I use a Storm iM2720. Not as sturdy as a Pelican but lighter and strong
enough.

http://gallery.photo.net/photo/6807884-lg.jpg

Paul Gustafson

I have mine in a 1650 with room to spare for the shaft and control box.

Dean

--- In ap-gto@..., Skyloverz@... wrote:

which pelican will hold the mach 1 ?

I recall AP recommending the 1520 model.

Anthony.

thanx,

bruce
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which pelican will hold the mach 1 ?

thanx,

bruce
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Dear group,

It took a few days due to cat-and-mouse games with the clouds at night to process my
results from a few nights ago involving the dwarf galaxy and member of the local group NGC
185 in Cassiopeia.

Aside from being bound to another dwarf galaxy, NGC 147, less than one degree away, NGC
185 is also known for its eight globular clusters which range in magnitude from 16.6 to 19.7
and are aged from 5 to 10 billion years-old.

For the result which includes all eight globulars, please see http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-
DSO-NGC-0185-GCS.htm (the image is hyperlinked and clicking on it loads a larger photo).

For a similar result from last year (NGC 205) and which includes fifteen clusters in and
around NGC 205, please see http://www.perseus.gr/Astro-DSO-NGC-0205-GCS.htm .

Please no enquiries as to the availability of my AP160! :-)

Anthony.

aaeejmh wrote:

Hi Mike,
There are 970 "buckets" in the GTOCP3 non-volitale memory dedicated to PE corrections. This is true regardless of the gear ratios of the mount it is configured for, or how long one worm revolution takes. With the AP1200, for example, this is about five correction points every two seconds.

Wow, that's great. That's 11X the number of buckets that were used in another mount I owned. Thanks very much.

Mike
-----

Mike Dodd
Montpelier, VA USA
http://astronomy.mdodd.com

Hi Mike,

There are 970 "buckets" in the GTOCP3 non-volitale memory dedicated to PE corrections.
This is true regardless of the gear ratios of the mount it is configured for, or how long one
worm revolution takes. With the AP1200, for example, this is about five correction points
every two seconds.

Regards,
-Mike Hanson

How many "buckets" (bins, slots) does the GTOCP3 use to store PE
correction data over one worm cycle? I'm just curious -- the more
buckets, the higher the correction resolution. I was astounded at how
few buckets were used in one mount I owned.

Thanks to anyone who has this information.

---
Mike
http://astronomy.mdodd.com

Hi Dave -- If all you want GPS to do is provide accurate time at a
site where internet hookup isn't available, take a look at this free
program http://www.coaa.co.uk/gpstime.htm I've been using it with a
portable Garmin device and it seems to work fine.

Joe Morris


--- In ap-gto@..., "Dave" <taka@...> wrote:

I haven't been in this forum for a while, so I missed the whole GPS

discussion. There is

one reason that I would like support for a GPS, to keep accurate

time. I am not interested

in position data as I have a permanent setup (but I could see it

being useful for portable

users).

The clock in my AP1200 can be off by a couple of minutes after a few

weeks of not

checking it. Maybe I have a bad clock chip, but if I could connect

my old Garmin handheld

GPS to provide a time signal to the mount (via NEAMA? or Garmin

protocols), my PC (set

via NTP) an my mount & hand controller could all be in sync.

If Pulseguide ASCOM support is ever provided, it will probably be

more of a moot point,

because it will hopefully be easier to simply send the PC time to

the mount. I wish there

were a driver setting where I could specify that I trust my PC's

time and always send it to

the mount when I first connect (If there is in newer drivers, my

apologies, I haven't

updated any drivers in a while).

Question, who is actually keeping the time in the mount, the hand

controller or the servo

controller?

I use the hand controller to park / unpark and initially sync my

mount. All other goto's are

controlled from Thy Sky 6 (and MaxIM DL through The Sky 6). I use

the AP support from

The Sky 6 because it handles the case of powering down the mount

after parking without

first disconnecting (the last ASCOM driver I used went nuts for this

case). Does anyone

know if the ASCOM driver has been improved for cases like this?

Thanks for listening / any answers,
-Dave

In a message dated 11/4/08 12:01:41 AM, keith@... writes:

Does anyone know what type of adapter is needed to mount an AP1200 on a
Pier-Tech II.  I think it is a 1200FSA?

Also wondering if the Pier-Tech II is stable enough to handle an AP1200 with
a moderate sized scope.

Tnx,

Keith Schlottman

Keith:

So you your pier to go up and down??
A permanent pier?

Don't have a Pier-Tech 2 but I know people who do and have Paramounts on
them.
No problems....although they do experience some movement when moving them up
and down.

To mount an AP1200 to one, yes you'll need the Astro Physics 'flat surface
adapter' 1200FSA.

Kent Kirkley




**************
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Right now, one of the remaining issues is the cable. Originally, as I
understand it, Chris had produced a cable that used the GTOCPx's 6 volt,
3.5 mm receptacle to power the GPS. Apparently, some of the earlier
testers experienced problems with the power connection, although I was
never aware of any other problems on our end with the 6 volt receptacle
on the control box. He then decided to make a small cable that
included a small battery module for a AA battery. This battery module
employed a voltage pump to provide adequate power for the GPS unit. I
have tried both cables. Both have worked fine for me. The original
cable for the 6 volt receptacle would probably be preferable if we can
be sure that it won't have problems. I have only had a chance to try
it a couple times, but so far I've had no failures. I would call and
talk to Chris about which cable he is recommending.



I'm sorry that testing this and helping to make it available has taken
so long. The problem has been that I can only test it out in the
field, since the GPS will not work in our metal-roofed building.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf
Of Larry Phillips
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 2:03 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: GPS time



Howard,
The StarGPS website is not clear to me on which to order for AP.
While it says it will work with AP the order box does not have an AP
selection. Do you know which it would be to get the correct cabling?

Larry

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"Howard" <howard@...> wrote:

Hi Dave,



I had a chance to use the Star GPS again this weekend at a new

location

about 120 miles from home. It worked perfectly. I wanted to do

a bit

more testing before I gave everything a complete "thumbs up," but

I'm

pretty sure that all is A-OK. The Star GPS uses GMT to initialize

the

mount, and does not adjust time for time zones or DST, so to avoid
potential problems, I will be recommending that users: 1. Set their
keypad's clock to local time = GMT; 2. always have the daylight

savings

set to 0 = winter; and 3. then set the time zones for ALL entered
locations to zero. If using a computer, I would keep it set to GMT
with no DST (GMT for Casablanca etc.) as well. This will avoid
potential problems and will have no adverse effects on anything in

the

system.

I have sent a rough draft of some revised instructions to Chris

Carson

at Star GPS, but have not given him a final copy yet since I wasn't

done

testing. If you decide to order one of these units before I have
finished testing it, let me know, and I'll get the revised

instructions

to you.



http://www.stargps.ca/ <http://www.stargps.ca/>



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ] On
Behalf

Of Dave
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 7:17 PM
To: ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: GPS time



Sorry, I missed this post because I haven't been in the group for a
while. Has anyone
tested this yet with an AP scope? It looks like just what I am

looking

for.

Thanks,
-Dave

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ,

chris1011@ wrote:

In a message dated 9/10/2008 6:53:58 PM Central Daylight Time,
sargentg@ writes:

I think that this topic has been exhaustively covered,
clearly fixed location users do not feel they need
anything more, and the minority portable users are
not all in accord.

For anyone who feels the need for a GPS, there is an aftermarket

GPS

module

that automatically initializes the AP servo, as well as a slew of

other mounts

out there ( http://www.stargps.ca/ <http://www.stargps.ca/>

<http://www.stargps.ca/ <http://www.stargps.ca/> > ).
Howard

is testing a version of this

module at this time, to make sure that their software works

properly.

We'll let

you know how it works toot sweet.

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at

StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014

<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014>

<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014

<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014> > )

Does anyone know what type of adapter is needed to mount an AP1200 on a
Pier-Tech II. I think it is a 1200FSA?

Also wondering if the Pier-Tech II is stable enough to handle an AP1200 with
a moderate sized scope.

Tnx,

Keith Schlottman

Howard,
The StarGPS website is not clear to me on which to order for AP.
While it says it will work with AP the order box does not have an AP
selection. Do you know which it would be to get the correct cabling?

Larry

--- In ap-gto@..., "Howard" <howard@...> wrote:

Hi Dave,



I had a chance to use the Star GPS again this weekend at a new

location

about 120 miles from home. It worked perfectly. I wanted to do

a bit

more testing before I gave everything a complete "thumbs up," but

I'm

pretty sure that all is A-OK. The Star GPS uses GMT to initialize

the

mount, and does not adjust time for time zones or DST, so to avoid
potential problems, I will be recommending that users: 1. Set their
keypad's clock to local time = GMT; 2. always have the daylight

savings

set to 0 = winter; and 3. then set the time zones for ALL entered
locations to zero. If using a computer, I would keep it set to GMT
with no DST (GMT for Casablanca etc.) as well. This will avoid
potential problems and will have no adverse effects on anything in

the

system.

I have sent a rough draft of some revised instructions to Chris

Carson

at Star GPS, but have not given him a final copy yet since I wasn't

done

testing. If you decide to order one of these units before I have
finished testing it, let me know, and I'll get the revised

instructions

to you.



http://www.stargps.ca/



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On

Behalf

Of Dave
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 7:17 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: GPS time



Sorry, I missed this post because I haven't been in the group for a
while. Has anyone
tested this yet with an AP scope? It looks like just what I am

looking

for.

Thanks,
-Dave

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ,
chris1011@ wrote:

In a message dated 9/10/2008 6:53:58 PM Central Daylight Time,
sargentg@ writes:

I think that this topic has been exhaustively covered,
clearly fixed location users do not feel they need
anything more, and the minority portable users are
not all in accord.

For anyone who feels the need for a GPS, there is an aftermarket

GPS

module

that automatically initializes the AP servo, as well as a slew of

other mounts

out there ( http://www.stargps.ca/ <http://www.stargps.ca/> ).

Howard

is testing a version of this

module at this time, to make sure that their software works

properly.

We'll let

you know how it works toot sweet.

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at

StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014

<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014> )

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Dave,



I had a chance to use the Star GPS again this weekend at a new location
about 120 miles from home. It worked perfectly. I wanted to do a bit
more testing before I gave everything a complete "thumbs up," but I'm
pretty sure that all is A-OK. The Star GPS uses GMT to initialize the
mount, and does not adjust time for time zones or DST, so to avoid
potential problems, I will be recommending that users: 1. Set their
keypad's clock to local time = GMT; 2. always have the daylight savings
set to 0 = winter; and 3. then set the time zones for ALL entered
locations to zero. If using a computer, I would keep it set to GMT
with no DST (GMT for Casablanca etc.) as well. This will avoid
potential problems and will have no adverse effects on anything in the
system.

I have sent a rough draft of some revised instructions to Chris Carson
at Star GPS, but have not given him a final copy yet since I wasn't done
testing. If you decide to order one of these units before I have
finished testing it, let me know, and I'll get the revised instructions
to you.



http://www.stargps.ca/



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf
Of Dave
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 7:17 PM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: GPS time



Sorry, I missed this post because I haven't been in the group for a
while. Has anyone
tested this yet with an AP scope? It looks like just what I am looking
for.

Thanks,
-Dave

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ,
chris1011@... wrote:

In a message dated 9/10/2008 6:53:58 PM Central Daylight Time,
sargentg@... writes:

I think that this topic has been exhaustively covered,
clearly fixed location users do not feel they need
anything more, and the minority portable users are
not all in accord.

For anyone who feels the need for a GPS, there is an aftermarket GPS

module

that automatically initializes the AP servo, as well as a slew of

other mounts

out there ( http://www.stargps.ca/ <http://www.stargps.ca/> ). Howard

is testing a version of this

module at this time, to make sure that their software works properly.

We'll let

you know how it works toot sweet.

Rolando


**************
Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion
blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014

<http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014> )

Dave wrote:

Question, who is actually keeping the time in the mount, the hand controller or the servo controller?

The clock in my AP1200 can be off by a couple of minutes after a few weeks of not checking it. Maybe I have a bad clock chip, but if I could connect my old Garmin handheld GPS to provide a time signal to the mount (via NEAMA? or Garmin protocols), my PC (set via NTP) an my mount & hand controller could all be in sync.

You can use the free Dimension 4 <http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/index.htm> to synchronize the PC's clock with an NTP time server.

The ASCOM driver will send the computer's time to the mount when you connect.

If you use the ASCOM driver to set the amount's time, you can later set the hand controller's time using the "get time from mount" menu item.

Granted, you have to remember to do this, but it seems like a good way to maintain an accurate time in the hand controller.
Mike
-----

Mike Dodd
Montpelier, VA USA
http://astronomy.mdodd.com

Sorry, I missed this post because I haven't been in the group for a while. Has anyone
tested this yet with an AP mount? It looks like just what I am looking for.

Thanks,
-Dave

I haven't been in this forum for a while, so I missed the whole GPS discussion. There is
one reason that I would like support for a GPS, to keep accurate time. I am not interested
in position data as I have a permanent setup (but I could see it being useful for portable
users).

The clock in my AP1200 can be off by a couple of minutes after a few weeks of not
checking it. Maybe I have a bad clock chip, but if I could connect my old Garmin handheld
GPS to provide a time signal to the mount (via NEAMA? or Garmin protocols), my PC (set
via NTP) an my mount & hand controller could all be in sync.

If Pulseguide ASCOM support is ever provided, it will probably be more of a moot point,
because it will hopefully be easier to simply send the PC time to the mount. I wish there
were a driver setting where I could specify that I trust my PC's time and always send it to
the mount when I first connect (If there is in newer drivers, my apologies, I haven't
updated any drivers in a while).

Question, who is actually keeping the time in the mount, the hand controller or the servo
controller?

I use the hand controller to park / unpark and initially sync my mount. All other goto's are
controlled from Thy Sky 6 (and MaxIM DL through The Sky 6). I use the AP support from
The Sky 6 because it handles the case of powering down the mount after parking without
first disconnecting (the last ASCOM driver I used went nuts for this case). Does anyone
know if the ASCOM driver has been improved for cases like this?

Thanks for listening / any answers,
-Dave

Those of us who fly know, but to confuse things we call it Zulu Time ;-)

--- In ap-gto@..., chris1011@... wrote:

Problem is, around here, people don't know what GMT

is (unless you listen to BBC World News like I do).

Rollie

Thanks Bob and Roland.

Next question... MaxPoint says this about a checkbox called "J2000":

"For most telescopes, the epoch used for positions is the "epoch of
date". This means that precession and nutation are taken into account
when sending positions to the telescope. A few telescopes do the
conversion from J2000 automatically within their electronics; in that
case only, you should turn on the J2000 check box."

For the AP1200, I should leave this J2000 box cleared?

Mike Clemens

Yea, Mike. Set them to 0 and let the mount itself handle the

limits.... That's the safest and easiest way to go ad well.

Take care,
Bob

I personally consider not messing with our clocks twice a year one of
the greatest benefits to living in Arizona... Ok over 300 clear nights a
year is probably the best benefit but that is beside the point. For
astronomers with fancy computerized mounts daylight savings causes
nothing but confusion. When I lived in New Mexico and even in Idaho I
simply set my clock to what-ever time it was with the appropriate GMT
offset and left it year round. Funny how I was still able to point
accurately to things. I don't recall ever going to my telescope mount
to determine what clock time it was. It doesn't matter if its clock is
off by 1 hour from my wall clock as long as it is set appropriately to
GMT so it can know where the planets are and what is above the horizon.

Christopher Vedeler