neotesla
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/18/10
Loc: Canada
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: jmiele]
#5336298 - 07/26/12 10:16 AM
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Well that helps my decision to buy... now to find somewhere that has it in stock.
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jmiele
Patron Saint?
Reged: 12/04/10
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: neotesla]
#5336373 - 07/26/12 11:10 AM
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I think Highpoint has the LX80 with the 8" SCT on it in stock. Not the LX80 alone however. I'm sure someone not wanting the scope with the new paint would be able to sell it however. Joe
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Alph
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/23/06
Loc: Melmac
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336381 - 07/26/12 11:15 AM
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Quote:
Current Conclusion of the Meade LX80 mount.
Please post the logs and we will come up with conclusion. I have learned over time while watching forums that screenshots mean little to nothing
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dmdouglass
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/23/07
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: Alph]
#5336419 - 07/26/12 11:47 AM
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Hi Alph...
To many liness to post the log. Send me a PM with your regular email address, and it will be on its way to you. I look forward to your review and comments.
I really don't know if it looks "good" or not... i'm leaving that to your guys to say. But the actual performace (visual and imaging) was awsome. I think i am repeating myself.... better watch that.
[Ed:] I have posted again, about 4 posts down, with the log file as an attachment....
Edited by dmdouglass (07/26/12 12:45 PM)
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Griffin!
super member
Reged: 09/12/10
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336432 - 07/26/12 11:54 AM
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Could you copy it to a text file and attach/upload it to your post that way?
Edited by Griffin! (07/26/12 11:56 AM)
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dmdouglass
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/23/07
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: Griffin!]
#5336458 - 07/26/12 12:08 PM
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Hi Griffin....
The log file IS a text file. Its about 14 KB in size (small... but too big to post).
[Ed:] Ahhhhh, but now i know how to add it as an attachment. See post below...
Edited by dmdouglass (07/26/12 12:47 PM)
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mmalik
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/13/12
Loc: USA
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336512 - 07/26/12 12:38 PM Attachment (41 downloads)
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Here is how to attach a file in the forum... (see attachment which shows how/where to attach)
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dmdouglass
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/23/07
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: mmalik]
#5336522 - 07/26/12 12:42 PM Attachment (69 downloads)
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Howdy Mmalik...
Now why did i not realize that. I attach "pictures" all the time... But the pictures show up in the post ?? Oh well, i will give it a try .... (here with this post).
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mmalik
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/13/12
Loc: USA
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336533 - 07/26/12 12:46 PM
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Thanks David; I see the file. I'll let PEC folks chime in.
Edited by mmalik (07/26/12 12:53 PM)
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Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/27/08
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336548 - 07/26/12 12:56 PM
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Quote:
Howdy Mmalik...
Now why did i not realize that. I attach "pictures" all the time... But the pictures show up in the post ?? Oh well, i will give it a try .... (here with this post).
Okay, I'm now lost. Was this data taken through the 6" or the 80mm? DSI-II, right? What's the focal length of the 80mm, if that was used?
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dmdouglass
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/23/07
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: Lee Jay]
#5336593 - 07/26/12 01:14 PM
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Hi Lee Jay...
The data was collected through the 6", with the DSI-II.
The 6" fl is 1524.
The plate solve data from the target image is as follows:
******** ASTROMETRIC SOLUTION RESULTS ********
Center RA: 17h 26m 39.0s
Center Dec: -05° 04' 58.8"
Scale: 1.29 arcseconds/pixel
Size (pixels): 748 x 577
Angular Size: 0° 16' 06" x 0° 12' 25"
Position Angle: 136° 34' from North
RMS: 1.37 (X: 0.68 Y: 1.19)
Number of Stars Used in Solution: 8 (100%)
FWHM: 12.18 pixels, 15.73 arcseconds
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dmdouglass
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/23/07
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336770 - 07/26/12 02:20 PM
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I have been thinking about what is next in this "testing" series.
There is, of course, going to be comments on PEC. We must remember that this currently is a READ only of the basic mount, and that would be my mount. By this, i mean it is a piece of hardware, and this is its RAW condition.
And yes, i know it is not a READ (meaning reading from the table in memory). The current PEC results are a MEASUREMENT of "what is".... out of the box, and un-modified.
So what is left ??
Well, I think Andrew is working on a Patch, that would let us update the PEC table in memory. Then, by updating the PEC, we can make it better. At least, that is the theory. "Ready, Willing, and Able" Andrew... (Andrew is THE MAN !!!)
We have GUIDING under control for POLAR. And we are still working on guiding for Alt-AZ.
By the way... speaking of guiding. I posted above the plate resolve for the PEC target image. The exposure (a stack of about 7 out of 10 images) is a 30 sec exposure. I think i understand that the FWHM is a measure of guiding (or stability) accurracy for the image. Not positive on that. I do NOT know how to understand the value. Can anyone comment on that ?? AND... this is an UNGUIDED image, so the measurement would be on STABILITY, not guiding...
[Ed: (on 7-26 afternoon)] Since the sun is up, I seem to have time to browse and search. Apparently, FWHM is more a measure of "Seeing", and is affected by atmosphere, amoungst other things. Apprently, it is measuring the width of the star(s), and determining a value. My PEC target image propbably is NOT a good choice for this topic. I was NOT in EXCELLANT focus, and when contrast is opened, i have some bloated background stars. That was not an issue for PEC (i don't think). Nor for guiding. I have a 30 sec from a couple of nights ago (but in Alt/AZ), and the FWHM was 4.08 pixels and 5.88 ArcSec. And that pic WAS in EXCELLANT focus. Focus does indeed affect the visual "size" of the targets. [End of Edit...]
So..... other than "PEC updating", and "GUIDING in Alt/AZ", can anyone suggest other tests ?? I have not yet done a "Train Motors" I have been changing configurations too much for that - IMO. Andrew is suggesting otherwise, but then sometimes when i change configurations, i use the AudioStar Reset, and i am sure that would wipe it out.
Edited by dmdouglass (07/26/12 05:26 PM)
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Stew57
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/03/09
Loc: Silsbee Texas
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: jmiele]
#5336789 - 07/26/12 02:33 PM
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The staying on target really doesn't tell us anything. My ETX80 with a good polar alignmant will do that. The PE figures do look promising but it will need to run for several worm periods to really get good data.
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Lee Jay
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/27/08
Loc: Westminster, CO
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336862 - 07/26/12 03:20 PM
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Quote:
Hi Lee Jay...
...
Scale: 1.29 arcseconds/pixel
Thanks for that, David. I was about to say that's the worst PE in history, but I did my calcs on the other OTA!
I'll defer to the real analysis, but by-eye that doesn't look bad to me.
Thanks for the info.
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mmalik
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/13/12
Loc: USA
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5336987 - 07/26/12 04:44 PM
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I have been thinking about what is next in this "testing" series.
I would like to add testing ST-4 guiding, be it testing with cloned APM. I think few of you folks need to call Meade to have them release APM for LX-80 (a needed accessory).
Optionally, you folks could test SkySafari/SkyWire/iPad based operation/sync of LX-80, which works great with professional grade mounts. This will be a good way to test RS-232 connectivity of non-Meade accessories (pinned RS-232 interface of SkyWire to phone jack style AUX ports of LX-80). Again, quite an optional test.
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brokenwave
super member
Reged: 05/10/11
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: mmalik]
#5337320 - 07/26/12 08:38 PM
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(I think few of you folks need to call Meade to have them release APM for LX-80 (a needed accessory).)
Probably not happening, My original reply got buried.
I was at the OPT SCAE event last weekend and spoke with the Meade Rep's there. When the LX80 guide port ship date came up, I was told it's not happening anytime soon. It seems that because of the different electronics in the LX80 and LX800 that Meade has put the LX80 guide port development on hold.
Plan on screaming really loud at Meade.
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dmdouglass
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/23/07
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: brokenwave]
#5337404 - 07/26/12 09:19 PM
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Well.... to be clear....
An ST-4 port is for guiding, in polar mode. We HAVE resolved that we CAN GUIDE with the LX80, but using PHD. The only "issue" here is that there is no ST-4 port.
To many, apparently, that is an issue. To others, not an issue. Is it a deal breaker ?? That would be a personal preferance issue.
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brokenwave
super member
Reged: 05/10/11
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: dmdouglass]
#5337477 - 07/26/12 09:58 PM
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Glad to hear that you guys have worked out an alternative way to guide the LX80.
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Starhawk
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/16/08
Loc: Tucson, Arizona
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: brokenwave]
#5337790 - 07/27/12 01:40 AM
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I think I missed it- what was the PE?
-Rich
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TALK2KEV
sage
Reged: 03/08/06
Loc: Oklahoma
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Re: LX80 RA Tracking
[Re: Starhawk]
#5337918 - 07/27/12 06:50 AM
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David
Focus, we use Polaris and when it's companion pops out your very close. It has always worked well for us.
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