|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
Greg Vaughn
Hi Roger,
I started off with platesolve2 and SGP to support APPM and found it VERY SLOW. When I switched to ASTAP as my plate solver in SGP, it sped things up tremendously. Yes you can use ASTAP in SGP in conjunction with APPM.
I had some difficulties recently with APPM that turned out to have nothing to do with the software. When I used APPM on a larger/longer refractor my 12V power cable on the back of the CMOS cooled camera was catching on something when it got to a certain geometry in the mapping sequence and then the camera failed to take an image because the 12V power was interrupted (12V power is no longer used just for cooling on some of the newer CMOS cameras) – I just couldn’t understand what was happening, 35-45 good solves (I tried varying the number of points in the mapping, thinking that would help) and then it hung. The break was only at a certain cable angle and then the power would return when it was back in the APPM starting position. I was in the kitchen working remotely and I couldn’t see the problem that reappeared four times.) It took another night of troubleshooting a couple weeks later to figure the power problem out. In the meantime I followed the suggestions from forum participants for my full frame, high MP camera of doing only a ‘½ by ½ center’ frame capture to speed the download – this is selectable in APPM under ‘camera setting’ – which would make sure my downloads weren’t falling behind and creating a problem. I was already doing Bin 2 platesolves which also seemed to speed the process. (The other recommendation, which I followed, was to download the 64 bit Beta version of SGP.) My last two times out with my primary optical train and this configuration (and a new 12V power cable), everything went very quickly and successfully.
I don’t know your setup, but you may be interested to know that when I first started with APPM, I was using a Nikon DSLR with SGP. The instructions from Ray are to set the recording in SGP from the DSLR to FITS images. My initial attempts to try ‘FITS + RAW’ (thinking that was even better) were unsuccessful. Choosing ‘FITS’ as instructed was the cure.
A final lesson learned. I went back to my Nikon DSLR to try a different image train and mount last weekend. I had difficulties with SGP (64bit) downloading images from the Nikon – even though it showed being properly connected and powered on. In fact I could download JPEG images for the frame and focus module, but couldn’t download or record any FITS files during an otherwise smoothly running SGP sequence or for APPM. I received an error from SGP that it couldn’t download the frames and a dialog box saying that some files could not be found and might be restored if I re-installed the software. I incorrectly thought the reinstallation recommendation was for SGP and I reloaded it without any effect and before giving up. It turned out to be the ASCOM platform that had the files and needed to be reloaded. So I went ahead and updated from 6.4 to 6.5SP1 and everything worked well after that (although at that point I was troubleshooting in my basement the following day!). I setup and ran through a sequence (without guiding) and it worked fine and downloaded images without protest.
In general, to get things off to a good start and make sure I have all the right settings, I do the following (regardless of which camera or AP mount):
-Focus routine in SGP with Lum filter (or OSC/DSLR) -Run a ‘Solve and Sync’ in SGP with Lum filter (or OSC/DSLR) to confirm all is well on the SGP end (platesolves using Bin2) -Open APPM, show points, connect ‘scope’ and ‘camera’ (through SGP) -Run about a 68-85 point model to cover the partial sky that I can image in (2-3 points per minute, depending on mount and slew speed) -Accept the model and disconnect the ‘scope’ and ‘camera’ (SGP) from APPM -Start my sequence
This results in excellent pointing and good guiding. (Guiding improves even more with a good polar alignment.)
Hope this helps. One amateur’s approach.
Cheers and clear skies.
Greg
p.s. I know you asked about how many points for a portable setup – I didn’t answer that and I am interested in that answer as well because right now I have the luxury of 120VAC and will want to use APPM at dark sites as well and not unnecessarily deplete my battery.
Greg Vaughn Alexandria, VA
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
pulseguide option in SkyX
#ASCOM_V2_Driver
arenslo@...
Hi All,
I'm using the AP V2 ASCOM driver with SkyX to control a 900 GTOCP3 mount on a windows 10 machine. Does the AP driver support the 'pulseguide' option on the 'guide using' pulldown in the SkyX autoguider tab? If so, does the group recommend using pulseguide rather than the relays and thus ditch the extra cable? Thanks, Adam
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: Initiation Parameters - APCC vs Driver
I very much appreciate the clarifications on this!
Thanks and regards, Craig
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
ap@CaptivePhotons.com
My hope was to use NINA as a sequencer. Which I doubt is callable for plate solving from APPM.
I hear that ASTAP will be supported, but is not now. I hope to get mine in June, am I going to need Pinpoint, or show ASTAP work by then (I won’t be offended by the standard answer of most software which is “no promises of future dates” but if one has been announced… ).
While I have TSX now I do not plan to use it with the AP1100.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Jeffc via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 7:55 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] APPM model how many points portable?
> I use SGP and ASTAP. A 90 point model takes about a half hour > >> I didn’t think astap was supported in the AP software; or is this coming ASTAP -> SGP -> AP?
I have also been thinking about using SGP and ASTAP. Fwiw: I have been assuming APPM (?) uses SGP to capture and plate solve, and SGP in turn uses ASTAP to do the plate solve. ... but I'm far from knowledgeable on this, tho I would like to confirm this works or not without burning too many cycles ... But I'll probably just try it sometime soon.
Also fwiw I'm still on the SGP learning curve, along with a new camera. Was using maxim-dl, but I don't have full pinpoint. (And I've been avoiding TSX from a bad experience with it in the past, which is likely resolved.) I am almost 100% open at this point for image acquisition apps as long as they don't break the bank or my brain. e.g. Voyager has been noted in other forums, however it seems to me SGP is more intuitive, and maybe is more supported... and afaik APPM does not work with Voyager.
Point is: there seems to be many variations/options for software these days, which might have varying performance and capability levels. It would be good to know what works well (at this point in time). I also am realizing "what works well" may depend on the imaging hardware one is using - whether ascom-only or natively supported. E.g. I'm currently moving to an Ascom-only camera (at least I believe there isn't native QHY driver integration with with Maxim or SGP). The upside is the new camera seems to have blazing download speed compared to the ST-8300M I was previously using.
thx .. this is a timely thread for me, btw.
-jeff
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APCC PRO and Virtual Ports
Ray,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Thanks, Jack Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 mallincamusa@gmail.com www.mallincamusa.com 30.37N 89.76W All of us get lost in the darkness. Dreamers learn to steer by the stars. ………………………………….Neil Peart
-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Ray Gralak Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 8:21 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] APCC PRO and Virtual Ports Hi Jack, Also, if I connect a CAT cable from the CP4 to the computer inYes, that is correct. -Ray -----Original Message----- -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APCC PRO and Virtual Ports
Ray Gralak
Hi Jack,
Also, if I connect a CAT cable from the CP4 to the computer in addition to the Serial/USB cable that I currently have,Yes, that is correct. -Ray -----Original Message-----
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APCC PRO and Virtual Ports
Ray,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Thanks for the suggestion. As soon as I get my 16" RC back up on the mount and I balance the system, I will try doing what you suggest. Also, if I connect a CAT cable from the CP4 to the computer in addition to the Serial/USB cable that I currently have, which connection mode will take APCC default to. And if there is an issue with the one in use, will APCC flip over to the second connection mode automatically to keep from losing mount connectivity? Yours truly, Jack Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 mallincamusa@gmail.com www.mallincamusa.com 30.37N 89.76W All of us get lost in the darkness. Dreamers learn to steer by the stars. ………………………………….Neil Peart
-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Ray Gralak Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2021 8:26 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] APCC PRO and Virtual Ports Hi Jack, My only suggestion is that you can try increasing the timeout in the AP V2 driver. APCC uses a third-party component for the virtual ports in APCC. The component is exactly the same for both APCC Standard and Pro, and there should be no reason that higher virtual COM port numbers would act differently than lower port numbers. -Ray -----Original Message----- -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
My mirror is locked in place and I am using a moonlite focuser. I’ll reduce the failed solve time allowable and run another set tonight. I just don’t want to use my limited time on extra points I won’t really need. I’m not sure how to only do points around my intended target. Once again my goal is a little more speed as with my schedule I need to be in bed by 8, which is sunset. The good thing is that I put a telefgizmo cover on and leave the scope in place over multiple days if the weather permits. This is just for when I’m only going to do a night, or two.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
Jeffc
> I use SGP and ASTAP. A 90 point model takes about a half hour > >> I didn’t think astap was supported in the AP software; or is this coming ASTAP -> SGP -> AP? I have also been thinking about using SGP and ASTAP. Fwiw: I have been assuming APPM (?) uses SGP to capture and plate solve, and SGP in turn uses ASTAP to do the plate solve. ... but I'm far from knowledgeable on this, tho I would like to confirm this works or not without burning too many cycles ... But I'll probably just try it sometime soon. Also fwiw I'm still on the SGP learning curve, along with a new camera. Was using maxim-dl, but I don't have full pinpoint. (And I've been avoiding TSX from a bad experience with it in the past, which is likely resolved.) I am almost 100% open at this point for image acquisition apps as long as they don't break the bank or my brain. e.g. Voyager has been noted in other forums, however it seems to me SGP is more intuitive, and maybe is more supported... and afaik APPM does not work with Voyager. Point is: there seems to be many variations/options for software these days, which might have varying performance and capability levels. It would be good to know what works well (at this point in time). I also am realizing "what works well" may depend on the imaging hardware one is using - whether ascom-only or natively supported. E.g. I'm currently moving to an Ascom-only camera (at least I believe there isn't native QHY driver integration with with Maxim or SGP). The upside is the new camera seems to have blazing download speed compared to the ST-8300M I was previously using. thx .. this is a timely thread for me, btw. -jeff
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
Worsel
My experience is that points that fail are near the edge of my horizon limits anyway...where I am unlikely to image. I reduced the time limit on plate solves to about 20% greater than the solve time for most points. This results in less time lost for points that may fail anyway and still produces an overall robust model with 200 points in about one hour.
A variation would be to reduce the the horizons for platesolving in APPM. Finally, build a model ONLY for that portion of the sky you plan to image. This has been discussed before. Ray has improvements for this approach in the future. Bryan
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
Ray Gralak
Hi Roger,
Hello, looking for opinions and guidance for how many points to model. There are a lot of topics on this but none ofOne point per minute seems very slow, even with a few missed all-sky plate solves. You should be able to get 2-3 points per minute. To answer your question though, your results will depend on your individual setup. If your mirror is not locked down sufficiently you might be wating your time doing too many points. -Ray -----Original Message-----
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
ap@CaptivePhotons.com
I didn’t think astap was supported in the AP software; or is this coming ASTAP -> SGP -> AP?
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of KHursh via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 7:24 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] APPM model how many points portable?
I use SGP and ASTAP. A 90 point model takes about a half hour
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
KHursh
I use SGP and ASTAP. A 90 point model takes about a half hour
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
Roger Howard
That was only my second time using the mount. I had 3 fails which went to blind solve with a 5 minute limit on those solves, so that is 15 minutes right there. I’ll probably reduce the blind solve fail time limit and just drop a few points if they fail. So don’t judge anything by me, I’m just starting out.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: APPM model how many points portable?
ap@CaptivePhotons.com
My 1100 is due this summer so very curious also, as I will set up each night and tear down, often with a C11, sometimes a 4” refractor.
Right now with a MyT I do one large model, then a recalibration each night which takes 10 minutes. I understand that’s not exactly possible with the AP mount.
But spending 90 minutes a night building a model will be a real bummer. Is it a plate solve issue? TSX only takes a second per image to solve. I really do not like TSX in general, and glad to be getting away, but… 90 minutes?
Say it ain’t so!
Linwood
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Roger Howard via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 5:59 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] APPM model how many points portable?
Hello, looking for opinions and guidance for how many points to model. There are a lot of topics on this but none of them seem to answer my questions. I set up each time in my backyard in the same place on an ATS portable pier. I'm using
APCC Pro, 1100GTO, Edge 9.25 with OAG and SGP. My pier is within I would estimate the same few inch square each time its set up. I did a 93 point model last time because I knew I would have several nights to image and it worked great. The problem is that
with a couple failed points that went to all sky solve it took well over an hour and a half using SGP and platesolve 2 as my plate solver.
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
APPM model how many points portable?
Roger Howard
Hello, looking for opinions and guidance for how many points to model. There are a lot of topics on this but none of them seem to answer my questions. I set up each time in my backyard in the same place on an ATS portable pier. I'm using APCC Pro, 1100GTO, Edge 9.25 with OAG and SGP. My pier is within I would estimate the same few inch square each time its set up. I did a 93 point model last time because I knew I would have several nights to image and it worked great. The problem is that with a couple failed points that went to all sky solve it took well over an hour and a half using SGP and platesolve 2 as my plate solver.
My question is: Just use the 93 point model since its almost in the same spot? If not, how many points to model when I will be guiding? My problem is that summertime dark isn't until about 8pm, and I get up for work at an early 0345 every day, so if I want to just do a night or two when the sky is clear for just a night or two, what should I do? Is there a minimum number of points? Can't dedicate a couple hours to get a pointing model because I have to hit the sack early (ish). I know an observatory would be the answer, but in my yard that isn't happening. Thanks for your experience. Roger
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: Initiation Parameters - APCC vs Driver
Ray Gralak
First, what Wade wrote here is true:
The ASCOM V2 driver connects to the mount through APCC. APCC has a “NOW” button that can be used to auto-configure the driver, but it isn’t clear to me whether thisThe "Now" button only configures the AP V2 driver so that it can use APCC's virtual port. Leaving the "Auto-config" checkbox enabled does the same thing automatically every time APCC runs, and without the AP V2 driver acknowledgement popup's. The "Now" button allows you to reconfigure the ASCOM driver after changing the virtual ports in APCC while APCC is running. Note that the location, mount type, park and initialization settings in the ASCOM V2 driver are independent of theYes, this is still true. There are ASCOM settings that are only relevant for ASCOM client applications. APCC is ASCOM-agnostic at this time. -Ray -----Original Message-----
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: Cable talk (with Linda Richman)
Astronut
Hi Dale,
A big thanks for the ZWO cable insights ! I too run mine with the USB throughput at the minimum 40% level and been lucky so far (knock on wood), but do appreciate the understanding that electrically they are nothing to write home about, to say the least... I do run 3 ZWO cameras concurrently that way, but I only run mine outdoors, away from most other devices. Eventualy, when one fails, I will cut it apart to better 'appreciate' the quality of construction as well ;) I had previously found some high end flat flex cables out there, that did have either coaxial or twisted pairs, as well as an overall braided shield, but they looked fairly thick (compared to the ZWO cables) and were hundreds of dollars each. IIRC they were marketed for robotics and industrial automation hi flex applications as well. Thanks for the L-com info everyone ! Tim
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: Initiation Parameters - APCC vs Driver
W Hilmo
The ASCOM V2 driver connects to the mount through APCC. Assuming that you are not initializing the mount with the keypad (or some other device, like a smart phone), APCC will initialize time/date/location. By the time the ASCOM driver loads, the mount is already initialized by APCC. So if the ASCOM driver and APCC have different initialization settings, the APCC settings will be the ones that are applied.
I image at many different field locations each year, and I have all of the sites set up in APCC only.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of DFisch
Sent: Sunday, April 11, 2021 8:59 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Initiation Parameters - APCC vs Driver
Craig, you said it thoroughly, inquiring minds want to know
On Sun, Apr 11, 2021, 9:42 AM Craig Smith via groups.io <cgsathome=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Re: Initiation Parameters - APCC vs Driver
DFisch
Craig, you said it thoroughly, inquiring minds want to know
|
|||
|
|
|||
