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Post by davy on Aug 5, 2020 12:24:56 GMT
My astronomy laptop has been delivered to my daughters so hopefully can get right into it and start downloading all the software I will be using,, Ascom platform, eqmod, skywatcher synscan, byeos, sharpcap Pro, zwo studio, CdC. Then try the free trial of the sequence generator Pro,, see if it does what I want it for if not,, no loss.
Laptop will be getting a ram upgrade to take it to 8gb and going to take a chance on putting an express card with USB 3 ports in it,, see if I can increase USB ports without a USB hub
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2020 0:11:25 GMT
Have you been using eqmod Davy? Does the Sequence Generator Pro use its own database to plate solve or do you have to download it separately like you do for sharpcap?
I used eqmod on the computer to plate solve with sharpcap and found it too much of a hassle. However,the polar align with sharpcap is a dream.
On the other hand,I use eqmod with the ASIair to plate solve and polar align. The plate solve part is easy but the polar align is a PITA.
Last night I used the ASIair for the first time in ages. I was having a lot of trouble polar aligning with the alt/az bolts.... backwards and forwards,backwards and forwards ad nauseum. The software wont let you move on until you are within 2" of the pole. I then just connected the camera to sharpcap and polar aligned in less than a minute ,then switched back to ASIair and was off and running. The plate solving part is simple and seems to work well once you are polar aligned but I was ouside in the cold next to the mount and called it a night just after I got everything working. cheers Paul
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Post by davy on Aug 6, 2020 6:20:17 GMT
I had been using eqmod in conjunction with cartes du ciel,, with my limited fov from flat window it was overkill,, as I'm not getting full use of its functions,, but its good to keep the learning curve going, But with trying to go portable I wanted as many options as possible,, we've all been outside and trying to get some images and software plays up,, so I'm covering the bases,. I have a few mounts I can us so it's down to what's practical,,,, azgt, star adventurer,, allview and eq3 Pro,, The azgti I have on a newer video tripod and will use in az mode to start with,, connected via smart phone or Windows app,, I've tried the esprit on it and may try it out,, dslr and lens will be start point tethered to the laptop and using byeos,, Plan is to move to azgti and wedge,, tether mount to laptop via cable and use eq mode,, via cdc and eqmod,,, for more serious imaging,, hopefully all goes well and bring esprit into the set then try narrow band video astronomy. Sequence generator,, looks like it's tailored for ap,, have 45 day trial to see if it can work for video astronomy,, But it's aimed at controlling the heq5 in the flat,, basically to turn on,, do a capture and turn off,, nothing fancy,, just to stop mount damage by leaving it tracking over night and scope crashing off of the mount,, Could not get into zwo download page last night,, forbidden?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2020 10:33:06 GMT
I will probably just limit the eqmod and plate solving to the long focal length scopes where it is more difficult to get accurate goto. Otherwise ,I reckon it is a bit of overkill for the 400mm focal length scopes. cheers Paul
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Post by oldstash on Aug 7, 2020 18:46:55 GMT
Answer for SPRO Platesolving www.mainsequencesoftware.com/Content/SGPHelp/PlateSolvers.html - its uses any number. PS2 ,Ansvr and online Astrometry.net. PS2 IMO is ok for near objects but very poor for Blind platesolving. Ansvr is great (its just Astrometry.net done locally ) but can be slow. The others I have not used so cannot comment really. Just understand there is "blind" and "near" platesolving - how near is near depends but makes software time out as it take longer. Blind - well how fast can you look an image and say where it is. On the Astronomy.net based local software (includes Ansvr) index's that match your FOV are key as is Focol Length and your camera's UM/Pixel size. Hope that helps.
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Post by davy on Aug 8, 2020 1:08:26 GMT
No had a chance to get any further on with it,, usual push at work,, cars appearing that's not booked in,, fell asleep about half nine on Thursday night and had grandson up staying tonight,, teaching hin how to do 3d printing,, weather crap so no chance of any astronomy
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Post by davy on Aug 8, 2020 17:56:51 GMT
First part of the toughbook upgrade,, express card with three usb3 ports,, not a clue if it will work,, but for £18 delivered,, worth a punt in my book,, The zwo site was working tonight so I downloaded the drivers and zwo studio,, Hope to get it tonight to do some snagging
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