887 replies to this topic

[Tjn58]

Newfie,

 

Very nice..a real inspiration for me as a new owner of the iexos 100 mount.  Would you mind explaining the mounting hardware setup for your rig.  It looks like something that goes from the mount, attaches to your lens and then extends above to attach your guiding scope.  This would help me a lot.  

 

Thanks, Tom

[astroadi]

 

First image taken with iEXOS mount, ASI1600mm-cool and Canon 55-250 mm lens (shot at 135 mm).  Amazon shipped the wrong Samyang 135mm lens to me so I am waiting for my replacement to arrive.  This image consists of 33 5 minutes subs.  I also include a pic of my guide graft and guiding log for those interested.  Image acquired using SGP and Guiding via PHD2.  All connected to mount via ASCOM using wired connection and POTH Hub.  Guide scope was Orion 50mm mini guide scope and ASI224mc camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to guide log: https://www.dropbox....131424.txt?dl=0

 

 

Nice to hear your experience. Your images look great!!

I would like to hear how this mount performs unguided with a small APO. 

Seems like you have a small scope too....can you test the unguided performance of this mount and report us back? 

 

Thanks!

[Newfie Stargazer]

Newfie,

 

Very nice..a real inspiration for me as a new owner of the iexos 100 mount.  Would you mind explaining the mounting hardware setup for your rig.  It looks like something that goes from the mount, attaches to your lens and then extends above to attach your guiding scope.  This would help me a lot.  

 

Thanks, Tom

Tom,

 

Thank you for the complement.

 

When I was purchasing the Samyand 135mm, I realized that the ZWO Camera ring might not quite be up to the task of adequately support the camera, filter wheel, and lens.  So, I did a quick Google search and came across this product:

 

http://www.astrokrak...m-f-2-c30078976

 

 

 

That is what you are seeing in the pic.  Build quality is super nice, solid, and light weight.  I also ordered the optional "micro focuser" ring which allows for fine tuning of focus on the lens.  Shipping was super fast to Newfoundland, which was a nice surprise.

 

Jim

Edited by Newfie Stargazer, 24 February 2019 - 08:21 AM.

[Newfie Stargazer]

Nice to hear your experience. Your images look great!!

I would like to hear how this mount performs unguided with a small APO. 

Seems like you have a small scope too....can you test the unguided performance of this mount and report us back? 

 

Thanks!

astroadi,

 

Thank you for your complements.  Next opportunity I get I will do some unguided images to give you some comparison.  I am limited to using the Samyang lens at this point as my AT60ED with guide scope is too heavy (I need an additional counter weight to balance in RA).  It balances just fine with my ZWO OAG but that is currently being use on my ES127ED.  I did make a request to Explore Scientific requesting that they send me a CF version for their ED80 to see how this mount would handle it.  I would love the opportunity to try this out for them  .  I suspect that the mount would handle it just fine, but that has yet to be tested/confirmed.

 

Jim

Edited by Newfie Stargazer, 24 February 2019 - 08:20 AM.

[Jerry Hubbell]

Nice to hear your experience. Your images look great!!

I would like to hear how this mount performs unguided with a small APO. 

Seems like you have a small scope too....can you test the unguided performance of this mount and report us back? 

 

Thanks!

I updated this post. I added the PECPrep Periodicity Chart for the Unguided PE

 

Hi Astroadi,

 

Since we are talking about a $400 mount system, I am not sure what you would expect in terms of unguided tracking. You must realize that mounts that cost up to 5 times what this mount costs have pretty poor unguided performance in the range of 30 to 60 arc-seconds Pk-Pk. The main issue when trying to guide these mounts is not the magnitude of the PE it is how smooth the PE is and the amount of residual non-periodic error that the mount has. One of our iEXOS 100 testers, Michael Fulbright sent me his guide log with examples of his long term guiding performance of from 1.3 to 1.6  arc-seconds RMS 

 

Here is a PHDLogView chart showing the unguided PE of the iEXOS 100. This mount has a worm period of 10  minutes (600 sec). This chart shows how smooth the PE is because of the belt drive system which is easily guided out. The chart shows that the measured Pk-Pk PE is about 100 arc-seconds over this 21 minute period. This is just one random production mount that we sent to Michael to test for us, the mount you get might be different in terms of Pk-Pk performance. I have attached the chart of the guided performance of this mount which shows the PE as 1.26 arc-sec RMS.

 

 

 

 

 

 Here is a periodicity chart showing the source periods for the Unguided PE

 

Edited by Jerry Hubbell, 24 February 2019 - 06:41 PM.

[Newfie Stargazer]

Another guide log from last night; image to follow.  Was cold last night (-15 Celsius) and mount tracked great:

 

https://www.dropbox....202131.txt?dl=0

[Jerry Hubbell]

Another guide log from last night; image to follow.  Was cold last night (-15 Celsius) and mount tracked great:

 

https://www.dropbox....202131.txt?dl=0

It's pretty awesome that you went over 6 hours guiding in one session. 

[Newfie Stargazer]

And here is the image; I know it's the Heart and Soul again but this time it was captured with the Samyang 135mm lens and ASI183MM Pro camera, resulting in a smaller field of view and pixel scale.  This image is an integration of 107 3min subs.

 

 

See full res image here:

 

 

Jim

Edited by Newfie Stargazer, 25 February 2019 - 05:39 PM.

[boxerdaddy]

Jerry - First off, thank you for all the info in here.  It's great to have such a valuable and responsive resource.  

 

I plan on ordering one of these today, but I did have a question as to whether there were any plans to streamline the EXOS 2 like the way the iExos incorporated the electronics?  Much cleaner and simpler look imho than hanging it from a velcro strap in the EXOS 2. with the wires running everywhere.

[Jerry Hubbell]

Jerry - First off, thank you for all the info in here.  It's great to have such a valuable and responsive resource.  

 

I plan on ordering one of these today, but I did have a question as to whether there were any plans to streamline the EXOS 2 like the way the iExos incorporated the electronics?  Much cleaner and simpler look imho than hanging it from a velcro strap in the EXOS 2. with the wires running everywhere.

I can't officially announce anything, but suffice it to say we have a plan to continually improve our equipment and we typically show prototypes of any new equipment we plan on releasing soon at the various star parties and at the NEAF show in Suffern, NY. So stay tuned.

[boxerdaddy]

Jerry - I just placed my order but had one more question, is there a standard charger that will work?  I have a portable power supply and a power cord for a Meade LXD-75.  Would that work?  Is there a link to one for sale on the ES site if not?  I didn't see it.  Thanks again!

Edited by boxerdaddy, 26 February 2019 - 05:17 PM.

[BinoGuy]

BoxerDaddy - I remembered it was mentioned two months ago in this thread:

 

Hi Patrick,

The 12 Vdc jack is the 5.5mm x 2.1mm one:
https://www.digikey....ords=CP-037A-ND

The center pin is + (positive) and the barrel is -  (negative, common).

 

 

//EDIT  I had to search on the part number to get it to work.

Edited by BinoGuy, 26 February 2019 - 05:57 PM.

[boxerdaddy]

BoxerDaddy - I remembered it was mentioned two months ago in this thread:

 

Hi Patrick,

The 12 Vdc jack is the 5.5mm x 2.1mm one:
https://www.digikey....ords=CP-037A-ND

The center pin is + (positive) and the barrel is -  (negative, common).

 

 

//EDIT  I had to search on the part number to get it to work.

Thanks, I had found that one previously but i'm looking for something already made?  Is this for making your own? It just looks like a connector but no power supply?  <noobalert>  thanks for the help!

[Jerry Hubbell]

Thanks, I had found that one previously but i'm looking for something already made?  Is this for making your own? It just looks like a connector but no power supply?  <noobalert>  thanks for the help!

The connector that Patrick linked to is the standard one that Meade and Celestron and probably other mount manufacturers use. Just verify that the connector that is on your power supply from the LXD75 is the same (It probably is) and you can use that.

 

Here is an example that provides a lot of power. The mount only needs about 1 amp when slewing and half that when tracking.

 https://www.amazon.c...r/dp/B017WMW3C6

Edited by Jerry Hubbell, 26 February 2019 - 06:23 PM.

[Tjn58]

When I contacted Explore Scientific a few weeks ago, I inquired about an AC power supply for the iEXOS 100.  I was sold one that I believe is also used on the EXOS2 mount.  Part number is EX02GTAC.  I believe the price was $29 delivered.

 

Tom

[TxStars]

I see that there is a G-11 upgrade kit.

Are there any other options to purchase the PMC-Eight separate from a mount?

[spacemaster99]

Thanks, I had found that one previously but i'm looking for something already made?  Is this for making your own? It just looks like a connector but no power supply?  <noobalert>  thanks for the help!

I had an old power supply for a NAS drive laying around that works fine. I verified the voltage, amperage (12V, 2A) and polarity before I plugged it in but it works great. Its a very commonly used power supply.

 

Lloyd

[Jerry Hubbell]

I see that there is a G-11 upgrade kit.

Are there any other options to purchase the PMC-Eight separate from a mount?

We have discussed creating a separate upgrade kit for other mount systems, although we have not made a decision on that. I will discuss the possibility of offering just the PMC-Eight control system as delivered on the G11 and EXOS 2 as a standalone option and report back on this.

[James Ball]

Just ordered mine today

 

Curious about something though on the total weight of equipment.

 

"I am concerned about weight.  Can you clarify if mount capacity includes the balance weights?  My Z73 with 50mm finder and Rigel QF, no dovetail, no diagonal, no guide camera or imaging camera (both small) comes in at 8.2lbs.  I figure I'll want about that much to balance, which puts me near the upper limit of AP.  I don't plan on extending the legs (still spry enough to hunker down long enough for a rough PA before plate solving with PHDii).

Yes, the weight capacity of the iEXOS 100 is 19 lbs. for visual use, and 15 lbs. for astrophotography and includes the counterweights which total 4.4 lbs (2 kg). So the suggested limit for astrophotography is about 11 lbs.  If you do a couple of things with the tripod such as use the mount with the tripod legs all the way in, and place some weight on the tripod eyepiece tray, you can probably eek out a couple of more pounds of equipment."

 

Would lunar and planetary photography be the same as astrophotography limit as far as weight goes, or would it be closer to the visual weight since planetary is more forgiving with guiding errors?

[Jerry Hubbell]

The issue with the mount being loaded up to the max is not guiding or tracking accurately, it is vibration and dampening. Using a video camera to take high speed, millisecond exposure video for lunar and planetary somewhat mitigates that, but it is important to shield your system from any wind if you decide to load it up.

[James Ball]

The issue with the mount being loaded up to the max is not guiding or tracking accurately, it is vibration and dampening. Using a video camera to take high speed, millisecond exposure video for lunar and planetary somewhat mitigates that, but it is important to shield your system from any wind if you decide to load it up.

Thanks Jerry, that makes sense.  I will keep that in mind as I choose a scope to compliment the mount.

[Newfie Stargazer]

A couple more images from last night:

 

 

[wbrogdo1]

I have read all the threads in this subject but haven’t read anything matching an issue I’m having. Took mount out this evening. Without doing an alignment I told it to slew to Mars. It got close and I centered it up and pressed the sync button. After a couple of minutes of tracking I wanted to slew to another object. No response from any selections. Only way to get response was to shut down app and restart. Then I had it slew to m42. Same scenario, after couple minutes app controls unresponsive again. This was out in the boonies with no other WiFi interference. Any ideas on what is happening?
Thanks


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[Starman27]

Hi I'm a new user.  Looking for some software assistance. Have installed software on Android tablet and a Win10 tablet computer. After several tries I get poor results on both. Tablet a SQL error on finding database. The Database is located on the SD card. I had a Downloader put on the card, but it is not recognized. The Windows machine following all instructions. Returns a PLEASE WAIT when starting the program. I thought that it was just taking time to process the databases since this is a kulgey wait to write a program, but 24 hours later PLEASE WAIT, several restarts (of computer) no effect, reload software PLEASE WAIT. So I must be doing something wrong with both implementations. I just don’t know what. It must be something simple. All clues accepted. I have tried you user group and tried to directly message the group and every time received a message " Delivery to the following recipients failed permanently:

   * mounts@espmc-eight.groups.io

Reason: Permanent Error"

 

Thanks,

 

Herman

[boxerdaddy]

So I'm not sure if we had the same issue or not but the file that I downloaded did not have the SQL file and would not work. The one from the explorestars site had 3 text files instead. If you can find the io message board that should lead you to where you can download the file that has everything you need. Sorry I'm away from my computer now or I'd help more.