Autoguiding with Vixen GP
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:04 am
Hi,
I've just recently registered with SA from the sunny (not) UK. I have the following kit and would very much like to use some of it to autoguide - but am not sure how!
* A Vixen GP mount (old style 'hammered' green) with original MT-1 motors.
* The old SkySensor-3 Go-To system + handset (all in full working order)
* The WinCTC GoTo system (but cannot find a cable to connect the handcontroller - RJ11 plug - to a laptop computer to autoguide).
* A DMD-3 handcontroller which has been modified with a serial port added (i.e. 'female' socket - 5 holes along the top, 4 underneath). This was modified by the previous owner (who I don't have contact with) so am not sure what the port is connected to/its function within the handcontroller.
I thought maybe the easiest autoguider would be one of the stand-alone ones (e.g. LVI or Synguide), plugged into DMD-3 handcontroller via SA's GPUSB hub? But then I'm not sure how this would all connect up to the mount. Alternatively, there is the PHD software option but I'm not sure what mount/telescope drivers would be the correct ones for the Vixen GP (LX200 Protocol?). Maybe the EQMOD driver would work but the Vixen GP is not specificallhy listed among the HEQ 5s etc covered .
Any pointers, suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
I've just recently registered with SA from the sunny (not) UK. I have the following kit and would very much like to use some of it to autoguide - but am not sure how!
* A Vixen GP mount (old style 'hammered' green) with original MT-1 motors.
* The old SkySensor-3 Go-To system + handset (all in full working order)
* The WinCTC GoTo system (but cannot find a cable to connect the handcontroller - RJ11 plug - to a laptop computer to autoguide).
* A DMD-3 handcontroller which has been modified with a serial port added (i.e. 'female' socket - 5 holes along the top, 4 underneath). This was modified by the previous owner (who I don't have contact with) so am not sure what the port is connected to/its function within the handcontroller.
I thought maybe the easiest autoguider would be one of the stand-alone ones (e.g. LVI or Synguide), plugged into DMD-3 handcontroller via SA's GPUSB hub? But then I'm not sure how this would all connect up to the mount. Alternatively, there is the PHD software option but I'm not sure what mount/telescope drivers would be the correct ones for the Vixen GP (LX200 Protocol?). Maybe the EQMOD driver would work but the Vixen GP is not specificallhy listed among the HEQ 5s etc covered .
Any pointers, suggestions or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris