I think the AZ8 addon/option is good, especially for star parties! I personally love using EQ but not at star parties. At star parties I need GOT but with the ability to transition to Push To then re-engage GoTo or Return-To after a kid bumps the mount.
32:40. I'm REALLY glad you offer J2000 and JNow both. Crucially, the user can switch from one to the other at any moment -- you can do a series of go-tos to coordinates, some one way, some the other, switching back and forth each time you're going to enter coordinates. I *think* I have had the experience of retrieving J2000 coordinates from a catalog but finding the controller set to JNow when it tries to use them, and thus ending up slightly off the object. Do catalog retrievals automatically set the controller to use the same one of the two epochs that the catalog uses? (Celestron and iOptron mounts are only JNow., as I understand it. This is a little awkward when working with catalogs. I don't know what epoch their catalogs use.)
32:30 The iPhone app you need is Polar Scope Align. It includes images of many manufacturers' reticles (including Losmandy) and shows where to put Polaris on them.
I use PS Polar Align to rough in the mount PA during the day. I made a wooden stand-off to keeps the phone away from the bulk of iron. It works ok, but it is absolutely terrible putting the phone directly on the mount. As an aside I am not recommending the PS Polar Alignment tool but it’s handy for this task.
I designed a light blocker of 20x3 black balcony screen that mounts to my cinder block wall on 3 light-weight aluminum posts. Acts as a wall extention, adding 3 more feet to the wall to block bitch-ass nosy neighbors and their bright freaken lights. Easily mounts and dismounts in less than 30 seconds.
For visual and or EAA astronomy AZ is much easier and simpler. Also in EAA a second scope can be used instead of the counter weights. I would have liked to rather see a pier interface that allowed AZ mode of operation with any G11 type mount especially with the G11g, which might be excluded, it sounds like. Please can you clarify and consider such a mounting method to achieve AZ for your current mount models already sold and in use. Remember EAA uses very short exposure times so field rotation due to AZ is mitigated.
I'd be interested in the new Alt Az manual mount. I'm on the list for the current iteration for something quick and easy grab mount for my Lunt H-Alpha scope for solar viewing. Having the option to use it multiple ways is even better.
I got no time for all this banter. Less than 50%, and that’s a stretch, is actually useful info. You should rewatch your own UA-cam and see how much is actually information but I bet you don’t have the time to watch it yourself.
@Wandering - thanks for the feedback. If you prefer "just the facts" we also have the clickable table-of-contents in the description to skip to just the topics you want to listen to. We do want our show to be more than just astro tips and tricks, it's a format we like and we continue to tweak.
Nice to see you guys back!
I agree.
The reference to the Remote Automated Imaging computer or thing got my attention. Looking forward to more information. Good podcast.
The hand controller is my 2nd favorite part of the G11. I like Brian's observatory rolling shed. Gives me some ideas.
I do like the hand controller too
Alt Az for visual is MUCH more intuitive to move manually around the sky. Moving a GEM to a point in the sky manually is an acquired skill!
I think the AZ8 addon/option is good, especially for star parties! I personally love using EQ but not at star parties. At star parties I need GOT but with the ability to transition to Push To then re-engage GoTo or Return-To after a kid bumps the mount.
32:40. I'm REALLY glad you offer J2000 and JNow both. Crucially, the user can switch from one to the other at any moment -- you can do a series of go-tos to coordinates, some one way, some the other, switching back and forth each time you're going to enter coordinates.
I *think* I have had the experience of retrieving J2000 coordinates from a catalog but finding the controller set to JNow when it tries to use them, and thus ending up slightly off the object. Do catalog retrievals automatically set the controller to use the same one of the two epochs that the catalog uses?
(Celestron and iOptron mounts are only JNow., as I understand it. This is a little awkward when working with catalogs. I don't know what epoch their catalogs use.)
32:30 The iPhone app you need is Polar Scope Align. It includes images of many manufacturers' reticles (including Losmandy) and shows where to put Polaris on them.
@Michael - great comment! I had that app and didn't know it had a losmandy mode. We'll have to mention it on the next episode
I use PS Polar Align to rough in the mount PA during the day. I made a wooden stand-off to keeps the phone away from the bulk of iron. It works ok, but it is absolutely terrible putting the phone directly on the mount. As an aside I am not recommending the PS Polar Alignment tool but it’s handy for this task.
I designed a light blocker of 20x3 black balcony screen that mounts to my cinder block wall on 3 light-weight aluminum posts. Acts as a wall extention, adding 3 more feet to the wall to block bitch-ass nosy neighbors and their bright freaken lights. Easily mounts and dismounts in less than 30 seconds.
@rainbow that sounds great. Maybe send us some pics?
@@brianvalente Okay. Where?
For visual and or EAA astronomy AZ is much easier and simpler. Also in EAA a second scope can be used instead of the counter weights. I would have liked to rather see a pier interface that allowed AZ mode of operation with any G11 type mount especially with the G11g, which might be excluded, it sounds like. Please can you clarify and consider such a mounting method to achieve AZ for your current mount models already sold and in use. Remember EAA uses very short exposure times so field rotation due to AZ is mitigated.
Pretty sure that’s what it is? ;)
Cool Brain! CS!
I'd be interested in the new Alt Az manual mount. I'm on the list for the current iteration for something quick and easy grab mount for my Lunt H-Alpha scope for solar viewing. Having the option to use it multiple ways is even better.
I got no time for all this banter. Less than 50%, and that’s a stretch, is actually useful info. You should rewatch your own UA-cam and see how much is actually information but I bet you don’t have the time to watch it yourself.
@Wandering - thanks for the feedback. If you prefer "just the facts" we also have the clickable table-of-contents in the description to skip to just the topics you want to listen to. We do want our show to be more than just astro tips and tricks, it's a format we like and we continue to tweak.
@@LOSMANDY Yup. Low Signal to Noise ratio. Quit watching these a long time ago.
iron CW is fine!