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Post by davy on Apr 24, 2020 21:01:42 GMT
Having a wee break from it just now,, done a fair bit of work so far. What do I think so far,,,, Pretty good,, just the one snag with installing Ascom and its solved,, To be honest,, I wondered if it could be this easy at times,, I'm not a Windows 10 fan and would rather use my Windows 7 laptop,, but it's not going to go away.. The panda has been running for hours,, I've been on the net with it,, no hassle getting WiFi from my phone,, its downloaded software after Software,, and I checked the heat on the board regularly I didn't want to cook it,, and to my amazement its warm, not hot,, and certainly not needed a fan up to now,, but a fan is always good where electronics are involved. Windows 10 has been around for years Davy! I know you live in a more remote part of the UK but hey even Windows 10 will work up there! Just having a laugh and on a more serious note Stay Safe. never liked the thing,, I'll just get used to it and they will change it 😂
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 7:59:37 GMT
I never liked Windows 10,, preferred and still do prefer Windows 7,, but 10 is here for a while. The azgti problem I think won't be solved with software,, at my present thinking, and not worth the brain damage 😂. So we look at it another way and use the same principle as the heq5 mount,, The goal is to remote desktop,, run camera and mount from a computer.. Most are using the azgti with the skywatcher wedge and running it in equatorial configuration, So if we don't use the mounts WiFi, but hard wire it to the panda via Ascom drivers and then remote desktop it,, Job done,, still drivers ect to look for,, but seen posts that it's available. First light optics have the azgti cable. www.firstlightoptics.com/sky-watcher-mount-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-az-gti-mounts.htmlwww.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
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Post by oldstash on Apr 25, 2020 13:50:26 GMT
Things to check
1. Does your version of Panda Windows come with Remote Desktop Server - some versions (e.g. HOME) didn't (but may have changed!) and so you will not be able to use M/S RDP. Anydesk may come in handy instead of RDP its free.
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 14:00:17 GMT
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 14:14:09 GMT
One of the pains in the backside is lack of cases,, one from lattepanda is expensive,, but comes with a fan and buttons to start the panda without removing the case or poking the button with something,, but the delivery price was shocking,, Can get a clear build up case cheaper but,, it looked nasty,, I found a decent one on ebay but yet again price was expensive,, it has buttons but no fan,, it came in at £31,, but better than blowing the crap out of the board. And poking buttons through a hole in case in the pitch dark,, All this taken into account before by bank account took a good kicking for a plastic box
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 16:21:23 GMT
Even more good news tonight,, bit late starting,, nutters up the stairs had washing machine going all night,, shattered.
But good news is I have remote desktop working,, follow instructions on earlier link I posted. Absolutely a doddle,, Honestly can't believe how easy this has been
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 17:05:58 GMT
If you have an Observatory or you just want to be really fancy. A hdmi screen can be plugged into the panda at the scope, only problem is it cuts out mouse and most likely keyboard control when connected to the vnc control laptop,, No worries,, I just plugged in my Bluetooth mini keyboard /touch pad to my laptop and can wonder over to monitor at scope and still control all my kit.
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 19:49:55 GMT
Answer to uncle John's question 😄
He asked me earlier would it work on my windows tablet.. Ooooh yes. And even better,, than I thought
Linx 10" laptop / tablet, downloaded tight vnc,, yet Again easy stuff.
Put in the panda ip address, and password.
And working a treat,, what's so good 😁 I have my Toshiba laptop working at same time and both control the telescope.. All done via my smartphone hot spot. Now this will be brilliant for out reach,
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 20:16:30 GMT
Toshiba laptop windows 7 Linx 10" Windows laptop /tablet
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Post by davy on Apr 25, 2020 22:01:22 GMT
Part of my upgrade was to get my hitecastro dc focuser back in action,, was removed when I replaced my focuser with one from first light optics,, what a difference it made to the ed80,, never got around to refitting it,, but with the lock down,, can spend sone time catching up, The motor is the skywatcher one,, , drive coupling I had was too big, needed one that was 6mm one side and 4mm the other to connect to the focuser. Got one from ebay,, removed focus knob,, the coupler is just to neat,, got a rub,, so need to give it a sanding down,, The. Mounting screws aren't long enough,, so ordered, 16mm long 3mm Allen bolts from ebay. Ascom drivers are on the lattepanda and working via the Ascom app, Using backyard eos tonight and got the focuser working in byeos now,, coming together nicely
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Post by davy on Apr 26, 2020 16:20:58 GMT
Panda time Update, Testing zwo 178mc and sharpcap Pro, Camera not detected,, checked leads ect, ok. Tested on laptop,, ok. No drivers,, onto zwo website downloaded windows, Ascom and the asi studio I heard about last night,, check it out looks OK nice basic stuff and stacking.
OK tested the zwo 178 on the new asi studio,, connected no problem..
Sharpcap,, camera listed,, working fine,, needs long test to be shure.
Put the zwo 178mc in a powered USB3 hub,, wofks fine,, hub plugged into panda USB port..
No probs so far
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Post by davy on May 8, 2020 13:36:49 GMT
The panda is on the sidelines for now,, still waiting on the case coming,,,, Once it comes,, I can get back on the portable mount set up,. Just going with the keep it simple motto. Azgti in eq configuration, azgti on serial port,, the azgti eqmod cable to lattepanda and backyard eos,, probably will try out just camera and lens till I'm happy then add the ed80 into the mix.
Still looking to add to my kit,, looking at skywatcher skymax 127 mak,, canon full frame camera,, more than likely the 5d, and a lattepanda alpha,, one of the three,, good chance it will be panda or 5d first
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Post by davy on May 31, 2020 9:15:23 GMT
Getting things back on track,, been working with cnc router, Got a couple of new cables to tether Canon 600d to the panda and had ordered a mains adapter with dummy battery to power the camera indoors,, never arrived and never heard back from vendor,, sent two messages that was ignored,, but as soon as I opened a eBay case against them,, could not have been any nicer, replacement getting sent out,, we shall see. So I have the panda case and it's a good solid made metal case,, should be at the price.. So took measurements off of the leg of azgti and designed a clip to attach to the leg and it has a flat section that I will velcro the panda to,, Glow in dark filament getting used,, looks like skywatcher green. If it works OK,, I will print off some cable clips,, got a small hdmi cable to attach to 20" monitor that I may incorporate into the az gti portable kit
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Post by davy on May 31, 2020 11:20:27 GMT
I broke the 3d clip I printed 😁, plan 2, I found a base for the monitor and wrapped the fingers of it around az gti pier section and taped it on, fitted the monitor,, need to sort out a portable wiring loom, 12v to the mount, 12v to the monitor and 5v to the panda and I'm mobile. Tried the cdc again and still comes up with an error. But I have the work around that problem, Skywatcher synscan for Windows,, can do alignment and minimise screen,, start up backyard eos, go to telescope control and configure to tne synscan option,, I have the bluetooth keyboard plugged in the lattepanda and can control, mount and camera sitting back in a chair,, so if it's a nice night can sit out, if it's a cold one,, can remote desktop to a laptop in the car.
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Post by davy on Jun 7, 2020 16:10:20 GMT
Got a bit organised yesterday,, setting stuff up,, tested the panda and it's 2gb of ran isn't good enough on sharpcap with the zwo 178 mc,, dropping too many frames and won't stack either,, only really been using dslr till now,, looks like going to need 4gb of ram or above,, the ext panda board has 4gb of ram,, then there is the delta 4gb of ram but better processor,, then the alpha with 8gb of ram,, £500 nearly,, price of a half decent laptop,, lot of cash,, but it's for a portable kit,, so some hard thinking to be done,, the machine won't be wasted either way,, I have set up my heq5 to use the one I have,, held on mount with velcro,, so can take off and use on portable kit,, Bit more saving, Bought another cheap filter wheel,, threads were rough as hell on one I have,, want to try h alpha on the moon,, meant to be really good,,,
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Post by oldstash on Jun 8, 2020 15:20:32 GMT
Got a bit organised yesterday,, setting stuff up,, tested the panda and it's 2gb of ran isn't good enough on sharpcap with the zwo 178 mc,, dropping too many frames and won't stack either,, only really been using dslr till now,, looks like going to need 4gb of ram or above,, the ext panda board has 4gb of ram,, then there is the delta 4gb of ram but better processor,, then the alpha with 8gb of ram,, £500 nearly,, price of a half decent laptop,, lot of cash,, but it's for a portable kit,, so some hard thinking to be done,, the machine won't be wasted either way,, I have set up my heq5 to use the one I have,, held on mount with velcro,, so can take off and use on portable kit,, Bit more saving, Bought another cheap filter wheel,, threads were rough as hell on one I have,, want to try h alpha on the moon,, meant to be really good,,, Unfortunately its not that simple - more RAM doesn't mean it will lower your missed frames. You have to look at the complete picture and really only very detailed "bench mark tests" (or you know someone who already tried it out) do that. Even that isn't a great help with USB Astro Camera's connected devices. As I have said before (one of the oldest sayings in IT ) "you are only as fast as the slowest component".
Davy for outside use why not look at 2nd hand market - Branded (Fujisu,Dell,HP,Lenvo,Gigabyte) Small Mini Windows 10 I5 8GB SSD 2 x USB3 2 x usb2 PC's including case around £180 inc vat on Fleabay - you just need to look at the Sellers scores. I use 2nd hand PC's for most of my outside Astro stuff - that way if I get a £180 item destroyed I dont cry like a baby as I would if £500 just went tits up LOL
A lot of very good business laptops are about - employee's are always wanting the fastest latest thingy - just come with case scratches (just be careful it not screen scratches).
Example my Obsys SSF (not suitable for OTA mounting) HP I5 8gb 240GB Win 10 was only £120 - that was over 3 yrs ago and still going strong.
:-)
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Post by davy on Jun 8, 2020 18:02:25 GMT
Got a bit organised yesterday,, setting stuff up,, tested the panda and it's 2gb of ran isn't good enough on sharpcap with the zwo 178 mc,, dropping too many frames and won't stack either,, only really been using dslr till now,, looks like going to need 4gb of ram or above,, the ext panda board has 4gb of ram,, then there is the delta 4gb of ram but better processor,, then the alpha with 8gb of ram,, £500 nearly,, price of a half decent laptop,, lot of cash,, but it's for a portable kit,, so some hard thinking to be done,, the machine won't be wasted either way,, I have set up my heq5 to use the one I have,, held on mount with velcro,, so can take off and use on portable kit,, Bit more saving, Bought another cheap filter wheel,, threads were rough as hell on one I have,, want to try h alpha on the moon,, meant to be really good,,, Unfortunately its not that simple - more RAM doesn't mean it will lower your missed frames. You have to look at the complete picture and really only very detailed "bench mark tests" (or you know someone who already tried it out) do that. Even that isn't a great help with USB Astro Camera's connected devices. As I have said before (one of the oldest sayings in IT ) "you are only as fast as the slowest component". Davy for outside use why not look at 2nd hand market - Branded (Fujisu,Dell,HP,Lenvo,Gigabyte) Small Mini Windows 10 I5 8GB SSD 2 x USB3 2 x usb2 PC's including case around £180 inc vat on Fleabay - you just need to look at the Sellers scores. I use 2nd hand PC's for most of my outside Astro stuff - that way if I get a £180 item destroyed I dont cry like a baby as I would if £500 just went tits up LOL
A lot of very good business laptops are about - employee's are always wanting the fastest latest thingy - just come with case scratches (just be careful it not screen scratches). Example my Obsys SSF (not suitable for OTA mounting) HP I5 8gb 240GB Win 10 was only £120 - that was over 3 yrs ago and still going strong. :-)
Hi auld yin.. I know what you mean,, that's the thing with astronomy,,, somebody has to be first,, why me 😂🤣😂, Computer wise my Toshiba laptop works all my astronomy kit no problem,,, back to the old saying,, if it ain't broke,, leave it the hell alone. I bought a desktop package from some trumpet of a company on Ebay,, was donating it to the pipe band for learners to use,, watch videos ect, piping and drumming software in it,, by time we sorted out the drum room,, I thought better test this at the flat and install software,, thing hadn't been out the box since I got it,, plugged it in and next thing smoke and some small flames,, £100 down the lavy,, seller would not entertain me,, fully tested before shipped,, my backside. Think a gaming laptop with decent spec the Way to go.. As an upgrade
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Post by oldstash on Jun 10, 2020 15:29:32 GMT
Decent gaming New laptop = £1000ish - bloody expensive this Astro thing :-( - going back to course fishing its cheaper and it doesn't matter if it rains or is cloudy ---- I have a fishing umbrella.
Keep Safe and Well Davy. :-)
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Post by davy on Jun 10, 2020 16:06:26 GMT
Aye,, that's the kinda figure I was looking at,,, to be Fair it will be well used between hobbies I have,, I could get a desktop built,, but I've always liked laptops better,
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