Re: [APML]: Anyone Autoguiding a G-11 with a Pictor XT?

[Gene Horr <genehorr@swbell.net>]

The Astro-Photography Mailing List
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Wil Milan wrote:

> Meade specifically states that you must not connect a Pictor
> guider directly to any non-Meade mount, else damage will result.

Well, Meade is not known as an accurate source of info <g>.  
I have used the Meade signal output directly into the Celestron/
Losmandy electronics with no problems.

> Having said all that, if you don't have the relay box you may not
> want to get it, but sell the guider instead. The relay box is
> ridiculously expensive (I paid something like $100 for mine) and
> it is a royal pain to hook up. There are point-to-point wiring
> directions, *but the wires are unlabeled*, so you have to trace
> each wire through to see which is which. At least that's how mine
> was; maybe they're packaging better instructions with them these
> days.

Better yet, get the SBIG ST-7/8 relay box.  It performs the 
exact same function, is cheaper (list=US$75) and uses mechanical
relays.  The Meade unit is solid state, does not provide 
true relay functions, and won't work with mounts that require
true relay switches (Takahashi).  When I tried one with a
201XT I put a small value (10 Ohm?  I don't remember off of the
top of my head) resistor on the common signal line coming
out of the 201XT because I didn't trust the quality of the 
Meade's electronics.  This is not required for SBIG cameras.

Unfortunately SBIG's wire lableing is just as bad as Meade's.

Gene Horr
genehorr@swbell.net






> 
> In my case, after spending the money and monkeying with all the
> wiring I found that the 201XT was a lousy autoguider, and I
> finally did what you call "the right thing": I got an ST-4. It
> took two seconds to plug into my two mounts (including my G-11),
> took only a few minutes to learn to use, and worked the first
> time I tried to use it. The ST-4 is simply a better mousetrap, in
> my humble (but now painfully experienced) opinion.
> 
> Wil M.
> mailto:wmilan@airdigital.com
> Astrophoto web site: http://www.airdigital.com/astrophoto.html
> ---
> "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
> the moon and the stars which You have set in place,
> what is Man that you are mindful of him,
> or the son of Man that you care for him?"  -- Psalm 8