stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

I'm having trouble getting anywhere with it, unlike when I downloaded the "lite" version to try it out to see if I liked how it performed. I didn't have my FW or Coma corrector yet and it did just what I was looking for. I could really use some help from someone that uses this software to get me around this block in the road . I even uninstalled my lite version and tried creating a new one with the link they sent me and still get the message that says it doesn't recognize my email address or password , what? It's the same email . I'm not to computer savvy but, even my aide says I put it in right " we tried everything and even emailed SGP and they'll get back with me in 2 days . If I can get it working with some help , then I won't need to bother . Help ?

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

Thank you for your response, I've been looking through all the video's on SGP and after the CF game I was back at it , when that box showed up with trial expired at the top, I clicked on dismiss instead of putting in the info and was able to set up a folder and connect the camera , took a couple of captures from our kitchen , the 1st {1s capture} looked right but, the ones to follow were either all white or all black at 5s . It saved without the crosses and I went to bed . I'll continue to work with SGP and I'm sure I'll hit a road block again. Ronnie

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I tried the trial version, but decided it wasn't for me.
So, sorry, no help here.
But Dirt Pusher's video links should yield something.

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

Dirtpusher , I don't know where or how to put in my key for the framing and mosaic and I'm week on posting to the SGP forum even though they gave me 2 badges for posting trying to get the software working. Do you have any ideas ? I wish this weather would give me a break so I can get going with this and learn something.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

https://youtu.be/N9E70tTsTF8&ei" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-https://youtu.be/N9E70tTsTF8&ei

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

I would be glad to help....you can call me at 864-921-3311 most afternoons from 1 to 4 EST. It is a terrific program....but connecting your OTA, Focuser, Camera does require the right drivers. Also, I recommend Pinpoint to use for Platesolving. It is fast and does not require the interest to solve. But you need the right files downloaded for this to work too. I know at least one other "hog" who is struggling with it too. Perhaps we can get together live using google and see if we can figure your kit out.

If you decide to call.....make sure you have your computer hooked up to your OTA as if you were going to do an imaging session. Also, make sure you have downloaded all of your drivers - including ASCOM.


I have used four different acquisition programs, Nebulosity - Astro Photography Tool - Backyard EOS for Nikon - i no longer use those programs and depend on SGP to manage all of my imaging sessions.

On the bright side....once you get it setup....it will take you all of 10 minutes to begin imaging from the time you turn on the mount - assuming you are polar aligned. That includes cooling the camera, focusing, and centering your target.....with most of the time due to camera cooling. If you have Polemaster - you can do everything in 15 minutes from the time the mount is turned on.

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

Ed , this is too cool. I used the "Lite" trial version of SGPro and Nebulosity ,deciding that this was the one to handle whatever I needed . Jared {co programmer of Sgpro} got with me and we got everything established Woohoo ! I went out testing on the 15th with everything hooked up , taking my time and after 30 min. I ran the efw and it was all green , my mini efw hung up , I'll be filing the filters down until I get it working smooth . There was a lot I had to deal with plus bad weather, this software has all kinds of tools and I'm looking forward to talking to you and getting a better understanding of this software . I did just get the qhy polemaster, I wish I would've got it a lot sooner, that would've saved me from lots of headaches. Ronnie

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Great! When you get everything worked out - it's the equivalent of an astro-orgasm! I put it up there with the third greatest feeling in the world, behind the BIG O and BM. You are dead on regarding "time saver" the plate solving and auto focusing routine is worth the price of the software...not to mention the ease of programing a sequencing sequence. BTW, one of my best purchases (other than polemaster) is adding moonlight auto focusers to my SV70T, Vixen ED81S, Newt 8inch, and newly acquired AT65EDQ (wife bought it for me for Christmas). These focusers, I start out using a bahtinov mask on one of the two stars, but then I have SGP auto focus between filter changes automatically. I now have three scopes setup. I plan to add three piers as soon as the weather permits.

One thing that I do is to add two stars to every sequence. I will pre select two stars near where my target is going to be (general area) ...I plate solve, center and then start Phd2. I just want to make sure before my target reaches the imageable altitude that my plate solving and Phd2 is both solving and guiding. If I have problems.......and I will from time to time...I just reboot everything and start again (turn off mount, computer, cameras, everything).....and I get this done before its time to start imaging so I don't waste any pre-meridian imaging time. I plan to start the Cone nebula tonight and shoot this target for the next three nights. This is a pic of the sequence. Once I have started guiding and my camera has reached the cooling target, "game on." Still free to call me 864-921-3311 if you run into a snag and can't get Jared.

(Download)

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

I'm just giddy over getting help to the point where I can get my fw running and get how to use the features to my advantage. It takes time for me to learn how to do something with my disabilities . I can't wait to chat with you on this , other than on the forum it's a good place to chat but, not too good when you're trying to learn anything software related. I'm one that does better using the talking it out approach , {we're on the same page}. Sonny , got TC w/ Stellarium to work in about 10 min. talking on the phone while I was setting up the polemaster in the freezing cold one night and it's just amazing , I can't stand for long periods and hunting for my alignment stars really "Sucks" and a time waster . I'm loving those alignments now. Ronnie

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

I am super tickled you have gotten into SGP and are getting some positive results. The ease of imaging will be increased exponentially. No more 2,3,4 star alignments - if you are accurately PA great...if not but are close that works too. Just center your target using SGP's platesolving routine and "RUN SEQUENCE"

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

BTW, last night I got this.... Tonight I will get another 20 Ha, and 60 OIII, tomorrow night I hope (skies permitting) to get another 20 Ha and 60 SII. If stacks are worth a darn - I will post....but the data is looking decent so far.

(Download)

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

Awesome histogram Ed , I might be able to get out if enough snow melts to get a good test of the efw tonight and depending on the test . Then straight into getting a fine alignment and if that goes well try figuring out how to use the framing , after I figure out the plate solve routine . So many new things I've yet to learn how to use . Just 1 foot in front of the other and hopefully all the way across the Cosmos. I swear , nothing seems to go as planned very often when it comes to imaging from the driveway, I'm not going to get into the backyard for some time , even after the snow melts. Mud hole from circling the mount the last time I was out back. I can't seem to use the telrad up on the drive , due to streetlights beaming in my face and my Raci finder is a pain in the booty to remove and put the guidescope on with one hand without screwing up my alignment. I've tried over and over trying to do it but, messes up the alignment everytime .

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Get the platesolving working first. Then take your finder scopes - telrads off. You will not need them.

I use both Platesolve2 and Pinpoint. Pinpoint cost a few bucks but that when combined with the catalog GSC11 can solve and center your target in a few seconds - here is the link to download that catalog. Create a folder on your desktop and put those files in there - run the install file. When done, make sure your (settings) solving program - whether Platesolve2 or Pinpoint - is pointing to that folder. That's it. If it sounds complicated just call I can walk you through it.

stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast

I'll be calling today , I had run a decent test last night after getting my power issues under control. I'm using a 7 port power hub and I have so many cords and I was trying a shorter usb to power the cameras and it just didn't cut the mustard , I spent a good hour before dusk trying to figure it out . New additions have put a wrench in my worX but, when I came back out after dusk , I was on a mission and everything is working like a dream and I tried to guide , my Dec wasn't cooperating enough for imaging, it would go sharp around 2 and drop -2 every other section on the Phd2 graph. Framing after I get my target is something on my "to do" list along with plate solve and everything else. I'm so wanting to get going on this Ed , this is an Awesome capture software with "Bells and Whistles" and has more tools that I haven't a clue as to how to work them.