john32712

Continuation of above... 3. A consolidation of Autoslew and Sequence into "one simple mount control package". 4. Improved communication between ASA and its mount owners Anything else? I would like to see a petition signed by all of us and delivered to ASA with a request for full disclosure on all the questions which have been posed. If things are going to continue in this direction and not change, I would like to know now. I will then sell my mount and save myself a lot of grief. Finally, it is possible to correct everyone of these issues, then we would have a truly spectacular product. It is not up to us to make those corrections, that belongs to ASA.

To all commenting here... If you have an "extremely simple setup" and do not utilize advance features, including sequence, why comment and say the situation is fine? If you want to say you are stupid or ignorant, that is your choice to do. My choice would be to say the quality of documentation and manuals are poor and I do not have the desire to waste large amounts of time, especially when simply documentation/communication can clear so much up. The statements made are extremely self-defeating to us who want a reasonable and consistent advancement of the software, communication, and documentation. When you can read the countless comments of constructive criticism and then say your happy just because it does not effect you, is very foolish. There has been zero feedback from ASA on any issues, how can you say you're really happy? Nigel, Lukas, Christian, and Ian have all made very valid points! WE need to stay focused on the issues here. We can all speculate why all these problems exists, but the point is....they do exist and they are not getting corrected in a reasonable fashion. Can I at least get some agreement that we need the following improvements and a corporate communication from ASA letting us know something? 1. Updated and concise documentation for us and future potential mount owners 2. Reasonable software updates with good communication about future releases and direction 3

Lukas, Commenting further on your statements... 1. I don't need another piece of focusing software, your right, I use FocusMax too, it works brilliantly. I use several pieces of software which all perform perfectly (without bugs). The Sky X, Maxim DL, CCD Autopilot, CCD Navigator, FocusMax all work perfectly. No improvement needed there! 2. I need Autoslew to do two things and two things only, efficiently handle all controlling functions of the mount and interface well with the other software....that's it! You right! No need to reinvent the wheel here. Just fix two problems...An integrated software package to control the mount and damn good documentation! Call it "Autoslew Complete" and lets all move on/forward. When and only when they accomplish this, will this mount achieve the status it deserves. Thanks Lukas, John Nemcik

Christian, Luke, & Ian, There is no doubt in my mind, that the technology of this mount had great potential! But it is obvious to now me now, the entire project has been abandoned. Sales are non-existent here in the states. Look at this user's group, few people comment and post pictures. The reality here is evident. How many times have you all looked to see if a new version of software has been uploaded? Even the "list" of software updates is outdated. I have easily looked over a hundred times with the hopes that the software would be updated to the point of making my mount purchase - a purchase that put me on the cutting edge. It is a pipe dream! Nothing, I mean nothing has been advanced in months/years. They (ASA) don't care! If they did, they would have provided some type of explanation, any explanation at all.... I think we have all been extremely understanding and patient. I can't do it anymore! It hit me the other day, I keep looking and hoping, but the reality is....I was sold on a gearless drive system which was totally silent and that got me really excited. In fact, I was so excited that I overlooked the absolute importance of the controlling software and my future dependence on those who design/develop it. For all of us, we are basically screwed. Realize we will never unlock the true potential of this mount without cutting edge software and highly detailed documentation. An expensive lesson learned the hard way.... Thanks for listening guys!!! John Nemcik

Who knows of this progress? A limited amount of beta testers? I am starting to believe I should sell my DDM85XL and get a more practical solution. All the technology is worthless without good documentation and solid controlling software.

Lukepower, somebody may want to kill you, but the rest of us will put you up on a pedestal!!!! I have to say this whole situation is absolutely f-in ridiculous, that is, the horrible communication, the lack of software updates, the lack of manual updates, what else? I have remained quiet for a very long time and now it is getting old....really old! You know what's even more ridiculous? That an end user like yourself is so tired of waiting, that you are trying to correct the software yourself. I think Dr. Keller is a great guy and may have his hands full, however, how long has it been since we have seen an update? When is the last time any of us have even received official communication about the progress being made. Not even one official communication in months/years? I would like to think that I made a wise investment with my ASA mount. It is worthless without a good support.... Do any of you feel like you have good support?

I agree with all comments above! We all have shared our dissatisfaction with the quality of product manuals and literature. We should be doing something about it rather than complaining.

With my DDM85XL I have always noticed the last digit of RA (1/100 of a sec) bounces + or - .01, never does the DE fluctuate while in sidereal rate. I automatically assumed since most of the movement occurs in RA, some variation would occur. Has anyone ever had the mount hold a rock steady RA value while tracking? Also when in Autoslew, turning the motors on initiates an "autofind", does anybody have a range or expectation of what those number should be? Thanks, John

Eagerly anticipating the release of Autoslew 5.1.1.7. Hearing about all the possibilities... Does anybody have knowledge of a possible release date? Base on what I have read, I am not going to upgrade to 5.1.1.6., just patiently waiting!