5/18/2023 0 Comments Astroguider vs phd2![]() ![]() Just “Push Here Dummy” to start the calibration and guiding.Īppendix: Indoor testing of connections Manual guide test at daytime/indoor.It only takes 1 minute to calibrate so why not. Calibration must be performed for each target if altitude changes more than 10-15 degrees.If target is above 75 degrees in altitude calibrate at around 75 degrees. Calibrate on the same altitude as the target (just use actual guide star).if you use PC/ASCOM connection Dec compensation will not work.When starting the calibration process PHD2 will ask for the Declination – input the ALTITUDE – no decimals needed Calibrate at an Altitude of 30-40 degrees.if you use the ST4 connection Dec compensation is available.The Altitude of calibration star must be considered:.On the Panther Mount guide speed should be set to 10″/sec (this is selected in the setup menu).Here follows the things you must be aware of to get a good calibration and a good guiding performance (again with main focus on the things related to Alt-Az mounts): Calibration is a completely automated process that only takes about a minute to perform. Based on this the PHD2 learns how the mount response to the guide commands and the finds the camera angle. When camera and mount is connected PHD2 will show this screen:Ĭalibration is the process where PHD2 moves the mount small distances in each direction and take images at each position. Change port number if connection is not succesful. Click the toolbox icon to see the Ascom driver setup window. The port number of the seriel comm port on the PC must be correct. Mount: Select Ascom driver: Meade Classic and Autostar I.Select Mount – if you use PC/ASCOM connection do like this:.Select Mount – if you use the ST4 connection do like this:.“ Auto” as Dec guide mode – this is to allow guiding in both directions on the Alt axis.Ĭlick on the connector icon in the bottom left corner.There is no backlash on an Alt-Az mount when guiding because the motors are never reversed. Therefore both axis must be guided as the RA axis on an equatorial mount. On an Alt-Az mount both axis are tracking all the time. “ Hysteresis” on both Right Ascension and Declination.“ Reverse Dec output after meridian flip”.If you use the PC/ASCOM connection this setting must be OFF If you use the ST4 connection this setting must be ON In the Guiding Tab be sure to adjust these settings: We will look at two of the tabs – guiding and algorithms: I recommend you look at the user manual for PHD2 for a general description of the other settings.Ī new window with four tabs pops up. In this article I will focus mainly on the settings that are important (different) when using an Alt-Az mount. Then power up the mount, align it and leave it in the operation screen.īefore starting to guide it is necessary to adjust some settings. Use a USB-to-Seriel adapter and the PC cable to connect the USB port on the computer to the PC port on the mount head.ĪLWAYS connect ALL the cables before powering up the mount. You must install the ASCOM platform and the Ascom driver called: “ Meade LX200 Classic and Autostar #494, #495, and #497” Connect the ST4 port on the camera to the AG port on the mount head. All dedicated guide cameras has this type of port. To use this principle your guide camera must have a ST4 compatible guide port. There are two ways to connect the mount and PHD2: Altitude is equal to Declination ALT = DEC.Azimuth is equal to Right Ascension AZ = RA.Therefore PHD2 uses the terms Right Ascension axis and Declination axis. PHD2 was created with Equatorial mounts in mind. In this post I will explain how to setup PHD2 when using an alt-az mount with special focus on the Panther mount, but the general aspects will be the same for all Alt-Az mounts. Using it with an Alt-AZ mount is just as precise, as long as you have the right settings. Most of the basic features and settings were created with a German Equatorial Mount in mind. PHD2 is a fantastic tool for guiding our telescope mounts. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |