67 replies to this topic

[Tsb1948]

Questions only

No pictures unless it answers a question

 

My question:

 

Using an ONN android ver 10 tablet that works fine except one thing.  It won't show the preview image.

If I use my phone ( android 9 ), I get the preview but no download.

Got to be a setting on the table but I can't seem to fix it.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Tsb1948]

Like all computer problems, reload the software.  Solved the preview problem on the tablet.

So all is good.

[Psion]

My Dwarf 3 does this exactly the same on the iPad. I select download image and then the preview appears.

[Tsb1948]

Well it's not fixed. Must be an interface problem with the cheap tablet. Maybe the next update will help. Everything else is perfect. If I want to preview, I just log in on my outdated phone. Go figure.

[Glenilacqua]

I'm still waiting on my pre-ordered Dwarf 3. I'm trying to decide what kind of tripod to put it on. I have a very cheap photo tripod but it seems pretty wobbly. Does anyone have a recommendation? I do expect to use the EQ mode. 

 

Thanks!

 

Glen 

[Tsb1948]

Is their any official or unofficial list of tablets that work with the Dwarf 3.  DJI has an extensive list for use with their drones.

[GSBass]

If you want a small one this is excellent, I did put a videohead on it though to make polar alignment easier https://www.amazon.c...le?ie=UTF8&th=1

I'm still waiting on my pre-ordered Dwarf 3. I'm trying to decide what kind of tripod to put it on. I have a very cheap photo tripod but it seems pretty wobbly. Does anyone have a recommendation? I do expect to use the EQ mode. 

 

Thanks!

 

Glen 

[Glenilacqua]

If you want a small one this is excellent, I did put a videohead on it though to make polar alignment easier https://www.amazon.c...le?ie=UTF8&th=1

That looks great. Do you put it on a small table? 

[GSBass]

I just set it up in my driveway, it’s been great, when not in use it just sits on the table next to my recliner

That looks great. Do you put it on a small table? 

 

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[Glenilacqua]

I have to take mine to different places because we have too many trees at my primary residence. We have a summer place by a lake that has uneven ground so I think I need something with telescoping legs to level it. But that looks very nice and like it would be rock solid. The tilting video head looks awesome! 

[GSBass]

I understand, the tripod has a ball head so leveling is not an issue, I just like it because it truly makes it a grab and go, it’s a very fast set up if you don’t polar align… and since I primarily use it for eaa I often just do alt/az

I have to take mine to different places because we have too many trees at my primary residence. We have a summer place by a lake that has uneven ground so I think I need something with telescoping legs to level it. But that looks very nice and like it would be rock solid. The tilting video head looks awesome! 

[gtrin]

Does the 120s exposures will increase resolution of the images?

[GSBass]

No, just would capture more photons per shot and theoretically would require less subs to get same snr in post, however what I am seeing so far I don’t believe tracking is sufficient for 120…. Or even 60 in most cases… we will see if that can be improved over time, currently 30 is the max I can use reliably

Does the 120s exposures will increase resolution of the images?

[Tsb1948]

Can you track in wide field astro? Will the images stack like telephoto?

[GSBass]

Yes, it currently does not dither wide side but you can take darks and stack just like tele side , I was told the wide angle side is still being developed, it just down on the list of things to do/imorove

Can you track in wide field astro? Will the images stack like telephoto?

Edited by GSBass, 09 January 2025 - 04:41 PM.

[Ziltoid T. Omniscient]

I'm an astro-novice and considering the D3 as an entry point.  I love the stars + my partner is a photographer = fun for both of us!  I had access to a Newton a few years back, but polar alignment issues prevented me from using it correctly and dampened my enthusiasm.  Currently, we live in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia) and the south celestial pole is completely obstructed by our house.  On to my D3 question.  Am I understanding these two details correctly ...

 

First, we can use the D3 without polar alignment, as long as we keep the exposure times short (<15s).  If we go too long, we'll get star trails, but that is the only real negative of no polar alignment. 

 

Second, if I wish to polar align, without being able to actually see the SCP, I would:

1. Point the D3 south using a good compass
2. Adjust 15° East for our local magnetic declination
3. Tilt the D3 upwards 43° using a inclination meter to account for our 43°S location
4. From here onwards, the D3 + app will find the target objects and track them as photos are taken/stacked 

I understand this method may not be perfect, but perfect is the enemy of good enough!  We can do perfect when we go camping in dark skies ...

[GSBass]

Yes, I use my d3 in alt/az frequently, really just depends on the target and whether it’s going to be acceptable to crop out the field rotation, as far as image quality and tracking there is virtually no difference… as far as polar, really you just need to ensure your inclination is set pretty close when you start, the polar align program in d3 will guide you left or right til your spot on. For inclination I would use Polaris initially and then make marks on your video head etc so you can use that for subsequent set ups to keep things simple.

I'm an astro-novice and considering the D3 as an entry point.  I love the stars + my partner is a photographer = fun for both of us!  I had access to a Newton a few years back, but polar alignment issues prevented me from using it correctly and dampened my enthusiasm.  Currently, we live in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia) and the south celestial pole is completely obstructed by our house.  On to my D3 question.  Am I understanding these two details correctly ...

 

First, we can use the D3 without polar alignment, as long as we keep the exposure times short (<15s).  If we go too long, we'll get star trails, but that is the only real negative of no polar alignment. 

 

Second, if I wish to polar align, without being able to actually see the SCP, I would:

1. Point the D3 south using a good compass
2. Adjust 15° East for our local magnetic declination
3. Tilt the D3 upwards 43° using a inclination meter to account for our 43°S location
4. From here onwards, the D3 + app will find the target objects and track them as photos are taken/stacked 

I understand this method may not be perfect, but perfect is the enemy of good enough!  We can do perfect when we go camping in dark skies ...

Edited by GSBass, 16 January 2025 - 08:54 AM.

[Ziltoid T. Omniscient]

Does internal polar align work well in the southern hemisphere? I'm in Tasmania, next stop is Antarctica!

[Infiniumguy]

I’m interested in using the Dwarf 3 to photograph a total solar eclipse. Very likely I’ll be in a location where the sun will be very high overhead. Alt around 80 degrees at the time of the eclipse. My assumption is Alt-Az mode will struggle tracking at the altitude angle. The alternative that I’ve used in the past was doing an approx. polar align using a compass and choosing the correct angle for that latitude. It’s worked pretty well for daytime tracking of the sun. Will that technique work for the D3? If I cannot go through the normal EQ alignment program which expects to see Polaris and plate solve. How will the D3 track? Will the D3 track the sun? Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated for photographing a total solar eclipse with the D3. I’m trying to solve a problem before it’s a problem. Clear Skies.

[Infiniumguy]

I found this on the Dwarf Labs website. Maybe it will track the sun in Alt-Az mode? 

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[GSBass]

So yeah… for solar and lunar dwarf labs recommends alt/az, if your level then the scope has no trouble maintaining the target  centered, if you do see drift then it’s likely your not level

[Glenilacqua]

My Dwarf 3 is out for delivery! So I should have it today. Of course, it was 3 degrees F this morning when I started my car this morning to go to work. Brrrrr. But it got me wondering about the Seestar thread where they are talking about low temperature limits with Lithium Ion batteries. Does anyone know whether the Dwarf 3 has any of the same restrictions? 

 

Many of the folks commenting in the other thread spoke with great confidence about the limitations of lithium batteries in cold weather. I know very little about the technology. But I do have several winter-only devices: an electric shovel, and a small snow blower, both with rechargeable lithium batteries. They are designed to work in very cold conditions exclusively. And they have worked well for several winter seasons outside of Boston. What's the difference here? 

[Tsb1948]

Observed for four hours last night at 9f.  Plugged in USB power. No problems.

[Peter Besenbruch]

Many of the folks commenting in the other thread spoke with great confidence about the limitations of lithium batteries in cold weather. I know very little about the technology. But I do have several winter-only devices: an electric shovel, and a small snow blower, both with rechargeable lithium batteries. They are designed to work in very cold conditions exclusively. And they have worked well for several winter seasons outside of Boston. What's the difference here? 

Can't say about your snow blower, but the Dwarf has the same issue as the Seestar, or your computer, or any other electronic device with a lithium ion battery. Abuse the battery, and the life will be shortened. There is a big discussion on the Seestar threads because one person acts like a troll at times.

[GSBass]

I think the main issue is the makers are using too low capacity, both d3 and v2 almost require external batteries while V1 and vpro can make through a session easily regardless of how cold it is….. I can almost understand d3 because physical size may be an issue but there was no excuse for v2

Can't say about your snow blower, but the Dwarf has the same issue as the Seestar, or your computer, or any other electronic device with a lithium ion battery. Abuse the battery, and the life will be shortened. There is a big discussion on the Seestar threads because one person acts like a troll at times.

Edited by GSBass, 21 January 2025 - 04:04 PM.