579 replies to this topic

[khursh]

You guys even doomed my weather (Northern Bay Area)

[WadeH237]

I wanted to get the 14 as well but was talked out of it. Now I regret it quite a bit.

If you ever go with the 14, I've found that with my AP1100, 3x18lb works great.  I use this with my C14 (XLT, not EdgeHD) and the counterweights are just a couple of inches from the top of the shaft.

[durak]

Hey all. I just added myself to the list. I can't wait to get mine in 2022!

[whwang]

The Mach2 we purchased arrived at our country two days ago, and it stayed at the airport over the weekend.  Fedex predicted it will take two days to clear custom for delivery.

 

Any suggestions on what I can do to prepare for its arrival?  I know I need to install a cell phone APP to control the mount, since I did not purchase the hand controller.  Which one it should be?  What else?  I am getting nervous now.

[khursh]

You have to install APCC on a pc before you can use a cell phone app at this time. SkySafari works well.

[whwang]

You have to install APCC on a pc before you can use a cell phone app at this time. SkySafari works well.

 

!!?!  So a computer is needed no matter what?

 

On this page:
https://www.astro-ph...control/control
the top figure shows a direct arrow between a mobile device and GTOCP4.  It doesn't say it should go through a computer.  The text in the mobile device section doesn't mention APCC either.

 

Could you point me to more information about this?

[MJB87]

You have to install APCC on a pc before you can use a cell phone app at this time. SkySafari works well.

Is this true?  I can certainly control my 1100GTO with my cellphone and Sky Safari Pro using a wired connection (SkyWire) to the extra serial port on the GTOCP3.  Works great. I also have a SkiFi device to use for wireless connection but I haven't tested that yet, pending a major reconfiguration of my setup.

 

Also, cannot one control the Mach2 via a computer with the AP ASCOM V2 Driver, which eliminates the need to have APCC installed -- again, if you are not relying upon the WiFi capabilities of the CP5? In this case you would just connect via a serial-USB adapter or an Ethernet connection.

[WadeH237]

!!?!  So a computer is needed no matter what?

This was a surprise to me, since I initialize my own AP mounts (with CP4) using just a phone app over the wifi.  I checked with the Astro-Physics User Group for mounts to get the definitive answer.

 

The difference between the CP4 mounts and the Mach2 is that the CP4 mounts have the ability to unpark from multiple park positions.  With the CP4, this initializes the mount's axis positions.  Since the Mach2 has permanent absolute encoders, it can only be unparked from the last parked position.

 

Any mobile app that can connect to the mount should be able to initialize the mount, as long as it can unpark from "last parked".  This would be a problem with SkySafari, since it only knows how to unpark from Park 4.  Luminos can unpark from multiple positions.  I've not used it in a few months, but if I remember right, I think that it can unpark from "last position", so you would be able to use that without a computer.

 

Also, it's possible that if you declutch the Mach2 and manually put it into Park 4, that Sky Safari might be able to initialize it properly.  I don't have a Mach2 to test with, and Ray wasn't sure about it.  If someone does try it to confirm that it works, it would be good to update the thread.

 

I hope that this helps,

-Wade

[MJB87]

So if I have a Mach2 CP5 and want to use Sky Safari, cannot I just park it in Park 4 at the end of each session? (That is what I do now with my 1100). Then I can initialize it with SkySafari from Park 4, right?

 

(In my case, I use a computer and TSX for all this and the SkySafari app only to nudge the telescope in place of a hand controller.)

[WadeH237]

So if I have a Mach2 CP5 and want to use Sky Safari, cannot I just park it in Park 4 at the end of each session? (That is what I do now with my 1100). Then I can initialize it with SkySafari from Park 4, right?

 

(In my case, I use a computer and TSX for all this and the SkySafari app only to nudge the telescope in place of a hand controller.)

Maybe.  The intent with the Mach2 is that no never really "park" it.  You just shut it off whenever you want, and then start it up by issuing just a simple "unpark" command, without using one of the built-in park positions.  Doing what you describe with Sky Safari, might work. but this is what has not yet been tested by AP.

 

If you click on the link that I provided, it will lead directly to the thread on this topic on the AP user group.  The conversation there has continued a bit.  Astro-Physics has confirmed that they are working with the Sky Safari folks, and expect that the next Sky Safari release will fully support properly parking and unparking all of the Astro-Physics mounts.  Their suggestion was to wait for it - but I know that whwang wants to use the mount now, so I figured that I'd offer what options were available.

 

My personal suggestion is to verify that Luminos can do a plain-old unpark from last position, and if it can, use that.  I would try it myself (the Luminos part, since I don't have a Mach2), but right now my rig is (covered) under some snow that we had recently.

[MJB87]

Thanks. I was really asking just to set the record straight in the thread.  I intend to use TSX to run the mounts and only use SkySafari after it has been unparked and just to nudge it a bit now and then.

 

Just trying to see if there was a simple workaround for others who don't have a computer.

 

Appreciate the info!

[whwang]

Thank you, Wade. That’s very useful. I will study the conversation in the link you provided.

Personally when I image, I always use a computer. So this is not a big deal. On the other hand, sometimes we use our telescopes for public star gazing. There, it will be nice to be able to slew the telescope with a handheld device. I think we can wait for the new version of SkySafari.

[MJB87]

Just learned my Mach2 is "on the shelf and ready to ship" pending final payment, which I just made. Might be a good Christmas.

[SeymoreStars]

All of a sudden BOOM, four tracking numbers appear. I wonder what that could be?

 

[PeteM]

Can all you Mach2 orders hurry up so they can start shipping 1100GTO's please?

[MJB87]

You will be pleased to know that I am also on the 1100GTO list (it would be my second, an AE) -- but since the Mach2 was my first choice I will decline the 1100GTO offer when it arrives.

[PeteM]

It really is great news all around that A-P is still manufacturing during these tough times. Win-Win for everyone on either wait list.

[130FeetDeep]

Looks like the ADATRI is officially now in stock and they must be moving through the ship list. Mine will arrive in a couple days, so the long wait for me may be over. Honestly, looking at the mount every day knowing I can't use it yet has been torture!

[tomb18]

So what is the average wait now from order to deliver?

I think I ordered mine 2 months ago.

Thanks

[lucam]

So what is the average wait now from order to deliver?
I think I ordered mine 2 months ago.
Thanks

It depends greatly if you ordered directly from AP or from a vendor. If a vendor had a mount coming that was not spoken for, you might be in luck. If you have to wait for the next run, you may be at least a year out.


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[rockstarbill]

All of a sudden BOOM, four tracking numbers appear. I wonder what that could be?

I'm jealous. Still waiting to pay the second half and get mine shipped out. Still hoping to get it before January....

[lucam]

I'm jealous. Still waiting to pay the second half and get mine shipped out. Still hoping to get it before January....

I am in the same boat, Bill! 

[PeteM]

Waiting for an A-P (anything) is the worst!(but totally worth it) At least I got part of my order in today: 18lbs counterweight, RAPAS, and the Polemaster adapter. At least it is something to look at.

Edited by PeteM, 16 December 2020 - 02:26 PM.

[deonb]

Sums things about up:

 

[SeymoreStars]

Sums things about up:

 

Rain.jpg

Maybe you should refuse the shipment.