AZ servo main shaft sheared off
I have a 18 in UC, it has a broken drive shaft on AZ servo. Anyone know where I can find a replacement shaft? ?I work on RC helicopters servos and looks like I could install a new one made to specs.?
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Re: NO red LED on ServoCat
There is a delay on power up - whichever 'unit', the ServoCAT or the Argo Navis, comes up last, from that point it takes about 12 seconds before you'd hear the beep. More than likely you heard, previously, what was normal.?
As for the current situation: has anything changed? Did you change the cables? Did you do any changes in the Argo Navis that might have reset its parameters? Did you move the cable on top of the AN (was it previously plugged in to 1 and you moved it to 2 not remembering, or vice versa?)
Write to me direct - we'll get it figured out.
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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Looking for a troubleshooting procedure for the following: 15" classic Obsession with Argo-Navis & Gen 2 ServoCat and powered ground board. When I used it last month everything worked fine but I did notice a delay in the beep when I turned the FIX ALT REF on. Last night when I turned on the Argo-Navis I got no red LED and no response when I turned on the FIX ALT REF. I get the yellow and green LEDs when I plug in the power to the ground board but that is all.
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Here is the latest update on my issue.
I sent the unit back to Gary, who tested the unit while we were on the phone together.? My unit worked as designed, i.e..
1.? My unit connected fine to George's new driver.
2.? Gary connected Peter's driver to the ASCOM Device Hub.?? Under the Capabilities Tab, ¡°Can Move Primary Axis¡± and ¡°Can Move Secondary Axis¡± both reported ¡°True¡± as they should if connected to an SC with 7.0 firmware.
So let me publicly thank Gary for his assistance on this matter.
If anybody has any ideas I will be happy to try them.? I have already tried this process using two different computers, perhaps I will try a third computer??
Paul
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Re: Servocat rs232 (only) connection to Nexus DSC
Bentley,?
Please re-read what I just sent - the DSC connection, which is the means by which the ServoCAT knows how fast to run (for tracking) and how far it is to an object (for GOTO) is only through the RS232 connection. If you want tracking and GOTO this connection is 100% required at all times. An alignment must be done at the beginning of a 'session' for the 2 'boxes' to work together.?
The planetarium connection which allows you to 'see' where you are in the sky (information that comes from the DSC through the ServoCAT) as well as allow GOTO's from the planetarium program is only through the USB connection. When using Sky Safari you do have an added function of being able to use a displayed hand pad in Sky Safari.?
Hopefully that answers the question.
g.
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 5/9/2022 12:46:53 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Servocat rs232 (only) connection to Nexus DSC
Hello Gary,
Thanks for the reply. I currently have both the RS232 and the USB ports connected on the Nexus DSC and the ServoCat.? I have a friend who is using Nexus DSC with ServoCat, he has only the RS232 port connected ( but he is not using Sky Safari connected through WIFI). Are you saying, because I am also using Sky Safari connected through the Nexus WIFI, there is no way to use _only_ the RS232 connection?
Thanks for your help,
-Bentley Ousley
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Re: Servocat rs232 (only) connection to Nexus DSC
Hello Gary,
Thanks for the reply. I currently have both the RS232 and the USB ports connected on the Nexus DSC and the ServoCat.? I have a friend who is using Nexus DSC with ServoCat, he has only the RS232 port connected ( but he is not using Sky Safari connected through WIFI). Are you saying, because I am also using Sky Safari connected through the Nexus WIFI, there is no way to use _only_ the RS232 connection?
Thanks for your help,
-Bentley Ousley
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Re: Servocat rs232 (only) connection to Nexus DSC
Bentley,
The only way for the ServoCAT to "talk" to the digital setting circle is through the RS232 serial port. This is required no matter what else you're doing.?
IF you want to also have a planetarium program "see" where you are and allow GOTO's you'd need to use the USB port.?
Not sure if you're trying to do something other than these or not.
Gary Myers StellarCAT
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 5/9/2022 9:21:06 AM
Subject: [ServoCAT] Servocat rs232 (only) connection to Nexus DSC
I've been working with Keith Venables (co-creator of the ScopeDog alt-az drive for dobs) in order to make his eFinder (plate-solving alignment system:?? ) work with my ServoCat/Nexus DSC/Sky Safari setup.
Keith recently changed his code to replace the WIFI interface between the eFinder and Nexus DSC with a direct USB connection. I'm currently using the USB connection on my Nexus DSC to connect to ServoCat and would like to switch the connection to use only the RS232 interface between ServoCat / Nexus DSC, thus "freeing-up" the USB port to use with eFinder.
I've seen folks use the ServoCat RS232 port (only) to connect to the Nexus DSC. Could someone please share instructions about how I could do this.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
-Bentley Ousley
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Servocat rs232 (only) connection to Nexus DSC
I've been working with Keith Venables (co-creator of the ScopeDog alt-az drive for dobs) in order to make his eFinder (plate-solving alignment system:?? ) work with my ServoCat/Nexus DSC/Sky Safari setup.
Keith recently changed his code to replace the WIFI interface between the eFinder and Nexus DSC with a direct USB connection. I'm currently using the USB connection on my Nexus DSC to connect to ServoCat and would like to switch the connection to use only the RS232 interface between ServoCat / Nexus DSC, thus "freeing-up" the USB port to use with eFinder.
I've seen folks use the ServoCat RS232 port (only) to connect to the Nexus DSC. Could someone please share instructions about how I could do this.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
-Bentley Ousley
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
That¡¯s great George! I haven¡¯t had my scope out in months due to a back injury. I am hoping to do so in a few weeks
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On May 1, 2022, at 4:37 PM, George Hilios <ghilios@...> wrote:
?I finally had a night I could try out my own driver! I verified that move axis, syncing, and getting scope status + position worked. I couldn't get GOTO working, but Gary and Peter reminded me I need to have the AN DSC Catalogue set to "Planetarium". I'll try this again as soon as I can, but otherwise the driver worked pretty well. I'm sure there will be a short list of odd issues here and there as it sees real use (for example, I'm sure I may need to increase some timeouts) but if you all report them to me directly I will address them quickly.
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
I finally had a night I could try out my own driver! I verified that move axis, syncing, and getting scope status + position worked. I couldn't get GOTO working, but Gary and Peter reminded me I need to have the AN DSC Catalogue set to "Planetarium". I'll try this again as soon as I can, but otherwise the driver worked pretty well. I'm sure there will be a short list of odd issues here and there as it sees real use (for example, I'm sure I may need to increase some timeouts) but if you all report them to me directly I will address them quickly.
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Alex:
I am sorry for the delayed response to your post.? I initially tried POTH with Peter's driver, with the same (non-)results.? During our conversations, Peter suggested I try ASCOM Device Hub.
Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Hi Gary, It has been a very long time since we have had conversation. Good to hear from you. Congratulation on your upcoming retirement. So, you think you are busy now, wait until you fully retire. I had a request for help out with something the other day and so I popped out my calendar. It came up in quarter year view and it looked like it had caught the measles. Just a head up. Anyway, I have swapped sides of the country and now live not to far from where you once lived. So if you ever want to come back and visit your old stomping round give me a buzz. I did sell the 20 with the SC/AN to a guy that does imaging to use as something to do while subs ran. He could not believe the tracking and accuracy of the SC/AN system. That scope worked flawlessly. I had thought about adding it to my current scope but I guess I waited too long. I now see the reason for the second Nexus connection. So, it is required if you want the Nexus to have GOTO from the Nexus. I think Paul is wanting to control his SC from the PC so he can do some imaging though that scope eventually. With the quantum efficiency of cameras now days, the exposure times are getting very short. He should be able to get some decent data even in Alt/Az. ? Bob Rose ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of K9RX - Gary Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2022 5:07 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver? ? Good to hear from you - long time no hear, I hope you are doing well.? So there are 2 ports on the ServoCAT but they are not the same protocol - they are not even the same purpose. One is for the connection to a DSC which is required to achieve tracking and GOTO capability. The other is a means to allow a PC planetarium program to gather information on where the scope is and to allow a GOTO from that program as well. There's no issues with this - its been in place and increased greatly in functionality and precision ever since I introduced it around 2004 for use with Megastar (thanks to Emil Bonano).? The latest version of the firmware in the ServoCAT (for Gen2/3 ServoCAT's) when used with the Argo Navis will allow even higher precision tracking including a feature called AutoLOCK that will lock on a point in space with zero accumulated error all-night-long. And a feature that allows tracking of man made satellites. That is all built in to the system now and has been there since it was introduced, this version set, in Jan 2015.? When Serge developed the improved Nexus he added the PC port connection, it is (mostly) a dumb connection in that it transfers data between the two end points - the ServoCAT (and through it the DSC) and the "PC". In this manner its main benefit was that it did this wirelessly. (He has I believe also intervened in that connection by allowing a GOTO from the Nexus).? When I get time I'll set something up here to try to help out - currently I'm tied up getting production out the door.?
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Bob,
Good to hear from you - long time no hear, I hope you are doing well.?
So there are 2 ports on the ServoCAT but they are not the same protocol - they are not even the same purpose. One is for the connection to a DSC which is required to achieve tracking and GOTO capability. The other is a means to allow a PC planetarium program to gather information on where the scope is and to allow a GOTO from that program as well. There's no issues with this - its been in place and increased greatly in functionality and precision ever since I introduced it around 2004 for use with Megastar (thanks to Emil Bonano).?
The latest version of the firmware in the ServoCAT (for Gen2/3 ServoCAT's) when used with the Argo Navis will allow even higher precision tracking including a feature called AutoLOCK that will lock on a point in space with zero accumulated error all-night-long. And a feature that allows tracking of man made satellites. That is all built in to the system now and has been there since it was introduced, this version set, in Jan 2015.?
When Serge developed the improved Nexus he added the PC port connection, it is (mostly) a dumb connection in that it transfers data between the two end points - the ServoCAT (and through it the DSC) and the "PC". In this manner its main benefit was that it did this wirelessly. (He has I believe also intervened in that connection by allowing a GOTO from the Nexus).?
When I get time I'll set something up here to try to help out - currently I'm tied up getting production out the door.?
Gary Myers StellarCAT
------ Original Message ------
Sent: 4/16/2022 8:38:16 PM
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Paul, very strange to have two connections sharing the same protocol. Seems like a recipe for disaster. Many moons ago when I had the Gen1 SC I was testing? some beta software that allowed a Windows CE to control the SC. The topography? used was to connect the Win CE device to the PC port on the SC via Bluetooth dongle. The Argo Navis has two serial ports One connected to the SC DSC port using SC protocol. The other to AN serial port was connected toa PC using LX200 protocol. It worked great except the SC would not recognize the GOTO from the PC. It did know the position from the PC and pressing the GOTO on the hand pad would send it there. This method drew the ire of both Garys. Eventually full GOTO was implemented on the Win CE device and even had it forcing the SC tracking satellites¡ Sort of. Then LG or somebody invented the smartphone and Win CE went away for consumers. If you had a Keyspan USB to serial dongle plugged into the USB on the Nexus how it would react trying the SC protocol first then the LX200 second. I say Keyspan because they are a lot less hassle in the long run. I am running out of ideas to try and just kind throwing thing at the wall. In a week or so I will examine the 40 and give you the topology of it. There have been no issues with it. But it is running probably old firmware on the SC. Bob ? ? Bob:
When I am not connected to the PC and am just using the Nexus DSC to control the SC, there are two wired connections between the Nexus and SC:
1.? Nexus USB port to SC USB port
2.? Nexus Serial port to SC DSC port
I have never had any issues in this mode.
These 2 wired connections stay in place when a user tries to connect this Nexus/SC system to a PC using the Nexus wifi capability.? This is the method that Serge contemplated but in my case it produced the weird firmware version.
The back up method for connecting the Nexus/SC system to a PC is to retain the Nexus Serial port to SC DSC port wired connection, but connect the SC USB port to a USB port on the PC.? This means the Nexus USB port remains empty.? This is the method used in the attempts described in my original post.
Regards
Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Paul, very strange to have two connections sharing the same protocol. Seems like a recipe for disaster. Many moons ago when I had the Gen1 SC I was testing? some beta software that allowed a Windows CE to control the SC. The topography? used was to connect the Win CE device to the PC port on the SC via Bluetooth dongle. The Argo Navis has two serial ports One connected to the SC DSC port using SC protocol. The other to AN serial port was connected toa PC using LX200 protocol. It worked great except the SC would not recognize the GOTO from the PC. It did know the position from the PC and pressing the GOTO on the hand pad would send it there. This method drew the ire of both Garys. Eventually full GOTO was implemented on the Win CE device and even had it forcing the SC tracking satellites¡ Sort of. Then LG or somebody invented the smartphone and Win CE went away for consumers. If you had a Keyspan USB to serial dongle plugged into the USB on the Nexus how it would react trying the SC protocol first then the LX200 second. I say Keyspan because they are a lot less hassle in the long run. I am running out of ideas to try and just kind throwing thing at the wall. In a week or so I will examine the 40 and give you the topology of it. There have been no issues with it. But it is running probably old firmware on the SC. Bob ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Abel Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2022 4:39 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver? ? Bob:
When I am not connected to the PC and am just using the Nexus DSC to control the SC, there are two wired connections between the Nexus and SC:
1.? Nexus USB port to SC USB port
2.? Nexus Serial port to SC DSC port
I have never had any issues in this mode.
These 2 wired connections stay in place when a user tries to connect this Nexus/SC system to a PC using the Nexus wifi capability.? This is the method that Serge contemplated but in my case it produced the weird firmware version.
The back up method for connecting the Nexus/SC system to a PC is to retain the Nexus Serial port to SC DSC port wired connection, but connect the SC USB port to a USB port on the PC.? This means the Nexus USB port remains empty.? This is the method used in the attempts described in my original post.
Regards
Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Bob:
When I am not connected to the PC and am just using the Nexus DSC to control the SC, there are two wired connections between the Nexus and SC:
1.? Nexus USB port to SC USB port
2.? Nexus Serial port to SC DSC port
I have never had any issues in this mode.
These 2 wired connections stay in place when a user tries to connect this Nexus/SC system to a PC using the Nexus wifi capability.? This is the method that Serge contemplated but in my case it produced the weird firmware version.
The back up method for connecting the Nexus/SC system to a PC is to retain the Nexus Serial port to SC DSC port wired connection, but connect the SC USB port to a USB port on the PC.? This means the Nexus USB port remains empty.? This is the method used in the attempts described in my original post.
Regards
Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Paul are you saying that the Nexus has two connection to the SC?. Bob ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Abel Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2022 1:20 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver? ? Hi Bob.? Thanks for your suggestions.? What I did not disclose in my original post, because it would add unwanted complications, is that what you described was how I initially attempted to connect my scope to my PC -- USB cable from the SC to the USB port on the Nexus and Serial cable between the serial port on the Nexus and the DSC port on the SC.? The Nexus was then connected to the PC by the Nexus Wifi.? All pursuant to the Nexus manual.
The problem with this approach was that both Peter's SCU utility and George's driver reported my ServoCAT firmware version as 6.2S (not 7.0C)!!!? Nobody knew why this was and my email to Serge at Astro Devices requesting guidance was never answered.
Serge has previously provided guidance that an alternate way of connecting a Gen 3 SC to a PC is to run a USB cord between the USB port on the SC and a USB port on the PC.? However, the Serial port on the Nexus must remain connected to the DSC port on the SC so that the system can be aligned and the SC will know where it is pointing.
All the best!
Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Hi Bob.? Thanks for your suggestions.? What I did not disclose in my original post, because it would add unwanted complications, is that what you described was how I initially attempted to connect my scope to my PC -- USB cable from the SC to the USB port on the Nexus and Serial cable between the serial port on the Nexus and the DSC port on the SC.? The Nexus was then connected to the PC by the Nexus Wifi.? All pursuant to the Nexus manual.
The problem with this approach was that both Peter's SCU utility and George's driver reported my ServoCAT firmware version as 6.2S (not 7.0C)!!!? Nobody knew why this was and my email to Serge at Astro Devices requesting guidance was never answered.
Serge has previously provided guidance that an alternate way of connecting a Gen 3 SC to a PC is to run a USB cord between the USB port on the SC and a USB port on the PC.? However, the Serial port on the Nexus must remain connected to the DSC port on the SC so that the system can be aligned and the SC will know where it is pointing.
All the best!
Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Richard, here is the link to v0.7.0.0 of George's ASCOM driver.? https://github.com/ghilios/ASCOM.ghilios.ServoCAT/releases
As noted in my original posting, I would be very interested to learn if you can successfully use it.
Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
Paul, The topography you have implemented is the same as what you would use on the Argo Navis and it looks like what is described in the Nexus manual in the Motor driven telescopes section. However in the setup portion of the Nexus manual, page 12 it looks like they have a different topography for Gen3 Servo Cat.. The Nexus is hooked to the USB port on ServoCat and the PC communicated via the ¡°From Planetarium¡± menu. Which I interpret to mean via the Nexus serial port or Nexus Wi-Fi. ?You might want to try that. I don¡¯t currently have a ServoCat system as I sold that scope about 10 years ago. I am one of the club operator for the 40 which has the Nexus and Servocat gen 3. I will look at it next time out to the site. I do know tat there is something plugged into both the USB port and the serial port and occasionally a PC is hooked to it. It does communicate with Sky Safari via Wi-Fi. I feel certain that the Nexus communicates with the Servo Cat via USB on the 40. Bob Rose ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Abel Sent: Friday, April 15, 2022 4:54 PM To: [email protected]Subject: [ServoCAT] Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver? ? I can really use help from fellow members of this forum to hopefully solve a vexing problem I have been having trying to connect my Gen 3 SC with Peter¡¯s original ASCOM driver and George¡¯s new beta ASCOM driver.? I have flashed (several times) my SC with the version 7.0C firmware obtained from Gary.? The ¡°V¡± command in Peter¡¯s SCU utility returns 7.0C. ?I use a Nexus DSC (the original, not the Pro, version).? The serial port on the Nexus is connected to the DSC port on the SC.? A USB cord directly connects the USB/PC port on the SC to a USB port on my computer (and over the many tests I have run, I have used different USB ports and different PCs).? Before attempting to connect to an ASCOM driver, I align the SC/DSC and the red DSC LED on the SC goes from blinking to solid on.? (In addition, gotos initiated from the Nexus place the object in my eyepiece.) ?I set the ¡°Find¡± parameter on the DSC to ¡°From Planetarium.¡± I can connect my scope to Peter¡¯s ASCOM driver (through the ASCOM Device Hub) but with only limited functionality.? Peter and I have looked at the Capabilities tab in the ASCOM Device Hub and Peter tells me that my capabilities report is the one he would expect if his driver was connected to an SC with pre-7.0 (legacy) firmware.? In particular, ¡°Can Move Primary Axis¡± and ¡°Can Move Secondary Axis¡± both report ¡°False,¡± when they should both report ¡°True¡± if connected to an SC with 7.0 firmware. When I connect my scope to Peter¡¯s SCU utility, I get the initial ¡°status¡± report that Peter describes in his readme file.? While this report indicates that the firmware version is 7.0C, it incorrectly reports that the scope is NOT aligned and NOT tracking when I believe both are true.? Also, S (status) commands receive a ¡°status update is not available¡± response. I cannot connect to George¡¯s ASCOM driver at all. I get an ¡°operation timed out¡± error message.? After reviewing the logs of my attempts, George has informed me that his driver is sending my scope commands to obtain certain data from the scope but only gets back some of the data requested (the firmware version) and thus can¡¯t proceed. I have been working with Gary, Peter and George on this problem over the last few weeks with no solution.? We have not yet determined where the problem is originating ¨C my particular SC, the coding for the drivers/SCU utility or something else entirely. So, I am reaching out to forum members who have already tried to control their SC through ASCOM to ask for your experiences in connecting with either or both of the ASCOM drivers.? Additionally, if you have not yet tried to use an ASCOM driver but have an SC with the latest firmware and are willing to try in order to help out, I would be very grateful.? In particular, we would be interested in the answers to the following questions. 1.? Have any of you experienced the same issues as described above and were you able to resolve them? 2.? Have you successfully connected with/utilized George¡¯s driver?? [I used version 0.6.0.0 of George¡¯s driver in all my tests.? I know that George is working on a new version, which will close some open ASCOM conformance issues, but due to my personal time constraints I needed to post this message now.? I don¡¯t think the expected new version will have any impact on my issues.] ? 3.? Can you connect to Peter¡¯s driver through the ASCOM Device Hub?? If so, what are the values of ¡°Can Move Primary Axis¡± and ¡°Can Move Secondary Axis¡± on the Capabilities tab? 4.? Does the initial ¡°status¡± report when you connect to Peter¡¯s SCU utility correctly report the current state of your scope (e.g., alignment and tracking)?? Do you get subsequent status reports when you issue ¡°S¡± commands? I am going bald with all of the hair I am pulling out over this problem.? Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!!! Paul
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Re: Has Anyone Successfully Connected to/Used a ServoCAT ASCOM Driver?
George,
This sounds great. ?Plate solving would be a huge upgrade for me. ?
Is there a link to download your driver?
Thank-you for producing this driver.
Richard Miller
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Mike
bobrose500