AVX Update
Mar 25, 2016 11:08:31 #
I set the AVX up last week to image M51. Fortunately I set up in the late afternoon. I turned the mount on to make sure all was well. All was not well. I got a "Bootloader Error" ....and recycling the mount did not help! So I called Celestron and after mucho attempts to update the firmware, which knew was not going to help, they said to mail the HC in. So the AVX is now down and out.....I got a email from Celestron with tracking info for the new HC...be here next Thursday.
I decided to set up the Atlas Pro ...what a chore.....but EQMOD and Astrotortilla make it all worth it. Tis a shame they haven't made drivers for the AVX.
Hope everyone has a great EASTER weekend! GOD is so good to us!
I hope everyone has a great EASTER weekend! GOD is so good to us!
Astrotortilla makes alignment a one step process and from that point on.....your targets are dead center. One would think Orion, Celestron, Losmandy, would have software that could do that. That would eliminate all alignment routines and no one would ever have to wonder if they were on the right alignment star (personally I don't know the heavens well enough - with the exception of the easiest to identify stars)
I wish I had the money to build a 50 foot tower with an observatory on top......I could keep my trees and escape to the stars at the same time. I wonder how much concrete and how many 4x4's I would need. Oh yea, then there is the "homeowners covenant" about adding structures that are visible from the street. Hum......problem solved, a retractable 50 foot tower might just do the trick!
Dream on.....for now, I would settle for a cloudless night and a new AVX hand controller.
I decided to set up the Atlas Pro ...what a chore.....but EQMOD and Astrotortilla make it all worth it. Tis a shame they haven't made drivers for the AVX.
Hope everyone has a great EASTER weekend! GOD is so good to us!
I hope everyone has a great EASTER weekend! GOD is so good to us!
Astrotortilla makes alignment a one step process and from that point on.....your targets are dead center. One would think Orion, Celestron, Losmandy, would have software that could do that. That would eliminate all alignment routines and no one would ever have to wonder if they were on the right alignment star (personally I don't know the heavens well enough - with the exception of the easiest to identify stars)
I wish I had the money to build a 50 foot tower with an observatory on top......I could keep my trees and escape to the stars at the same time. I wonder how much concrete and how many 4x4's I would need. Oh yea, then there is the "homeowners covenant" about adding structures that are visible from the street. Hum......problem solved, a retractable 50 foot tower might just do the trick!
Dream on.....for now, I would settle for a cloudless night and a new AVX hand controller.
Mar 25, 2016 11:49:22 #
nikonshooter wrote:
I set the AVX up last week to image M51. Fortunat... (show quote)
I would like one of those too! I amazed at how my view changes when I am on my roof, but I just don't think I am about to drag the mount and scope up to the roof of a 2 story bldg and then operate up there in the dark. Plus, I think the neighbors would be calling in to have me taken away by the men in white coats!
Mar 25, 2016 13:46:03 #
Ha! All I worry about is falling in our chilly pool...
While I do have a lot of various obstructions, I still have enough open sky to keep me enthusiastically engaged.
Sorry to hear of your hand control problems, Ed. I guess the 2 year warranty is to try and get it all right before cutting us adrift. :?
Since using my 56 pound, hand truck mounted, AGM battery, I've been running as close to perfect as I can imagine. I'm as convinced as I can be that the pure DC of a battery is what the Chinese circuit board components require.
Once in a while I get some screwy aims during my alignment, but manage.
Immediately after I finish my 2+4 alignment, I run a Polar Alignment until I get all zero's. (Took two runs once)
After that my targeted object is usually in sight for fine adjustment. (IF it can be seen.... my nebulae are usually invisible to the human eye.)
Sigh....
The bright side is that the NexStar hand control ($420) is easier to ship than the entire mount. :hunf:
I just got my SkyPortal WiFi Adapter back the other day....
Warranty replacement.
What you need is a permanent Astronomy Shed where your mounts can live set up. Slide the roof open and go to work. :twisted:
Got any attic space that could have the roof modified? :twisted:
While I do have a lot of various obstructions, I still have enough open sky to keep me enthusiastically engaged.
Sorry to hear of your hand control problems, Ed. I guess the 2 year warranty is to try and get it all right before cutting us adrift. :?
Since using my 56 pound, hand truck mounted, AGM battery, I've been running as close to perfect as I can imagine. I'm as convinced as I can be that the pure DC of a battery is what the Chinese circuit board components require.
Once in a while I get some screwy aims during my alignment, but manage.
Immediately after I finish my 2+4 alignment, I run a Polar Alignment until I get all zero's. (Took two runs once)
After that my targeted object is usually in sight for fine adjustment. (IF it can be seen.... my nebulae are usually invisible to the human eye.)
Sigh....
The bright side is that the NexStar hand control ($420) is easier to ship than the entire mount. :hunf:
I just got my SkyPortal WiFi Adapter back the other day....
Warranty replacement.
What you need is a permanent Astronomy Shed where your mounts can live set up. Slide the roof open and go to work. :twisted:
Got any attic space that could have the roof modified? :twisted:
Mar 25, 2016 19:03:13 #
Are you freakin kidding me?
You are not having very good luck with your mount.
I hope this is the last piece to go south on you.
You are not having very good luck with your mount.
I hope this is the last piece to go south on you.
Mar 25, 2016 21:16:23 #
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
Are you freakin kidding me?
You are not having very good luck with your mount.
I hope this is the last piece to go south on you.
You are not having very good luck with your mount.
I hope this is the last piece to go south on you.
Nope......I wish I didn't have AVX issues. Perhaps this will be the last time! I am curious to see what happens when the HC gets back. I really think it is still in the mount (encoders) but I guess they know best.
Mar 26, 2016 14:59:47 #
nikonshooter wrote:
I set the AVX up last week to image M51. Fortunat... (show quote)
Well one more time good luck with your AVX Mount.
Even though I have had great luck with the AVX I knew I was pushing it's limits with the new 9.25" and all the other gear I hung on it.
So I broke down and got the Celestron CGEM Mount that can handle the 40# payload that I use.
I have not had the chance to use it yet but am really looking forward to it.
Craig
Mar 26, 2016 15:10:25 #
CraigFair wrote:
Well one more time good luck with your AVX Mount.
Even though I have had great luck with the AVX I knew I was pushing it's limits with the new 9.25" and all the other gear I hung on it.
So I broke down and got the Celestron CGEM Mount that can handle the 40# payload that I use.
I have not had the chance to use it yet but am really looking forward to it.
Craig
Even though I have had great luck with the AVX I knew I was pushing it's limits with the new 9.25" and all the other gear I hung on it.
So I broke down and got the Celestron CGEM Mount that can handle the 40# payload that I use.
I have not had the chance to use it yet but am really looking forward to it.
Craig
I got the hand controller a few minutes ago (crazy, tracking said next Thursday)....I fired up the mount and all seems to be working. Will give it a go the next clear night I have off.
Mar 26, 2016 15:31:43 #
nikonshooter wrote:
I got the hand controller a few minutes ago (crazy, tracking said next Thursday)....I fired up the mount and all seems to be working. Will give it a go the next clear night I have off.
Ed, sounds like you got some good service from Celestron.
Good luck with clear skies and good viewing. Looks like next week for you.
Craig
Mar 26, 2016 20:52:23 #
[quote=CraigFair]Ed, sounds like you got some good service from Celestron.
Good luck with clear skies and good viewing. Looks like next week for you.
Craig[/quot
No kidding, the HC was mailed (US mail) from California on Wednesday.....the US Mail tracking shows expected delivery next Thursday. Got it today and it is up and running - inside!
Which goes to show ya, the US mail doesn't have a clue how long it may take for a package to reach its destination.
Good luck with clear skies and good viewing. Looks like next week for you.
Craig[/quot
No kidding, the HC was mailed (US mail) from California on Wednesday.....the US Mail tracking shows expected delivery next Thursday. Got it today and it is up and running - inside!
Which goes to show ya, the US mail doesn't have a clue how long it may take for a package to reach its destination.
Mar 26, 2016 21:49:53 #
Sometimes the USPS is sudden.
Things seem to stall somewhere, then suddenly it's out for dee-livery.
Glad to hear it's up and running again.
Clear skies there, Ed?
Clear skies here, Ed.
Time for me to start setting up.... :-D
PS: My replacement SkyPortal WiFi adapter is a bust. It just plain blows power line fuses. Blew 3 each - 5 Amp fuses.
Guess it's going back.... :-(
Things seem to stall somewhere, then suddenly it's out for dee-livery.
Glad to hear it's up and running again.
Clear skies there, Ed?
Clear skies here, Ed.
Time for me to start setting up.... :-D
PS: My replacement SkyPortal WiFi adapter is a bust. It just plain blows power line fuses. Blew 3 each - 5 Amp fuses.
Guess it's going back.... :-(
Mar 26, 2016 22:13:00 #
SonnyE wrote:
Sometimes the USPS is sudden.
Things seem to stall somewhere, then suddenly it's out for dee-livery.
Glad to hear it's up and running again.
Clear skies there, Ed?
Clear skies here, Ed.
Time for me to start setting up.... :-D
PS: My replacement SkyPortal WiFi adapter is a bust. It just plain blows power line fuses. Blew 3 each - 5 Amp fuses.
Guess it's going back.... :-(
Things seem to stall somewhere, then suddenly it's out for dee-livery.
Glad to hear it's up and running again.
Clear skies there, Ed?
Clear skies here, Ed.
Time for me to start setting up.... :-D
PS: My replacement SkyPortal WiFi adapter is a bust. It just plain blows power line fuses. Blew 3 each - 5 Amp fuses.
Guess it's going back.... :-(
Hope to see some good stuff tomorrow Sonny.
Craig
Mar 26, 2016 22:26:34 #
SonnyE wrote:
Sometimes the USPS is sudden.
Things seem to stall somewhere, then suddenly it's out for dee-livery.
Glad to hear it's up and running again.
Clear skies there, Ed?
Clear skies here, Ed.
Time for me to start setting up.... :-D
PS: My replacement SkyPortal WiFi adapter is a bust. It just plain blows power line fuses. Blew 3 each - 5 Amp fuses.
Guess it's going back.... :-(
Things seem to stall somewhere, then suddenly it's out for dee-livery.
Glad to hear it's up and running again.
Clear skies there, Ed?
Clear skies here, Ed.
Time for me to start setting up.... :-D
PS: My replacement SkyPortal WiFi adapter is a bust. It just plain blows power line fuses. Blew 3 each - 5 Amp fuses.
Guess it's going back.... :-(
Clear and cold and windy here. Not sure if I wang to fight the wind or just wait and play tomorrow.
I can image in the sun now.
:twisted:
Mar 26, 2016 22:39:06 #
My best chance for a night of "upshooting" will be mon at the earliest, tue, and perhaps wed. It has gotten warm....just cloudy and rain off and on. I am anxious to see how the AVX works!
I got some great data last week of M51....two nights, 9 hours, great guiding and the "Polemaster" is for real - running with the best polar alignments I have ever had.
I haven't had a chance to do too much with the data but will post here when I do. I have been shooting a lot of baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, and track and field....nightly and processing those images has kept me busy!
I got some great data last week of M51....two nights, 9 hours, great guiding and the "Polemaster" is for real - running with the best polar alignments I have ever had.
I haven't had a chance to do too much with the data but will post here when I do. I have been shooting a lot of baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, and track and field....nightly and processing those images has kept me busy!
Mar 27, 2016 12:44:44 #
nikonshooter wrote:
My best chance for a night of "upshooting&quo... (show quote)
I have not seen any of your Whirlpool, M51 shots, did you post any???
Craig
Mar 27, 2016 19:54:02 #
CraigFair wrote:
I have not seen any of your Whirlpool, M51 shots, did you post any???
Craig
Craig
I am going to start working on the data from M51 tonight. Lots of Family started arriving Friday....just said adios to my son (lives in Atlanta) and his family.
I think....fingers crossed, we will be having two reasonably clear nights. Monday and Tuesday. I am looking to capture NGC 2359 Duck Nebulae. I'ts in the southern sky and I have a very limited time to image but over two nights I might gather enough info. That's the plan. Give the new Newt a go (I got the 10 inch - too big - returned it and now have the 8 inch)... and it's big (heavy) too.
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