PHD2 and LX90

[iborg]

Hi All

I do not really know how to do this, but, have done a lot of reading.  The result so far is not much.  I would appreciate any help, or suggestions of what to try to make it work.  Even if someone can confirm that it will never work!

I am trying to get PHD2 to guide with a Meade LX90, 8", in Alt/Az mode.  PHD2 does connect to the mount, and appears to be OK with pulse guiding, but, it will not calibrate.

I have added details below including log files.  The later log file has lots of different settings altered, but, nothing appeared to help.

I will try the star cross test when I can.

Svbony 60mm guide scope f4, focal length 240mm

Camera ASI290MM pixel 2.9um

Meade LX90, 8",  Handset Audiostar 497EP A1f7.

Logs are here (I hope)

Thanks for help or suggestions.

Philip

[wave...@talktalk.net]

Hello Philip,

From my LX200 Classic experience, I'ii say guiding these old mounts in AltAz mode isn't at all easy. But I believe it can be done if you know how. I never really tried using PHD2 this way and moved the scope onto a wedge. Anyway, I Googled for PHD2 AltAz guiding and found this article via the Cloudy Nights group: https://telescopemount.org/guiding-the-panther-alt-az-mount-with-phd2/

I haven't studied it yet, but maybe helpful to you?

I'd also recommend using the latest itteration of the Meade Generic (ASCOM) driver from Colin Dawson. You'll find it here - https://bitbucket.org/cjdskunkworks/meadeautostar497/downloads/

Also ensure you have the latest ASCOM Platform installed.

Cheers,

- Jack

[iborg]

Hi Jack

Thank you for looking into this.  That first link is the one that I blame for getting me started on this!  I am not expecting to gain much, but, would like a bit more stability over time when photographing asteroids moving across the sky.  I am well aware that field rotation will still be an issue.

I should check and will tonight, but, I think I am using the only driver that seems to allow pulse guiding.  I'll check about updates to the driver.

I am not certain that fully up to date with ASCOM, but, it is certainly from this year.

Philip

[wave...@talktalk.net]

Hi Philip,

I don't know much about the LX90, but the Lx200 Classic will only respond to pulse commands via RS232 by using the Meade Generic (ASCOM) driver I referenced earlier. I had to use ST4 guiding prior to instaling it. You get a more integrated system via RS232, including scope pointing data. I see the LX90 has an RS232 port on the handbox, so I'd recommend using that to interface PHD2. The latest version of ASCOM is v6.6_SP1.

Cheers,

Jack.