Also consider getting a spare motor Y-cable and try that. EVERYONE should have a spare motor Y-cable in their kit. A spare power cord too. And there is an outside chance that a software axis limit set

If it were me, I would be refabbing those pier plates to eliminate the conflict. "My advice is always free and worth every penny!" -Christopher Erickson Observatory Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa,

It wouldn't be too hard to CAD-up and 3D-print a slip-over knob that would allow for some additional hand force to remove a stuck knob that doesn't have the Allen key socket. AP's dovetail lock design

I am going to assume that the only fair way is that everyone only gets to sign up once. And only one entry per household. And that cheaters will be disqualified. I also assume that it would only be fa

For a long time I have been a firm believer in putting a NUC, power dist. and a 50u multimode fiber transceiver (if a permanent installation) at the balance point of the OTA. Run 13.7V power, fiber an

The actual top recommended voltage isn't an absolutely precise number because variables like altitude, ambient temperature, relative humidity and localized air movement play significant roles in heat

When I lived up in Alaska I put a steel pier into the ground and set it with concrete. I took rhe scope and mount off of the pier when I wasn't using it and put a rubber canvas kayak bag over the pier

Possibly a drive backup program? -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

#APCC

In my experience, even with a hood, the display brightness on the AP hand controller is so low that non-dark-adapted eyes still can't see it easily during the day. Removing the red lens is the best wa

I brought it up several years ago and got zero interest so I dropped it. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

The red lens can be removed from the hand controller, which makes the display readable in daylight. It can then be placed over the display, under the rubber protective boot. -Christopher Erickson Obse

For me, it is much more about the horrid, unreliable, easily-corroded and short-lived USB connectors. And I NEVER attempt any USB connection over 1.5 meters. All of the various shortcomings and unreli

The biggest OTA I would put on a Mach1 or Mach2 would be a C11. And in fact a C11 on my Mach1 isn't as stable as I would like. IMHO, an 1100 or a 900 is perfect for a C14. I have used both mounts with

All flat cables still have twisted pairs inside. USB specification. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

My experience with QHY and ZWO might not be directly relevant to Roland's question, since my priority is occultations. I have two QHY-174M-GPS cams that I use for occultations and they have been VERY

Apple devices/apps often flip displayed photos to what they think is the correct orientation. Non-Apple devices/apps assume the originator of the photo has provided it in the orientation they wanted i

I think this Android polar alignment app is MUCH better. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.techhead.polarfinder And it supports both AP polar alignment scope models. "My advice is alwa

Being reasonably-level when setting up a tripod or portable pier is good for safety reasons, of course. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

Absolutely not a concern. -Christopher Erickson Observatory engineer Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

I was just about to suggest checking the power cable and power supply... "My advice is always free and worth every penny!" -Christopher Erickson Observatory Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, Hawaii V