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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
Roland Christen
BTW, what are the symptoms of a dead hand paddle battery? You will lose the database and your GoTos will be erratic.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff B <mnebula946@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Fri, Nov 20, 2020 12:42 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1200GTO #Keypad I do have to second about what Roland says about the basic accuracy of the 1200.
I've a 1200 in a dome supporting an 8.75" F12 achromat with some nice Parallax rings. When first installed, I did two daytime alignments with the sun. I followed that up in the evening with a few SkyX/T-point models to get my polar alignment miss (very carefully the old fashioned way with a 20mm X hair eyepiece, 10 stars on each side). After the third model, my altitude adjustment was called "excellent" and my azimuth adjustment "good enough". But I'm a firm practitioner of going against the principle of "the bitter enemy of good is better" so I disconnected the SkyX and did a drift on a star low in the east. After about 40 minutes, I had it down to where the star stayed put on the x-hairs at ~135X, for a good 10+ minutes (I slightly defocus the star).
I then used the hand paddle to slew to and sync on a star close to the equator and meridian. Now slews typically put the object within 3 or 4 arc minutes of center at the worst and typically nails the planets.
That's pretty good in my book, especially with no model!
BTW, what are the symptoms of a dead hand paddle battery?
Jeff
On Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 1:01 PM Dale Ghent <daleg@...> wrote:
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
Jeff B
I do have to second about what Roland says about the basic accuracy of the 1200. I've a 1200 in a dome supporting an 8.75" F12 achromat with some nice Parallax rings. When first installed, I did two daytime alignments with the sun. I followed that up in the evening with a few SkyX/T-point models to get my polar alignment miss (very carefully the old fashioned way with a 20mm X hair eyepiece, 10 stars on each side). After the third model, my altitude adjustment was called "excellent" and my azimuth adjustment "good enough". But I'm a firm practitioner of going against the principle of "the bitter enemy of good is better" so I disconnected the SkyX and did a drift on a star low in the east. After about 40 minutes, I had it down to where the star stayed put on the x-hairs at ~135X, for a good 10+ minutes (I slightly defocus the star). I then used the hand paddle to slew to and sync on a star close to the equator and meridian. Now slews typically put the object within 3 or 4 arc minutes of center at the worst and typically nails the planets. That's pretty good in my book, especially with no model! BTW, what are the symptoms of a dead hand paddle battery? Jeff
On Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 1:01 PM Dale Ghent <daleg@...> wrote:
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
jpk1018@...
Thanks for the info I have called AP and just decided to send in my keypad and have them update it and install the new battery ship it back to me with the new chip and grease kit and I should then pretty much be back in business.
John
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
Dale Ghent
On Nov 20, 2020, at 11:06 AM, jpk1018@gmail.com wrote:Ah. Since you're imaging, you can use any number of software-assisted polar alignment methods, so the RAPAS isn't really a needed upgrade then. Yeah I would just do the maintenance items and you'll pretty much have a caught-up mount that works quite well. You can then consider something like APCC Standard or Pro once you get a V2 chip into the CP3 (or, unless you have a CP2, you will need to get a CP4 or second-hand CP3 with V2 chip to use APCC). /dale
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
I use platesolving to get me where I need to be, and this has worked very well. But there are times when I need a better goto/slew position.
Since I acquired and installed APCC Pro, I created a 250 point model. I was amazed at the improvement in not just guiding but the initial gotos. It is rare now that I don't get within 10-30 arc sec of initial goto across the entire sky.
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
Dale Ghent
On Nov 20, 2020, at 11:48 AM, Richard Hennig <richardghennig@gmail.com> wrote:This advice isn't universal since there are 2 generations of keypads. The older model keypad with less memory does indeed take an off-the-shelf CR1632. The newer-generation keypad with more memory requires a special battery that has a wiring harness attached to it... not something you'll find in CVS ;) If in doubt, call Astro-Physics.
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
Roland Christen
The mount is quite accurate in positional moves, but that doesn't mean that your scope is pointing where you think it should. The gearwheels themselves are accurate to a few arc seconds over the entire 360 degree rotation. What causes in-accuracy in pointing will be time errors, which affects the RA pointing, and Polar misalignment, which affects both RA and Dec pointing. Add to that the inevitable orthogonal misalignment of the telescope with respect to the mount, and you have a number of errors which accumulate. These errors affect both pointing and tracking.
So, to say the mount is inaccurate is misleading, rather it is the setup that is inaccurate. Some of these inaccuracies can be compensated with suitable software, such as APCC pro, which has sky modeling. Or you can circumvent some of these by using plate solve and doing guided imaging.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: jpk1018@... To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Fri, Nov 20, 2020 9:17 am Subject: [ap-gto] AP1200GTO #Keypad Greetings group, been away from observing for quite sometime so basically starting over. As mentioned I have an early to mid 2000 1200 gto mount, my question is what is the best upgrades that I can do to bring the mount up to 2020? Right now the mount is not accurate in it's slewing even after syncing on a known star/planet. Obviously since this is completely original and the last time I used it which was probably at least 8 yrs ago something needs to be corrected or updated. I had used it quite accurately in the past so being it is a very capable mount for my needs I want to get it back so I can start observing again.
Thanks in advance John
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
Richard Hennig
Dear John,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
When the CR 1632 battery died in my hand controller, I simply got a replacement at the hardware store for about $5. It was easy to change. Also, reloading the database was straightforward but took about an hour or so. The instructions for updating the software and database on the hand controller on the AP website are very detailed and easy to follow. Clear skies, Richard
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
jpk1018@...
Thanks Dale I do mostly imaging and yes I will call AP and get a battery and probably do the chip as well.
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
Dale Ghent
On Nov 20, 2020, at 10:17 AM, jpk1018@gmail.com wrote:First, some maintenance items: * New keypad battery, $25 or so. Must order over the phone from Astro-Physics because which battery you need depends on your keypad serial number. The one in your keypad is probably dead. * Consider regreasing. Should be no problem if you're mechanically-inclined and patient.Your mount likely has the factory grease in it still and after so much time it ought to be replaced, especially if the mount wasn't stored in a climate-controlled setting. * After replacing the battery, update keypad firmware and restore keypad database. Instructions online. * If you have a CP3 controller, consider the upgrading it to the V2 chip which is the last of the hardware-based upgrades for the CP3. New capabilities (park positions, probably other things) and bug fixes. Other than that, there are some creature comforts such as the RAPAS polar alignment scope. Are you visual or an imager? /dale
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Re: AP1200GTO
#Keypad
KHursh
1. Clean, regrease and remesh gears
2. CP3 v2 or CP4 (maybe)
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AP1200GTO
#Keypad
jpk1018@...
Greetings group, been away from observing for quite sometime so basically starting over. As mentioned I have an early to mid 2000 1200 gto mount, my question is what is the best upgrades that I can do to bring the mount up to 2020? Right now the mount is not accurate in it's slewing even after syncing on a known star/planet. Obviously since this is completely original and the last time I used it which was probably at least 8 yrs ago something needs to be corrected or updated. I had used it quite accurately in the past so being it is a very capable mount for my needs I want to get it back so I can start observing again.
Thanks in advance John
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Re: Mach2 Hand Controller
Luke Leege
Does this mean the update will be released soon for owners of the older HB?
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Re: Mach2 Hand Controller
We have started to ship them out. Daleen or Paige will contact you soon regarding final arrangements. I will be sending an email in the next day or two with additional information.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Larry Phillips
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2020 1:20 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Mach2 Hand Controller
What is the latest estimate for shipping Mach2 hand controllers?
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Re: Mach2 Hand Controller
I contacted A-P about this. There's been a last-minute delay, waiting for the official bound manuals from the printer. I was given the option of immediate shipment of the handset if I wasn't interested in getting the manual, but decided to wait and get the bound Mach2 manual at the same time (I have the early stapled version).
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Mach2 Hand Controller
Larry Phillips
What is the latest estimate for shipping Mach2 hand controllers?
Larry
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Re: Stainless Steel Insert for Counterweight Shaft Threads
Harold
Thanks, I found it. I am expecting to be notified of a shipping date for my mach2 very soon.
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Re: Stainless Steel Insert for Counterweight Shaft Threads
Hi Harold
Scroll down through the messages in this (AP-GTO) group and find the message on November 10 from Harley Davidson (a.k.a. Tony). There is a link to his You-Tube video there. Tony has made several really good videos over the years. They are worth watching.
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Re: Help! My AP1100AE is lost
Rick Darden
Got it. I was overthinking it. To all, thank you for all the help. This support site is a lifesaver for laypersons like me.
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Re: Help! My AP1100AE is lost
Roland Christen
When I power up tonight, I am unsure what to do I assume that you are using either APCC or a planetarium program that uses the AP ASCOM driver. Either one, you simply set the initialization to "UNPARK from PARK5". That's all there is to it.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Darden <rick@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Wed, Nov 18, 2020 11:35 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Help! My AP1100AE is lost Hi Rolando,
I never did establish a home position. Right now the scope is in park 5. I moved it there using the APCC telescope control buttons. When I power up tonight, I am unsure what to do based on your explanation. Can you give it to me another way so I can understand. Thank you. Rick.
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