15 replies to this topic

[Daniel Dance]

I'm really stumped over this.

How do you purchase Eclipse Orchestrator Pro? 

 

I've tried using the in-application purchase system, but i keep getting "Installation Engine failed" errors.

 

And then looking up the version update notes it appears this option is no longer available anyways.  There isn't even an option to contact any one for tech support.

 

 

"The eSellerate licensing system is being closed by Digital River on June 30th, 2019, therefore the in-app purchasing option has been removed as no new purchases of EO may be made after that date."

 

Should I just go with Solar Eclipse Maestro??

 

 

[starrycanuck]

Yeah that in-app purchase function is broken. You can purchase the licence key via this link. https://shop.icstars...pro-emailed-key

[Daniel Dance]

Yeah that in-app purchase function is broken. You can purchase the licence key via this link. https://shop.icstars...pro-emailed-key

YOU SIR!    Are a lifesaver!

 

Thank you!!!!!

[CreatorsHand]

I'm really stumped over this.

How do you purchase Eclipse Orchestrator Pro? 

 

I've tried using the in-application purchase system, but i keep getting "Installation Engine failed" errors.

 

And then looking up the version update notes it appears this option is no longer available anyways.  There isn't even an option to contact any one for tech support.

 

 

"The eSellerate licensing system is being closed by Digital River on June 30th, 2019, therefore the in-app purchasing option has been removed as no new purchases of EO may be made after that date."

 

Should I just go with Solar Eclipse Maestro??

For those who might wish to have a hard copy, you can also purchase Eclipse Orchestrator Pro from B&H Photo Video, and they will mail you a box with an installation CD, an installation USB drive, a User Manual and a License Key. All you really need from that though, is the License Key, as you can download the free version and plug in the License Key to activate the Pro features. I chose to buy one from B&H, as they let me use PayPal, which I consider safer than giving my credit card number out.

 

Paul

[fco.pena]

Yeah that in-app purchase function is broken. You can purchase the licence key via this link. https://shop.icstars...pro-emailed-key

 I've been trying complete the purchase but its impossible! always declined!, apple pay, credit card and nothing works. Does anyone have completed the purchase with a non US credit card?? (I'm from Mexico).

Edited by fco.pena, 13 February 2024 - 02:56 PM.

[mdredmond]

I've got a bad feeling about EO.  I've been playing with the free version and my Nikon D750.  At one point it lost the camera connection and wouldn't recognize it even after several attempts at unplugging, plugging back in, rebooting, etc.  I have no idea what made it come back.  I talked to Murphy (the luck legislator) and he told me this would for sure happen 15 seconds before totality.

 

The complete lack of support from EO is unreasonable.  I understand with freeware like Xavier's but not for paid software.

 

I think I'm going to swipe a spare MacBook from the office, save myself $120 and use Eclipse Maestro.

[KevinMerchant]

I've got a bad feeling about EO.  I've been playing with the free version and my Nikon D750.  At one point it lost the camera connection and wouldn't recognize it even after several attempts at unplugging, plugging back in, rebooting, etc.  I have no idea what made it come back.  I talked to Murphy (the luck legislator) and he told me this would for sure happen 15 seconds before totality.

 

The complete lack of support from EO is unreasonable.  I understand with freeware like Xavier's but not for paid software.

 

I think I'm going to swipe a spare MacBook from the office, save myself $120 and use Eclipse Maestro.

Which free version are you testing with? v3.8 is what is presented on the top page. I would suggest trying the beta version  (v3.9.1) if you have not tried it. That is what I have been using, Pro version. Of course, I am using Canon, so results may vary. But still, try the beta as it is a more recent build. There is no cost to doing that.

[Daniel Dance]

I've got a bad feeling about EO.  I've been playing with the free version and my Nikon D750.  At one point it lost the camera connection and wouldn't recognize it even after several attempts at unplugging, plugging back in, rebooting, etc.  I have no idea what made it come back.  I talked to Murphy (the luck legislator) and he told me this would for sure happen 15 seconds before totality.

 

The complete lack of support from EO is unreasonable.  I understand with freeware like Xavier's but not for paid software.

 

I think I'm going to swipe a spare MacBook from the office, save myself $120 and use Eclipse Maestro.

Well, you didn't pay for it, did you?  So it is the free version.

If you read the notes,  you'll see the program is no longer actively supported - there are no more updates and no more support.  The last update was from 5 years ago in 2019.

That said, myself as well as everyone else in my club, using both Nikons and Canons, are using it successfully.  As long as you stick with a supported camera on the list, you shouldn't have an issue.

 

As always, TEST TEST TEST

[KevinMerchant]

Just a slight clarification -

• v3.8 was the June 16th build from 2019
• v3.9.1 is a build from April 18th, 2023 (listed here as beta - http://www.moonglowt...ator/Sell.shtml and also free).

The web site pages are confusing because not all of them have been updated to the same info. The supported cameras listed on the web site and the User Manual are out-of-date. I wouldn't expect that to change. This is why I suggest trying the beta 3.9.1 to see if it works differently/better for your camera.

In a Zoom presentation to the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, Fred explained that the money charged for the Pro version is used to allow him to rent various cameras for testing/development. He's not getting rich here. I am grateful that he has continued to support Eclipse Orchestrator 20 years after the initial development. It is a development team of one person.

 

Also, he said in the meeting that he expects to put up another build before April 8th. The web site was updated to indicate it would be some time in February. So far, nothing, so keep watching.

Edited by KevinMerchant, 27 February 2024 - 04:03 PM.

[bigbenbrown55]

I have the PRO version, 3.9.1, but have been unable to register it and get the PRO features activated. The program continues to say the name or serial # is incorrect, but it's not and I've typed it in and copied/pasted. Anyone else run in to this issue?

[chakel]

Leave the name field blank. 

[Anhydrite]

I've got a bad feeling about EO.  I've been playing with the free version and my Nikon D750.  At one point it lost the camera connection and wouldn't recognize it even after several attempts at unplugging, plugging back in, rebooting, etc.  I have no idea what made it come back.  I talked to Murphy (the luck legislator) and he told me this would for sure happen 15 seconds before totality.

 

The complete lack of support from EO is unreasonable.  I understand with freeware like Xavier's but not for paid software.

 

I think I'm going to swipe a spare MacBook from the office, save myself $120 and use Eclipse Maestro.

2 things to try.  

 

A) Ensure the camera settings are correct.  Turn off power saving/auto sleep in the DSLR.  If it goes to standby it will disconnect.

 

B) Use a higher quality USB cord.  The connection is susceptible to Electro Magnetic Interference.  To mitigate this there are several options.

1, Use a shielded cable

2, Use a cable with a ferrite bead

3, Run your current cable no where near the Laptop/Pc power cable or power brick.

 

I have found that my camera will not be recognized if the USB cable is running along my power cable.  Once seperated it works just fine.

 

Best of luck.

[pmlogg]

I didn't have any problem upgrading to the Pro version but I had to just hope, based on the free one, that it would work with my Canon 90D.  I did email about the 90D support before upgrading but got no reply.

 

So far I think it is OK but we have had so little sun I have not been able to "test test test" fully yet.  Today I've emailed about the February update.  I've not tried the Beta - always a bit wary of those.

[KevinMerchant]

I didn't have any problem upgrading to the Pro version but I had to just hope, based on the free one, that it would work with my Canon 90D.  I did email about the 90D support before upgrading but got no reply.

 

So far I think it is OK but we have had so little sun I have not been able to "test test test" fully yet.  Today I've emailed about the February update.  I've not tried the Beta - always a bit wary of those.

One thing the beta gives you is the delta T update. The previous build that it sounds like you are using is from 2019. See the conversation about that in another thread.

 

It is referred to as beta in one location of the web site but is shown as released on another page. I have been using the beta (v3.9.1, build April 18, 2023) since early January with no issues - Windows 10 and Windows 11. 

Edited by KevinMerchant, 15 March 2024 - 05:36 PM.

[ComeAlongBort]

It really stinks that EO is the best option we have for Windows. It's effectively abandonware at this point. Would really rather not have to pay $100 for unsupported software. 

I sympathize with the developer (because I am one), who is a single individual, as it's a ton of work to make something like this work, but if he's not going to keep it up to date anymore I wish he's just open source it and let the community maintain it and just unlock all the pro features. 

I have a macbook, but it's too new to use with Eclipse Maestro so I'm going to be stuck paying the money and hoping it works.

Edited by ComeAlongBort, 16 March 2024 - 01:51 PM.

[Daniel Dance]

It really stinks that EO is the best option we have for Windows. It's effectively abandonware at this point. Would really rather not have to pay $100 for unsupported software.

I sympathize with the developer (because I am one), who is a single individual, as it's a ton of work to make something like this work, but if he's not going to keep it up to date anymore I wish he's just open source it and let the community maintain it and just unlock all the pro features.

I have a macbook, but it's too new to use with Eclipse Maestro so I'm going to be stuck paying the money and hoping it works.

Spoken like a true millenial. Bravo!

If you dont like it, you dont have to buy it. Its that simple. If youre a developer and can do better, go for it. Spend the hundreds of hours to write, develop, and test the code. And then after all your hard work, open source it.

Truth is, it is a good and proven program. I know hundreds of people that have all used it successfully in 2017.

So to quote Arnold Schwartzenegger in Kindergarten Cop, “Stop whining!”