Astrograph Posted September 20, 2015 Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 Dear All, I am a newcomer to the forums but have been an ASA dealer for sometime now. Personally I am not a lover of forums but this one seems semi-mandatory if just to pull as much information together about what experiences others are having with the software. As a dealer I approach things a little differently and rather than just sell off a list, make wild claims and then duck and weave when the 'it does not work' questions arrive, I actually use the stuff. If necessary I write a manual and usually i end up the proverbial pain is the backside moaning to the manufacturer. With ASA I keep a DDM60 for 'testing' and commenced my 'training' by getting Gerald at ASA to train me at the factory for a couple of days to at least get a grounding. What I can say as a dealer is that ASA would do an awful lot better in the market if they spent a few days consolidating the existing manuals into one manual and explained the mounts benefits in a clear and concise way. It seems they are incapable of doing this on any level. That much, as you have all commented on, is a severe weakness and leads to the very real public view that ASA mounts are complicated, difficult to use and don't work. I for one really struggled with this and it has taken a long while to get my mindset thinking the ASA way and not the normal way. This is half the battle. I even recently watched a technician at Astrocamp manually create a pointing file for polar and planetarium synchronisation that took hours. This is the normal mindset and had he been better informed would have realised this could have been done by Sequence in a few minutes. This is really a serious oversight on ASA's part as at least half the mounts at Astrocamp are ASA, so you would think the knowledge would be to a high level. Now I am fully on board with the ASA concept and a 'Getting Started' manual is in progress for my customers, because i am damn sure i am not going to leave it the hands of the manuals supplied! ASA had mentioned to me the 'handset' (which has clearly now become a tablet based system) way back. Infact, if memory serves, it was intended for early 2014. They also suggested to me options on how such an upgrade would be handled for existing customers as it was stated that electronics would be different. Up until the end of August last year it was still if, but's and maybes as to what would happen, but it showed that the were aware it would be an issue and was being considered. As to the current software it seems PK is still developing this as recent trouble I have had, which seems to be mostly related to how various applications are installed, has resulted in direct support from PK. Further discussions about how Sequence might be utilised by a corporate customer of ours for use with their software also suggested that development was ongoing. Therefore it does not sound like Autoslew / Sequence are due for the chop any time soon. Infact it is understood that one 'task' for ASA was to offer Linux support. However this may be a function of Ver 2.0. On the subject of Ver 2.0, the first I heard of it was this forum! ASA seem to play their cards very close to their chest and as many have discovered, the words 'support' and 'communication' are not well developed. I can only conclude with the information that I am aware of, that ASA are considering existing owners with regard to older product support and the existing software does seem to be subject to continuing development. A parallel product line may develop, I don't know. Certainly if the 'new' DDM60 version has all this extra 'crap' attached to it, it is likely to see a significant price increase surely. This would still leave a place for the existing model. As I placed an order for a DDM60 on Friday, after confirming the lead time was still normal, I will be asking some questions on Monday as to what the options are, as no doubt will my customer, because no information about replacements, new software etc was offered at the same time. I will keep you informed as to the story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldemar Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 Hello Astrograph, Thank you for your 'inside' insight. I would really appreciate if I could get my hands on an user manual which is written from experience in understandable English. Especialy about the new features and changes in the beta versions. No explanations whatsoever from ASA's side which makes it very hard to work with. Apparantly we just have to guess how it works. The fact that someone comes up with an original ASA document, nobody else heard of, really tells the story... Well, I hope you stay aboard and keep us updated. Thanks again. Best regards, Waldemar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerhardB Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 Hello Astrograph, Thank you for your 'inside' insight. I would really appreciate if I could get my hands on an user manual which is written from experience in understandable English. Especialy about the new features and changes in the beta versions. No explanations whatsoever from ASA's side which makes it very hard to work with. Apparantly we just have to guess how it works. The fact that someone comes up with an original ASA document, nobody else heard of, really tells the story... Well, I hope you stay aboard and keep us updated. Thanks again. Best regards, Waldemar Well, P.Keller posted the updated Sequence doc (in the 'old' Yahoo user group, if I remember correctly), when he made the beta-version accessible for us beta-testers. I downloaded it immediately, knowing that links have a tendency to disappear. Glad that I can share it now again with the community. Best regards, Gerhard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeCarey Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thanks for the information Astrograph. I see that you are at the Astronomy Show on Oct 2-3. I will pop in for a chat. George (Satisfied DDM60 user). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldemar Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 Thank you Gerhard, I still think it is odd, that documents like that are not accessibel through the ASA site. It is also strange that since that document, a lot of things changed in the software without any documentation. I believe some people are smart enough about software to get a grip on it anyway, but for me it is quite a struggle, so I would appreciate some more up-to-date information very much. I do love my DDM60Pro, in spite of the fact that I can not use it to it's fullest potential, due to the lack of info. Best regards, Waldemar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 I would LOVE to have the changes that have been permanent now for many months in the "beta" versions of AutoSlew and Sequence documented!!!!! Please!! ..... ASA please !! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxmirot Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 Seriously, no one can answer these upgrade and development issues? How can ASA announce 2.0 and not have answers to these questions. Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukepower Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 I found this: http://www.astrosysteme.com/asa-2-0-revolution-auf-der-ame/ Well, one line actually... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpze Posted October 20, 2015 Report Share Posted October 20, 2015 Any news on the DDM60 revolution or perhaps, the more interesting for us existing users, the upcoming ASA 2.0 software? They where present at the IAC in San Jose as I understand, and was going to "reveal" the new system. /Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukepower Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 I just found out some interesting infos on the News section of the ASA site: www.astrosysteme.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Lukas, could you be a bit more specific. All I found was old news... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpze Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 That they "launched" the DDM60R with ASA 2.0 and there is no info at all from the launch?Have searched all the net of more info... nothing at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 That they "launched" the DDM60R with ASA 2.0 and there is no info at all from the launch? Have searched all the net of more info... nothing at all OK, but that news has been there for a while already... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpze Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Yep, I would at least hope they should show off a short demo or something of the new mount and the new groundbreaking software :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whyzzi Posted October 27, 2015 Report Share Posted October 27, 2015 Here are new infos and a folder about the ddm60 revolution. http://www.astrosysteme.com/asa-ddm60r-revolution/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldemar Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Thank you Whyzzi. Very interesting info. This looks really appealing! It is kind of strange though, this group was not informed about that news... I am subscribed to the news letter, but did not hear of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpze Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Astrosysteme has two totally different websites, www.astrosysteme.at which seems to not be updated really well, but the www.astrosysteme.com seems better.However, when they bangs the drums and blows the horns that they will have their official release on AIC 2015, they should really put something up on their websites, after all, this is a big leap for ASA, The imaging community and for entry-level astronomers that might have the cash and want a premium-mount.Has anyone heard anything about ASA 2.0? /Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldemar Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Apparently I am behind... Did not know about the .com site. anybody knows prices? I think this is not only for entry level astronomers. Anyone who wants to upgrade may be interested in this. Waldemar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpze Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 The .com site was new to me for about two weeks ago, when they released the PDF on the DDM60RI want more info And if they are serious of getting a really good release on the 2.0 software, they really should put it up at the beta-forum for testing... if it is a beta that is, might be an alfa also. /Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukepower Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Hi Daniel, I guess you'd need the (new) hardware in addition to the new software... At least it sounds like buying a "black box" which is doing everything and you control from outside with a tablet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpze Posted October 28, 2015 Report Share Posted October 28, 2015 Yea, it is probably that way, but it would be nice to take a peak New tech is always fun to look at. /Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si6pack Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Hi all, what really drives me nuts is the fact, that a "revolution" (ASA2.0) is presented, but the homework is NOT done at all i.e. a detailed manual for SEQ and AS is still missing. Will ASA ever come a with a manual for ASA1.0 users??? May be I missed it, but I would very much appreciate If somebody could point me on detailed manual for AS and/or SEQ, describing i.e in detail the advanced pointing methods and possibilities... Best, Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john32712 Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 I was at AIC and did see the new mount. It appears the direction of DDM60 is focused on making it more user friendly in the field. The technology looked impressive, but for me (having a fixed mount in an observatory) this was not my focus. Good to know that ASA is still moving forward with the amateur end of the business. Egon was there as well as Dietmar... I grabbed the literature and Autoslew 2.0 was everywhere. I pressed for information about Autoslew and Sequence, but the response was fairly simple, " the new software is coming". I wanted to discuss the concerns we all have, documentation, communication, hard release dates, etc. But I was respectful of the venue, since ASA was there to sell mounts and promote business. Personally, I see two groups of people: New customers and existing clientele and I wish the information flow was much better. Lukepower was correct in his commentary above. The new mounts will have integrated computing. It appears that many of the mount manufacturers are heading in this direction. Finally, I sent my mount back to ASA for some repair and in the process had the absolute encoders installed. I should have the mount installed within a week, so I'll have more to report back. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxmirot Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 John, The new DDM 60 does sound like a leap forward for moble imagers . I am like you, I have a permanent observatory. Most of us agree on that better communication and documentation on the software is needed. What did it cost you to upgrade to the absolute encoders? Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john32712 Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Hi Max, I am in Florida, give me a call tomorrow afternoon or later. My cell is 407-341-4490 John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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