pesa

I never turn off computer (except for upgrades and fear of lightning) Everyting else I turn off between sessions. Seems to work. I strongly agree about usb cables, buy the best available quality! pelle

Any news from ASA wheather this bug is resolved or not? This problem with RA residual error and much smaller error in DEC I have had for 2 years! Since this is independent of mount position it doesnt make sense (to me) that it's a mechanical problem. So even an admittance that it IS a bug is good news to me. Now I hope for a fix as well. pelle

Turns out its not mount's misalignment. If Altitude error is negative you are supposed to lower altitude. Colin, please dont give information if you don't know.

I did a 3 star model to find polar error after repair of mount. I got this result when calc the model in AS: " Polar Alignment error (armin) Azimuth: -42.29' Altitude: -11.02' " Am I correct in assuming the error is deviation of mount, not pole star? If so I must move mount up a bit and a bit more clockwise, right? pelle

Hi Werner >What type of primary and secondary mirrors are in the 10N and 12N? Its an ordinary newtonian design but in a very well engineered (IMO) design. The H8 is very intersting too but I see 2 disadvantages, its on the small side and you need a very big chip to justify its cost since its advantage is a big imaging circle. No point buying a H-series and attatch a camera with small chip to it. Neither of those would be ideal visual instruments IMHO. They are designed for imaging. I'm sure officina stellare makes good stuff but they dont have newtonians AFAIK. Also their mounts isnt interesting for me, I want encoders. I would andwill buy more stuff from ASA. Sure, they should have more ppl for us amateurs - they are too focused on professionals IMO - but I dont know that other firms are any better. I've also never heard of any supplier with better engineered scopes/mounts. Again I have some reservations, their quality control could be more alert, but I know from friends that their most obvious contender on the scope side is MUCH sloppier. Also if I have problem with hardware they have been very fair about it, even when I myself messed up. One example of their fine engineering is the new focuser with absolute encoders, its a marvel! At F3.6 (in my case) focusing have to be very precise and hysteresis on an ordinary focuser adds to the problem. With absolute encoders hysteresis is not a problem. Have saved me a lot of time hope this helps pelle

I think this is number one prio for a lot of us: for ASA to NOT force user to get maxim for us to be able to use sequence! ASA: PLEASE!!!!!

Hi Werner The core problem was that the secondary was astigmatic. I ruled out primary as problem by rotating it 120 degrees and noting that pattern didn't change. Same with wynne. This turns out to be very easy to spot; take images both inside and outside focus (very small delta will do). If you have astigmatism you will get ellipsoids with big axis' (plural) 180 degrees apart out- and in-side. Combine that with sequence-autofocus not doing a god job with astigmatic system. This resulted in stars "in focus" (after autofocus) looking like scope needed collimation. So I collimated. Repeat ad nauseum. Akin to try stearing a car with the rear view mirror. Finally I understood that secondary was astigmatic. ASA then exchanged the mirror (still slightly astigmatic but better) I think the system is diffraction limited so the slight astigmatism has a positive effect, I always knows which side of focus I am in. / outside and \ outside. hope this helps pelle

Max, what is your mount? if it is DDM60 perhaps those are not as sturdy as DDM85? Anyone else (then me) have same problem - rec-error much bgger then dec error? In that case, do you have DDM60 or RRM 85? pelle

I have the new focuser but havent attached it to my asa N10 yet, will do so this week-end. there where 2 adapters included, one bigger with dovetail thats easy enough to understand; first attach this to the scopes focuser dovetail, then attach the new AAF3 instead of the AK3Z (in my case) to it. This is for getting the focuser equidistant with the old AKZ3 There was also another adapter that I dont understand, you screw it to the focuser (where you would otherwise screw the wynne corrector) But the other "end" of the adapter (its only 1cm) has no threads but 3 hex-bolts to hold something in place. Anyone knows the function of this adapter? is it to replace the old big red wheel with "tooths" used to enable easy camera rotation? pelle

I'm using 5.2.2.8 pelle

Max, Since I have the same problem and support suggested to me that hysteresis might be the "villain" in my scenario you might check too what they suggested: Make a new model with random points so that dec isn't always is constant across meridian. Then compare with old model. Or to the same effect (as I see it): make a model on only one side so you dont ever pass meridian when building the model. Then experiment with slews and tracking on that side. Perhaps ricardo-honders have a fixed main mirror but hysteresis could easily come from focuser also. If tube is a bit loose dont tighten too hard or something will break when motor tries to move tube. I did that and now I cant do anything untill ASA sends it back. DAMN! When I get the focuser back I will do this but also keep model area smaller than one whole side. Not only meridian shifts can make focuser change position... pelle

Max, my scope is ASA N10. I have extremely rigid pier. As far as I can tell also scope, focuser and optics. I cant either understand how it could be flex, if that where the case shouldn't one get DEC-error > REC-error on other positions. After all it's gravitation that causes flex and what axis is most affected depends on the scopes orientation. That is IF the flex is from tube or optics, the other candidate is flex in the mount itself obviously. That would explain why REC-error is always bigger, much bigger in my case. pelle

Hi I wonder if any of you ever had any mechanical problems with your DDM60? I have this weird behaviour that I cant find any (other) cause for: synch move DEC (say 15-20 degrees) with button in autoslew (N or S button) synch Now DEC-error is 0.1' (DEC-error is always very small also for MLPT and slew) but RA-error is usually 2-3 '. What!! I didn't touch rec. I cant find any explanation for this. If model is bad, wouldn't that affect DEC-error as well? So I wonder if I have a mechanical problem in mount (ex: encoders loose). If so, it might explain the long exposure problems I have had from the start. If the problems where in pier or tube why would always DEC-error bli much smaller than RA-error? pelle

Thanks for the respons luke I forgot to mention in my previous post (I edited it now) ​"Forgot to mention that first 10min exposure (no mlpt) is always perfect." To my mind that rules out flexture. If flexture it would be a very strange flexture: 1 slew to a position 2 10 minutes exposure thats perfect (so no flexture) 3 a cpl more exposures that turns out decent 4 really bad 10min exposure (why would it flex now and not from beginning?) Besides the pier is filled with concrete and bored/concrete into solid rock so its not the pier. the balance is close to perfect The tube is a N10 connected to mount with ASA clamps. All screws are tightend. I agree that flexture could still occur with that setup but why would then the first image be perfect? pelle pelle

Thanks all for responding! Your results is a wet dream for me I wanted to do a lot of experimentation before I got back and so I have done now! After a cpl of weeks I can say this, I have absolutely no idea whats wrong The only thing that gives temporarily better results is to make a big slew to Park2 and then back again. Then the next 10min frame (at exactly the same place) is perfect, after that results deteriorate fast. The fact that big slew always helps makes mechanical problem less likely (in my mind) So what the heck is the problem??? I have a model with 17+17positions. Pointing is fantastic,even the biggest slews are rarely off more than 0.3'. But tracking is of course not better than pointing andfor tracking 0.3' is big ofc. MLPT only makes things worse. I use 5.2.2.8, changed from 5.2.2.3 (Win10 64bit) same problems with 5.2.2.3 Also I have 2 new problems after abot 30-40 min sidereal without slew the tracking just stops. No error reported in AS or ACC. The "tracking on" symbol is still chosen in AS. I also get "pointing error" in AS with the red key showing up. (Snag is impossible since all cords are internal.) Any pointers would be welcome pelle Edit: Forgot to mention that first 10min exposure (no mlpt) is always perfect.

"I had the impression, that for ASA it was difficult to understand why a group of active forum members that are using ASA equipment with success for years see a need for better documentation." Maximrot beat me to the appropriate reply Its beyond me that they can be so unaware..... On another note, I have some experience with getting the software up and running so I could perhaps be of some help in case of need. This would be via Teamviewer and skype. I'm willing to be added as such a resource at the wiki. If it gets too overwhelming I might reconsider of course. Perhaps others as well would be willing? pelle

I think its an excellent idea and I am willing to contribute. I have no knowledge on how to create a wiki and I vote against that format if at all cumbersome. A simple webpage with menu items such as max mentioned would be great. Perhaps can Christer (Swedish reseller. Also at this board) host it, what do you say Christer? pelle

I was very suprised and also saddend by the result. However given GB is no longer "with us" I begin to wish for a Swedish referendum as well. There are many great reasons to be a member but obvious corruption isnt one of them. Also, I'm bothered of all countries not willing to help out refugees. In particular (for that and antidemocratic tendencies also) ashamed for having poland and hungary as members. So I'm not so sure anymore. Perhaps the brexit can lead to some selfreflection from the leaders at least. pelle

I used SGP before I got ASA mount. I really liked it,lots of possibilities - BUT - one major flaw: it was multithreaded without proper handling of errors in that multithreaded environment. If I got an usb-error (I suppose it was) with camera or wheel the whole thing froce. Very annoying. If they fixed that problem and sequence was adapted to not only use maximDL/PinPoint (LONG overdue!) I would use it again. pelle

About that video... I did followed it as closely as I could when doing an "advanced procedure" instead of using the drop-menu choices. Aside from not getting how the user does "clear" as he writes in the caption theres another thing someone else might understand: how to actually save the resulting model! I just clicked "Ok" and form dissapeared without the possibility to name it. As a result when I start AS now the log writes "Loaded ini-file C:\ProgramData\ASA\Autoslew\Autoslew.ini" Before it named what model it loaded. Did it load my new model or not I wonder. pelle

Is this a known bug? I want to evaluate flex after system have settled for some time (at same pos) but after first measurement when I press start it moves a bit, doesnt take any picture and directly ask if I want to solve now (with no images taken!) or wait! Whats up? pelle

Thanks Bernard but how about my question?? Can you make 20min subs unguided at 1arcSec/pixel scale? pelle

Sorry about this double posting. I have DDM60 but is very interrested in what DDM85 owners can report! I urge all of you that read this to take 30s and answer! 2 cloud free months to anyone that answers! I cant reliably.And I feel I should be able to do even longer with my setup. ( 1 arcSec/pixel is scaled down or binned - ofc - for you guys with monster resolution) My system is dome with permanently mounted DDM60Pro+N10 and atik 460+filterwheel.The extra big ASA focuser. If you can do 20min unguided, please give a short description of your hardware. Pelle PS. A long description of my workflow, I'd appreciate any tip on bettering: Mount has internal USB (DDM60Pro) but I still have 3 cables (thin,flexible, carefully arranged not to create tension).power to camera and wheel,since focuser wants to start before camera. Also usb to camera (Atik469) can not go thru DDM60 Hub, Maxim looses contact after a while if I go thru DDM60 usb hub.. Scope: ASA N10 on DDM60Pro. mount sits on metal pier with concrete inside tube. Pier is attached to solid rock ground with concrete with lots of armour irons drilled into rock. Polaralignment is very good, Pixel scale is 1.07 arcSec/pixel (unbinned) Camera and wheel are light and are connected by ASA's big focuser. Model: I have 34star model made with autopoint altitude 25 degrees up to 90. I wait about 30s before each exposure to minimize flex (let system settle), up to 4minutes if meridian shift. Have too since dome is very slow. Pointing is very good, after a first synch, goto always lands cross inside star "blob" even after meridian shift. There is some flex but the system settles very good after some minutes. All my images with MLPT I now take like this: Move to object. Find (in planetarium software) good star very closeby to focus (if not in object) Focus manually (takes 2minutes since some little astigmatism makes it very easy to find sweet spot). Autofocus doesnt give good result (Astigmatism, I'm waiting for comment on that from ASA, I like it cause of focusing but need to know that scope still is diffraction limited) I dont start MLPT-run untill mount have been on same object for at least 15minutes.Usually 30minutes I use 6 exposures in MLPT covering 22min (2 extra for fiddeling with names before start) then I take ONE 20min exposure. Sometimes it works, often not. chance of creating a working MLPT to let me do 3*20min in sequence is very bad, I dont even try that anymore. with bad I mean about 3 arcSec drag on stars. Not visible on big stars of course but all small stars gets a very obvious elongation. Log reports no current spike Seeing is sometimes excellent for sweden, can get below 2 arcSec. Very dark sky. Scope sits inside a scopedome 3m (unfortunately). Pier and dome platform/dome are not connected of course. ​

I urge all of you that read this to take 30s and answer! 2 cloud free months to anyone that answers! I cant reliably.And I feel I should be able to do even longer with my setup. ( 1 arcSec/pixel is scaled down or binned - ofc - for you guys with monster resolution) My system is dome with permanently mounted DDM60Pro+N10 and atik 460+filterwheel.The extra big ASA focuser. If you can do 20min unguided, please give a short description of your hardware. Pelle PS. A long description of my workflow, I'd appreciate any tip on bettering: Mount has internal USB (DDM60Pro) but I still have 3 cables (thin,flexible, carefully arranged not to create tension).power to camera and wheel,since focuser wants to start before camera. Also usb to camera (Atik469) can not go thru DDM60 Hub, Maxim looses contact after a while if I go thru DDM60 usb hub.. Scope: ASA N10 on DDM60Pro. mount sits on metal pier with concrete inside tube. Pier is attached to solid rock ground with concrete with lots of armour irons drilled into rock. Polaralignment is very good, Pixel scale is 1.07 arcSec/pixel (unbinned) Camera and wheel are light and are connected by ASA's big focuser. Model: I have 34star model made with autopoint altitude 25 degrees up to 90. I wait about 30s before each exposure to minimize flex (let system settle), up to 4minutes if meridian shift. Have too since dome is very slow. Pointing is very good, after a first synch, goto always lands cross inside star "blob" even after meridian shift. There is some flex but the system settles very good after some minutes. All my images with MLPT I now take like this: Move to object. Find (in planetarium software) good star very closeby to focus (if not in object) Focus manually (takes 2minutes since some little astigmatism makes it very easy to find sweet spot). Autofocus doesnt give good result (Astigmatism, I'm waiting for comment on that from ASA, I like it cause of focusing but need to know that scope still is diffraction limited) I dont start MLPT-run untill mount have been on same object for at least 15minutes.Usually 30minutes I use 6 exposures in MLPT covering 22min (2 extra for fiddeling with names before start) then I take ONE 20min exposure. Sometimes it works, often not. chance of creating a working MLPT to let me do 3*20min in sequence is very bad, I dont even try that anymore. with bad I mean about 3 arcSec drag on stars. Not visible on big stars of course but all small stars gets a very obvious elongation. Log reports no current spike Seeing is sometimes excellent for sweden, can get below 2 arcSec. Very dark sky. Scope sits inside a scopedome 3m (unfortunately). Pier and dome platform/dome are not connected of course. ​

Anyone knows what this means? log 16:28:17.476: CLServo Vers.5.2.1.3: 2 axis init OK 16:28:19.900: To long sleep of main timer, was reset by controltimer 16:28:19.900: AliveProgresscount stopped at 0 16:28:20.370: Welcome Autoslew Vers 5.2.1.9 16:28:42.130: To long sleep of main timer, was reset by controltimer 16:28:42.130: AliveProgresscount stopped at 100 16:28:44.080: Starting homefind 16:28:49.990: RA/AZ calibrated OK ! pelle ​