Aussie operations to USA operations (utilised Pacific undersea cables!). We even ran a Televideo system across "the pond" as we called it. But, even with those tech skills, astro "tech-stuff" has never worked reliably for me. Wifi connections, remote desktop, small intel pc's, both wired and wifi skysafari connections were all troublesome. And ... more kit to carry ... more kit to setup.... And always dropped at some point through the night. Given the number of ideal nights are few and far between for most of us ... it means we really should aim to setup as quickly as possible and observe as much as we can in those rare moments. Not spend heaps of time setting up heaps of stuff, nor spend time diagnosing why it didnt work or why it stopped working. When I gave away all the tech stuff, in favour of the normal wired hand control, suddenly ... less to carry ... set up in record time ... 10 hours sessions without a worry! So by actually "observing" far more ... I was able to learn HEAPS more about the all important software techniques to see more details more easily! Isn't that the aim really .... see more objects faster and in ever-better quality? Just saying!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 3:58:59 GMT
I tend to buy stuff when it first comes on the market and often come a cropper as a result. My first synscan wifi worked very well on the HEQ5 so I bought another for the EQ6 then everything went belly up and I couldnt get either to work reliably. I went back to the handset for the last 8 or 9 months but have been pleasantly surprised by the software upgrade when Ken's post spurred me on to give it another go. In general, I prefer hard wiring to the net and control remotely with teamviewer if I want to sit in the comfort of the bungalow 5 metres away. Most of the time, however, I sit by the scope with a duplicate screen and mouse (whether in the dome or the shed) and make sure there is no cord wrap while slewing. cheers Paul
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elpajare
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home town/country: Girona-Spain
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Post by elpajare on Jan 31, 2019 8:17:47 GMT
I very much agree with the opinion that the equipment should be simplified to the maximum. What worries me is being able to observe / photograph as many objects every night.
This is my setup, another one, in case someone can get something interesting. At this moment, I have it configured like this:
1.- Skywatcher NEQ5 + Synscan Goto 2.- SKYFI wireless + Skysafari in an old Minimac 3.- USB 3.0 cable connecting the camera with another PC with W10.
The mount I have installed on a pillar and North aligned and to 1 meter I have placed a plastic garden shed where I shelter and I have computers.
Place the tube in the guide, plug in the tackle and do a one star align, 5 minutes ... and observe the sky!. Sometimes I had some connection problem with Skyfi but very rarely
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Post by Dragon Man on Jan 31, 2019 11:54:39 GMT
Yep, I like things simple too. The less to set up the better. That's why I like this Synscan WiFi adaptor so much. It has made my setup time even less. I can be up and running with an object on screen in about 3 minutes now. The only thing slowing me down is waiting for the laptop to boot up so I can open the capture software If the laptop booted faster I would be up and viewing in as fast as I can open the observatory roof which takes about 30 seconds. My scopes and cameras are always sitting there ready to go, and now because of the WiFi adaptor, so is the mount. I ran through my whole setup and timed it all My procedure: - Unlock Observatory (3 seconds) - Walk over to the corner and turn on the Solar Power Inverter (5 seconds) - Turn computer on (3 seconds) - Go through inner door and unlock Observatory roof, then walk outside and pull roof open (23 seconds) - Sit down and wait for Computer to load (2 seconds) - Still waiting for computer to load - Computer loaded (1 minute 52 seconds after sitting down) - Open RisingSky capture software (11 seconds) - Connect Synscan WiFi Adaptor (4 seconds) - Select and Slew to M42 (16 seconds) - Image of M42 on screen (5 seconds) From arriving at the Observatory till image on screen - 3 minutes, 3 seconds Only 71 seconds if I leave out waiting for the laptop to load
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 14:18:50 GMT
Yep, I like things simple too. The less to set up the better. That's why I like this Synscan WiFi adaptor so much. It has made my setup time even less. I can be up and running with an object on screen in about 3 minutes now. Posted by elpajare place the tube in the guide, plug in the tackle and do a one star align, 5 minutes ... and observe the sky!. Sometimes I had some connection problem with Skyfi but very rarely I really like this idea of no alignment if you havent moved the mount with the synscan wifi. Carlos, if you swap scopes on the fixed NEQ5 mount , do you then need to polar and star align ? Also, why do you do 1 star align. cheers Paul
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elpajare
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home town/country: Girona-Spain
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Post by elpajare on Jan 31, 2019 14:42:55 GMT
Every time I change telescope I align to ONE star again because it is very fast and I avoid errors. Its not necessary polar align because the mount is fixed.
I use one star align because as the mount is always oriented to the North it leaves the star almost in the center. If I move several degrees, I correct the alignment defect by pointing to a bright star in the new zone and I click the Align option of the Skysafari software. All works great again!
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Post by howie1 on Jan 31, 2019 21:39:33 GMT
Re alignments ... Most people don't realise that when you power up a mount and feed it the date, time, latitude and longitude that it has within its firmware a PERFECT star map right then. Most importantly, the map assumes the mounts ALT, AZ is set perfectly to the CP and the OTA DEC and RA vertical and parallel to the mounts polar axle. All it does is tell the RA and DEC motors to move a certain amount of RA and DEC degrees based on that star map.
For years now I have setup my tripod, etc the normal way EXCEPT for fussing over setting the OTA parallel and exactly over the mounts polar AXLE. That's key. As on powerup, a perfect HOME position allows the perfect startup map to do its thing.
I have always answered two star alignment on the hand control ... BUT ... On slewing to the first star I center it using the ALT AZ bolts! Yes, the bolts ... not the hand control buttons! Effectively it does an immediate and very accurate POLAR alignment due to the fact I took the time to carefully setup the HOME position .. OTA parallel and exactly over the mounts polar AXLE. Then on slewing to the second star, I use the hand control buttons. It is effectively a one STAR alignment.
For a while age ago I used the mounts User Objects to do the leveling. This was while the OTA was on the tripod, and that tripod was pointed any which way and wasn't level. It worked just fine. I would cancel out of the normal setup star alignment process, and simply do a goto the user object which was Zenith. Level the OTA in N-S and E-W direction, and then perform a goto to the Sun if daytime, or to any object if at night. If the AZ was way off past the AZ bolt adjustment range I simply dragged the whole tripod around and pushed it firmly into the ground once close to pointing the right direction for CP, and then adjusted ALT. Then another re-level of the OTA using the user object for Zenith and did a one star and away I went observing.
Should do a vid on that one as the backs not too bad these days ... the usual 6 months before its got to the point it is bearable.
Anyone want a vid on that one?
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Post by davy on Jan 31, 2019 21:45:16 GMT
Re alignments ... Most people don't realise that when you power up a mount and feed it the date, time, latitude and longitude that it has within its firmware a PERFECT star map right then. Most importantly, the map assumes the mounts ALT, AZ is set perfectly to the CP and the OTA DEC and RA vertical and parallel to the mounts polar axle. All it does is tell the RA and DEC motors to move a certain amount of RA and DEC degrees based on that star map. For years now I have setup my tripod, etc the normal way EXCEPT for fussing over setting the OTA parallel and exactly over the mounts polar AXLE. That's key. As on powerup, a perfect HOME position allows the perfect startup map to do its thing. I have always answered two star alignment on the hand control ... BUT ... On slewing to the first star I center it using the ALT AZ bolts! Yes, the bolts ... not the hand control buttons! Effectively it does an immediate and very accurate POLAR alignment due to the fact I took the time to carefully setup the HOME position .. OTA parallel and exactly over the mounts polar AXLE. Then on slewing to the second star, I use the hand control buttons. It is effectively a one STAR alignment. For a while age ago I used the mounts User Objects to do the leveling. This was while the OTA was on the tripod, and that tripod was pointed any which way and wasn't level. It worked just fine. I would cancel out of the normal setup star alignment process, and simply do a goto the user object which was Zenith. Level the OTA in N-S and E-W direction, and then perform a goto to the Sun if daytime, or to any object if at night. If the AZ was way off past the AZ bolt adjustment range I simply dragged the whole tripod around and pushed it firmly into the ground once close to pointing the right direction for CP, and then adjusted ALT. Then another re-level of the OTA using the user object for Zenith and did a one star and away I went observing. Should do a vid on that one as the backs not too bad these days ... the usual 6 months before its got to the point it is bearable. Anyone want a vid on that one? More the merrier .😁
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 22:53:17 GMT
Howie ,I would love a video on what you have just explained. It took me a long time to work out what I was meant to be doing with polar alignment and youtube videos were very confusing. Polar alignment on sharpcap was a breath of fresh air,but it still takes up valuable time . My EQ6 is fixed in the skyshed pod, but the HEQ5 is lifted about a metre out of another shed onto markers on concrete and needs to be polar and star aligned each time. The trouble with the pod is that it gets so hot over summer that I remove the scope after each use . Having said that, one arm is in plaster and I am unable to assemble the scope ,which happens to be the RASA 8, on the EQ6. So I am limited to the C6 on the alt/az for the next few weeks. cheers Paul
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2019 3:19:07 GMT
Used the c6 w hyperstar on alt/az and synscan wifi last night. The synscan software is still locking up when a certain few steps are taken. The ipad has to be shut down and rebooted. Thankfully the scope does not have to be realigned and the goto remains pretty accurate. It is my first night out for a month. Here is ngc 1365 in Fornax with zwo 224 15sec x4 stack. The second image has been stretched to a figure of 5 extend in astrotoaster
This is ngc 1365 using the zwo 290 stack of 20 secs x 9 no processing and I didnt drop the scope while setting up cheers Paul
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elpajare
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home town/country: Girona-Spain
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Post by elpajare on Feb 2, 2019 8:00:15 GMT
I have some questions to ask you
What is the FOV of the combination C6 + Hyperstar + 224/290? Why do you vary the number of stacks in each photo? What gain do you use?
Thanks Paul
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