From: "Milton Aupperle" <milton@outcastsoft.com>

Date: July 7, 2007 10:39:23 AM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: autoguiding software

Hi Tim;

I would also advise ordering a ST-4 6 pin cable that goes with it to

connect the GPUSB to the mount. Finding an off the shelf  straight

through 6 pin cable (lots of 4 wire, but no 6 wire ones) for it was

impossible here in Calgary, so I had to buy some RJ12 end plugs, cable

and a new RJ-12 Crimper and make my own.

The main issue I have with using a guide scope is "flexure", where

over time due to a variety of mechanical issues, the two scopes no

longer point at the same object. In my case the 80 mm refractor I

bought has a crappy focuser and it flexes due to the weight of  cables

and camera. So I wrap the FireWire cables around a bar on the scope so

that event this slight amount of pressure doesn't throw off the

guiding. Unfortunately 2 nights ago I forgot to do it and even with 55

second exposures, I was getting about 0.7 pixel of drift due to

flexure. It made the image far less sharp than they could have been.

Hope That Helps..

Milton Aupperle

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "centurion40tim" <urgent40@...> wrote:

Excellent. I was hoping you would say something like that as I think

this software is 

superior for ease of use. I didn't know how to connect my mac to my

CG-5 and the 

instructions seemed to say that I must "hack" my hc.  Will pick up a

GPUSB and go from 

there. Anything else?

thx TimH

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

Why would you not use Astro IIDC 3 for guiding?

If you have a ST-4 type guide port on your mount, pick up a GPUSB

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_gp.htm

and you should be fine for interface and control.

And don't forget that if you need more light gathering, you can use  

2x2 or 4x4 binning to guide off fainter stars too.

HTH..

Milton J. Aupperle

On 6-Jul-07, at 10:45 PM, centurion40tim wrote:

It's been a while since I've used my AstroIIDC. - Became obsessed  

with shooting DSOs and

bought a meade DSI. I was forced to buy an old PC to run it  

(aaarghh painful).  Good

success but all unguided and I am ready to make the jump.

I want to use my Unibrain webcam and my mac to guide. Is there any  

cheap autoguiding

software out there for my mac? (g-3 imac 500 mhz 512 ram 10.3).

The  

webcam should be

great but I need to send guide commands to my CG-5 mount.

Celestron 9.25 ASGT- has autoguide port/ unibrain webcam/  

ASTROIIDC/ DSI color for

main imager - probably/

Orion 80mm short tube enroute as guidescope

thanks for any comments

TimH in Arizona