Jay

Norbert, No I don't agree with you. Links were just to show that your statement ”every f/3 scope is a Newtonian style…” is not true. Besides Veloce series is well known, and anybody who’s looking for a fast high end scope will consider them as well as ASA alternatives for sure …so no great secrets have been revealed. In addition, OS is selling also ASA mounts, so I'm sure they are not such a dreadful competitor that their name shouldn't be mentioned here P.S. It’s nice that you feel the need to let us know your opinion on what’s ok to post here and what’s not. However, I’m sure ASA moderators are very capable of making those decisions themselves and will delete those links if they for some reason see them improper.

Not quite true http://www.officinastellare.com/products_scheda.php?idProd=15 http://www.officinastellare.com/products_scheda.php?idProd=16

Most likely you have to. But why would you want to rotate the OTA and not the camera ?

Hi Cristina I'm 99 % sure there is no need to make a new pointing file, just make sure you've copied the old files. But if you want to be 100 % sure ask ASA just in case. I did make a new pointing file at the same time when started using the new version.

Hi Cristina Sorry to hear about your software problems. I do understand how irritating it can be. Luckily I haven't had any similar issues with my Autoslew and it has been functioning without any problems. At the moment I'm trying the new Autoslew version 5.2.0.4 as a beta tester and it's working fine. Maybe you could try that also ? Just send an email to ASA and ask to registered as a beta tester to download the new version. Of course it's a beta version but seems to be vary stable.

Hi Cristina I never keep windows automatic update on while imaging. Windows updates really can mess things up so it's best to turn it off. Autoslew isn't the only software that can be messed up by Windows updates, so I wouldn't put too much blame on Autoslew Couple of hints: If you can make a complete system recovery from your computer..., make one. You can use it if something goes wrong with the updates or something else. Update the system recovery with the new one only after you've made sure your computer/astro gear is functioning without problems turn off the Windows automatic update I've been using Windows 7/64 laptop for a year with all my astro software and haven't had any problems so far. Jay P.S. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "mount is totally dependent on a software which does not own" ?

Hi Manukau I have a DDM60 Pro but it has the same kind of through the mount cabling adapters than DDM85 ? so I'll try to give you some answers... It might look at first that there is a limited amount of cabling-through options but actually there should be more than enough to build all kinds of combinations. If 3 USB connections isn't enough you can buy small hub and get more connection (in either end). Just check out what kind of external USB hubs are available. You can also find many different kinds of USB cable combinations A-A, A-B, etc. so you don't really need any adapters just buy a right kind of a cable. Power shouldn't be a problem just use a big enough power source. You can split the DC 12 power to as many instruments you need to. Ask ASA about the difference in those two power connections. The data cable can be used in variety of combinations. It's a bit of a hassle though because you have to connect (and build) both ends (in the same way) and there are quite a few "strings" Temperature compensated focuser can be built with a sensor (and software) in many different ways.

Paulo, Yes Sequence is a mount specific program but you can use the mount without Sequence. I actually have a friend who is using his ASA mount without Sequence and is happy with it. However, Sequence will make your life easier and in addition allow some additional features to be used (like MLPT). I agree with you that it would be nice if being able to use Sequence with some other software than Maxim and Pinpoint but if I've understood it correctly there were some reasons why plate solving with e.g. SkyX wasn't possible. Besides SkyX isn't free either. What other good (and free) alternatives there are available, I really don't know. But I suspect that it isn't such a trivial thing to make a good in house plate solving software and include it into Sequence. And personally, I would rather see the (limited) resources to be used for developing Autoslew and Sequence, like it's done at the moment. P.S. it's made very clear when buying the mount that you also need to get/have Maxim and Pinpoint if wanting to use all the features

Have you tried to re-install the Autoslew ? If it has been working properly and doesn't anymore there might be some update (on e.g. Windows) messing things up. Jay

Hi Erik Did you check out the CLservo logfiles. Any current peaks ? Because if the problem is there the peaks are easily noticeable. Best Jay

Hi Erik I'm afraid you might have a problem. I noticed similar behavior with my DDM60 sometime ago. Couldn't figure out why I lost frames every know and then (trailing stars) even everything seemed to be functioning well. Then one night noticed that the RA axis suddenly moved forward while tracking and returned to the same exact position right after. After a while I also started getting "position error" messages which caused the motors to shut down. Had a remote session and the mount had to be sent back to service. I was told one of the bearings was defected. You might want to record some CLservo logfiles to see if there are current peaks during the night while the mount is tracking. I had high current peaks that stalled the motors because the current limit was reached. Jay