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Keypad
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MarkWB
I should be receiving my MACH 2 in February 2023 and am up in the air regarding the keypad purchase. I have been reading through the posts (trying to learn as much as possible upfront). Any input would be appreciated. The setup is not in an observatory, but roll out from garage (FLT 132 scope) and use a Lenovo laptop (most likely will use NINA which I need to learn); use for astrophotography (currently using APT and PhD on Losmandy).
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Roland Christen
If you are doing ONLY astrophotography, the keypad is not necessary since you will always have a computer on hand to start the mount. But if you ever want to do any visual astronomy, it is really nice to be able to move the mount via the buttons, or to bring up deep sky and solar system objects on your keypad screen and issue GoTos. You can easily center objects with the buttons while your eye is at the eyepiece, something almost impossible to do any other way.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: markbruner@... To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Thu, Dec 22, 2022 8:43 am Subject: [ap-gto] Keypad I should be receiving my MACH 2 in February 2023 and am up in the air regarding the keypad purchase. I have been reading through the posts (trying to learn as much as possible upfront). Any input would be appreciated. The setup is not in an observatory, but roll out from garage (FLT 132 scope) and use a Lenovo laptop (most likely will use NINA which I need to learn); use for astrophotography (currently using APT and PhD on Losmandy).
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics |
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Arun
Good morning Mark. My first substantial mount was a Losmandy GM811G that I sold in favor of a Mach 1 that I have used for about three years. With the Losmandy, I did find the keypad useful and almost essential to get the mount started. My Mach 1 came with a keypad which I have never ever used. The keypad is convenient for visual observing when you don't want to lug a computer with you, and at that point, you will probably also want a polar scope like the RAPAS. For imaging, I never needed it.
My routine on the Mach 1, which transferred almost seamlessly to the Mach 2 is to start up, connect to the CP3/CP5 via NINA or SGP (which brings up the AP ASCOM driver interface). I polar align using NINA's 3 point alignment, if needed do a PHD2 calibration, then start imaging. None of this needs the keypad with either mount. With the Mach 2, I discovered that I cannot simply reuse my Mach 1profile - PHD2 needs to know that the mount in question has high precision encoders. I have not purchased the keypad with my Mach 2.I'd be curious from other Mach 2 owners if the keypad adds some functionality I am unaware of. ` |
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Mel
Is there a way to use both computer and keypad? APCC will probably be used most of the time, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to monitor and move the mount without going to the computer.
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Roland Christen
Yes, that's the way our mounts were designed to be used. keypad can be plugged in at all times. You can set the keypad to NOT initialize the mount by choosing EXT mode. That way the keypad will remain silent at startup and allow you to start the mount from your computer. Once the mount is up and initialized, the keypad will automatically go to the main menu, so you can use it for every function that is available. You can then use it to move the mount, or do a GoTo to any object in its database. You can also use your computer to send the mount to that same object if you wish. You can go back and forth between computer and keypad for any function of either program.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Mel <hxpii@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Fri, Dec 23, 2022 12:33 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Keypad Is there a way to use both computer and keypad? APCC will probably be used most of the time, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to monitor and move the mount without going to the computer.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics |
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Mel
Awesome. Thanks for sharing.
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MarkWB
Thanks for the information! Looks like my Mach2 gets shipped mid January.
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Bill Long
Congrats on the Mach 2. It's practically a forever never need to replace it mount. Unless you want a 14" telescope. 12.5" and below it's a happy camper. Best turnkey mount solution I've ever used. I highly recommend the Mach 2 to everyone within ear shot.
I also highly recommend unguided imaging. It's scary for some people at the start, but trust the mount. It's more than capable and has changed the mind of many "guiding is required" folks.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of MarkWB <markbruner@...>
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2022 6:49 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Keypad Thanks for the information! Looks like my Mach2 gets shipped mid January.
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Greg McCall
Just a few extra notes: Windows pro machine (easy MS Remote Desktop) and NINA advanced sequences (which I stumble through) with dec arc model using AP plugin. Test mount connectivity, camera connectivity and plate solving (ASTAP) in APPM test buttons (configure in APPM if not working) I’m portable every night. A don’t guide so no guide camera. I prefer sharpcap polar alignment routine but imagining camera is too slow so use sharpcap with polemaster camera. Southern hemisphere, polar stars dim and a pain close to a city (in my case Sydney AU) to polar scopes are useless I Don’t use a keypad. I only image with mach2 and no visual or outreach with it. I use skywatcher AZEQ6 with hand controller for that. That experience keeps you grounded and a constant reminder of the AP quality advantage. I start computer first. (An intel NUC next to mount) - I Remote Desktop to NUC with 11” iPad with Apple Pencil (v2) so I can click on small items. The Mount power is not needed for polar alignment. (Using my preferred option) Make sure APCC has the correct location (lat/long and alt) as well as correct time/date before powering and connecting mount to APCC. Helps to also have APCC connected to environment sensors as it’s all done before dark and helps model creation. On Sat, 24 Dec 2022 at 1:57 pm, Bill Long <bill@...> wrote:
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Jeffc
Same here. I opted for the keypad because I do some visual public outreach at an observatory in the summer with the mach2 (and I don’t want to use a smart phone and WiFi for this — too many points of failure and other issues like addressing the smartphone display brightness).
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However 95% of my observing is astrophotography and i leave the keypad in the travel case. I used to image with a computer AND keypad, using the keypad for nudging the mount … that was with the ap1200. All out in the cold. Now w/ the mach2: - There’s a beelink u59 (win11) on top of the OTA with NINA, APCC, TheSky and so on. - Attached to the u59 via Ethernet is a small WiFi access point powered by USB. - Also on the OTA is a Pegasus UPBV2 for USB hub (eg usb to camera and u59), 12v power distribution, dew heater, and focuser motor control. - The u59 is 12v powered and automatically powers up when the UPBV2 gets power (which is from the thru-mount power pole cable). - The computer -> mount CP5 connection is via USB over the internal thru mount USB port. - The environment sensor / GPS (on a table near the mount) shares the thru-mount usb via a small non powered hub. - Then I Remote Desktop from a Mac M1 (which has all night battery life) to the u59. The end result is there are no cables dangling off the OTA and nothing to trip over in the night. Also I can take the Mac laptop somewhere warm (eg indoors, or if “in the field” , inside the Tesla with “camp mode” enabled.) Btw.. I power the mach2 at 24v using the supplied AC adapter. (I had some issues with a heavy OTA + counterweights when using 12v so went to always using 24v.) “In the field” I use a GoalZero Li-Ion based power box (Yeti) with built-in sine wave inverter for the 110v. The GZ Yeti also supplies 12V for the imaging gear via a power pole port. Charging “in the field” is done with 4 fold-up solar panels putting out about 360 watts (measured). For polar alignment — I use the RAPAS for visual. For imaging I now use NINA 3-point alignment, but previously used a QHY polemaster and sharpcap. -jeff On Dec 23, 2022, at 11:25 PM, Greg McCall <emailgregnow@...> wrote:
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mjb87
You can use a keypad to move the mount around while doing visual. However, you can also use Sky Safari and an iPhone to do the same thing. I have two AP mounts and have never owned a keypad.
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Arun
By the way, this probably does not apply to the original poster, but I happen to have an older keypad for use with my Mach 1, and George told me AP will upgrade the keys and replace the battery for $200+shipping. This is what I plan to do.
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Bill Long
I did the same with my keypad. New membrane to support the v5 Keypad paradigm and fresh battery. It's like having a brand new keypad. 🙂
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Arun <arun.k.hegde@...>
Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2022 5:44 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Keypad By the way, this probably does not apply to the original poster, but I happen to have an older keypad for use with my Mach 1, and George told me AP will upgrade the keys and replace the battery for $200+shipping. This is what I plan to do.
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Can a user replace the membrane of the keypad himself because shipping e.g. from Europe can be more expensive than this itself? Geert Op zo 25 dec. 2022 om 20:26 schreef Bill Long <bill@...>:
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