Re: [APML] OT: Autoguiding a Vixen SP mount

["Stuart Heggie" <stuart.j.heggie@sympatico.ca>]

Duncan, this is a HUGE amount of help! Nicola also sent some ideas
off-list and I'm sure he too will appreciate this note.
Thanks!
Stuart
http://www3.sympatico.ca/stuart.j.heggie/Stuart.J.Heggie/
Flesherton, Ontario, Canada

----- Original Message -----
From: "Duncan Munro" <dmunro@sfu.ca>
To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 1:51 AM
Subject: Re: [APML] OT: Autoguiding a Vixen SP mount


> Stuart there is actually a number of options. I am just in the process
> of cumputerizing my mount using the Mel Bartels hardware/software
system
> and I did some research into this question. I will list the various
> options in order of estimated price:
>
> Get another handbox and wire in an autoguider interface. See:
>
> www.astronomyboy.com for more info.
>
> get two stepper motors (actually the controller can be modified to
work
> with the Synta motors) , a couple of cog tooth belts and pulleys, and
a
> Mel Bartels interface/motor controller board and hook it all up to
your
> laptop. See:
>
> http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/
>
> for more info.
>
> Purchase a Powerflex MTS-3SDI controller. This is a standalone
> controller for microstepping a dual stepper motor drive system. It
adds
> PEC, an autoguider port, and the possibility of remote PC control.
See:
>
> http://arnholm.org/astro/index.htm
>
> for more info. I don't know if the MTS controller will work with the
> stock Synta motors.
>
> One system that will work is the WinCTC controller. It adds
essentially
> the same features as the MTS controller but it is  not as flexible as
> the MTS controller as it is specifically designed for the Synta
motors. See:
>
> http://www.cloudynights.com/mounts2/WinCTC.htm
>
> for a review of this system. Also see:
>
> http://www.ip.pt/coaa/winctc.htm
>
> for the company website.
>
> hope this helps.
>
> Duncan Munro
>
>
>
>
> Stuart Heggie wrote:
>
> >I just smoked my cheapo hand box for my SP mount (it is a CG-4
> >controller and motors that has done me no wrong but I roasted it
today
> >playing around with power supply options).
> >
> >For those autoguiding their SP mounts, other than the SS2K, are there
> >options for a new controller (and probably motors) that would allow
me
> >to self guide a camera lens / ccd camera combo piggyback on the SP
> >mount? The SS2K costs more than I paid for the mount, current motors
and
> >102mm Vixen Achromat so I'm not really willing to spend that much.
> >
> >Stuart
> >http://www3.sympatico.ca/stuart.j.heggie/Stuart.J.Heggie/
> >Flesherton, Ontario, Canada
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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