Date
1 - 20 of 21
Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations
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Roland,
I seem to recall that you mentioned in a post a month or so ago that you were working on recommendations for PHD2 guide settings with the Mach2. Have those been memorialized anywhere in a single location so we can look them up? If not then I can certainly start looking through your posts here on the forum. -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Roland Christen
It's really quite simple.
1) Set a delay of 2 to 3 seconds between guide exposures. No need to chase gear errors because there aren't any.
2) use whatever exposure time you want to get a good signal/noise ratio (usually from 1 to 5 seconds)
3) use Guiding assistant to gauge the seeing and set your MinMove to what is recommended.
4) depending on seeing, the aggressiveness can be set between 50% to 90%.
Be sure that your guide scope focal length is set properly in PHD2 in the scope setup window.
Then image away.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 11:41 am Subject: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Roland,
I seem to recall that you mentioned in a post a month or so ago that you were working on recommendations for PHD2 guide settings with the Mach2. Have those been memorialized anywhere in a single location so we can look them up? If not then I can certainly start looking through your posts here on the forum. -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Roland Christen
Set a delay of 2 to 3 seconds By the way that's set in milliseconds, so should read 2000 to 3000msec in the setup window.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 12:33 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations It's really quite simple.
1) Set a delay of 2 to 3 seconds between guide exposures. No need to chase gear errors because there aren't any.
2) use whatever exposure time you want to get a good signal/noise ratio (usually from 1 to 5 seconds)
3) use Guiding assistant to gauge the seeing and set your MinMove to what is recommended.
4) depending on seeing, the aggressiveness can be set between 50% to 90%.
Be sure that your guide scope focal length is set properly in PHD2 in the scope setup window.
Then image away.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 11:41 am Subject: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Roland,
I seem to recall that you mentioned in a post a month or so ago that you were working on recommendations for PHD2 guide settings with the Mach2. Have those been memorialized anywhere in a single location so we can look them up? If not then I can certainly start looking through your posts here on the forum. -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Excellent, it sounds simple enough. I use PHD2 now so the guide scope is set up.
I was also wondering about Mount Guide Algorithms for both RA and declination. Last summer you were comparing hysteresis vs lowpass vs lowpass2 if I recall correctly. Do you have a recommendation for the RA and for the declination algorithms? -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Roland Christen
Try them, see which one works best for you. I have not had skies good enough for much imaging, and when it is clear I am usually testing other functions (modeling, unguided imaging etc).
If it's clear later this week I will do some PHD2 testing.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 12:47 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Excellent, it sounds simple enough. I use PHD2 now so the guide scope is set up.
I was also wondering about Mount Guide Algorithms for both RA and declination. Last summer you were comparing hysteresis vs lowpass vs lowpass2 if I recall correctly. Do you have a recommendation for the RA and for the declination algorithms? -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Also, if you run the guiding assistant for a while (10 minutes+) it will recommended a different algorithm if it thinks a different one might be more appropriate than the current selection. Last week I ran it for a while on the 1100 and it recommended Lowpass2. It has never done that before though so it might be a new update. Thanks, Charles Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message -------- From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...> Date: 5/19/20 1:10 PM (GMT-06:00) To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Try them, see which one works best for you. I have not had skies good enough for much imaging, and when it is clear I am usually testing other functions (modeling, unguided imaging etc).
If it's clear later this week I will do some PHD2 testing.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 12:47 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Excellent, it sounds simple enough. I use PHD2 now so the guide scope is set up.
I was also wondering about Mount Guide Algorithms for both RA and declination. Last summer you were comparing hysteresis vs lowpass vs lowpass2 if I recall correctly. Do you have a recommendation for the RA and for the declination algorithms? -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Roland Christen
I have used Lowpass2 and it works quite well.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Thompson via groups.io <cthomp97@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 1:31 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Also, if you run the guiding assistant for a while (10 minutes+) it will recommended a different algorithm if it thinks a different one might be more appropriate than the current selection.
Last week I ran it for a while on the 1100 and it recommended Lowpass2. It has never done that before though so it might be a new update.
Thanks,
Charles
Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message --------
From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...>
Date: 5/19/20 1:10 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations
Try them, see which one works best for you. I have not had skies good enough for much imaging, and when it is clear I am usually testing other functions (modeling, unguided imaging etc).
If it's clear later this week I will do some PHD2 testing.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 12:47 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Excellent, it sounds simple enough. I use PHD2 now so the guide scope is set up.
I was also wondering about Mount Guide Algorithms for both RA and declination. Last summer you were comparing hysteresis vs lowpass vs lowpass2 if I recall correctly. Do you have a recommendation for the RA and for the declination algorithms? -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Eric Dreher <ericpdreher@...>
Charles, the same thing happened with my Mach1GTO CP4 a couple of weeks ago. The GA recommended Lowpass 2, so I gave it a shot.
It hadn't done that before, but it gave me the best guiding I've ever had. Eric
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Bill Long
That is what I use as well.
If you use the PHD2 New Profile Wizard, they added a checkbox for high precision encoders. If you check that, it will change to Lowpass2.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011@...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 11:41 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations I have used Lowpass2 and it works quite well.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Thompson via groups.io <cthomp97@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 1:31 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Also, if you run the guiding assistant for a while (10 minutes+) it will recommended a different algorithm if it thinks a different one might be more appropriate than the current selection.
Last week I ran it for a while on the 1100 and it recommended Lowpass2. It has never done that before though so it might be a new update.
Thanks,
Charles
Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message --------
From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...>
Date: 5/19/20 1:10 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations
Try them, see which one works best for you. I have not had skies good enough for much imaging, and when it is clear I am usually testing other functions (modeling, unguided imaging etc).
If it's clear later this week I will do some PHD2 testing.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 12:47 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Excellent, it sounds simple enough. I use PHD2 now so the guide scope is set up.
I was also wondering about Mount Guide Algorithms for both RA and declination. Last summer you were comparing hysteresis vs lowpass vs lowpass2 if I recall correctly. Do you have a recommendation for the RA and for the declination algorithms? -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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I should have clarified also that my 1100 does not have AE. Also, it did guide better after I clicked for it to change to Lowpass2! Thanks, Charles Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message -------- From: Bill Long <bill@...> Date: 5/19/20 1:43 PM (GMT-06:00) To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations
That is what I use as well.
If you use the PHD2 New Profile Wizard, they added a checkbox for high precision encoders. If you check that, it will change to Lowpass2.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011@...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 11:41 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations I have used Lowpass2 and it works quite well.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Thompson via groups.io <cthomp97@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 1:31 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Also, if you run the guiding assistant for a while (10 minutes+) it will recommended a different algorithm if it thinks a different one might be more appropriate than the current selection.
Last week I ran it for a while on the 1100 and it recommended Lowpass2. It has never done that before though so it might be a new update.
Thanks,
Charles
Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message --------
From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...>
Date: 5/19/20 1:10 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations
Try them, see which one works best for you. I have not had skies good enough for much imaging, and when it is clear I am usually testing other functions (modeling, unguided imaging etc).
If it's clear later this week I will do some PHD2 testing.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 12:47 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Excellent, it sounds simple enough. I use PHD2 now so the guide scope is set up.
I was also wondering about Mount Guide Algorithms for both RA and declination. Last summer you were comparing hysteresis vs lowpass vs lowpass2 if I recall correctly. Do you have a recommendation for the RA and for the declination algorithms? -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Bill Long
Pretty cool that GA now does that as well. I should probably run that sometime... 😉
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Charles Thompson via groups.io <cthomp97@...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 12:11 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations I should have clarified also that my 1100 does not have AE. Also, it did guide better after I clicked for it to change to Lowpass2!
Thanks,
Charles
Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message --------
From: Bill Long <bill@...>
Date: 5/19/20 1:43 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations
That is what I use as well.
If you use the PHD2 New Profile Wizard, they added a checkbox for high precision encoders. If you check that, it will change to Lowpass2.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011@...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 11:41 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations I have used Lowpass2 and it works quite well.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Thompson via groups.io <cthomp97@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 1:31 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Also, if you run the guiding assistant for a while (10 minutes+) it will recommended a different algorithm if it thinks a different one might be more appropriate than the current selection.
Last week I ran it for a while on the 1100 and it recommended Lowpass2. It has never done that before though so it might be a new update.
Thanks,
Charles
Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message --------
From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...>
Date: 5/19/20 1:10 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations
Try them, see which one works best for you. I have not had skies good enough for much imaging, and when it is clear I am usually testing other functions (modeling, unguided imaging etc).
If it's clear later this week I will do some PHD2 testing.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, May 19, 2020 12:47 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Excellent, it sounds simple enough. I use PHD2 now so the guide scope is set up.
I was also wondering about Mount Guide Algorithms for both RA and declination. Last summer you were comparing hysteresis vs lowpass vs lowpass2 if I recall correctly. Do you have a recommendation for the RA and for the declination algorithms? -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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If you have very low dec backlash and/or absolute encoders, lowpass2 is the preferred algorithm
Brian On 5/19/2020 12:15 PM, Bill Long wrote:
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On Tue, May 19, 2020 at 10:33 AM, uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> wrote:
OK, the Mach2 arrived Friday and I took a trip out to the observatory last night. Had been able to update my ASCOM/AP Driver/PHD2/SGP software and driver stack. TheSkyX connects. APCC Pro was set up and functioning. No modeling or other fancy stuff yet. Here is a segment of guiding after the sequence completed and there weren't any dithers for a while.  -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Dominique Durand
Hi Dean,
nice curve, but I think it's the least of things with this frame. But "No modeling or other fancy stuff yet.", I personally went for my 130GT without guidance. Frame received Wednesday 6 p.m., Thursday 1st modeling of 35 points and conclusive tests ... Friday clouds ... Yesterday Saturday 2nd modeling 86 points, with a small series of photos on M109 (cropped version) and a checking of pointing ... the score seems pretty good to me and I still have to know if with the return of deviations below 0.65 arc.min this is correct. But without guidance last night, here, with 14 exposures of 6, 'what I get with my AP130 GT and a QHY294c (recent for me). No longer having to guide is only happiness. Dominique 
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Bill Long
This whole data set was taken unguided:
AG Optical 10" iDK | FLI Ml16200 | AP1100 AE
Using my standard 80pt APCC model I always use. Works a charm. I should have actually dialed back the L frames. All subs were 5 minutes.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Dominique Durand via groups.io <dom33.durand@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2020 10:19 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations Hi Dean,
nice curve, but I think it's the least of things with this frame. But "No modeling or other fancy stuff yet.", I personally went for my 130GT without guidance. Frame received Wednesday 6 p.m., Thursday 1st modeling of 35 points and conclusive tests ... Friday clouds ... Yesterday Saturday 2nd modeling 86 points, with a small series of photos on M109 (cropped version) and a checking of pointing ... the score seems pretty good to me and I still have to know if with the return of deviations below 0.65 arc.min this is correct. But without guidance last night, here, with 14 exposures of 6, 'what I get with my AP130 GT and a QHY294c (recent for me). No longer having to guide is only happiness. Dominique 
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The mount is a beautiful mount and it worked great on its first night out. Thanks Roland and everyone else at AP. Very well done.
-- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Bill Long
Great to hear. Many adventures to be had in the future under the stars for sure.
🙂
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...>
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2020 10:40 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations The mount is a beautiful mount and it worked great on its first night out. Thanks Roland and everyone else at AP. Very well done.
-- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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I have yet to take my mount outside. It's been a bad weather holiday weekend, of course. My local club had to cancel its much delayed Spring stargaze/camping trip. But, I've been trying out the new mount indoors. It's a really beautiful machine. Can't say any more than that. I've never seen an A-P mount or had one before, but I decided to buy one on good faith. I'm completely satisfied. I still have to get used to the software's Connect, Park/unpark routine. None of that was necessary with my Celestron CGEM. Also, I'm used to my old Goto mount circling around to approach a target (using Stellarium). The Mach2 just goes there directly. This is soo cool. :) Love this mount! Really looking forward to a night outside! Thanks, Roland! Jerome
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A profile snapshot of the Mach2 waiting for its first night under the stars.
https://www.astrobin.com/yqzal0/ -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Roland Christen
Excellent.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, May 24, 2020 10:29 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 and PHD2 Guiding recommendations On Tue, May 19, 2020 at 10:33 AM, uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> wrote:
OK, the Mach2 arrived Friday and I took a trip out to the observatory last night. Had been able to update my ASCOM/AP Driver/PHD2/SGP software and driver stack. TheSkyX connects. APCC Pro was set up and functioning. No modeling or other fancy stuff yet. Here is a segment of guiding after the sequence completed and there weren't any dithers for a while.  -- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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