Jay

Hi Daniel, Don't give up yet, it's probably only a synch issue. I always sync the system with Sequence when I start imaging in a new day. The pointing will be more or less off depending on how many days have passed since the previous session. Synch with Sequence will bring everything in line. Cheers Jyrki P.S. I'm using TheSkyX

Hi Pelle Can't help you much about the technical questions but I have a DDM60 Pro with built-in USB hubs also. Used to have some "lost connection" problems but after creating a light pressure to both USB cables attached to the mount hub(s)....so that the cable won't be able to move e.g. because of temperature changes etc...., I haven't suffered any connection problems. It seems that the UBS cable connection to the hub is quite sensitive and even very small movements (of the cable) can cause problems sometime. Don't really know if that was the cause of those connection problems but haven't had any issues for a long time. Jay

Internal PC time will never be very accurate if using only Windows. I've been using an additional (free) programs (like Network time) when more accurate time is needed for the PC. Refresh time has usually been 15 min and adjustment tolerance 100 ms Jay

prefetch, Good luck with your project and ASA DDM truly is an amazing mount. Just requires some ("not always so easy to achieve") features from your setup to perform its best. However, It's good to remember that those preconditions apply to any mount if taking long unguided exposures is your goal. The only (sometime annoying) "ASA feature" is the need to have such a perfect balance of your setup. It's doable but will require some effort, especially when having a very heavy complex system. But I would also argue that no other mount manufacturer (e.g. 10Micron, AP, SB) is even close to ASA at the moment. But that's just a bias opinion from a happy DDM user Jay

prefetch FL 2700 mm will be a lot easier to handle than 3900 mm but it'll not be easy. I don't think it's the question if the DDM85 can handle it or not (because I'm pretty sure it can) but how rigid system you're able to build. There are many sources of flexure and you should be able to get rid of them all before consistent 20-30 min unguided exposures can be achieved.Not easy but possible... E.g. if you read what Luc said about the standard mirror locking. It won't be able to handle the mirror flip very well.... etc. What kind of focusing system you're using ? Jay P.S. Sequence has some pretty nice tools to measure flexure, and using MLPT will help you to get rid off some....

prefetch, I'm afraid using parallax rings (and better cable management) won't be enough if you're imaging with the full 3900 mm fl. Jay

I second Luc, The most important "component" when trying to get (long) consistent unguided exposures is the rigidity of your setup. Most people don't realize how much flexure will be included in every setup. Even a simple short focal length refractor has surprisingly large amount of flexure. Jay

Maybe you should ask about the focal length and image scale (resolution arc sec/pixel) figures also because that's what matters the most. Anyway, my scope is Veloce RH200 and the mount is DDM60 Pro. FL is 600 mm and image scale is 1.86 arcsec/pixel. I'm using a permanent set up with 200 points skymap. However, I always use also MLPT because it's an easy and fast way to get rid the residual errors. My unguided exposures are typically 1200 sec (20 min) but that's not a maximum upper limit just somethings I've found to be practical.

prefetch, Was just looking the balancing video which seem to spend a lot of time explaining a very simple procedure. Anyway, I wouldn't move and flip around my telescope so roughly and fast with the ASA mount. Even when the power is turned OFF, be gentle when moving the scope around...

Sorry Denis, it seems like you already have the new mount ? So are you having problems with balancing the system or tuning the motors ? As you might have read from previous posts balancing the system properly is the precondition for the well functioning mount. And ASA mounts are very sensitive for the right balancing. Using the "balancing" tool in Autoslew is a very effective way fine tune the balance and to check that the balancing is good enough. Jay

If you have the the optional modified equatorial pier then maybe someone with the same kind of pier will be able to help you. However, if you have a normal pier then I'm a bit puzzled because the manual explains the procedure quite well. Maybe you could clarify a bit more what you are doing and what kind of problems you're having...

My mount ( and the whole observatory) is covered with frost every time after the imaging session (during the winter). So there will be more or less moisture all over, but so far haven't noticed any problems. Jay

I would advice you to download and read the Sequence manual. It'll explain the procedure very well... http://www.astrosysteme.at/eng/dl_ddm60.html best regards Jay

I've never had any issues with condensation with my DDM60. I have an observatory but the mount is fully exposed to the temperature changes and condensation. Best regards Jay P.S. I live in Finland and weather conditions are rather harsh.

Sorry Redims but I didn't quite understand what you want to know. Did you mean polar aligning the mount or making a sky map ? Making a skymap with Sequence is rather simple and automated process when you're using Pinpoint.

Hi Denis and welcome Using Autoslew and the "balancing tool" is quite simple and you shouldn't worry about it. In addition, the automated tuning procedure will also work very well in most of the cases and no "manual" tuning is required. It might be easier to explain the proceedings after you've had a change to play with the new mount and Autoslew for a while. Meanwhile you might want to read the Autoslew / Sequence manuals ...several times I also think that Meade 12 AFC will probably be a lot easier to balance than a Newton telescope. Best regards Jay

Just to be clear ....I never disable the general pointing model when using the MLPT. I have a feeling that the MLPT works better (you need less MLPT points for a good result) if there is a solid general pointing model used at the same time. That would mean that the MLPT points are added to the general model. However, that is just a feeling because have never really made any comparison.

I'm using rather large pointing model (200 points) and MLPT at the same time with no problems. Corrections made by the MLPT seem to be rather small but still have an effect. I did try the 3-star PA routine + MLPT when setting up the system this fall with excellent results. Tried first how well it would track with just the 3-star model, and the results were not very good. Then added MLPT (120 min/10 points) and the tracking was excellent after that. Jay

Hi Luc Haven't been able to figure out how to do that automatically, because I don't want Sequence to be opened before MaximDL. I let MaxPilote open everything else but Sequence and open it "manually" after that. I'm sure there is a way around that but I'm not very good with modifying ASCOM commands and don't mind that small manual step. Best regards Jay

George, I'm using a 200 point model (created with Sequence) and the pointing accuracy is flawless. Meaning that all the stars are exactly in the middle of the crosshair with the Veloce RH200 scope (very stiff setup). If I recall correctly , the pointing accuracy with the 40 point model was very good also but didn't split the star every time. P.S. I don't think field of view has much meaning when comparing pointing results with stars, unless you're way off of course.

Hi This is what I do with my permanent setup at the moment.... power up PC (remotely) open the roof and power up the mount start MaxPilote which will turn on all the other programs (except Sequence) click Park 2 (which has been set very close to the homefind position) and click homefind after that (Autoslew has been turned on automatically already by MaxPilote) start Sequence and click sync (with Pinpoint) Ready to go... The previously saved pointing file / sky map with 200 plate solves has already been loaded automatically when starting Autoslew. I'm using Seletek Armadillo and Firefly to control the observatory power inputs remotely, and the following software in addition to Autoslew and Sequence: MaxPilote, MaximDL, Pinpoint, FocusMax, SkyX, Seletek controller sofware, AAG cloud watcher and LogMeIn (to operate the observatory computer remotely). Best regards Jay

Couple of things came into my mind that might cause problems since you didn't have them before.... Sequence should always be disconnected first before closing other programs. Never close the POTH hub connection "manually". It will shut down automatically when (other) programs are closed down. I assume you're using POTH hub with the Sky ? At least in my system those functions have given me some hard time. Jay

Hi Erik My problem isn't quite that bad but every time I'll try to turn off the computer, there will be some programs blocking Windows (7) from turning off. I can continue after clicking "Yes" to the message: "some programs still running, are you sure you want W to be turned off". The problem surfaces when using the setup remotely (backyard ). Mainly because a laptop can't be rebooted remotely by turning the power off, and the remote net access will be shut down among the first programs. However, I can bypass the issue (almost always) by carefully turning off all the programs in a certain order. Besides I don't think it's a ASA software related issue in my case but Windows.That is the main reason for buying a new computer (not a laptop) which can always be rebooted by turning the power off remotely if needed. Best regards Jay P.S. started thinking about the order of closing different programs and mine is a bit different than yours. I use MaxPilote for controlling all the other programs and always close down that first. Then usually Sequence, Autoslew (turn off the motors), MaximDL, FocuxMax, SkyX and finally turn off the Autolew completely. Also need to close the Seletek focus control and AAG cloudwatcher separately. I don't touch the Ascom connection and the POTH hub will be turned off automatically when closing down the all the software.

One more update... The SkyX issue was my bad, because forgot to use the POTH hub in between the mount driver and SkyX. So that problem is fixed. Maybe, I'll give the W8.1 one more chance after taking couple of days off from astrosoftware and computers

Hi Lukas Good to know that other programs have issues also Anyway, started smiling too early because now Autoslew can't connect to the SkyX. I get a message that SkyX can't load the telescope driver... Maybe it has to do with this , / . issue or maybe not, have no idea. But to be honest, I'm quite tired of these problems and will just take the old computer back. And my OS is Finnish.