From: "Tim" <tjp314@pacbell.net>

Date: January 18, 2006 8:55:08 PM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: Can't autoguide with Flea (or DSI Pro, for that matter).

Milton:

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Milton Aupperle <milton@o...> wrote:

Hi Tim;

I've been swamped with a new client (MSSS with Stereo Robotics  

Imaging for Autonomous Rovers) and haven't had time to even stop to  

eat anything yet, so sorry about the delay.

As you may remember, I'm a Co-I with MSSS on the cameras for the Mars Science 

Laboratory rover.  One of the reasons I chose the SBIG ST2000XM is that it uses the same 

kodak ccd that we're flying on the rover, though those are color on-chip cameras (to 

enable color stereo video).  We should talk offline someday.  ;o)

On the "http://www.technoplus.nl/astro/lx200.htm" page, the section  

entitled named "Syntha HEQ5 / EQ6" is exactly what I did to "hack" my  

EQ 3 hand controller, I soldered wires from one to the other. However  

I used a telephone connectors (RJ-12 or whatever they are) and cable  

to connect the USB board to the Hand Controller, so I can detach it all.

And  the "SkyWatcher SkyScan" example is basically what you would  

need to do for your Temma or Celestron mounts - the pin outs will  

likely be different, but it isn't a big deal to work it out.

I'm going to have to look into this in more detail.  You've piqued my interest.

I was a mining geologist for 15 years and worked with rocks from 3.8  

billion years old right up to stuff (gold being deposited in Placer  

river beds) being formed today, so I know some of what you do. If you  

can wire a house, you can do this - all you need is some solder, a  

soldering gun and a multimeter to make sure the polarities all match  

up and some patience.

Yep!

One thing that just bit me in the butt today was not enough power.

I had two Unibrains doing stereo imaging at the same time and it all  

worked fine on the laptop. When I switched out the cameras to the  

Flea and a Dragon Fly, weird crap started happening like register I/O  

not completing etc on the laptop. I then plugged it all into the G5  

and it works flawlessly. So I powered the Hub with a DC Adapter  

delivering 12 volts/1.25 amps and tried it again and no problem with  

G4 laptop at all. I think this might explain the occasional problem  

I've seen with using multiple cameras on the Lap Top.

So if your running multiple FW cameras you need to also power the  

cameras with a FireWire Hub for laptops and possibly Minis too.

This is reminiscent of my experiences (and those of many others) and the DSI Pro.  

Thankfully, others had identified the insufficient power through the USB port with a laptop, 

so it didn't take me long to find a solution (powered PCMCIA 4-port hub).  I made sure to 

get one that would be compatible with the Mac, and it is, but I've not been able to get the 

camera to work with Virtual PC.  

-Tim.