StarsPi - guiding with an Android device

The bug with the settings which are not saved was solved. You can access the updated package in the same location: link

Thanks Sampson for pointing it out, I hope you can try it out and give us your feedback!

EDIT: You don't need to run any of the install scripts, just replace the content of the lin_guider folder and restart the Pi/Lin_guider.

Edited by myzsot, 28 June 2015 - 05:09 AM.

Check out the results of the first successful guiding session! LINK to the photo.

A screenshot of the DSLR control user interface. There is still some work to test the hardware interface towards the camera...

Great 

Hi Zsolt,
I am very exited about your new version of StarsPi   I really want to test it with the dithering function with my DSLR. How can I get the update version ?

Thank you in advanced

Edited by sampson, 17 October 2015 - 01:29 AM.

Hi sampson,

To answer your question I need to give you some details about the status of the implementation. The software for the Raspberry Pi (the modified Lin guider) already accepts the commands open and close shutter from the Android app. As you probably observed the GUI is also finished, you can create presets and run them just like with any intervalometer; in theory everything is finished. However the camera control was not tested on an actual camera: I need to create a special cable for that. The RPI doesn't communicate with the DSLR via USB because I didn't find any library which correctly supports BULB mode on a wide range of cameras. gPhoto was a good candidate but it doesn't support BULB on Nikon cameras. So I decided to do it in a generic way; by controlling a single pin of the RPI which is connected to the shutter terminals of the cameras. In order to protect your DSLR the connection cannot be a direct one, I need a small transistor and a resistor to achieve a simple switch circuitry. I also plan to use SMD components so it will fit in the housing of a 2.5 jack.

Long story short: in principle I can release the software but it is not yet tested and I'm afraid the possible negative experience will affect also future users...

Hi sampson,

 

To answer your question I need to give you some details about the status of the implementation. The software for the Raspberry Pi (the modified Lin guider) already accepts the commands open and close shutter from the Android app. As you probably observed the GUI is also finished, you can create presets and run them just like with any intervalometer; in theory everything is finished. However the camera control was not tested on an actual camera: I need to create a special cable for that. The RPI doesn't communicate with the DSLR via USB because I didn't find any library which correctly supports BULB mode on a wide range of cameras. gPhoto was a good candidate but it doesn't support BULB on Nikon cameras. So I decided to do it in a generic way; by controlling a single pin of the RPI which is connected to the shutter terminals of the cameras. In order to protect your DSLR the connection cannot be a direct one, I need a small transistor and a resistor to achieve a simple switch circuitry. I also plan to use SMD components so it will fit in the housing of a 2.5 jack.

 

Long story short: in principle I can release the software but it is not yet tested and I'm afraid the possible negative experience will affect also future users...

Hi Zsolt,

It seems that the most challenging aspect is the bulb mode supporting issues on Nikon.  According to gphoto http://www.gphoto.org/news/ , the bulb mode has already implemented in newer Nikon DSLRs (D600/D7100/D5200 and later). I have Nikon D600 and D5300 that were supported by gphoto. I tested my DSLRs using gphoto and I found that the bulb mode control on D5300 has bug but there was no problem on my D600. It seems that the bug is related to internal memory issue for saving image file on D5300.

By the way, using USB cable between DSLR and computer is the most common way nowadays. I hope the gphoto could solve the bulb mode problem on Nikon and could fully supported Nikon cameras.

I have also installed ddserver ( https://github.com/h...DashboardServer ) on my Pi2 and qDslrDashboard on my portable devices. It is perfect for remote controlling of my Nikon. I don't know whether ddserver could communicate with Lin Guider. Would it be possible solution for DSLR control on  StarsPi. 

Edited by sampson, 21 October 2015 - 02:21 AM.

Hi sampson,

I need to admit, you convinced me. I managed to get gPhoto running inside StarsPi, newer Canon EOS cameras are supported (tested with my 1100D and 700D). Multi-camera support is a feature I really like and didn't see in other autoguiders: you can connect up to 8 cameras to be controlled by StarsPi (all over USB of course). Right now I'm implementing the dithering part and a release will follow.

Regarding Nikon camera support: did you use the gPhoto2 command line to get your D600 running? Which command did you use?

StarsPi v1.1 just went online: DSLR camera control and dithering are now supported. Please note that you also need to update your RPI software in order to have everything working. Test it, use it, feel free to leave any feedback! Thanks!

Hello.

I am trying to install StarsPI on my  raspberry. I would like to know what are your future projects for StarsPI developements ?

thank !

Hi dragonlost,

I'm not sure I understand the question correctly, are you asking about new features which may come with the next release?

These are the current plans, they may change in the future: more DSLR camera models, improved interface for tablets, mirror lockup function, ISO settings, local time and GPS information display

Hi Ryuji,

Thanks for your kind words.

 

The green line of RA and the red line of DEC is either not in reverse ?

I don't think the axes are swapped, why do you think it is? 

 

I want a specified length of the x -axis of the guidegraph and a display of RMS value.

RMS value is a very good idea, I have added it to my list, but I didn't get the part with "specified length of the x axis". Can you please explain?

Hi Ryuji,

I had a look in the code, the axis seem fine, maybe you didn't calibrate before. If you don't calibrate your axis with a real mount and camera, the result is not guaranteed.

The X axis: I have tested with 50 values and most probably it will remain as 50 but I don't really want to introduce another setting for that, I want to keep things simple.

Thanks for your feedback, it means people are starting to use this app! 

New feature like the Status screen will help StarsPi become a truly standalone system: there will be no need to connect the Raspberry to a monitor ever!

Hello.

I have a ASIS 120Mc. I wonder if Starspi works with this camera ??

you have planned to update lin_guider ?

thanks

Edited by dragonlost, 13 December 2015 - 01:27 PM.

Hi dragonlost,

The version 3.1 of Lin guider, which is integrated in the StarsPi package, supports the ASI cameras, unfortunately I didn't have the chance to test it.

Yes, it is planned to keep StarsPi up to date. Right now I'm implementing some really nice to have features, the next release will probably use the latest version of Lin guider also.

Edited by myzsot, 14 December 2015 - 04:41 AM.

Check out the new website. Same address new design, meant to catch your attention and guide you to find information much easier!

starspi.com

Great project!

I am experimentig a bit with Raspis and Arduinos and have two things now, but maybe I can use your work to really made something from it :-)

First is a Raspi with Raspicam Module and a f-mount Adapter (I am sure it will not be working as guide)

Second my Arduino intervallometer.

Carsten

Hi guys!

StarsPi 1.2 is available for download:

- the much needed single image installation was introduced: you just need to write out on single image file, no scripts or linux commands to install StarsPi

- you can now set the used camera directly from the app (no need to connect a monitor and keyboard/mouse)

- status screen lets you check the connections: WiFi, camera and DSLR connections

- on user request: display RMS values above guide graph, increased number of samples to 50 on guide graph

StarsPi is a free software, you can still support it by leaving a review on Google Play, thus helping other users see what's going on.

Thank you!

Clear skies and successful guiding!

P.S Don't forget to update your Raspberry Pi with the latest image, further instructions on my website!

Edited by myzsot, 10 January 2016 - 07:34 AM.

This project is really interesting.

When it's ready (debugged), think about sharing it at http://hackaday.com/.  It's one of the communities showcasing  crazy^H^H^H^H^H clever modifications out there.

This hack of linGuider to run on Raspberry Pi is quire sagacious.  For telescope usage, the smaller footprint and lower power consumption is much more appropriate for astronomers than using a Linux laptop.

This is a pretty inspiring project from my perspective.

Edited by S Gazer, 10 January 2016 - 11:37 AM.