6 replies to this topic

[Astral Ace]

Hi I was planning on buying a non-goto mount and well I was wondering whether the NINA manual TPPA works well for a non-goto mount like the swsa2i or the sgp pro. If anyone has hands on experience with manual TPPA using NINA please let me know, it would be really helpful. Yes, I wouldn't have a clear view of polaris and I'm in the northern hemisphere and I don't mind carrying a laptop with me either.

[scanner97]

Welcome to CN.

 

In theory it should, but I haven't seen any specifics on manual mode.  In the regular mode, I want to say it keeps taking images except when it's moving the scope to a new position.  Once it's solved 3 locations, it will keep taking images until you stop the PA.  So it continues to shoot and update the error as you adjust the mount.  Not sure how manual mode differs from any of this.  I'd offer to try it except we have nothing but clouds and rain here through the weekend.

 

If you don't get another response here in the next few hours, try posting in Beginning Deep Sky Imaging.

[Astral Ace]

Welcome to CN.

 

In theory it should, but I haven't seen any specifics on manual mode.  In the regular mode, I want to say it keeps taking images except when it's moving the scope to a new position.  Once it's solved 3 locations, it will keep taking images until you stop the PA.  So it continues to shoot and update the error as you adjust the mount.  Not sure how manual mode differs from any of this.  I'd offer to try it except we have nothing but clouds and rain here through the weekend.

 

If you don't get another response here in the next few hours, try posting in Beginning Deep Sky Imaging.

Yeah that's the problem I just can't find anything on the manual TPPA except words from a very very few people. Yeah the sequence makes sense but the question is what it'll do if it can't control the mount because I'm pretty sure the software won't be able to predict how much we rotated the mount. 

Ah I really wish someone could try it man, do let me know if you have any luck, it would be really helpful.
Alright I'll make sure to do that.

Thanks a lot man.

[maurycy]

I've had to use the manual mode while having some issues connecting the mount the my computer. All TPPA needs is a mount that's able to move along RA and track reasonably well.

[Astral Ace]

I've had to use the manual mode while having some issues connecting the mount the my computer. All TPPA needs is a mount that's able to move along RA and track reasonably well.

So we don't need to like rotate it exactly in some specific degrees for it to work??

[scanner97]

So we don't need to like rotate it exactly in some specific degrees for it to work??

No, because it's going to plate solve to know exactly where it's pointing.  So you need something like ASTAP installed in Nina.  I believe you will need to rotate it at least 10 degrees each time, and you shouldn't try to plate solve close to the pole.  (In fact, it doesn't even need to see the pole.)   You should be fine if it can solve for three different locations.

 

If you want to guide, even if just in RA, phd2 will want a guide calibration after your PA. 

Edited by scanner97, 07 May 2025 - 07:26 AM.

[Astral Ace]

No, because it's going to plate solve to know exactly where it's pointing.  So you need something like ASTAP installed in Nina.  I believe you will need to rotate it at least 10 degrees each time, and you shouldn't try to plate solve close to the pole.  (In fact, it doesn't even need to see the pole.)   You should be fine if it can solve for three different locations.

 

If you want to guide, even if just in RA, phd2 will want a guide calibration after your PA. 

Okat that's good to know and yes I've already setup ASTAP on NINA, will be using that for plate solving.