3841 replies to this topic

[dciobota]

I am trying to get Synscan to work on my Android Lenovo TAB3 tablet.  It has worked previously but now only crashes.  I have reloaded it, done a virus check and reset the the tablet back to factory settings.  It appears to install, asks if I want to use my GPS location which I confirm and then just reverts to the home screen.  The tablet is running version 5.0.1.  The mount works perfectly with my iPhone but I need the tablet so I can run Sky Safari at the same time, and this arrangement has worked perfectly in the past.  I know the tablet is working OK since I can control my Canon 80D using the Wifi connection. Help please!

Is the Lenovo a Windows tablet or Android?

 

Somewhere in this thread (I know, long thread) there is an email address for the Skywatcher dev team who maintain the synscan software.  Maybe contacting them would be best.

 

If you have windows, one thing you can try if you still have the old version that worked is install that on your home PC and see if the app connects to your mount through that version.  If it does and doesn't crash, then try installing that version on the Lenovo.  If that still crashes on the Lenovo then it's definitely something to do with the tablet or the windows version installed on it.  If it's Windows 10, it's possible some windows update broke the synscan software.  I would then contact the Skywatcher dev team with the exact version of windows and the issue you're experiencing.

 

Hope this helps.

[DCNic]

Thanks for your reply Surveyor 1, the tablet is running operating Android system.  If anyone can provide me with the address for the Skywatcher development team I would be most grateful.

 

I was interested to see that the AZ GTi can be operated on a wedge, how does the Synscan software cope with this arrangement?

[Cometeer]

Thanks for your reply Surveyor 1, the tablet is running operating Android system. If anyone can provide me with the address for the Skywatcher development team I would be most grateful.

I was interested to see that the AZ GTi can be operated on a wedge, how does the Synscan software cope with this arrangement?

That’s where the EQ mode comes in.

[LaCasaCorp]

Finally i had some time to setup autoguiding...  for the weight and price, I think its not bad

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by LaCasaCorp, 26 November 2018 - 09:49 PM.

[TONGKW]

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Hi TONGKW, 

I have seen a few different setups people have used for counterweight system including some of the parts from the SW Star Adv. 

What is the setup you have used in the picture?   
Thanks, 

Vaughn

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Dear Vaughn
I was just trying to set up my AZ GTi in the EQ mode with whatever existing parts I have and I already have the Manfrotto 410 gear head.
The counterweight shaft (M12 screw thread) and the counterweight are from some old EQ1/EQ2 mounts I have lying around.
I find the AZ GTi to be not very convenient for use in EQ mode and so I use my AZ GTi in the AltAz mode most of the times.
The AZ GTi can adequately support a Vixen 4” f/6.8 achromatic refractor OTA and I can set this up quickly to locate and observe deep sky objects.

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[moshen]

This is the link:

https://m.aliexpress...Ww1542987641785

This is the way it fits, I had to 3d print those two inserts around the bolts to keep them well aligned (the holes on the plate are barely wide enough and the bolt touched the plate only on one side... I hope I'm clear enough, I could do a sketch, if you want more info) and a cover, under the plate, to protect the bearing and the clutch (in the original clamp has an integrated lip to cover that)
 

 

This is great, it solves one of my biggest complaints with this mount (the marring saddle). Please consider uploading these 3D Printed parts on Thingiverse.com, I'd love to make this modification when I get this mount.

Edited by moshen, 26 November 2018 - 09:54 PM.

[LaCasaCorp]

Here it is: https://www.thingive...m/thing:3241274

 

 

This is great, it solves one of my biggest complaints with this mount (the marring saddle). Please consider uploading these 3D Printed parts on Thingiverse.com, I'd love to make this modification when I get this mount.

Edited by LaCasaCorp, 26 November 2018 - 11:01 PM.

[DCNic]

Sorry to show my ignorance, but where is the the EQ mode on the Synscan Pro application? (I am running it on an iPhone.)

[jirestre]

Sorry to show my ignorance, but where is the the EQ mode on the Synscan Pro application? (I am running it on an iPhone.)

 

When you have the right arm firmware version installed (the one that supports EQ mode) and you connect to your mount, the synscan app will ask you in which mode so you want to connect (altaz or eq), after you choose it will connect and show on the top it is connected in EQ mode. 

Edited by jirestre, 27 November 2018 - 01:45 AM.

[DCNic]

Thanks for your help, all connected!  I hadn't realised that I had to get the update from Skywatch.

[dciobota]

Ahh yes, I need to pay more attention to their firmware updates too.  I noticed they make fairly frequent updates still.

[bjgiii]

What's the maximum weight you have used with the mount? I've read several different combinations from little refractors to a C6. 

[DCNic]

Well at long last, and with the help from members of this forum, I have got my AZ GTi all working with the EQ option and my Android tablet operating correctly again.  The only problem now is that the new Synscan firmware now requires me to have the telescope tube inserted upside down, his means the EZ finder is now located on the bottom of the tube, please give me a break!  (Or have I missed something again?)

[Bagwell]

What's the maximum weight you have used with the mount? I've read several different combinations from little refractors to a C6. 

I know at least one person has consistently run over 12lbs on the mount with success.  I dont think he advises to do so and not everyone will have success with doing so but it was his experience.  The load rating on the AZ-GTi is 11lbs as stated by the manufacturer.  

[Bagwell]

Hey, have any of you seen this?  Kinda neat if you already own an expensive Polemaster polar alignment tool.   I am not sure its as big a benefit to the AZ Gti mount but have seen some mention it would be nice to have a way to polar align the mount manually to make it even more accurate off the bat.  What do yall think, would this help long term for AP?  

 

https://www.cloudyni...ar-adventurer/ 

Edited by Bagwell, 28 November 2018 - 09:09 AM.

[trurl]

Well at long last, and with the help from members of this forum, I have got my AZ GTi all working with the EQ option and my Android tablet operating correctly again.  The only problem now is that the new Synscan firmware now requires me to have the telescope tube inserted upside down, his means the EZ finder is now located on the bottom of the tube, please give me a break!  (Or have I missed something again?)

There really isn't an up or down with equatorial mounts in general, so you probably just need to do a 'meridian flip'.

[Bagwell]

Well at long last, and with the help from members of this forum, I have got my AZ GTi all working with the EQ option and my Android tablet operating correctly again.  The only problem now is that the new Synscan firmware now requires me to have the telescope tube inserted upside down, his means the EZ finder is now located on the bottom of the tube, please give me a break!  (Or have I missed something again?)

Apparently with the update to add EQ mode you also get a switch of mounting side I believe.   

[DCNic]

That might be the case, but I can't find it in the menu.

[Bagwell]

No, I mean it switches mounting position and I dont think they offer the option of both positions to pick from YET.   I may be wrong here, its just what I get from reading this 30 page thread and a couple of other shorter threads.  haha. 

Edited by Bagwell, 28 November 2018 - 12:02 AM.

[DCNic]

Thanks for the feedback, that is how I understand the present state of the firmware.

[Spikey131]

What's the maximum weight you have used with the mount? I've read several different combinations from little refractors to a C6. 

I use it in AZ mode only.

 

It carries an 80mm f/6 refractor (about 8 pounds and short) very well.

 

It will also carry a 100mm refractor (NP101 - 12 pounds and longer), but you are going to have some shakes.  Maybe 2-3 seconds to settle after focusing.  So it is not the ideal mount for the NP101, but it works for a travel setup.  There is another CN regular who does this.

[Hank w]

My complete grab and go setup. I bought the sky scan hand controller ver 5 from orion for at the scope fine adjustments,

the battery pack is a car charger lithium battery From amazon ($59). will last over night.solar and a red dot finder.

mount extension allows easy removal from this cgrm tripod to my vanguard tripod for travel, threaded rod 17mm attaches to mount to use with

counter weight. all balance nice.s together nicely.

Edited by Hank w, 28 November 2018 - 09:37 PM.

[Bagwell]

Nice rig, which scope is that mounted to the AZ GTi?  

[Hank w]

Thanks    The scope is an Astro Tec 80 mm ED Apo.  Great for lunar and Solar Eclipse and wider field nebula. I use it mounted on a mono pod with my camera for great still wildlife shots

Hank

[jeffry7]

Finally got my AZ Gti in today. It must be a law that when the astro equipment you order shows up, it will be overcast.