----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 12:25
PM
Subject: Re: [APML] S-tupifying T-axing
V-ague
Hi Tom,
Let
me clarify, you are cal. at 2x but you are switching to .5x for
guiding, correct?
No, I'm operating at 2x for both calibration and
guiding.
I have the e plugged in as 10cm f.l./ 2.5cm aperture/
refractor, you?
Same (I did have it set at 2.9cm for some earlier
outings - no problem there either)
What are your average errors like, and what focal length and
duration have you achieved?
I have been averaging about .9 arcsec. error. To date,
the longest focal length I have used is 520mm. I have obtained very
round stars over a 55 min. exposure. I was going to use the eFinder on
my Tak FS-102 (820mm FL) last night but high clouds spoiled that
attempt.
Tom
Thanks Tom,
Warren
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 9:11
AM
Subject: Re: [APML] S-tupifying T-axing
V-ague
Glad to hear of your breakthrough with the
STV. I am using the eFinder more often lately and am getting good
results, using Auto Calibration @2x on my G11. I had occasionally seen
a No Move but attributed this to poor balancing (and -5F temp) because this
did not occur when I shifted the scope to the other side of the mount.
I tried other calibration and guiding speeds but get lower guiding error at
2x.
If you are still getting some No Move messages with a
calibration time of 15 seconds, something is amiss. I would expect to
see movements of 8-20 pixels with a 10 sec. calibration time. What
values are you using for focal length and aperture in the Setup mode?
I have noticed that my unit will default to inches even after I set the
values in cm. I need to reset it each time I power up the
STV.
Anyway, I wish you continued success.
Tom
To John K, other STVers and eFinderites,
Though it doesn't seem as if we've identified any consistent and common
parameters yet, I thought I'd pass along an evening of testing's results.
I won't say anything about the hour and a half drive or the clouds that
rolled in within an hour of setting up!!
For my eFinder/GM8 setup, it seems completely
inconsequential whether calibrating at 2x or .5x. As I'd reported, I'd
gotten 'Error: Star Field' 75% of the time upon auto calibration.
Tonight looked like a major breakthrough. A long
calibration time of 15 seconds in 'Full Menu'
yielded success nearly every time. (An occasional 'No Move' was seen?) The
exposure was also cranked to 5 seconds, but this was probably the clouds'
fault.
Maybe next month I can even take a photo!
WK